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

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Rev. S. G. Norris Rev. S. G. Norris, founder and president, quickens the hearts and minds of Pentecostal youth with imperishable truths. He loves to teach The Mighty God in Christ. Since 1937 he has championed the cause for Bible School education. He believes that a diploma from ABI is a spiritual treasure. The Apostolic Bible Institute has grown from a one building church-school to a scenic forty-acre campus. Lives are enriched by his ministry and to him nothing is more valuable than the presence of God. He is an honorary board member of the UPC. Students drink deeply from God's Word when he teaches Doctrine and Epistles. He loves life, is generous and has exceptional ability to discover good qualities in people and encourage them to use their abilities for the Kingdom of God. PENTECOSTQ QUESTIONS MADE CLEAR' By Rev. S. G. Norris There are many benefits included in the Pentecostal experience besides the assurance of full salvation, lt clears up questions that have confused Bible lovers for centuries. lt is a blessing for anyone to make peace with God, and it is also very en- couraging to have unsolved doubts made under- standable. EXAMPLE: THE LAW OF MOSES For fifteen hundred years, honest-hearted Jews tried to find the answer for salvation through various laws given by God to Moses at Mt. Sinai. There were many such instructions to be obeyed through repentance and the sacrifice of clean animals. How- ever, there were really five main offerings. The Burnt offering was practiced for consecration. The Meat offering represented a willingness for extra service. The Trespass offering was a graduated offering depending upon the status of the offerer and his desire to get right with God. The Sin offering was to make right, wrongs against a fellow- man. Finally, the Peace offering which was the best of all, expressed an appreciation for the Lord's goodness. This was shared sometimes with friends as a testimony of gratitude. These im- portant offerings were the chief expressions of Israel trying to make peace with God and man. 6 There was one more the Day of Atonement This was the nearest the Law could offer as a visible expression from the Lord, that their sins were forgiven. Once a year, on this day only, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies. He sprinkled the blood of the goat on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. Here only, could he witness the appearance of the gIory cloud called the Shekinah. This cloud confirmed to Israel that the sins of those who had offered sacrifices throughout the year were forgiven. The sad part was, that all of this had to be repeated year after year, always hopeful of a better understand- mg. THE QUESTIONS OF THE LAW MADE CLEAR Acts chapter two: When the Day of Pentecost was fully come - that marvelous day was like a New Testament Mount Sinai! Heaven kissed the earth! The curtain finally lifted as to what the Law represented. The one hundred and twenty faithful followers of Jesus, including the Apostles and Mary the Lord's mother, were all filled with the Holy Ghost. They were filled, not just by faith, as important as that is, but with the evidence of speaking with other tongues as a heavenly lan- guage. The Shekinah of the Day of Atonement

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took lodgement in their hearts. A crowd of sin- cere Jews gathered and were eye witnesses. They saw the people of their nation receiving full sal- vation of Pentecost. WHAT SHALL WE DO? Please note! These God-fearing Jews did not say, What shall we do to be saved? They had kept the law the best that they knew how. They some- how understood they were witnessing a marvelous experience from God that replaced that law. They wanted to know what to do NOW! Would this supernatural act of God replace the offerings and even the Day of Atonement? They desired to know, without a shadow of doubt! Peter stood in Jerusalem as Moses had stood on Mount Sinai. His answer was Acts 2:38. When this grand Apostle gave this answer it was not only the New Testament plan of salvation, but it was also replacing the mysteries of God's types and shadows for the past fifteen hundred years. No wonder three thousand souls took advantage of this heavenly revelation and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ! lActs 2:41I A NATION'S RELIGION AT STAKE! If ever the valid way for water baptism for remission of sins demanded to be stated correctly, it was on that day of Pentecost. IF AT ANY TIME IN THE ENTIRE BIBLE ANYONE WAS TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST, THAT WAS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR IT TO BE REVEALED. A NATION'S RELIGION WAS AT STAKE. Matthew 28:19 was not used here or at any baptismal service in the entire New Testament. These God-fearing Jews had asked a heart-searching question. WHAT MUST WE DO NOW? Peter's answer was clear. He also was a Jew. He knew what was racing through their minds. They were not Gentiles. They were his people. God told him what to say. It was Acts 2:38. This Scripture is a sacred as Mt. Sinai's laws. Moses opened the door on that famous Mount which formed the nation of Israel. Peter opened the door at Pentecost for a hoIy nation, one even greater than was ever offered in the Old Testament. A Canaan Land in the heavens with a capital city whose builder and maker was God. Shadows and mysteries faded away in that second chapter of Acts and also in suceeding chapters of baptismal services recorded in Acts eight, ten and nineteen. IT IS STILL AVAILABLE TODAY. THE PROMISE IS UNTO YOU AND YOUR CHILD- REN, AND TO ALL IJEWS AND GENTILESl THAT ARE AFAR OFF, EVEN TO AS MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL. 7