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

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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

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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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NONRESISTANCE When we think of nonresistance. usual- ly we think of non-participation in war. But nonresistance is more than this, it is a way of life for the Christian. It includes the proper use of the tongue, honest busi- ness dealings, proper home and communi- ty relations, and loving even our enemies. Nonresistance is not an Old Testament but a New Testament teaching. God hon- ored those who destroyed the enemy at His command under the old dispensation. But today we do not take revenge on our enemies. f'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. The world's counterfeit for Biblical Non- resistance is Pacifism. Pacifism means- do not use violence or harm anyone. But we, as members of the kingdom of heaven, put into practice the teaching of our Lord, that we 'shave love one to another. May this study help us to love our ene- mies, and pray for them which despiteful- ly use us. - Ruth Torkelson DOCTRINE OF UNITY Unity is a divine teaching dicretly from Godls Word. It consists of being one with God and with other believers. The basis of unity is fellowship with Christ. I John 113. In our study we discussed many different areas of unity: the unity of the Trinity as it relates to salvation, the church, the crea- tion, God's divine Revelation, and many others. We learned that unity is not neces- sarily uniformity in every situation. Just think for a moment what this world would be like without unity. It certainly would be a place of disorder and confusion. We can see God's over-ruling hand all about us, in the balance of nature, by the wonderful way He created the human body, and many other ways. Ti.-is study has been a real value in help- ing us to understand more fully what unity is, and what all is involved in it. Psalm 133:l, HBehold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! -Rebecca Rudolph 26 SEPARATION f'But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar peo- ple, that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous lightf' I Peter 2:9 Christians are called to honor and glori- fy God, but the majority of the world, is worshipping the creature more than the Creator? Since Christians and the world have different goals, their life styles will be different and separated. The principle of separation for God's people is not an end in itself, but rather the means to.an end, that we in daily living might shew forth the praisesl' of God. Separation in practical daily living in- volves our relationship to business life, ed- ucation, worldly organizations, attire, and all constituted authority. Our speech, liv- ing standards, and all human relations need to be under the Lordship of Christ. The separated life is characterized by love, contentment, temperance, and an an- xious awaiting for the time when we will be separated from this ungodly world to ever be with the Lordf, -James K. Nolt ORDINANCES Ordinances are traditions that have been taught, practiced, and handed down to us by our spiritual forefathers. They are ob- ject lessons to help us better understand basic spiritual truths. Their formal obser- vance has no saving merit in itself, but they prove to be a blessing to us as we practice them. The purpose of the ordinances is to main- tain our appreciation and remembrance of what Christ has done for us, and to help us realize our responsibility to our brother. The observance of the ordinances also helps to maintain a pure and orderly church fel- lowship. The preservation of the ordinances will be accomplished as we practice them in their consistent forms, with a clear ex- pression of the spiritual qualities behind them, such as love, submission, and broth- erly assistance. He that hath my command- ments, and keepeth them, he it is that lov- eth mef, John 14:21 -Simeon V. Rudolph