December, 1936
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
487
Paul in our text is telling Timothy the greatness of this “ mystery of godliness.” This mystery is in a Person, and a real acquaintance with Him as the Saviour re sults in eternal life for any individual. In six short, powerful statements the apostle summarizes this mystery: First, “ God was manifest in the flesh.” Marvel of marvels, that the infinite Cre ator Himself should become a creature! It was the Creator who became the Redeemer. “ The W ord was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Second, He was “ justified in the Spirit.’! The Holy Spirit descended upon our blessed Lord at His baptism, testifying to His deity and perfection. Third, He was “ seen of angels.” Angels participated in many scenes of our Lord’s earthly life. Angels were spectators of all the wonderful blessings of redemption which Christ wrought on earth. Fourth, He was “preached unto the Gen tiles.” The middle wall of partition has been broken down, and now Gentiles and Jews have the blessed gospel. Fifth, He was “ believed on in the world.” “ I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me,” was Christ’s own declaration, referring to His death on the cross, and people of many nations have responded and believed on Him. Sixth, He was “ received up into glory.” “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this K ing of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the K ing of glory.” Truly, we bow our heads and hearts as we say reverently: “ Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.” How great is the mystery of god liness, of which we, as believers, are a part! If one generation only were to pass, and all Christians were to neglect this duty of assembling themselves together, the church as a visible organization would be blotted out of the world. Each individual believer is also a great loser by neglecting to meet Christ’s requirement that he shall confess Him before men, unite with H is' people, observe His divinely instituted sacraments, and identify himself with the visible or ganization that is pushing forward His work in the world.— S elected . II. A S uggestion for th e M eeting If possible, secure your pastor or some official leader in your own denomination to visit your Society as guest speaker, and give you statistics about your own church. Church membership, the number of mis sionaries on home and foreign fields and their location, and other similar items might be included. Color and concreteness may be secured by including inspiring stories of certain phases of the work of the church. Helps for the Leader I. P ower in U n ity
N or would you . . . if you knew your future was safely provided for. For nearly ninety years the American Bible Society through its annuity plan has released many hundreds o f people from financial anxiety. Twice a year generous payments are made promptly on these annuity agreements which may be secured in sums ranging from one hundred dollars upwards. And what a satisfaction to know that when you are gone your money will help to spread the Word o f God.
Our illustrated booklet “ A Gift That Lives” tells you the whole story fully and clearly.
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AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, Bible House, New York Please send me, without obligation, your booklet KB-57 entitled “A Gift That Lives.” Name ______________________________________________________________ __ _______________ Address- j City _ — -Denomination- S tate —
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