Magyar Egyház, 1957 (36. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1957-11-01 / 11. szám
12 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ There are several ways to read the Bible, of which the least commendable is to read it from front cover to back cover. Some books may have interest to scholars, and the lists of family trees might be interesting to Biblical historians, but the average churchman would derive little benefit from them. Generally speaking, it is better to begin one’s reading in the New Testament. There, the first four books, called the Gospels (Good News) tell of Jesus Christ, what “he began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up.” To read the brief chapters as units would be more interesting than reading just a few scattered verses, and would take only a few minutes a day. The Book of Acts which follows tells of the birth and testimony of the New Testament Church, and witnesses to the heroism of such as Peter and Paul. The many letters of Paul and others which follow answer some of the practical and theological questions of the day and many problems are addressed which are still problems today such as marriage, family relationships, church procedure, etc. It is after one has read the New Testament that he ought to read the Old Testament, if he would read it intelligently. In the Old Testament and life of the people of Israel, God has pointed to his Son, and his followers who are the new- Israel. There in the sacrifices of the past can be seen the basis for the sacrifices of Christ on the Cross for the sins of the people, as sheep were sacrificed by the Jews in Egypt during the Passover and later in their temple. Here it is that we receive an appreciation for the name of Jesus as the Lamb of God, the Messiah, the Suffering Servant. This is but one way to read the Bible, but it doesn’t matter as much how a person reads it as that he does, so that the Holy Spirit may speak to his heart through the written word. In the un-Reformed Church, the layman was in bondage to mere men, the clergy. It was by the reading and knowledge of the scriptures that he was set free by Christ, and the Master’s words became certain, “If you continue in my word, you are my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” If the Reformed Church is to remain free, and to free the un-Reformed churches from their slavery to man-made laws, it will only do so to the degree that its own members are aware of the genuine truth, having read and understood the true testimony of God in the Bible. If he himself doesn’t know what he is talking about, and is too unconcerned to care, can he dare to ask or even expect another un-Reformed Chrisian to become a member with him in the Reformed Church? Jesus has said, “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?” This then, in view of the mission of the Reformed Church to the un-Reformed churches and to non-Christian people, is the responsibility of every churchman, to read, study, and meditate daily on the Word of God as revealed in the scriptures. As men have died that we might read, it is a great privilege. And as high priests of God, who’s task it is to declare his wonderful deeds, it is a great responsibility. The Reformed churchman is called to fight the good fight for the King of kings, and his promise is, “He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear. let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” THE GOSPEL OF GOD (continued) In order to obtain our salvation, that is, to have our sins forgiven by God and to receive a blessed eternal life in heaven, we have to believe in Jesus Christ and have to have true repentance and true conversion. The Holy Spirit, the creator and preserver of our faith, keeps alive our faith by making us conscious of the Law of God and the Gospel of God. We tried to understand in our previous articles how the conscious knowledge of the Ten Commandments helps us to truly believe in Jesus, and how it awakens us to the realization of our sinfulness, and how it shows us the right way of life we must follow. We can say that the conscious knowledge of the Gospel of God also helps us to believe in Jesus and to have true repentance and conversion. The “Gospel news” is that God did not reject us in our fallen, sinful state, but decided to sacrifice His own one to pay for our sins with His blood, and promised that if we believe in His Son He will forgive all our sins and after this earthly life we will have an eternal life in heaven. Or, in the very words of Jesus, “the Gospel news” is this: “God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). If I am able to not only memorize these words of Jesus Christ but to regard them as a merciful message of God to me my faith and love toward Jesus will be increased indeed. Now I know that only His sufferings and death on the cross secured my pardon and only through his resurrection and ascension became the way prepared toward my resurrection and eternal life in heaven. Indeed the Holy Spirit strengthens my faith in Jesus Christ through making me conscious of the Gospel of God. The “Gospel news” also awakens repentence in my life. If God could not satisfy His own justice for my sins only by giving His Son to death, really I must be a great sinner. Now that I know that Jesus suffered and died for my sins I see clearly my sinfulness and I have a sincere sorrow and shame that I fell so deep that only by His self-sacrifice could Jesus save me. The more I realize the love of God and of His Son toward me the more shame and sorrow I have in my heart because of my sins. But the “Gospel news” also urges me to be converted. If I realize the great love and mercy of God toward me, what would be more proper on my part than to thank Him, to express my gratitude for his goodness? There is only one way to thank God sincerely for his blessings and that is to be converted, to live by his holy laws and commandments. Indeed the Gospel of God, if I truly comprehend it, strengthens my faith in Jesus Christ, and leads me toward true repentance and true conversion. Stephen Kovács
