WORDS
Get MORE from your BIBLE w ith BROOKS’ B iblework BOOKS This famous series by Dr. Keith L. Brooks follows the question- answer method: references are given— you make your own de ductions. Start with— Basic Bible Work 25c These and more advance courses obtainable from your dealer or direct. Book bulletin and literature FREE A M E R IC A N PRO PH ETIC LEAGUE, INC., P.O. Box 41198 Los Angeles 41, Calif. Read about Torrey Conference— page 49. Bible Principles of Prayer 30c Christian Character Course 25c Creation Studies—Gen. 1-2 35c Dr. Brooks A handy pocket-sized volum e, this widely used commentary on the Inter national U niform Lessons gives the teacher the lesson text, together with sound exposition and numerous Scrip ture references. A mine of informative helpfulness, concisely presented for quick reference. Edited by Ralph G. Turnbull. 75$ at your bookstore a Revell publication Sacred Instrumental Music For Your Church 20 of your favorite hymns and gospel songs specially arranged to be easily played, yet musically satisfying. N o trans posing necessary. Can be used as solos, duets, trios, or sextet, for brass and strin g s. N ot a sin g le volum e — but a SEPARATE M U S IC B O O K FOR EACH PART. "HYMNS IN HARMONY" Compact, inexpensive - THE GIST OF THE LESSON for 1955 Originated by R. A. Torrey 56th YEAR
from the
W OD by Charles L. Feinberg, Th.D., Director, Talbot Theological Seminary The Beginning
M ore than 100 times do we find in the pages of the Old and New Testament the word beginning. It is a translation of some seven words in the Hebrew and five words in the Greek. The common Hebrew word so rendered is re’shith, having reference to time, while the usual Greek word so translated is arche, conveying the thought of that which is long past. Within the scope of this study it will be impossible to treat all the occur rences of these words, so we choose some of the more significant ones for treatment. The Scriptures begin grandly, as with a clap of thunder, with the ma jestic and terse statement, “ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The be ginning indicated in this verse has been taken by some, not in an ab solute, but in a relative sense, that is, at the beginning of the order about us. However, there are advocates of the position that the sacred writer is speaking of the absolute beginning of all created things. Our term has ref erence to the commencement of the scenes for the enactment of the pur pose of God in time; thus at the out set the creation of the world is stated. The word beginning occurs in the important context of John 1:1,2: “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the begin ning with God.” There is no the be fore the word beginning, as there is none in Genesis 1:1. Many feel John had the words of Genesis 1:1 in mind as he wrote the first words of the Fourth Gospel. Doubtless, they were familiar to him, but the meaning of the words in the two passages are not the same. The verse takes us back to the farthest point conceivable. The Word had no beginning. When all else began, He already was. He is eternal, hence He is God. John so states it, “ and the Word was God.” This beginning is dateless and pre dates all time. It is was and not be came. The Logos of the Gnostic sys tems was formed in time and bound by it. The situation is otherwise here. The word is equal to the phrase in John 17:5: “ before the world was.” The beginning noted in Mark 1:1 in dicates the commencement of the pub
lic ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the early centuries it was sug gested that the thought is that the Word was older than Adam, but the sense of the passage places the exist ence of Christ in the eternal ages past. He is not only before Adam, but before time (Proverbs 8:23). John employs the word under con sideration in 1 John 1:1 (A.R.V.): “ That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands han dled, concerning the Word of life.” The claim has been made that there is a contrast between the beginning of John 1:1 and from the beginning here. One is said to be eternal; the other is made to function in time. The word in the epistle is to be taken to refer to the same time as noted in the gospel. The apostle is not speaking of the ministry of Christ on earth. He rapidly spans the time from eternity to the ministry of Christ on earth. There is a gradation in the verbs reaching a climax, indi cating the most intimate and blessed fellowship and communion with the Son of God on the part of the apostles. The last references in the New Testament to our term are found in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 3:14 reads: “ These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” It is the message of the resurrected Redeemer to the Church of Laodicea. By the remotest interpretation the passage cannot be made to mean that Christ is the first created Being in the creation of God. The apostle is stating, rather, that Christ is the originator of creation or Creator. He is the active Beginner of creation. See Colossians 1:15-18. He Himself is the inaugurator of all creation and all creatures can worship Him. Note, then, how the blessed Book can and does transmute the simplest words into vehicles of precious spir itual truths for believing hearts. To many the word beginning may con vey only the thought of the com mencement of some event or institu tion, but the £ -riptures elevate it to speak of the gL ious Persons of God the Father and'Ajod the Son. In our God we have all. END.
Part 1 Trumpet (Bb).$.75 Part 2 Trumpet (Bb). .75 Part 3 Trumpet (Bb). .75 Part 3 Trombone (Bb) .75 Piano or Organ Acc't.1.50 Total Value..........$4.50 Complete Set Price $3.75 Save 75* Violin A .................$.75 Violin B ................... 75 Violin C ................... 75 Piano or Organ Acc’t .l.SO Total Value.......... $3.75 Complete Set Price $3.00 Save 75*
arranged by James Boersma with NEWVIOLINPARTS
or order individual parts at list price at your bookstore or use this coupon. MAIL COUPON TO SAVE $ ROMHEAVER HALL-MACK CO. 119 Ninth St., Winona Lake, Indiana Please send me “Hymns in H arm ony" books: [~~| Complete Brass Set a b ove...........$3.75 [~~| Complete String Set a b o ve .........$3.00 Individual Parts----------------------------------------- I enclose $________to save C.O.D. charges, i NAME.............................................................. .. i ADDRESS____________________________ — ! CITY____________ZONE___ STATE_________ j
22
THE K IN G 'S BUSINESS
Made with FlippingBook HTML5