THAT such an event, so pregnant and important in the plan of redemption, should have a memorial, a constant reminder to the world, would seem to admit of no question. God gave the Passover as a memorial of the deliverance from Egypt and a type of the everlasting deliverance through Christ from sin's results. God gave the Sabbath as a memorial of His creative power, and a sign of His might to redeem. His death is commemorated by the Lord's supper. Surely the resurrection of Jesus Christ should, by parity of reasoning, have a memorial. What is it?
Says one, "It is Easter day." Another declares it is Sunday, the first day of the week.
It is evident that a memorial should have in it something suggestive of the thing to be remembered. For instance, the Passover was instituted by divine appointment on a certain day of a certain month. On that day of the year, with similar ceremonies, it was annually to be observed in the future. The Sabbath day was God's rest at the close of six days' creation. Creation is to be kept in mind by the sacred rest of the Sabbath the closing day of each week.
In the Lord's supper, no time is used, but two emblems, the bread and the wine, emblematical of Christ's body and blood, His Word and Spirit.
Not a Day.
It is manifest from the nature and act of the resurrection that a day is not a proper memorial. The resurrection took place in a moment, in the dark part of the day, before the dawn, when the Father called His Son to life. There was no divine appointment of the particular of the year or week or month. It was not an event of a day or of a week, and therefore it is not properly commemorated by the observance of either a yearly or weekly day.
What is the memorial of the resurrection? Better, For what does the resurrection stand? He who has read the preceding articles in this paper will have noted that Christ's resurrection was the manifestation of His power over sin and Satan. "Sin, when finished, bringeth forth death." "The wages of sin is death." Christ Jesus took our sins. God "made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin." Taking our sins as His own, "He died." But having no sins of His own, having overcome sin in sinful flesh, having only in Himself the perfect righteousness of God, the grave could not bind Him; "it was not possible that He should be holden of it." Acts 2:24.
Again, God declared Jesus Christ to be His Son. But as God is "righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works," Jesus must demonstrate His right to the title by living God's life, righteous, despite the mightiest opposition soul ever met. In this Christ was conqueror, and by "the resurrection from the dead" He was "declared to be the Son of God with power." Rom. 1:4.
The resurrection therefore stands for the life of God in humanity, triumphing over sin and death, over Satan and hades. Its memorial before the world must be suitable to its meaning.
There are three events ever made prominent in "the Gospel" of Christ: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor. 15:1-4. These three facts are paralleled in the baptism of the Gospel: "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." Col. 2:12. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection." Rom. 6:3-5. Death, burial, and resurrection are the three great facts of the Gospel,—death to the world, burial in a water grave, and the resurrection, or rising again, are the great facts set forth in immersion, or Bible baptism. So far, then, as a mere act can do it, the resurrection is commemorated by the ordinance of Christian baptism.
But the acts of faith mean more than the naked form. They are replete with living power. The rising again from the watery grave of baptism means a new life in Christ Jesus. For that resurrection-life, baptism—true Christian baptism in faith—stands.
Elsewhere it is believed to be a marriage. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Gal. 3:27. "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." Rom. 7:4.
Even as the heart-free maiden is without choice, inconstant, fickle, so is the worldling who knows not Jesus Christ. But as the maiden finds one whom she loves with all her heart, gives herself to him, is united with him in marriage, and is inconstant no longer, caring only "how she may please her husband" in preference to all others, so is the soul who has found Christ Jesus and is united with Him in Gospel marriage, the outward ceremony of which is baptism. The language of that soul is, "I have found Him whom my soul loveth." It yields to Christ, to be His and His only. It is married to Him. It takes His name, His righteousness, His mind, His life, henceforth to live the new life with Him.
Of the Husband it is said: "Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him." Of the married soul, "For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Rom. 6:9, 14. The believer knows Christ and "the power of His resurrection." Phil. 3:10. In him is fulfilled the prayer of the spirit, that those who are Christ's may know "the hope of His calling," "the riches of the glory of His inheritance," "the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all." Eph. 1:17-23. "And hath raised us up together ["with Him," R.V.], and made us sit together ["with Him," R.V.] in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:6.
This is the meaning of baptism. It means men made new creatures in Christ Jesus. It means men living new lives, walking—even by the power of an endless life, the life of Jesus—above sin. This is God's memorial of Christ's resurrection; it is the constant, daily, hourly witnessing for Christ; it is the life and power and honest, holy, righteous living of Jesus in the flesh of His followers, of which baptism is the initial act.
If the church had lived this life, she would never present to the world the apology of the forty days of "Lent," nor the pagan festival of "Easter." Her display and perfume and offering would not be that of lilies and flowers, but the beauty and aroma of Christ's loveliness of character, the sacrifice of humble and contrite hearts, and praises from lips touched by His sanctifying power. O reader, let your life be a memorial to the world of Christ's resurrection!
