Kansas City Bible College - Armour Bearer Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

Page 87 text:

THE COMMZENTATOR PAGE THREE CHRISTIAN SERVICE REPORT BY Rav. W. JACK WILSON Director of Christian Service There has been a- mong fundamental Christians for some time a mild contro- versy over whether we prefer our mu- sicians and other Christian workers to be talented or con- secrated, assuming, in many cases, that we cannot expect them to be both. Too often a poorly prepared mes- sage or an unrehearsed musical number is expected to be excused by the fact that the performer really loves the Lord. It should be made very clear that we aren't interested in hearing anyone sing about our Lord who has never met Himg that is nothing but hypocrisy. And God's Word makes very plain the attitude of the Lord toward those who do anything for any other purpose than for His glory. I am sure that David, the sweet singer of Israel, never needed such excusing. True, he was singing from the depths of a grate- ful and trusting heart, but it was good, and it thrilled and impressed all who heard it. The Christian Service Department is upholding the definite policy of the Col- lege concerning our students who partic- ipate in any public service, either as mu- sicians or as speakers. Every student whether performing for a mission service attended bythe derelicts of skid-row, or for the morning service of the First Church of a large city, must have his musical proficiency checked and approved by our music faculty. Every preacher or other speaker from our College is expected to know how to use his Bible as well as a doctor knows how to use the contents of his little black bag. We are dealing with souls, and we cannot afford to be crude or uncertain. Although each must learn by doing, it is possible for even a freshman student who has only one sermon, to de- liver it forcefully, intelligently, in the power of the Holy Spirit to reach menis hearts for Christ. The pulpit is no place for apologies, and we trust that our stu- dents never need offer apologies for their spirituality, consecration, or the quality of their performance for the glory of God. Kathleen Jane arrived on December 16 to gladden the hearts of her parents, Rev. and Mrs. W. Jack-Wilson, and her sister, Sharon Sue. IN CHAPEL During the Youth for Christ confer- ence held at nearby Gray Rock for high school Bible club workers, the College as privileged to have two of the lead- ers as chapel speakers. Mr. Lacey Hall resented the peculiar need of his state f Florida, where pleasure seeking is too ften over-emphasized and where the oung Christians too often find indiffer- nce and even open rebellion to their test- ony. Mr. Herbert Tyler, who recently eturned from an evangelistic tour of Eu- ope pictured the pathetic need for the ospel all over that continent. Both of hese men presented a vital challenge to ose seeking the Lord's place for them in he harvest field. ALUMNI 'NEWS John and Pauline Prnden C505 be- came the proud parents of a baby girl, Grace Marie, on December 6. The Pru- dens with their son, John Daniel, are in Winona Lake, Indiana, this winter where John is attending Grace Theological Sem- mary. Lois Bowen C495 has received accept- ance for service in Italy under the H.O.P.E. Mission. Lois will be in the Kansas City area during January and February in dep- utation work. Alice Woodward, night school '45, has been appointed chairman for 1952 of the Kansas City Chapter of the Christian Bus- iness and Professional Women's Council of America. The appointment was made by the national chairman- of that organiza- tion and founder of Youth Home Missions, Mrs. Helen Duff Baugh. Leora Chard Moberly, former student, with her husband and two daughters vis- ited on the campus for a few hours re- cently. They expect to leave soon for the Philippines where they will serve our Lord under the Berean Mission. They will trav- el with John and Ruth Hausmann, former Ettifilents, who will also be serving in that e . Q l The above photo shows Bill Baum C505 with a group of orphans in a missionary's home in Nenana, Alaska. Since gradua- tion Bill has been Working in Washington, Oregon, Canada, and Alaska, speaking at Youth for Christ rallies, church banquets, Christian Business Men's Committees, ra- dio broadcasts, Bible conferences, and high school assemblies. He expects to go to Japan in the spring under the Far Eastern Gospel Crusade. CEditor's note-- Bill paid the College an unexpected visit after the above article went to press and told us that he has been accepted by the Crusade for missionary work in Japan. He is already engaged in language study and expects to sail about August, 1952.5 THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY BY HORACE BRELSFORD U Senior K.C.B.C. Student Paul, in writing his first epistle to the Thessalonians, concerned himself with presenting the truth about the rapture of the saints. Then, because of wrong con- ception in 'the minds of the Thessalonians concerning the time of the day of the Lord, he wrote the second epistle. The Brst was to show Christ coming for His ovsm, the second to show Christ coming with His own to accomplish the end of Satan. Before the first coming there is to be a great apostasy, then the church is to be removed and the man of sin revealed. This man of sin is Satan's man, the anti- christ, whose distinguishing feature is sin, whose crime is treason, and whose aim is to set himself up as God to be worshiped as God. It is outward rebellion against God, or lawlessness at its height. But Paul goes on to say that this program of Satan is already working. For the mys- tery of lawlessness doth already work CII Thess. 