______ _____ ___________________ • _______ _ ____ ____ __ __ ___ LutheT • Cltnurnrbtu m4tningttul AttdJJlg Continuing LBHRB UNO WBHRB MAGAZIN PUBR Ev.-LUTH. HOMILBTIK THBOLOGICAL QUARTERLy-THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY Vol.x:m April, 1942 No.4 CONTENTS Pap Verbal Inspiration-a Stumbling-Block to the Jews and Foolish- ness to the Greeks. Th. Engelder 241._ _ ______ ____ __ Leading Thoughts on Eschatology in the Epistles to the ThessaIonians. L. Fuerbrlnger 265 Luther: A Blessing to the English. w. Dallmann 273 Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections 290 Miscellanea 302________________ . ___ ___ __ _ __ Theological Observer. -Kirchlich-ZeitgeschichtIiches 303 Book Review. - Literatur 313 Eln Predlger mU88 nlcht alleln wet. Es 1st ke!n Ding, da8 die Leute "'" also class er die Schafe unter mehr bel der Xlrche behaelt deJm weise, wie ale rechte CbriBten BOllen die gute Pred1gt. - Apologie, An. u seln, sondern auch daneben den Woel fen wehnm, class me die Schafe nlcht angre1fen und mit faJllcher Lebre ver If the trumpet give an uncertain fuebren und Irrtum elnfuehren. BOund, who &hall prepare blmseIf to the battle? -1 CO'r.14:8 Published for the Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States CONCORDIA PUBUSBING HOUSE, St. Louis, Mo. Wuerttemberg purpose blood." instituted preached the Gospel believers significance partakes commits himself to receive true body account disciples Jesus are tent Matt. for their and forgiveness David, Jesus the lieve, did, 11,22. that for their sins forgiven through 290 Outlines on the Epistle Selections Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections Maundy Thursday Matt. 26:26, 27 This day is called Maundy Thursday, and its is to com memorate the institution of the Lord's Supper. The story of the institution is familiar: Jesus had arranged to celebrate the Pass over, and in connection with this meal He took bread and wine, blessed them, and gave them to His disciples, saying, "This is My body; this is My The Savior thus Holy Com munion as a Sacrament for the Church. To emphasize the im portance of the Lord's Supper, the words of institution are recorded in the Bible four times. Each word is deeply significant. I should like to select one sentence for our meditation: He Gave It to His Disciples When the Savior of salvation, He gathered great multitudes around Him, and scoffers, Pharisees and Sadducees; when He performed His miracles, He did them in the presence of many people; but when He instituted the Holy Sacra ment, He had only His disciples with Him and gave Communion only to them. The Sacrament is meant only for disciples of Jesus. What has this for us? It means that, when a person of Holy Communion, he to dis cipleship of Jesus. You who are to partake of the Sacrament today should regard your communion as an act by which you bind your self into the circle of Christ's disciples. You will be one with Christ and one with all disciples of Christ when you receive His body and blood, 1 Cor. 10: 17; Rom. 12: 5. That is the reason it is so important believe that we the and blood of Jesus in the Sacrament. As disciples of Christ you must come to Communion as penitent sinners. Most people are not penitent. They deny' their sins like Cain (Gen. 4: 9) and Saul (1 Sam. 15:15) and the Pharisee (Luke 18:11), or they do not fear God's wrath (Ps. 90:11), and they are not sorry on of their sins. But of peni like Peter, 26: 75. They are sorry sins ask for like the publican, Luke 18: 13, and 2 Sam. 12:13. So, as disciples of at Communion, you must come as penitent sinners. Again, you must believe that your sins are forgiven through Jesus. The Savior preached to multitudes; many did not be but His disciples John 2: Disciples of Jesus believe the Savior died and that all their sin is the blood of Christ. Hymn 388. As disciples of Jesus, you must come to Communion with believing hearts. Hymn 307: 3. that should show: deeds, must Communion help Dis you forgiveness sins through "where like distress Men's coming the We only, long? pass experience? source always us triumph Christ," very we Great Comfort Message "God Spared Not Our comfort when sins present time" 34 takes it granted there 2:14,15; 2:11; enemies, Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections 291 You must also come to Communion with the intention to lead a better life. Your faith must show fruit. That is expected of dis ciples. The Savior says: John 15: 5. The fruit disciples of Jesus