THE RESURRECTION DAY IMMINENT.
By T.
THE subject of the resurrection has ever been a favorite theme. Prophets have foretold it, and the good men of all ages have talked about it and longed for the time to come. And with what a thrill of joy does the thought come to us that we are even now living in the very presence of the great day when “the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible”! This is the generation that is to witness the coming of the Lord and the resurrection day. Glorious thought and joyful news! Tell it everywhere. Let all the world know about it, and get ready for the gladsome time.
Do you ask how we know that the resurrection day is near? The answer is easy and ready at hand. The resurrection takes place at the second coming of Christ. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.
The foregoing scripture is perfectly plain. You readily see that it says “the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven; . . . and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” Then, when the Lord comes, the dead in Christ arise. How plain the Word of God make its statements! But observe that not only the dead arise at Christ’s coming, but “we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” Then there will be living believers in Christ at His coming, who will be caught up with the resurrected dead to meet the Lord.
The resurrection day is coming, and some will be alive to see it. And what a thought of sublime and inexpressible joy it is to know that the ones who are to be still alive at that great and grand day are now upon the stage of action! The men and women are alive to-day who9are to stand among the living who will still be alive to witness His coming and hear His voice when He raises the dead. “‘Tis a glorious thought,” do I hear you say, “but how do you know it?”
How do we know it? Listen to the words of the Master: “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [margin, “He”] is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.’” Matt. 24:33, 34. The Lord here speaks of certain things that we shall “see,” and tells us that “when ye shall see all these things, know that He is near.”
Now when the things appear that the Lord has given as signs of His coming, we are to “know” that He is near. There is to be no conjecturing nor guesswork about this. The Saviour positively tells us that we may “know.” Then do you know that His coming is near, “even at the doors”? If not, you should lose no time in acquiring that definite knowledge; for it is an actual, positive fact that Christ’s second coming and the great resurrection day are right at hand. In all probability you will live to see it, for there be millions of people on the earth to-day who will live till the opening heavens shall reveal Jesus coming in the clouds.
But you ask, How do you know this so definitely? How can you say so positively that the resurrection day is right at hand? It is plain enough. We “see all these things” that the Master gives as the signs to precede His coming. It is not one or two things that we see, but multiplied evidences have arisen as massive monuments all about us, and by these things we do “know” that the great and final day that ends earth’s career of sin is right at hand.
But again you ask, “What are these things?” Have you never read in the Bible that the days just before the second coming of Christ would be full of the war spirit; that the nations of earth would be angry? And have you not read that, notwithstanding this war spirit that fills the earth at the close of time, there will be many who will be saying that it only means “peace and safety”? Have you not read in the Word of God of the men who, by oppressing the laborer, heap treasure together for the last days? Have you not read that which is written in the Book about the vice and drunkenness and violence, even as it was in the days of Noah and Sodom, that shall fill the world at the close of time? Have you not read of the raging of the stormy elements that will lay the earth desolate, break down its great cities, and finally cause it to reel to and fro like the staggering drunkard? And have you not read that these evils and terrors will continue till the faces of men shall gather blackness and their hearts shall fall them for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth? And are you not seeing all these things to-day?
The foregoing are among the “all things” that the Saviour said we might “see,” and seeing them might “know that He is near, even at the doors.” The “all things” that we are to see are all revealed clearly in the Bible. And since Jesus says we are to “see” and “know,” we should search diligently in the Book of books in order that we may see what He has so clearly revealed, and thereby know what He desires should be known by every one of us.
It is only just a little while till we shall see Jesus in person. And when we see Him, we shall also hear His voice as He calls all the sleeping saints to life. O, the thrill of the moments in which we live! O, the joy at the thought of that happy and eternal reunion? Are you ready for it? The time is right at hand. The great resurrection day, with all its glories, is about to break upon us. Hail, happy day! And may the Lord hasten the time.
THE EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION.
By T.
VERY much speculation has been indulged from time immemorial in regard to the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees of old denied “that there is any resurrection,” and asked the Saviour questions concerning it that they supposed would confound Him. And the Sadducees have had numerous disciples all down the centuries.
The apostle Paul had to meet this questioning about the resurrection, for he says, “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?” 1 Cor. 15:35. Yes, these were the questions then, and they have been the standard queries ever since. Men are still asking, “How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?” They think they can not understand the “how” of this mighty work, and so they feel called upon to cast doubt upon it. But it is possible to know “how” the dead are raised. Yes, we can actually know. We can have the positive certainty of real and unmistakable and irrefutable knowledge upon this important point.
