Numidia Mennonite Bible School - Reflector Yearbook (Numidia, PA)

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PHILIPPIANS The theme of Paulis book of Philippians is Joy. It was evident as we studied his life that he not only preached Joy but proved it was possible by his consistent life. Even in his many sufferings and cares, he came through victorious, rejoicing that he was counted worthy to suffer for his Lord. He was now in his old age and his body was well-marked by physical suffering in the past. Paul would have desired to depart and be with Christ but joyfully gave himself up to the cause, realizing that to live is Christ, even though to die would be great gain. In the first chapter Paul's main concern was that each Christian would grow and be filled with the fruit of righteousness. In the second chapter he exhorts us to be humble in light of Christ's humility in being willing to suffer and die for us. The great race of every Christian and the ultimate goal - Heaven, which can be attained by God's grace is presented in chapter three. Finally in chapter four Paul stresses the need of joy in the Christian life - a joy that does not depend on outward circumstances but is deeply rooted in Christ so that it is endur- ing. In concluding Paul expresses his grati- tude to God for all He has done. May we each experience Paul's testimony as we go forth in God's service claiming His promises. --ESTHER HERR I AND II TIMOTHY I 8z II Timothy proved to be an interesting, thought-provoking book study. Our teacher, true to his conviction that we get out of something what we put into itj' helped us dig into the Word by having us outline various chapters. The apostle Paul, burdened that the pure, true gospel might be preached, wrote these two letters to Timothy, a young pastor dwell- ing at Ephesus. First Timothy, correctly titled The Ideal Church, begins a conflict between the Law and the Gospel. Certain men attempting to teach the Law without understanding its proper place, were spreading the false con- cept that the Law brings salvation. In the rest of the book, we saw instructions for the behavior of men and women in the church, qualifications for bishops and deacons, some Conims threats to the Church with their ant1Cl0ffe, and several principles for church administration. Second Timothy, dealing with The Ideal Pastorj, merits the theme: Preparing the Man in his Responsibility. CLooking back, at Self, and ahead in Timothy's experience, we used- the key words remember and responsibilityw consecutively for chapters one and two. Using Uresistancen and 'fre- s4ourc.es for chapter three, we then derived I-en,11nder,aa ccrewardaaa ccrequestsaa and care- assurancel' from chapter four.J This study helped us glean many rich practical truths from the epistles to Timothy. -SHARON BAUMAN Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. -Luke 21:33 I 8: II PETER The epistle of I and II Peter was written by the Apostle Peter to the Jewish believ- ers of the Dispersion, which was a result of the persecution they were suffering. The message of I Peter is Hope in Suffering. Peter endeavored to encourage the believers with the thought of their 'flively hopei' in Christ Jesus. He exhorted them to holy living in the light of their calling as strang- ers and pilgrims in this evil world. They were to remain faithful and to count it 'a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ, their Supreme Example in suffering. Peteris second epistle was written several years later, shortly before his death. He wrote it to warn against the internal danger of false teachers. Peter's call was for the believers to live according to the knowledge of God and His Word. This would be a safeguard against false teachers and their doctrine. We, as believers today, do not know when persecution may be our lot, but, we need to live faithful, holy lives and guard against false teaching, so that if persecution would come, we would be able to face it and come through victorious. -PHILIP R. DANNER 26

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MARK Mark is a descriptive book of action which relates more of Christ's doings than his teach- ings and portrays Him in great power. Th1S book eliminates the genealogy birth of Christ and the early life of Christ. In the outstart Christ is a grown man full of love and com- passion and very active in healing the lame, blind, sick and the lepers, casting out un- clean spirits and raising the dead. Also the great faith of those who if they could only touch the hem of His garment would be healed. As we see the love and compassion Christ expressed and the life He sacrificed for us, it should so inspire us that we would never be ashamed of our Lord. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels? Mark 8:38. -MARJORIE WEAVER l ACTS The book of Acts is a sequel to the Gos- pels, and the background and support of the Epistles, yet it cannot be considered a blue- print for the church today. The disciples obeyed the command of the Lord to wait at Jerusalem until they were endowed with power from on high. This power was the previously promised Com- forter, the Holy Ghost, graciously given to the Jewish believers when the day of Pen- tecost was fully comef' The Gentiles re- ceived the gift of the Holy Ghost when Peter took the good news to Cornelius and his Hkinsmen and near friendsf' Throughout the book, the fiag of the Chris- tian gospel was never fiown in surrender. The apostles, statement, We ought to obey God rather than men, clearly reveals this. God also forcefully and effectively proved this in His dealings with Ananias and Sap- phira. After his conversion, Paul too con- firmed this truth by boldly preaching the gospel on his missionary journeys, by writ- ing letters to the Churches while he was in prison, by preaching the gospel to civil rul- ers when brought before them, and by joy- fully suffering much for Christ's sake. The book ends with Paul in prison tri- umphantly preaching and uteaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. -FRED CARPENTER 25 ROMANS For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salva- tion to everyone that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faithf' Romans 1:16, 17. The theme of salvation through faith is found throughout the entire book of Romans. The first eleven chapters deal largely with doctrinal instruction. We are justified by faith, as was Abraham, father of the faithful. God is so thorough in justifying us, it is as though weive never sinned. The last five chapters are practical ex- hortations. Chapter twelve is the relation- ship of the Christian with the body of believ- ers. In chapter thirteen We see the Christian as a citizen of the state, and chapter fourteen deals with the conscience. Paul brings this profound and practical message to a close with these words, To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Romans 16:27. -LINDA MARTIN EPHESIANS Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Ephesians 2:19, 20. The beautiful book of Ephesians pictures the church as the unified body of Christ and is divided into three sections: the salu- tation, the doctrinal and the practical. The writer, Paul, who calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ, writes about different mysteries. One is the fact that now the Jews and Gentiles can be partakers together of the grace of God. Another is that Christ now indwells the believers who will one day be His bride. In the walk of love, we are to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, not in the vanity of our mind, but circum- spectly and as children of light. Certainly our calling is a high, holy and heavenly one. I am thankful that we may now be quick- ened and receive new life in Christ? But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13. -SUSAN CARPENTER Thg Iilfl is Joy- no that he n Q it WHS POS' in his ma? through ii Collflted wi was HOW H well-mart? paSt.- 3 be Wllh Cir to the CZ Christ. CW gain. In the fi waS that 62 filled with 3 second Cha? light of Ch suffer and every Chn Heaven. W grace is pre in chapter joy in the I not depend is deeply rc ing. In cor tude to G01 May we as we go His promise I I IMI Tin thoughppm UUE I0 his Sflmelhinq i. dl-QIUIO lhel Chapters. The iiposi FWO letters rj mg at Epilfz Firzt T1 Churcxhj' Isl and the Gm Ie21Qh thc I PIOPQI- I L 55121 fi!! it st gf thx behaxinr lib

