Cincinnati Bible Seminary - Nautilus Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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forefiicfenfg efifiage fo fire Cfddd of 1959 on .giairifuaf growfA In recent days Russia has fired a missile beyond the moon. They have said that the missile has gone into orbit about the sun-and they are probably accurate in this report. However, one comment of the Russians lottered seriouslyl about the significance of this missile is amusing. They have said, This proves that angels and God do not exist. The Russians' declaration proves the carnally minded are incapable of judging the spiritually minded. ll Corinthians 2:l5, l6.l There is, however, an obvious misuse that is made of this truth. A man may claim to be spiritual with- out spiritual attainment. He brands as carnal any attempt to judge him. He affirms that his judgment is always correct because of his claim to spirituality. The criteria of spiritual attainment, as in all matters pertaining to things of the spirit, is to be found in the Holy Spirit revealed word-and the truly spiritual man will be the first to admit this truth. I. THE SPIRITUAL LIFE BEGINS WITH THE SPIRITUAL BIRTH. As life exists in a new-born babe, so spiritual life exists in the individual who has experienced the new birth into Christ. llohn 3.3, John l:l2, l3.l The existence of spiritual life does not imply perfection on the part of the individual possessed of spirit- ual life. Indeed the existence of a spiritual life forbids a claim of perfection-except that which is given to us by the grace of God. A child possesses the nature of his parents, yet he does not have the size of the parents or their mental ability. So the Christian partakes of God's nature and is capable of growing toward Him and into His image. ll. WHERE THERE IS SPIRITUAL LIFE THERE WILL BE SPIRITUAL GROWTH. Peter gives us a picture of the spiritual growth in ll Peter l:5-7. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance pati- ence, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. Ill. SCRIPTURAL TESTS OF A DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL LIFE. The negative test. There are some things the spiritual man does not do. Paul gives us one list in Gala- tians 5:l9-2l. 'We may explicitly declare with the authority of God's word that the spiritual man abstains from these and other matters which are forbidden in God's word. However, the negative is not the best way to judge the spiritual attainment of ourselves or others. There are positive tests that may be applied to spiritual attainment. Spiritual men in New Testament time were full of joy. They did eat their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. lActs 2:46, 47.l Also they were filled with love for one another. A common faith in a common task united them in the service of the Lord. These spiritual men allowed their love to lead to deeds of benevolence. Spiritual men were devoted to the work of saving souls. lActs 8.l-4 and I Thessalonians T16-9.I They sought also the development of spiritual culture lActs 2:4Ql, grew in love until national and sect distinc- tions were broken down, opposed those who opposed Christ, and possessed a sense of nearness to God. They substituted the spiritual for the material and counted no sacrifice too great for the purpose of God. Let us seek spiritual growth. May self-examination be in the light of God's word. May the yielding N of our wills to the will of God bring to pass the spiritual attainment 3 that means joy for this life and an eternity of fulfillment in God's presence. I6l

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,MJ .izalnffy Our presidenT is human Too: he has a lamilyl They reside al 6302 Edwood, CinCinnaTi 24, and serve with The WhiTe Oak ChrisTian Church. Besides The role OT home- maker, Mrs. Perry assisTs wifh Seminary public:aTions in The mailing room. The Perry girls, ReTTa lon The Tloorl and MarTy, compleTe This pleasanT Tamily. ReT1a is a senior aT l-lughs High School and MarTy is a iunior aT WalnuT Hills l-ligh School, Along wiTh Their home life, The Perry Tamily are leaders in community and church acfivilies.