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

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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-

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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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PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Is the Holy Spirit among us today? How can we know? The Spirit was at work throughout the Old Testament. We notice He had a part in the creation, and also worked through men like Joseph, David, Daniel, and Ezekiel. In his day Joel prophesied the pouring out of the Spirit upon all people. Centuries later, John the Baptist foretold of Christ baptizing with the Holy Ghost. Jesus prom- ised to send the Comforter when He returned to the Father. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, and thus the church was born. Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles received the Holy Spirit. No race is ex- cluded. Signs accompanied the coming of the Spir- it, namely, sound like a rushing mighty wind, cloven tongues as of fire, and speaking in other tongues or languages. These were signs to confirm the Word of God. But these signs are not necessary today since the Word is confirmed and superior to signs. The Spirit's work today is to comfort and teach the believer, and reprove or convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He testifies of Jesus and not of himself. He has part in our New Birth experience and lives in the body of the believer. Today God is dwelling in the hearts of men through the Holy Spirit. What a bless- ing to the child of God. --MARVIN HERSHBERGER ORDINANCES Thinking of ordinances our mind focuses on the seven which are brought out clearly in the Scripture. We likened the ordinances to a tree. The outward ceremony or act was referred to as the bark, and the real signif- icance of it as the inner life of the tree. The point was brought out that if some bark is missing the tree will suffer, and if there is no life in the tree the outer shell is worth- less. As an example, the form of baptism without a new birth experience will profit Us nothing. On the other hand, if we have been born again and do not observe baptism, we are not obeying Christ's command. brotherle OIO atonement, feet washing - divine yd 3SS1St211tCe, devotional covering - lov OT -Sr, Christian .salutation - brotherly e, anointing with oil - spiritual healing and marriage - union with Christ. The out: Ward ceremony or act is to express the inner experience. I am sure each one in this class established a reater a reciation and realiz ed g pp ' more fully the necessity of all seven ordi- nances. -ANNA MARY BAUMAN Where Will You Spend Eternity? THE DOCTRINE OF HEAVEN AND HELL If a man die, shall he live again? Job 14: l4a. Death is inevitable, you cannot by- pass it. Death is basically separation, but for the Christian, death is also the gateway to a fuller life. In this study we were reminded of the reality of the unseen, intangible and the here- after, involving scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. In the day which we are living, we realize the much deception concerning the place of Hell. After discussing the various erroneous ideas of hell, we were made aware of the fact, according to Revelation 20:14, that the ultimate destiny of the wicked is the Lake of Fire, where they will be punished ac- cording to their works forever. Truly this gives us a renewed desire to help others Hee from the wrath to come. We, also, considered the place of eternal bliss for the righteous, heaven, a prepared place for a prepared people. A place where the wicked cease from troubling and where the weary be at rest. This place of rest, Of purity and of glory will be attained to only by the strait and narrow way whlch 15 the way of the cross. 'gRejo1ce, and 'be exceed,- ing glad: for great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5 : l2a. -ROY ZIMMERMAN 28