a pious life, good charity. We must subdue our own desires and fulfil the will of God, Gal. 5: 24. We must use the opportunity we have for deeds of love and kindness, Gal. 6: 9. We promise in Communion that we will amend our sinful lives; Jesus promises us His help; as disciples we must seek to better our lives. We must be willing to suffer for Christ. Disciples must expect suffering, Matt. 10: 22, 24; 16: 24. When you go to Communion, you confess Christ, and those who openly confess Christ expect suffering, Matt. 10: 22. As disciples of Jesus at Communion, you must be ready to bear suffering for Christ's sake. And you must expect to you to heaven. ciples of Jesus will go to heaven, John 12: 26; 17: 24. In Communion receive the of faith; and there is forgiveness of sins, there is life and salvation." In partaking of Communion you link yourself with a glorious company, the disciples of Jesus. You may be members of other groups, but none has a value and blessing this one; it is an honor, a distinction, and a blessing to be a disciple of Jesus; guard it and do not lose it; continue in His Word, and you will remain His disciples, John 8: 31. FREDERIC NIEDNER Good Friday Rom. 8: 31 b-35 These are days of great throughout the world. hearts are failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are on earth. ask not How but, What will be the final outcome? and, How shall we through the Shall we fare well? We Christians have a of unfailing comfort and encouragement. "Thanks be unto God, which causeth to in that Christ whose death upon the cross commemorate today. The of the Good Friday His Own Son but Delivered Him Up for Us All" 1. our condemn us 2. Our comfort when we must endure "the sufferings of this 1 a) In vv.33 and Paul for that is that which is laid to our charge and that which condemns us. The Law of God, Rom. 3: 20; Gal. 3: 10; our conscience, Gen. 4: 13,14; Rom. 7:7-24; the devil, 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 12:7; our l J 292 Outlines on the Wuerttemherg Epistle Selections John 8: 3-5,10; even our friends, Luke 15: 25-30; Matt. 20: 24 - all these accuse and condemn us. Why? On account of our sins. And indeed these are many and grievous and have called down upon us God's wrath and eternal damnation, Rom. 6: 23. b) But over against our many sins we have the comfort of God's grace in Christ. "God spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all," v.32. Christ's death on the cross is a sinful world's redemption. Now, then, "who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth," v.33. Of the elect, Paul spoke in vv. 29 and 30. Having been called by the Gospel and having entered through faith in Christ into God's kingdom, the Christian is assured that God has elected him unto eternal life and that, being justified by God, nothing can be charged against him. Therefore nothing can condemn him, for "it is Christ that died," etc., v. 34. In a fourfold way the Christian is assured that he can not be condemned: (1) Christ died, thus having redeemed us; (2) Christ is risen again, and thus we are given the assurance that Christ's price for the sinners' redemption has been accepted by God; (3) Christ is at the right hand of God, fully using His divine majesty and power and wisdom in behalf of His own; (4) Christ maketh intercession for us, pleading with the Father for His dis ciples. Having done all this for us - so the apostle argues - God will not forsake us in any of the troubles of our life here upon earth. Therefore, secondly, the Good Friday message of our salvation is our comfort when we must endure "the sufferings of this present 1, ,. , ' ,c' a) Sin has brought misery ' I. ' r \' more than sufficient evidence of it in our own lives and in those of ,':', > the men of our own time and in the war-torn world of today. As time," v. 18Ä, 2 '1" much into this world. We have a result of sin even the creature itself is in the bondage of cor ruption and "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain," vv. 21, 22. The Christian, being in this evil world, cannot altogether escape the sufferings of this present time, v.18; "even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the re demption of our body," v. 23. In the meantime there is "tribula tion, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword," v.35. As a result the Christian is at times faint-hearted, despondent, full of fear and apprehension. Can he resist the powers of evil, or will he also be engulfed in the maelstrom of