2:7 R.V.5. John, in his first epistle, says, Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now there are many anti- christsg whereby we know that it is the last time CI John 21185. The mystery of iniquity, then, is the program of Satan that stands in opposi- tion to Christ and His program. -It is man- ifested in the hearts of men by the spirit of rebellion to Christ, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience Cpeople who do not accept the Lord Jesus are spoken of as disobedient5. Jesus Him- self said that many would come in His name, saying, I am Christ, and would deceive many CMatt. 24:55. 'I'his program of Satan can be traced back to his rebel- lion and fall in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, and to the entrance of sin into the human race in Genesis 3, where we see man Brst rebelling against the commandment of God CRom. 5:125. It may be seen in the many times that Satan tried and succeeded in leading Israel away from God, his attempts to stop the Saviour from coming i.nto the world, and finally to the time of Christ, when he inspired the world to crucify the Lord Jesus. At the cross Satan was de- feated and his doom was sealed, but, since he is still allowed to promote his program of rebellion against God, the mystery of lawlessness now is working. There are three main spheres of operation: 1. It is working in the field of govern- ment. In Ephesians 6:12 Paul speaks of the rulers of the darkness of this world. Today, in government circles lawlessness is very prevalent. The government of Russia is, of course, opposed to Christ and His church. Our own government has re- cently removed the Bible from our public high schools. The newspapers every day tell of the lawlessness of government of- ficials. Satan is molding the thinking of the people toward a universal govern- ment of which he plans to be the head. The United Nations is a tendency in that direction. 2. Then, it is working in the social realm. Paul says in II Tim. 3:1-5, This know al- so, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, un- thankful, unholy, without natural affec- CConti'n.ued on Page 75

Page 86 text:

PAGE TWO THE COMMENTATOR The Fruit of The fruit of the Spir- it and the gifts of the Spirit are not identical. There is much confu- sion at this point with the result that there is much failure in liv- ing. The Christians in the church at Corinth had the gifts of the Spirit, but the fruit of the Spirit was sadly missing. Paul wrote to them, Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. CI Cor. 1:6-77. Later on in his first epis- tle he enumerates the nine gifts of the Spirit: Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differ- ences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of opera- tions, but it is the same God which work- eth all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spiritg to an- other faith by the same Spirit, to another the gifts of healing by the same Spiritg to another the working of miraclesg to an- other prophecyg to another discerning of spiritsg to another divers kinds of tonguesg to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsarne Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will CI Cor. 12:4-113. The manifestation of the Spirit is not al- ways the same. There is a manifold va- riety of operations and manifestations of the one Spirit. These often are according to temperament, according to capability, and according to function. The Holy Spir- it is the One who determines where and how the child of God should serve. He it is who designates the believer's service, for He divides to every man as He will. The Corinthians had been richly blessed with many gifts, which Paul acknowledg- ed, but the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit was woefully lacking. Paul had to rebuke them severely for their carnality. He wrote against the divisions and schisrns in the church. Some were claiming to be fol- lowers of Paul, others of Apollos, some of Cephas, and still others of Christ. It was not friendly rivalry betwen them, but bit- terness and backbiting, censoriousness and ugliness. At such times they were seek- ing after worldly wisdom and not after the wisdom which is in Christ. There was the condoning of sin in their midst and going to law against