Do you know that the dead will be raised, and how it will be brought about? If not, let us tell you how it may be definitely known. If you are not in the possession of this knowledge, it is because you are a sinner and away from Christ. You may be a professor of Christianity, but that does not always carry with it the real experience of a Christian life. The mere profession of Christianity is one thing, but our actual and personal acquaintance with the Master brings us into communion with His power. We really know Him, and are cognizant of the presence of His might.
The one who is fretful and impatient, by coming to the Lord finds power to overcome every harsh and angry word. The vindictive, revengeful, savage hatred gives place to the tenderest and most constant love. He who is held by the demon of strong drink finds in Jesus the power that brings appetite into subjection by driving entirely away from him the ungovernable thirst for wines and liquors. He who is breaking down his vital forces and ruining his health and manhood by indulgence in riotous living and debasing passion, when he turns to the fountain of divine strength, experiences a change of every emotion and desire. He realizes that a mighty power has broken his shackles and set him free.
This power that takes hold of a man and cleanses him from every defilement and besetment is indeed a marvelous thing. Dishonesty, and vice, and ungovernable appetite, and hatred, and emulations, and strife, and envyings, and drunkenness, and all other evils, no matter what their form or strength or degrading depths, are driven away by the power of God as the chaff is swept before the blast of the hurricane. The change that comes into the life of him who is born again by the mighty working of the Spirit of God on his mind and heart, is so tangible, so real, and so full of upbuilding vitality, that every one who experiences it knows that he has found an illimitable ocean of divine power.
But how may we come in contact with this power from God?—By receiving His Word. “For the Word of God is quick [living], and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12. Note it. “The Word of God is quick,” or living. It is not like the ordinary word of man, but it is a living Word. It has activity, it has life. But not only is “the Word of God living,” but it is “powerful.” Powerful is the being full of power. Then since God’s Word is both life and power, we come into communion with the infinite Source of life and power by receiving His Word into our minds.
Every one who knows God at all knows Him through His Word. And all who have placed themselves in communion with that Word know that it is full of power. By connecting with the live electric wire we get all the light and power of the central station. Even so when we lay hold of the living Word of God we are in the current of that great Central Power that created and guides the universe. All who are converted to God, all who are in contact with Him through His “living” and “powerful” Word, know what this means. And those who do not know it may find it out to a complete and satisfying certainty if they “receive with meekness the engrafted Word.”
Then how are the dead raised?—By the power of the word of God. “Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.” John 5:28, 29. Don’t fail to observe closely what this text says, “All that are in the graves shall hear His voice.” His voice, His word, has both life and power in it. And that word, with its life-giving might, penetrates the silent abode of the dead, and they “come forth.” This is a divine certainty, and we know it.
But how do you know it so surely? Is there not a lingering doubt that in some way it may fail?—Nay, verily. Every one who experiences the power of God in all the sublimely inexpressible realities of conversion has the positive knowledge that God both can and will raise the dead. God’s word has gone forth that the dead shall be raised. And every one of His children knows of the power of that word by His own experiences, and knows that it will raise the dead. Blessed knowledge! Priceless experiences! If this knowledge and experience are not yours, you are earnestly invited to step in at once and partake of all the riches of the treasures of God.
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.
T.
Death Swallowed Up in Victory
“So WHEN this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” 1 Cor. 15:54–56.
THE GOSPEL AND THE END.
THERE is no more positive promise or prophecy in all the Word of God than the statement, "This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matt. 24:14. This text needs no explanation, for, like all of the literal language of the Bible, it explains itself. It is a simple, positive, direct announcement of a great truth.
"This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations." Even a little child can understand so plain a promise and prediction as that. All the world will have the chance to hear "this Gospel of the kingdom." Many will turn away from it and refuse to hear it, but it will bear witness to them just the same.
The statement is equally positive that when this Gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world, "then shall the end come." There are no conditions nor qualifications. The Word is spoken after the direct manner of divine truth, telling us first of the Gospel of the kingdom being proclaimed in all the world, and then that the end comes. We may doubt this statement of the Word of God, we may quibble over it if we like, but all the while it stands there in its simplicity of clear, strong utterance. And in thinking over the matter do not forget that it is Him at whose word the world was created and at whose command the starry universe marches through space, who has said, "This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." The mighty power and infinite accuracy of the word of the Eternal God makes it absolutely impossible for this promise to fail.
Bible Cart, with Colporters, Japan.
"This Gospel of the kingdom" is the same Gospel that Jesus taught. Of this Gospel Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Rom. 1:16. "The Gospel of Christ" "is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." The Gospel, then, is God's power, and it brings salvation, and salvation is the victory over appetite, and passion, and every other form of sin. The Gospel is not a theory, it is not some man's views about the Bible, it is not the prescribed views of some particular school of theology, but it is "power." And it is nothing short of the power of God unto salvation.