wickedness? Can he en dure unto the end ?What will be the outcome of the present dis tress? What will become of the Church and its work? What may yet befall any of us? Has God, perhaps, forsaken His own? b) "If God be for us," vv. 31 ,32. That God who gave His own Lutheran see promises Application. - leading us Good No. 529: again?" troubled answer sets chapter First-Fruits of sleep" "But risen," joins in the Lord is history better attested Hence fellow-apostles, not "false witnesses," Corinthians Paul and his who pro Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections 293 Son to redeem us from eternal damnation will not, cannot with hold from us His loving care, but will freely give us all things that we need. Tribulation, etc., will come, but these things cannot sep arate us from a Savior who loves us, v. 35. He will make "all things work together for good to them that love God," v. 28. See Hymnal, No. 528. God has planned good things for His own, but because we cannot now the end of it all, we at times lose cour age, forgetting His and the greater blessings which God has given us and which we even now enjoy. Much of the way God is we cannot understand, but if we fully believe the Friday Gospel, that God spared not His own Son, etc., we know that we have a gracious Father in heaven and a loving Savior, unto whom we can under all the distressing circumstances and in all the vexing vicissitudes of this life confidently and cheerfully commit ourselves. We shall finally say, "He hath done all things well." Lutheran Hymnal, 1,5. J. H. C. FRITZ Easter Sunday 1 Cor. 15:1-20 The Easter sun rises today upon a world of carnage, upon an unprecedented harvest of death. With all the greater insistency the age-old question "If a man die, shall he live forces itself upon hearts and minds for an of assurance and comfort. Thank God, the resurrection of our Lord gives that answer. This is the comforting truth that St. Paul forth in the glorious "resurrection chapter," from which our text is taken, the 15th of his First Epistle to the Corinthians. "The Risen Lord the Them that Sleep" 1. "Now is Christ risen from the dead" 2. "And become the Firstjruits of them that 1 now is Christ v. 20a. Thus St. Paul ringing Easter message of that first Easter morn "The risen indeed." In all there is no event than the physical resurrection of our Lord. A) The resurrection of Christ in inseparable connection with His expiating death is the burden of the Gospel, v. 4. This Gospel is of divine origin. Paul "received" it by divine revelation, v. 3. it is divine truth. claimed this Gospel, were v. 15, but truthful, without ulterior motives, known to the for their in tegrity. I . --- C) the God, building of Christ not risen, may not unbelievers, strengthen relinquish "And that slept." does the resurrection from Christ that Paul unbelievable hope be duped, unbelievers. they would denied selves, and etc. most hope. sins, Rom. 4: 25. asleep perished, but saved and glorious awak 294 Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections B) Further, St. Paul adduces a veritable cloud of living wit nesses who had seen the risen Lord (ten distinct appearances of the Risen One are recorded), vv.5-9. Had it been possible to discredit these witnesses, the still living powerful enemies of Christ would not have failed to do so. The multitude of living witnesses at that early date established the Resurrection Christ as an incontest able fact. His own conversion and the outstanding success which, by grace of he achieved in the the Christian Church attest to a living Christ. Through the centuries such evi dence has vastly accumulated. Only a living Christ can account for the marvelous founding, growth, protection, and blessings of the Christian Church. D) St. Paul, in proving the Resurrection, points to the terrible consequences if had vv. 14-19. While this convince it will Christians not to the Resurrection easily and lightly, but to thank God all the more fervently that it rests upon so unmovable a foundation. Yes, thank God, "now is Christ risen!" 