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SECTIGN II - BIBLE DocrRlNE PER! SEPARATION -- A SATISFYING WAY OF LIFE And be not conformed to this World, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, . . . Romans l2:2. After transfor- mation we no longer desire the things of this World. We take a different path in life, one of Nonconfomiity or Separation. In Creation God used the Principle of Separation. Light was divided from darkness as were the waters above from those beneath the firmament, and the land from the sea. Some Old Testament characters who prac- ticed separation were Noah - Genesis 7:7, Abraham - Genesis 12: l-4 and the Child- ren of Israel-Exodus 8:23. God is still calling us to Separation. II Corinthians 6:17. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate . . . Our practice of Separation reaches into all areas of life. Our homes, cars, attire and speech must show that We are pilgrims and strangers here. With this concept fixed in our minds, we do not desire to be unequally yoked in worldly organizations. Social life and marriage are also very im- portant areas of separation. Choosing our associates and companions, we must be sure they are the kind that will help us to a closer relation with the Lord. Separation is God,s way for us in life. Living therein we have God's blessing, and having the blessing, we are truly satisfied. --MABEL WISE NONRESISTANCE To the average worldly minded man, non- resistance is a vague fantasy. To some, the mention of it would stir up resentment, im- mediately thinking of the cowards who are just too scared to fight. To other people it's an idealistic term. They admire those who live this type of life, but are not willing to apply the power of Christ to their own lives. For the Christian, not resisting evil is a way of life. It affects our whole walk from the proper use of our tongue to not partici- pating in carnal warfare. A firm stand on this doctrine often meant death to Christians of bygone years. A new birth experience is essential to live a truly nonresistant life. 27 While nonresistance was not God's plan for the Old Testament, we find many inter- esting types there to apply to our lives today. The error of Pacifism is a counterfeit of Biblical nonresistance, and is very prevalent in our day. The theory is to oppose war as a means to make peace. This view is erron- eous, and God's blessing is not on it. We are encouraged to follow Jesus, the one who exemplified nonresistance perfectly, and live that kind of life ourselves. -GLENN ZIMMERMAN G0d's Way Is Best SATAN AND HIS FORCES Be sober, be vigilant, because your ad- versary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith. I Pet. 5:8,9a. The Christian needs to understand his enemies in order to be victorious in spiritual warfare. Satan and his forces must be considered and faced realistically today. The wholesale apostasy, moral degeneracy, and political- religious ecuminicity are stark reminders of his present accomplishments. Another evi- dence of his existence is the tremendous occult revival in our land. A good warning for all of us in connection with this is to never seek knowledge or display interest in the realms of darkness and the future be- yond what the Bible tells us. Prayer is our only link to the supernatural. Satan is the most depraved being that exists. In his fall he took with him many angels who now work for him as demons. His tactics are many, old and new, but all bear the trademark of deception. However there is a very positive and joy- ous note to this study for we see that Satan has his limitations. He isn't omnipresent, omnipotent, or onmiscient and he cannot see our link of faith to God. His certain final doom is to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Finally, the measure of power that he has over us is the measure in which we neglect truth and sound doctrine, for, greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. -MARK TORKELSON Is th can WG The Ter tam creatiol Joseph, In h out of I later, J baptizil ised to to the On t came uj was bo receiver cluded. Sign: it, nam cloven other 1 signs tc signs ai is conf The teach ti world He test has pa lives ir Tod: men th ing to 1 Thir on the in the to 21 tra referre icance point missin no life less. witho us not been we ar-