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

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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

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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

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THE COMIVIENTATOR PAGE FIVE Learn to Live -. . . r . if 'ii' By Mrs. D. E. Wisner M' Child. Evangelism Instructm- PRnPAnA'r1oN The figures of this story may be used gainst a plain background since the scene hanges so often. They include: the unk, shabbily dressed, reclining against everal barrels, standing Hgure of the runkg a rosebush in bloomg a perfume ounter, showing clerk nearby, a well essed mang a counter with man serving drink, a family group of mother, father, nd boy, a group of three girls, varying gesg a girl with school books, talking to er churn, a boy walking away from a roup of boysg a set of figures to make the ospel plain- the Lord Jesus on the cross, esus knocking at the heartis door, or any ther suitable figures you may have. Most f these may be found in magazines, or hey may be sketched on construction aper, colored appropriately, backed with uting flannel, and cut out. PRESENTATION Look at him! CShow drunk asleepj sn't he disgusting? Just a good-for- othing- a dirty, ragged, drunken bum sleep among the whiskey barrels in the ear of a saloon. His beard looks as if t hadn't been cut for at least two weeks, nd what can that terrible smell be? Well, 'll tell you. While he was sleeping, some- ody played a horrible trick on him by bbing limburger cheese into his beard. pon awakening he smells the stuff and onders where the odor is coming from. CReplace with standing figure of drunk.J e snilfs the air, looks about, then smells is hands. Something around here smells terrible, e mumbles. There must be something ead in this corner. Getting to his feet, e staggers out into the street for a breath f fresh air, but the smell seems to be ll about him. Passing a park, he plucks a rose and mells it. CAdd rosebushj Queer, he utters, even the roses smell bad around ere. Much puzzled, he turns around and starts ack to town. He turns into a drug store, icks up a bottle of perfume, and asks the lerk, Would you mind my smelling some f this perfume? CRep1ace bush with per- me counter and clerk.J No, answers the attendant, remember- g that even drunks buy presents at times. 'That's all right. Go right ahead. But he is a bit surprised at the drunk's words s he recorks the bottle and shuffles out. To think that people actually pay good oney for that awful smelling stuff! On the street he passes a well dressed an. Looks nice, but smells bad, he re- arks to himself. CRemove counter and dd well dressed man.i Finally, he goes back into the saloon. 'Mister, I have just one dime. Please ive me something to drink right quick. Replace figure of man with counter and an serving a drinkj He swallows the rink, and sets the glass down on ounter, complaining, Isn't it awful? Isn,t what awful? asks the man ind the counter. Can't you smell it? The whole world mells rotten. the 3! be- Poor old fellow. He is looking every place, but the right place, for the offensive odor, isn't he? Boys and girls, I wonder if we aren't like this miserable old wretch many times. Not me, perhaps you are saying. Why I've never been drunk in all my life. I've never even tasted intoxicating liquor. That's line. We hope you never, never dog but you don't have to be a drunk to be like this fellow in the way I'm think- ing of. QRemove all figures.J wg - 22, Q if -1 J an at tsl ,r f 'rl .r li 0 gf M-, fe.. Jesus said, And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but con- siderest not the beam that is in thine own eye?,' CMatt. 7:35. Did you ever find yourself wondering what was wrong with all your family as Jimmy did? CPlace family group- father, mother, and Jim.my,j Mom, where's my ball cap? Wherever you left it, likely, dear. I haven't seen it. Are you sure? It's queer the way my things disappear. Somebody is always hiding my things. It just has to be that somebody did something with my ball cap. What's this? asked his dad, dragging the missing cap from behind the door, right where Jimmyihad last dropped it. Oh, said Jimmy, looking rather foolish. I guess I did drop it there. Or did you ever meet a girl like Sally, who thought everybody else lazy? QRe- place family group with three sisters.J Jenny, won't you do the dishes tonight? 'Tm sorry, but I have homework to do. It's your turn anyway, I did them last night, O Jen, you're the laziest person I ever saw. Then she tried to get her older sister to iron a blouse for her, and because she re- fused, Sally thought her lazy, too. Finally, she went off to her unmade bed, even thinking her mother lazy because she hadn't made it for her. Strange, it never seemed to dawn on Sally that she really was the lazy one. Have you ever known anyone like Joan? CReplace sister group with two girls com- ing from school.J No use to even try to get good grades with a teacher like that! She's got it in for meg she just doesn't like me. It's all her fault. She wouldn't give me a good grade if I earned it. Or did you ever hear anyone talking like this? CReplace girls with group of boys.J I just can't get along with himg he always wants his own way, And I don't like Tommy either. I'm sick of the whole bunch, they can't get along with anybody. I think I'll play by myself. And at home in the evening he sulks be- cause all his family are so hard to get along with. Say, do you see any connection now be- tween these and the drunk? Why of course, you get the point. The drunk thought the whole world smelled like limburger cheese, but he never dreamed the cheese was in his own beard. Poor Jimmy blamed his whole family for his own carelessness, and lazy Sally thought everybody else lazy because they refused to do what she should have done for her- self. Joan blamed the teacher for her own failure, and that last fellow in the story was probably mighty hard to get on with, himself. Yes, isn't it easy to blame someone else and excuse ourselves for our own wrongdoing? Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., says, No doubt the trouble is with you. Don't start out in life blaming anybody but yourself. When you fail, don't blame the teacher. Don't blame circumstances. Don't make alibis. Start out in life always to take the responsi- bility. You are a Christian, aren't you? You have a God to help you, haven't you? Well, isn't God Ahnighty greater than the difficulties in life? There are a lot of saved people who don't know how to live. They can't fit into situations, they can't get along anywhere. Learn how to live, that is the greatest lesson in the world. Arr-L1cA'r1oN Shall we who know Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord determine now by His grace to do a better job of living in 1952? Let's stop blaming others and look closer home for the trouble. Of course if you are not a Christian, you are dead and aren't living at all. fUse salvation figures.J God says in His Word that you are dead in trespasses and sins CEph. 2:13. You need not stay deadg you may join the ranks of the living by saying to Him just now, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus: cleanse away my sins and save me for 'I'hy nam-e's sake. Then you will pass from death to life CJohn 5:24D, and you, too, by His grace and power can make this new year a glorious one by learning to live as He would have you. -- We are indebted to Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., for the story of the drunk and the quoted paragraph, which were taken from his book, Things I Have Learned. They are used with his permission. DR. WILSON'S ITINERARY Jan. 18-20 - Madison Ave. Baptist Church Paterson, New Jersey Jan. 25-27 - Victorious Life Conference Kansas City Bible College Jan. 29-Feb. 3 - Evansville Rescue Mission Evansville, Indiana - Day of Prayer Kansas City Bible College Feb. 10-14 - St. Petersburg, Florida Feb. 6 - - -