Fraternity-Testvériség, 1972 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1972-01-01 / 1-3. szám
Wtft $otoer of Caster In the past two centuries, mankind has seen many tremendous displays of power. There was the development of the steamboat and the train. Then came the Model T, a powerhouse in its time. Airplane flight began and people were amazed. World War II inevitably came and rockets became widely known. The close of the war was gratifying yet tragic. The awesome power of the first atomic bomb unleashed upon man himself proved to be the beginning of a new age—an age of tremendous power. In more recent years, many have turned to the worship of power—the power of nuclear weapons, the power of space exploration, the power of money, the power of politics, the power of narcotics, and, many times, the seemingly great power of themselves—and they’re worried. They look for answers and cannot find them. They search for purpose and meaning in life and it escapes them. They look for something to turn to or cling to and it’s nowhere to be found. With all of the many tremendous displays of power in the world today, they’ve missed the real power for which they’re searching. Easter Sunday is a celebration of the greatest power the world has ever seen—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul said that without it the Christian faith is meaningless (I Cor. 15:14). Christ was born or a virgin and crucified for His Divine Sonship, but, without His resurrection, there would be no Christianity. In reading about the New Testament Church, we find that the central theme of the early Christians’ witness to the world was the fact that Jesus Christ, who was crucified, had been raised from the dead Except for Easter Sunday, sermons on the resurrection of Christ seem to be rare. However, in the preaching of the early Apostles, the cross and the resurrection were their constant themes. In his book, World Aflame, Billy Graham said: The cross and resurrection were linked together. Without the resurrection, the cross is meaningless. Apart from the resurrection, the cross was a tragedy and a defeat. If Christ’s bones lie decayed in a grave, then there is no good news, the darkness of the world is indeed black, and life has no meaning. The New Testament becomes a myth. Christianity is a fable. And millions living and dead are victims of a gigantic hoax. But the resurrection was real! The words of the angel at the grave continue to ring out: “He is not here: for He is risen, as He said!” Jesus said He would conquer death and He did. He is the only person who ever lived that predicted and fulfilled his own resurrection from the dead. And in His resurrection is the greatest power mankind has ever realized—the power to change men’s lives. The Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, said: “Do you want to believe in the living Christ? We may believe in him only if we believe in his corporeal (bodily) resurrection.” This is the content of the New Testament. This is the essence of the Gospel. This is the power of Christianity. The Easter holiday is an acknowledgement of the resurrection of Christ. Without it, there is no Easter. Without it, there is no Gospel. Without it, there is nothing. „ r, ° Don V espremi The Resurrection of Jesus. O RESURRECTION MORN! 0 blessed resurrection morn! When agony of death grim plight — The night of sin by mortals born — Fades with the darkness from our sights Christ Jesus lives — He is not dead — He rules triumphant, as He said. The age of darkness end at last, The day of heav’nly life comes on; Death’s panoply of hate that cast Despair and sorrcnv is withdrawn; Christ Jesus lives to set men free And share with the Love’s victory. H. L. Wilhelm IF EASTER BE NOT TRUE If Easter be not true, ’Twere foolishness the cross to bear; He died in vain who suffered there; What matter though we laugh or cry, Be good or evil, live or die, If Easter be not true? H_ H_ ßarstow 18
