Calvin Synod Herald, 1972 (72. évfolyam, 8-12. szám)

1972-08-01 / 8-9. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

3

WORDS OF GREETING BY BISHOP ARPAD L. BERETZ TO THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION OF AMERICA CONVENTION

ON JUNE 24, 1972 IN LIGONIER, PA.

It is a high honor and a personal privilege to bring to this great Convention the blessings, the prayers and the greetings of our Calvin Synod — its congregations, its pastors and its people.

We consider our Hungarian Reformed Federation of America to be our most prized possession. In the past we supported the work of our Federation whole-heartedly and with great vigor. We intend to continue that support in the future.

We know that when ties between our churches and the Federation were loosened the work of both suffered; but when ties were stong, the work of both flourished. When disputes and misunderstandings arise our common work suffers. We must seek to avoid constitutional and organizational confrontations or else we will destroy our common identity, and our common mission. We must seek to find equitable solutions within the framework of love and fraternity. To do less is to weaken our common aspirations and hopes for a strong and vital Federation. We must not let that happen!

In a unique way our Federation is the very foundation of our common work and mission.

Here, we can all meet and work with one accord for the preservation, the implementation and the expansion of our faith and tradition.

Here, we can support each other in our goals and aspirations.

Here, we can keep the only unity ice have been able thus far to achieve in our Hungarian church life.

Here, we have the opportunity to pass on to generations yet to come, the spiritual and material treasures of our forefathers and this generation.

Here, we become a powei-ful force in our struggle to find a oneness that will be lasting and enduring.

Here, we can continue to expand our concern for the aged, the sick, the orphan and the young.

Calvin Synod prays for the time when words will become deeds. Calvin Synod prays that we set aside our petty and oft times insignificant differences and begin to build that unity which will glorify God and His Kingdom.

Calvin Synod is not unmindful of the vast benevolent program of the Federation which has assisted our congregations to build great church edificies, schools and fellowship halls. Nor do we forget the magnanimous way the Federation supports the work of our youth and our camps.

It is our hope and prayer that this Convention

will set a new course and program for the next four years.

The blessings of God, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit be with you now and always.

Soli Deo Gloria! -------------<* -------------a JIL & 4Lo

I Cor. 15:8

From the beginning the resurrection has been the heart of apostolic preaching, the focal point of revelation, the vindication of messianic conviction, the climatic hope of Christian life. Yet the story of the resurrection has ever appeared incredible. It was at this point the crowd began to resort to ridicule, to disperse recalling some unattended errand, to hasten to some presumed appointment, to beg for some more convenient season for further discussion of the matter. It was at this point men had their greatest difficulty. Just here the SKANDALON (Stumbling block) was most evident; and just this that prompted Paul to pour forth his apology for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Upon this tenet of faith hung the whole significance of the Christian gospel. If this vital stronghold of the faith were removed, explained away, or disavowed, then there would be nothing left.

Far and above all the theological arguments Paul propounds, the most significant and convincing is the one from experience. It is here where conviction and certainty begin — not with an array of witnesses, but a testimony born out of encounter. “I know it is true; it happened to me!” To such a profession there is no answer. One may rationalize it as delusion but when the transformation of life is so radical and so totally unexplainable on the basis of previous conduct, and the new being so like that of Christ, it is only with the greatest difficulty one can escape the inevitable conclusion, Paul had seen the Lord; it happened to him! The wonder, then, is not that the resurrection should have happened, but that it should be doubted.

Resurrection has often been understood in the limited sense of restoration of life after death. But in the New Testament, resurrection describes the experience of coming into newness of life. It is not only an event in Christ’s historical existence, but an event in which the man of faith participates. One is buried with Christ in baptism and raised to newness of life. Resurrection marks the emergence of the new being, the man in Christ. Thus it is intimately connected with conversion.

For Paul vision and conversion came together. In the experience a change took place. There was a commitment, a sense of calling, a transformation of life. These may come forth without vision; but here the scandal appears. How can one tell whether faith is not delusion? I suppose, in some way, faith