2 become the First-fruits of them A) The first-fruits are part of the harvest and therefore the surest proof of a harvest. "As the first sheaf of the harvest, pre sented to God as a thank-offering, was a pledge and assurance of the ingathering of the whole harvest, so the resurrection of Christ is a pledge and proof of the resurrection of His people." Hodge. B) So surely of the dead follow the resurrection of St. brands it as an inconsistency to accept the resurrection of Christ, on the one hand, and to deny the resurrection of the dead, on the other, as some un named Corinthians actually did, v. 12. C) Vv.17-19. This is obvious and readily conceded. They who put their in a dead Christ would more miserable than For a vain hope have them foregone worldly pleasures gains, Especially true of early Christians in times of terrible persecutions, v. 32. But it is equally obvious and incontrovertible that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the glorious vindication of all our Christian faith and (a) The Gospel is true. (b) We are no longer in our (c) Those who are fallen in Christ are not destined to a ening unto etemallife. (d) We who are blessed with the Christian faith and hope are unspeakably happy people. . i Epistle path here ings ought verses this chapter. Christ into world terrific first conquered. inflict extracted the victory," cf. 10; 2 Death communique sinful mankind Golgotha's battle victory victory. Grave," 13:43; 5:1; 7:9; Death's shackles Rom. 3: Apostle reveals "mystery," v.51. shall changed" (cf. mortal cannot enter realms of immortality. waste I 295 Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Selections So the apostle puts that glorious hope which lights up all our beneath upon an unmovable rock. Even streaming eyes ought to be lifted up to God in happy Easter joy, and even quiver lips to join in the immortal, defiant doxology: vv.55-57. And therefore, finally: v.58. AUG.F. BERNTHAL Easter Monday 1 Cor. 15:51-58 The Easter message presents most gripping and fascinating truths. What a masterful presentation of these and correlated truths St. Paul furnishes in 1 Cor. 15. The apostle reaches majestic heights in the closing of A triumphant shout of victory. Thanks Be to God, which Giveth Us the Victory 1. We are assured of victory 2. We are constrained to praise God 1 came the to wage warfare. The Messianic promise foretold this, Gen. 3: 15. Devil, death, and hell had to be met and All this was the result of sin. That's what makes death so terrible. Sin is the sting of death, v. 55. Its strength is the Law, v.55, which exposes, threatens, condemns. The entire human race shows horrible effects of sin, "dead," v. 52; "mor tal," "corruptible," vv. 53, 54. Present body is utterly unfit for heaven. Christ assumed man's sin and suffered every penalty which the Law could and by His victory over death sting and destroyed its power. By His death "death is swallowed up in v. 54; Is. 25: 8; 2 Tim. 1: Cor. 5: 4. is utterly routed, vanquished, defeated, and rendered helpless. Christ's unto from field reads, "It is finished," and Easter morn fully corroborated it. Christ's assures us of "0 Death, where is thy sting? 0 etc., v. 55. The risen and ascended Christ will return to claim us as fruits of His victory. Then at the sound of the trumpet believers shall rise with glorified bodies, "incorruptible," v.52; cf. Phil. 3: 21; Matt. Col. 3:4; 1 Pet. Rev. 14:4. and decay will disappear. Believers will now be like Christ, Phil. 3: 21; 8:29; 2 Cor. 18; 1 John 3: 2. What a glorious victory! What about the believers who are living on that great day? the "We be 1 Thess.4: 13-18), shall also receive glorified bodies. Present bodies are and They ' ,I and a the twinkling of eye," Suddenly and anticipation certain realization Christians burst forth a triumph, v. 55. pretended they know victory, it Cf. Christ's constrains Christians the steadfastness, Note "therefore." Cf. Cor. reason to Christ are nothing foundation faith; Christ's victory constrains Christians to the Lord," It motivates deeper consecrated efforts, ever willing sacrifices, victory constrains Christians gratitude because grant gratitude First after 2:1-13 Christians and the Christian life are frequently compared to to in the Eph. 6: 1: 4: words of Tim. these days of war distress let us therefore consider Marks of Soldier Christ 1. Faithful service in spite of abundant suffering 2. Blessed certainty ultimate victory When writing this letter, Paul, the faithful soldier of Christ, i" ' )' was languishing in prison, looking forward to his end, 2 Tim. 4: 6-8. Though originally pastor, the text also be applied to all Christians. 296 Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections : away, deteriorate and decay, and must undergo change to be fit for the incorruptible eternal. This change will be immediate, "in moment, in an v. 52. living believers will have incorruptible, immortal bodies, like unto the resurrected believers, bodies which death cannot touch nor harm. All believers will be glorified. Wonderful victory! 