Magyar Egyház, 1968 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1968-06-01 / 6-7. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 15 by Bishop Dr. Tibor Bartha, president of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary and Bishop-emeritus Dr. László Ravasz. John Marincsak, chief elder of the Perth Amboy Church presented the new bishop with his congregation’s gift: keys to a new Chrysler automobile. Other valuable gifts were given to Bishop Abraham and Mrs. Abraham by presidents of the various local church organizations. Attorney Alex B. Eger and the Rev. Barna Roczey acted as toastmasters of the evening. In the following—as well as in the Hungarian section of this issue—we print highlights of the several sermons and addresses delivered at this memorable occasion. THE TIE THAT BINDS US TOGETHER From Bishop Dezső Abraham’s Inaugural Sermon “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II. Timothy 3:16). There are great problems in the Christian Churches throughout the whole world. It seems that the people today have lost their equilibrium and cannot find their way in this disturbed and upset situation. Masses of people are getting away from the Church, and they do not want to listen to the message of Christ. A search goes on to determine what is wrong and how to correct the conditions. In Protestantism throughout the U.S.A. there are thousands of churches vacant, waiting for someone to fill the pulpit and carry on the leadership of the communities. In the Roman Catholic Church this new movement becomes visible as new reforms sweep the ancient religious institution, and hundreds of men and women, clergy and other members of the religious orders leave their vocation for other responsibilities outside of the Church. On the other hand, if a person views objectively the religious successes of the world today, it is noticeable that certain cults or small sectarian movements advance extremely, for they firmly believe in the Bible and proclaim the Gospel of our Lord as the Word of God, the final authority in life and in death! When we hear new theological trends and ideas questioning the existence of God, and doubts poison the minds of young people and revolutionary tendencies try to destroy everything which is old, let us turn to the Bible, and find in the Word of God, the common treasure of all Christians, the unifying bridge that joins various Christians. We may be different as to our creeds and customs, but we are all one because we all have one Holy Scripture. ☆ All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God: says the Bible. At the time of the Early Church, this Word of God was all in all. The apostles, as they were preaching right after Pentecost, related the events of the day with the Old Testament. The Christian Church’s origin goes beyond the cradle of Bethlehem. The Savior was promised and the people expected His arrival from generation to generation. This thought, that the New and Old Testament belongs together is clearly visible from the Acts of the Apostles. Christ came to fulfill the Old Testament, laws and prophecies. Our Lord himself used the Old Testament and urged his followers with these words: “Search the Scriptures, for in them ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). Therefore if we examine more closely the reasons why in the history of the Christian Church there were so many human divisions we can point to the fact that troubles always started when people turned away from the Word of God, when they substituted God’s Holy Writ with something else. In our present age there are more and more people who attack the veritable word of truth, atheists from without and others, scientists and critics, from within. The time of debate and doubt is here when we must turn back to the Bible and accept it as God’s inspired Word to mankind! The modern liberals tell you that you do not have to believe everything in the Holy Scriptures. They assert that “the Bible is not the Word of God, some go as far as to say that it matters little whether the Scripture is true or not”, for there are some good parables in it. But who decides what is the Word of God and what is not? Who is the authority to tell which part of the Bible is acceptable to modern man? Who can distinguish and determine what is essential and what is not? The whole Bible is the Word of God, the Church of the Lord is built upon this Holy Scripture and the life and future of Christianity depends entirely upon it. We do not put the Bible in the place of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we certainly must give it preeminence, otherwise how do we learn of God? Where can we find His teachings and will? Definitely, we must believe, “all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God!” ☆ How can I accept the Bible? Only by faith. People may advance arguments, others may enter discussions, still others may start dialogues, but none