one another, and that before heathen judges. Grave disorder al- so prevailed at the Lord's table for which some had received severe rebuke by God in the form of sickness and even physical death. The nine-fold fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control CGal. 5: 221, was not manifested in their lives although the nine gifts of the Spirit were present. It is, therefore, very possible for Chris- tians to have the gifts of the Spirit while the Spirit and The Gifts of the Spirit By Dr. Robert H. Belton Executive Vice President, K. C. Bible College lacking the fruit of the Spirit. Have we not seen Christians of many gifts and tal- ents with whom it is very hard to get a- long? They have ability for God, and yet, they are sharp and bitter, censorious and ugly. In their everyday living there is very little of Christ-like love, gentleness, longsuffering, patience, rneekness, and self-control. In fact, as one searches his own heart, he is too often conscious of the lack of the fruit of the Spirit. Dr. Samuel Chadwick in his very help- to Pentecost, has a on this very subject. rather extensively: not identical. Fruit gifts are enduements ful book, The Way most helpful chapter Let me quote him Fruit and gifts are belongs to character, of power. Gifts are an evidence of the Spirit: but they are no proof of holiness. Gifts are according to the elections of the sovereign will of the Spirit of Godg fruit is the manifestation of cultivated life. Gifts are for service, fruit is for character. Gifts are functional, fruit is a quality of life. Gifts are bestowed, fruit is a manifesta- tion. Gifts may be immediate and com- plete, fruit is implanted and of gradual development. Both are of the Spirit and are intimately connected with one another, but thev are inseparable, much less iden- ital. The gifts of the Spirit are given to people who are elect according to the sovereign will of God, who by His Spirit divides to every man severally as He will. Love, in which is included all the fruit, is not in the list of spiritual gifts. Fruit is for all, gifts are for those for whom they have been prepared. All may not proph- esy, but all must love. We may covet gifts, but we must bear fruit. Gifts can- not take the place of fruit. Spiritual gifts are no proof of spiritual- ity. Gifts are not substitutes for grace, and ignorance and carnality have made them a menace to holiness of heart and in- tegrity of character. Do we not often seek for the manifes- tations of the gifts of the Spirit and are not concerned about the cultivation of the fruit of the Spirit? Yet it is the fruit of the Spirit which glorilies God. In John fifteen the Lord Jesus Christ is talking to His disciples about the necessity of bear- ing much fruit. He tells them that He is the vine and they are the branches and that if a branch bears some fruit the Fath- er prunes it that it may bring forth more fruit. When the branch brings forth much fruit then is the Father glorified. The fruit referred to here is the fruit of the Spirit. Later on in the chapter He tells them that they have been chosen and or- dained to go forth and bear much fruit which will remain. This refers to souls saved and saints edified. It stands to reason that the gifts of the Spirit manifested in a life where the fruit of the Spirit is missing will bring no glory to God and will with difficulty woo an unbeliever into the fold. But a Christ-like character filled with love, joy, peace, long- suffering. gentleness, goodness, faith, meek- ness, and temperance will witnessvto the reality of the presence of Christ in the life and will be a tremendous influence in bringing others to Christ. What is the condition in our lives? Be- cause some gifts of the Spirit manifest themselves, do we rest content feeling that we are on good terms with God? How about the fruit of the Spirit? Is there love, joy, and peace with relation to God: longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness with relation to our fellowmeng faith, meekness, and self-control with relation to ourselves? At the beginning of this new year let us bow low before God and ask Him to empty us completely of self, fill us with His Holy Spirit and produce a Christ-like character within us. Herein is my Fath- er glorified, that ye bear much fruity so shall ye be my disciples. The proof of real discipleship is fruit bearing. May the Lord make us healthy branches this year. 1952 CCo'n.timLed from Page 15 the pierced hand of the Son of God, the prize pf the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' There are three other desires that Paul mentions here: That I may win Christ, and be found in him, and that I may know him. Our first thought is that sure- ly this man already belonged to the Lord Jesus, and how could he then win Him? He might have gone in for winning money, for he was an astute man with a gifted mind. He might have gone in for a life of letters, for he was an able man with his pen. He was, however, not striving to