Calvin Synod Herald, 1995 (95. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1995-05-01 / 3. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 7 -AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA said Martin Luther before the Imperial Diet of Worms, April 17, 1521. Had Luther in that moment done otherwise, it had been all otherwise! It was the day when false powers were defied, and false teachers were stupified. Truth conquered, and liberty came to her own. William Farel Lightning from the Clear Sky thta Struck an Ancient Idol "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and truth. The hour is now. The Word of God is the only foundation. The Bible should everywhere be read, the true gospel peached and thus idolatry come to an end." "THIS IS THE GOSPEL; THIS AND NOTHING SHORT, IS LIBERTY." John Knox Marriage and the Fate of Protestantism John Knox, prophet of the Scots, challenged Mary's advocacy of Romanism. He was one man who did not succumb to the Queen's charm and dared to condemn and curse her ways. The fate of Scotland, of England, and the whole of western Protestantism hung in the balance and was greatly to be decided by the Queen's marriage at this time. Marriages and war were the two greatest factors by which states were formed and deformed, and great issues of mankind were decided for or against. Knox was a man with the fiery mind of Luther, with the flaming heart of Savanarola, and the iron will of Calvin. He was a prophet who never feared the face of man. He was like an unyielding Old Testament prophet, always ready to strike down with fury on idolatrous Queen Jezebel. John Calvin Rebellers Thunderstruck in the Holy of Holies Calvin was the man to bring in the positive measures and to make Dr. Alexander Jalsó Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:7, 11-16, text:"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and also prove to be my disciples." John 15:8. We read in the book of Acts of the Apostles: "...and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians." Acts 11:28. Christians are supposed to be disciples of Christ, as our Lord charged his disciples before His ascension: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nation,..." Matthew 28:19. But what does it mean to be a "DISCIPLE"? In the first century, the rabbis had disciples who left their homes and lived with their respective teachers. The pupils not only obtained certain knowledge, but also were trained to behave and act like their mentors. What are the ramifications of the discipleship today? 1. DISCIPLE - DISCIPLINE. According to the Webster's New World Dictionary, the first meaning of the DISCIPLINE is: "a branch of knowledge or learning." We cannot be followers of our Master unless we are willing to study and learn His teachings. He said: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,... and learn from me..." Matthew 11:28-29. Are we willing to increase our knowledge, know more about God, and learn from our Redeemer, and read the Bible? A "disciple" is a knowledgeable person. 2. Disciple-DISCIPLINE. Another meaning of this word according to the dictionary is: "strict control to enforce obedience", is punish. This is even harder to accept be-Genevathe city of God. Calvin struggled with iron will and hand to organize the church and bring about a complete reformation of this pleasure-loving city of the Alps. On Easter morning of 1538, the Libertine crowd broke into the church and surrounded Calvin demanding he serve them communion or they would kill him. "I shall not administer communion to you!" exclaimed Calvin. The swords and sticks were lowered. The Libertines became voiceless and slowly they withdrew from the church, leaving Calvin and the congregation to continue the service. □ cause who wants to be "disciplined". During Lent, "self-discipline" and "self-control" are always mentioned. While we do not like when officials and authorities control us, we wish to reserve this right for ourselves. But the problem according to many is; people do not control themselves as they should! 3. DISCIPLE - DISCIPLESHIP. As the word: STUDENT automatically presupposes the existence of a TEACHER, likewise there cannot be disciples without a MASTER. This MASTER not only deserves respect and obedience but also should have certain authority to teach, decide, control or even punish. Therefore it is not enough just to know the teachings of our Lord but we also owe Him respect, obedience and loyalty. Do you feel that there is "SOMEBODY" whose instructions you should follow, principles revere, and examples imitate? 4. DISCIPLE - DISCIPLESHIP In John 11:16 we read: "Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." In the original Greek, the expression 'fellow disciple" is a compound word; summathetes, and also in Latin; condiscipulus. The basic concept of the word is: being a disciple together with others. Originally the Lord called only twelve disciples, see Matthew 10:1-4, and He expected them to work and serve together in a harmonious way, please read Matthew 20:20-26. But not only His inner circle of the twelve but also anyone who follows Him should consider cooperation and coexistence as the major obligations of discipleship. □