When Christ proclaimed the Gospel, it was with saving power. Multitudes followed Him, and His power brought them complete salvation. He spoke to them the forgiveness from sin, and that word of pardon was so complete and powerful that it carried with it the healing of all their diseases and bodily deformities. The blind were made to see, the deaf to hear, and every pain and wasting disease gave place to the thrills of perfectly vigorous health at His command or touch.
And the Master did not confine this mighty power of the Gospel to His own personal ministry. In His parting commission to His disciples, "He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:15-18. In this commission it is stated that certain signs shall follow the believers. It was not the twelve apostles merely that were clothed with power, but "these signs shall follow them that believe." Then according to the Lord's own commission and decree the believer is to be filled with power and act as a willing instrument in the hand of the Lord in casting out devils, healing the sick, speaking with tongues, etc.
75. ARMENIAN (Modern). Ինչու որ Աստուած անանկ սիրեց աշխարհը մինչեւ որ իր միածին Որդին տուաւ . որ ամէն ով որ անոր հաւատայ՝ չկորսուի, հապա յաւիտենա֊ կան կեանք ունենայ :
81. ARABIC.
SPECIMENS OF TRANSLATIONS MADE BY AMERICAN MISSIONARIES.
Ba e bati taniran te aomata iroun te Atua, ma naia are e ana Natina ae te rikitemana, ba e aona n aki mate ane onimakina, ma e na maiu n aki toki.
195. ZULU.(South Africa.)
Ngokuba uTixo wa li tanda kangaka izwe, wa li nika inDodana yake ezelweyo yodwa, ukuba bonke aba kolwa kuyo ba nga bubi, kodwa ba be nobomi obungapeliya.
The Gospel age began with this mighty power among the believers. The apostles, as well as many who believed through their ministration and preaching, went to all parts of Palestine and the greater portions of Southwestern Asia and Southern Europe, proclaiming this "power of God unto salvation," with great effect and success. There were multitudes of believers as the result, and the mighty power of God was exercised among the vilest of heathen in lifting them out of their abominable depths of idolatry, and all the abhorrent vices and gross debaucheries that are found in the worshiper of gods of wood and stone.
The churches that were raised up by the apostles among the Gentiles in Corinth, in Galatia, in Ephesus, etc., were not led to sign some confession of faith and thereby adopt a creed of human origin, while they knew nothing of the power of God unto salvation. They were not led into some mere forms of worship and schooled in certain ceremonials, but the fulness of the Gospel in the plenitude of its power was presented to them, and they were made new creatures in Christ Jesus. They were no longer semibarbarous heathen, but were Christians. To the church at Corinth Paul wrote: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor. 6:9-11.
Thus we see that the Gospel that Paul preached in Corinth had the mighty and cleansing power of God in it. And the Gospel of the kingdom that Christ and the apostles gave to the world not only cleansed from sin, but in that cleansing was the healing from all disease. And it is "this Gospel of the kingdom," that was covered up soon after the apostles' times beneath the gross superstitions and apostasies of the Dark Ages, that is yet to be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations. The earth is to be lightened with its glory. The Master has said it, and it will be done.
The Word of God is that through which the Gospel is carried to the world. And did you ever consider the marvelous facts in regard to how copies of that Word are being multiplied and sent into all the world? It was never true before that all the world had the Bible, but to-day there are but few of even the lowest tribes who do not possess at least some portion of the Word of God in their native tongue. The Bible or some of its parts has been translated during this century into over 350 languages and dialects, and over 274,000,000 copies of it have been circulated during the last 9 decades. At the present time more than 6,250,000 copies of Bibles, Testaments, and portions of the same are being sent out each year.
These Bibles are the text-books that carry the Gospel of the kingdom. And our Heaven-appointed Bible Societies are scattering the seed broadcast everywhere. Some crisis will yet arise that will turn everybody's attention to the Word of God, and men who truly believe it will be anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power as were the disciples on the day of Pentecost. Then, as these go everywhere teaching the Word, the signs that God has appointed to follow the believer will be mightily manifested. "This Gospel of the kingdom," just as Jesus gave it, and just as He taught, and with all the power that He exercised in person while here among men, will soon be "preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Bible Colporters in Armenia.
Everything shows that the last days are reached, and the time for this proclamation of the Gospel with apostolic power is at hand. Who will give themselves to a study of God's Word and devote themselves to Him so that they may have a part in this great work? This is no time for would-be Christians to stand as idle spectators. These days demand the most earnest and devoted action. God has scattered His printed Word into all the world, among the various nations and tongues and dialects. He is waiting now for men to study it, believe it, and teach it everywhere in "the demonstration of the Spirit and of power." The persons are coming forward to do this work. Will you be among them? T.
Knowledge, Power, Ignorance, and Weakness
By Robert Browning
KNOWLEDGE and power have rights,
But ignorance and weakness have rights too.
—R. Browning.