gain. fortune, but to win Jesus Christ. He de- sired that all those whom he met should find him wrapped up in the Saviour, liv- ing with his identity hidden in Christ. And did not Paul already know Christ? He was not interested in knowing politics, or world problems, or questions of agricul- tureq but he was determined to go on to know Christ. The Lord grant that this may be the purpose, the ambition, the desire of every one of God's children. May the God, of all grace fill you with all joy and peace through believing. It will give you much of joy and little of sorrow, much of His blessed presence and little of darkness in the coming year of 1952. THE COMMENTATOR JANUARY, 1952 Volume 14, Number 1 Dr. Walter L. Wilson, Editor Grace T. Belton. Associate Editor Ona E. Woodward. Circulation Manager Price, single subscription, 75 cents a year: Canada and foreign, 85 cents. Two or more subscriptions. 50 cents each:- Canada and foreign 60 cents. Published monthly by The Kansas City Bible College P.O. Box 7035, Country Club Station Kansas City 2. Mo. School location: 75th lk State Line Road Entered as a second-class matter June 26. 1942 at the Post Office at Kansas City. Mo. und the Act of March 3, 1879.

Page 88 text:

PAGE FOUR THE COMIVIENTATOR MY TALK WITH JESUS 1 ' BY rzzszsf u ESTID I am an old man now, wrinkled and bent, and with not too many years left ere I depart from this world to be with my Lord. My life has been full and rich, and I have no complaints with my lot here. Wealth, position, and honor were mine in my younger days, yet life began to take on a newer, richer, and fuller meaning only after the first fiush of my youth was over and I was entering into middle age. At that time I met One who had a great iniiuence over me and who changed the whole course of my life by giving it a new meaning. Although my mind sometimes fails me when I try to recall events of the past, this meeting is as clear and refresh- ing to me as if it happened just yester- day. His face is as sharp in my memory as if He were standing before me. Let me tell you about it. At the time of this event I was a ruler of the Jews and a member of the Sanhed- rin. I was a man of eminence, a leader in the ecclesiastical, political, and intellec- tual world. When I passed through the streets, everyone knew and honored me. One would think that there was absolutely nothing in the world needed to make my life perfect. No doubt there were many who were envious of me and wished that they could be in my sandals for just one day. My home was lovely, my family was all devoted to me, my clothes were the best that could be purchased anywhere. Yet, although everything seemed perfect on the surface, there was a hidden ache in my chest that seemed almost to smother me at times. What was the matter? I did not know. Nothing satisfied me. I search- ed everywhere for relief. I delved into the Scriptures, yet even the services of the Temple with all the rites and cere- monies were a mockery to me. Where could I find relief? Rumors began to come to me of One who was performing marvelous cures and miracles. We questioned one man who claimed that this Jesus had cured him of his blindness, and nothing could shake his testimony. We knew that Jesus had turn- ed water into wine while attending a wed- ding feast in Cana. The common people were turning to Him, and the talk was that this was the Messiah long promised to our people. Truly, if there was ever a time when the Messiah was needed it was now, but how could this man who was born of such lowly parents be the long looked-for King who was to lead our people to victory over all of their foes? Surely His works were those of one who had been sent of God. His name was on all tongues, and even in the chambers of the Temple we discussed Him. There was a force within me compelling me to go to Him. Perhaps He could answer my questions and give me the peace for which I longed so desper- ately. Finally the urge became so strong that I sought Him out, even though it was at night. Just seeing Him did me some good. There was about Him a certain quiet in- ner strength. I started the conversation by saying, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God. To my utter amazement He replied, Ex- cept a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Here I had every- thing that a man could want and He told me that I had to begin all over again To say that I was stunned and completely be- wildered is putting it mildly. I could not help asking Him, How can a man be born again when he is old? Everyone knows that a man cannot go back over the process of life from the day of conception in his mother's womb and repeat the whole mysterious development. That which is born of the flesh is Heshg and that which is born of the Spirit is spi.rit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The Wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it com- eth, and whither it goethg so is everyone that is born of the Spirit. Was He tell- ing me that