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

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I CORINTHIANS I Corinthians was written by Paul to the church at Corinth when he was at Ephesus. Corinth, a seaport, was the political capi- tol of Greece. At that time it was under the Roman empire. It was a very wealthy and morally corrupt city, therefore, the church was influenced by its surroundings. Because of these corrupt influences Paul wrote to encourage the faithful believers, and to correct the many problems that arose there. Some of the problems were fa tions, immorality, going to law with another, idol worship, polluted persons partaking of communion, false apostles, problems of marriage, lack of order in worship ser- vices, the woman's part in the church, and heresies about the resurrection. Chapter 13 gives us the basic principle that helps to avoid and correct these prob- lems. This principle is a proper love for God and our fellowmen. Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord? I Corinthians 15:58 -Lois Carpenter II CORINTHIANS The second epistle of the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth was written less than one year from the time he wrote the first epistle. Paul was in part defending his apostleship because there was appar- ently a minority group in the church who wanted to discredit it. We also get a behind-the-scenes aspect of the ministry of the church. The Apostle Paul continually shows his great love and concern for the church. He suffered much in their behalf. He stressed the comfort he received from God during this suffering. God always gives us grace equal to our suffering. Z4 II Corinthians 6:17 is one of the many places God's Word tells us to be separate from the world. We also see the Apostle Paul exercising the church's God-given authority to dis- cipline. May we, through this epistle, learn to appreciate the ministry of our church. We should then support them as they fulfill the Gospel commandments. -Richard E. Mummau ,,li1 EPHESIANS Ephesians, one of Paul's epistles, was written to a large audience. Paul makes no corrections in this book, but rather es- tablishes truth. While its sister book, Co- lossians, emphasizes Christ as the head of the church, Ephesians shows the church as the completing counterpart of this head. This book naturally divides itself into two main sections, of which the first, Chap- ters 1-3, deals with doctrinal truth. The second division, Chapters 4-6, reveals the practical everyday walk of the Christian. In this book Paul projects the universal vision of the church which we need today. He speaks of God's spiritual blessings to His church which is formed of both Jews and Gentiles. As the different members use the various God-given gifts in a unified effort, God's glorious workings are seen through the church. Paul also speaks of the new obligations which are ours as Chris- tians, the putting off of the sins of our past life, and the putting on of the graces of the Spirit. As a capstone to the teachings of this book, Paul concludes with a description of the Christian's armor, even though we strive against principalities and powers, this armor when put on will give us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! - Edith Martin

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I I TYPES AND SHADOWS In our study of this subject we learned that the word type carries the meaning of representing that which is still future. Other words that have similar meaning would be figure, form, and pattern. ' In determining a true type, it must be a true picture of the person it represents, must be of divine appointment, and always prefigures something future. A number of types we discovered are these: I Adam, Isaac, Moses, David, Boaz, and Melchizedek are types of Christ, The ark, Rebekah, and Ruth being types of the church, . Types of the Holy Spirit are wind, water, and Abrahamls servant, The life of Samson is a type of back- sliders, Enoch is a type of the Christian, and Canaan is a type of the Christian experi- ence. This study should convince us that the Bible is true and inspired. -Roseann Deiter MARK Markis account of the life of Christ is very interesting. With Roman readers in mind, he clearly presents Christ as the all- powerful Son of God by vivid demonstra- tions of His power over sickness, death, nature, and devils. Christ is pictured as a very busy man, going about from place to place with scarcely any time for rest. Thus Christ shows His great compassion for the needs of humanity. Mark is thought by many to have received his information from Peter. Sometimes called John Mark, he was a companion of Peter on missionary travels. Others feel that Mark was an eyewitness of Jesus' miracles, being of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus, and of the 120 upon whom the Holy Ghost was outpoured. We have no reason to doubt the truth and authenticity of the book. Rather, we do well to read and take heed to it. - Clifford Weaver SERMON ON THE MOUNT The life of a teacher will have a great effect on the response to his teaching. Jesus, by living out His sermon encourages us to do the same. Jesus was continually blessing those who obey Him. He blesses those who maintain proper attitudes in life, those who endure persecution for righteousness, sake, and many more areas of life. Christ spoke of the Christian as salt to the earth, having a purifying and preserv- ing effect on it, and as the light of the world to point men to Christ. He told of His purpose of coming into the world: to strengthen and fulfill the law. Under the old law God dealt with the end of sin, and under the new He deals with the beginning, the very thought of sin. Let us apply these principles to our life that we may be firmly grounded when the storms of life come, that we be not soon shaken. -James H. Mack JOHN In this class we discovered the gospels are not just four gospels, but they are a fourfold gospel. In Matthew we see Christ as King, in Mark we have Christ as ser- vant, Luke shows Christ as the Son of Man, then John portrays Christ as the Son of God. In the Gospel of John we enter into the very presence of God. We also see the Diety of Christ. Christ gives a more com- plete revelation of himself and of God in this gospel, than in any of the other gospels. Over one half of the space in this book is given to the events of Christ's life and His sayings during the last days of His ministry. The goal of the book is found in 20:31, But these are written, that ye might be- lieve that Jesus is the Christ, thc Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His namef' -Fred Miller 23

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HEBREWS We find that this book is primarily try- ing to lead the Jewish believers from a formal knowledge of Christ to a mature and complete experience. This book can be divided into three areas. The first, Chapter 1 through 4:13, is deal- ing with the Preeminence of Christ. We notice that Christ is superior to the prophets in that God revealed himself in times past through man, but now through a perfect being. Again we notice that Christ is superi- or to the angels in that the angels were ministers or messengers to man, but Christ is our redeemer. The next division, Chapter 4:14-10:18, could be entitled the Priesthood of Christ. It involves His qualifications, person, and ministry. In His qualifications He was call- ed and complete. His person was undefiled as portrayed in 7 :26. In His ministry He was the mediator of a better covenant. Finally, in Chapters 10-13, we are chal- lenged with the Provisions through Christ. We notice that now we can be a sanctified, complete peopleg with access to eternal glory, if we appropriate His provision to our lives today. -Alvin L. Eberly JAMES This book is a corrective letter written by James to the dispersed Jews. Faith is the central theme throughout the book which reminds us of the proofs and out- come of faith. Strong teaching is given on many areas of life as they relate to faith. James begins by dealing with tempta- tions and external problems. He shows the great importance of the word and right atti- tudesg and clarifies the need of works. The serious aspects of our speech, and the right kind of wisdom are also portrayed. Further on, the life of faith and its hindrances are his deep concern. Finally he reminds us of the Lordls return and the value of pray- er. The book closes by bringing out the aspect of service. May we each have a living faith that goes forth in service for the Master. -Esther Herr Be patient therefore, brethern, unto the coming of the Lord. SECTION Il -BIBLE DOCTRINE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT During the first three week term, stu- dents were privileged to become better acquainted with this Person who is a mem- ber of the triune Godhead. His divine at- tributes are vividly portrayed by such sym- bols as a dove, fire, water, wind and oil. We discovered His personality and beautiful role in the program of God. Since the day of Pentecost, the Spirit has become the glorifier of Christ, the indwell- er of believers, the administrator of the church, and the executor of the great com- mission. After we experience His convict- ing work as an individual, the most satis- fying result is His comfort and guidance which becomes ours at conversion. Our testimony, therefore, is with the apostle Paul, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ' -Timothy N. Martin 25