I must be born from above? A glimmer of the truth was coming to me so that I asked Him, How can these things be? He told me that as a teacher of Israel these things should not be difficult for me. He said that if I had found difficulty in understanding this life as it had been manifested in purely human spheres of action, it was no wonder that I was slow in apprehending its meaning in the inner- most life of the soul. The truth which He desired me- and even the whole world- to know was that as Moses lifted high in the wilderness the brass serpent which brought life to all who looked upon it, even so when He was lifted high above all else, everyone who trusted in Him should have eternal life. . As a student of the Scriptures, I knew the full story of how our fathers had mur- mured against God while traveling in the wilderness and the Lord had sent fiery serpents among the people, causing many to die. When the people confessed that they had sinned against God and asked Moses to pray for the serpents to be taken away, the Lord told him to make a fiery serpent of brass and to erect it on a pole so that everyone who was bitten could look upon it and live. I knew that story well, and began to understand that in some manner this One sent from God must be the Christ who would have to be lifted up. I went away from Him satisfied that I had found the answer to my hunger, and I became a disciple of His. I did not un- derstand all of the mystery concerning Him, but I knew that I-Ie was the Christ. When they brought Him before the San- hedrin, I was able to stand up and plead with the members that they should be fair and just to this One whom they were hounding to death. I had not given much of a testimony before this, but I was just trying to do what I could to alleviate the suffering He was undergoing and to let Him know that I was on His side. It did not do much good, but I felt a lot better for having spoken up in His behalf. I saw what they did to Him during that black night, and was there when they crucified Him. There He was, suspended between heav- en and earth, lifted high. It was then that I fully understood the meaning of what He had told me that night, for I saw then that He had come to die in my place, tak- CCo'n.ti'n:u.ed on Page SJ By Rev. Wade K. Ramsey Dean, Kansas City Bible College QUESTION: What is the significance of the 'number seven in the Scripture? ANSWER: Seven seems to be the favorite number in the Bible with regard to spir- itual matters, and is perhaps used more than any other number. It signifies com- pleteness or perfection. In the book of Revelation, where the Bible is completed and God's dealings with the world are set forth as consummated, we have this num- ber mentioned 54 timesg in fact, the num- ber seven is basic to the entire book. Ex- clusive of the prologue and the epilogue, the book is divided into seven parts. Here, also, we have the seven spirits, the seven churches, the seven golden candlesticks, the seven stars, the seven letters, the seven seals, the seven angels, the seven trumpets, the seven vials, the seven thunders, and the seven plagues. When Peter would know of the Lord how many times he should forgive his brother, the answer was seventy times seven CMatt. 18:22j. The week is made up of seven days. In Daniel's prophecy it was seventy weeks, or seventy Sevens, which were de- termined upon God's people to finish God's dealings with them before the kingdom was to be set up CDan. 9:24-275. It is interesting to note that the num- ber seven occurs in a significant way in God's creation as well as in God's rev- lation. As far as we know, the period of gestation of all animals is a multiple of seven. This is just another evidence that the God of creation is the God of reve- lation. QUESTION! What is the Bible meaning of the words prophet and prophecy? ANSWER: These words by common usage today generally mean one who predicts the future and a prediction of the future. When one announces a discourse on proph- ecy, the public generally understands that the subject is to be on future events. The Bible, however, does not limit these words to this idea. According to the Scripture a prophet is one who speaks forth the words of another, and a prophecy is the words of one in the mouth of another. In other words, God's prophets are all those who speak His words, and the words thus spoken are prophecies. Consequently, all the Bible, being God's Word, is a prophecy, and all the writers of the Bible are pro- phets. This meaning is clear from II Peter 1:21, which reads, For the prophecy came no in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The same -conclusio also is drawn from the fact that all in- spired writers, both in the Old and Ne Testaments, irrespective of whether or no they predicted the future, are constantl referred to as prophets. For example, th expression, Moses and the prophets, i used over and over again by Christ an His apostles to designate all the Old Test CConti'n.ued on Page 85