2 Fully convinced of the blessed reality of Christ's victory for us in joyous of and complete of it, with Paul in shout of Though Christians realize the horror of sin, the strength of the Law, and the outward demonstration of the power of death, that sin and the Law and death are helpless, and they thank God for the v.57. This gratitude manifests self in words and hymns of praise. Easter hymns. victory also to gratitude of v.58. In Christ's victory we have a sound, solid foundation for our faith. 1 15: 12-26. We have no doubt since arose. "Immovable." We to permit to move us from the of our d. Col. 1: 23. "abound in work of the v.58. devotion to duty, ever more more etc. Christ's to it assures success in the Lord's work, v.58. God us all true of victory in Christ! J. W. BEHNKEN Sunday Easter 2 Tim. soldiers and warfare Bible, 10-17; 1 Tim. 18; 2 Tim. 7; so also in the our text, 2 2:3,4. In Two a Good of Jesus of 1 A) written to a words of our may ,; hardness. example, Jesus endure similar hardships day many We, too, may endure to amusements, laughed students at accept Jesus, thought he was might. Quickly fell into hap officers services that the ordinary soldier thousands of men up their business their plans for an education, the the of our ; ill Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections 297 B) V. 3 emphasizes the readiness to endure difficulties and hardship. Reading the newspapers of our age, we know that suf fering goes with soldiering. The life of a soldier is not merely the life of one dressed in a natty uniform, parading with his fellows to the applause of the multitude; but there is the hardship of training, of being prepared for battle, of real warfare. Soldiers must learn to sleep on the ground, to sleep in the trenches, to fight in intense heat, and in the most severe cold. Battles bring wounds, and wounds mean suffering; hence it is certainly true that a good soldier must be able to endure C) A good soldier of Jesus Christ must also be willing to en dure hardness. Paul's vv. 9a, lOa, 12a, 2 Cor.n: 23-33. The early Christians had similar experiences in the bloody persecu tions during the first three centuries. Christians, as good soldiers of Christ, have to even in our in parts of the world. be called upon to physical hardship. D) The hardness the average modem Christians have suffer is rather the hardship of scorn and derision which they must endure in their offices, in their places of business, in their even in their homes. Lutheran soldiers in the camps are frequently at; universities and colleges are made to feel that all religion is folly and that only second-rate minds can still the truths of the Bible in our day and age. Such situations present real hardship to a soldier of Christ. E) V.I. This is true in warfare as well as of the Christian soldier. He must be strong in the strength that is rooted in Christ Eph. 6: 10. Peter strong in his own and shamefully he sin. The same thing will pen today, but thousands strong in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ will not only stand in the hour of weakness, but they will be able to render real service. F) V. 2. The second verse of our text refers to a special service of the in the army of the Lord. This is one of the most wonderful can be rendered by of Christ, a work that is being done by thousands of our Sunday school teachers, by of our Christian parents, a work that must always be carried on, always expanded, if the army of the Lords is not to suffer in the future. G) V. 4. Thousands young of our country must give career, in order to enter service of the Army or Navy country. This is also true specifically of the Christian minister, who has to give up the , F thoughts money business Master. also every Christian. As .. he first and Church, A) Vv. 8-12. While good soldier hardships, service, lost may knows, Christ, v. 8. Because Jesus Christ, true of seed David, raised 11: Christian willingly to endure anything knowing that the victory soldier cannot to be rewarded by his officer. He Jesus Captain his salvation and disloyal to Him cannot expect anything else than Christ the of Grace . Matt. 10: 3 2,33; God, absolutely faithful, always keep His and and salvation, this respect, carry out threats. Mark He divine Sum up question: you soldier Jesus Christ? ' ! ' t. j ;·1 r \ . Second Sunday after Easter Rev. 7:13-17 ROSCHKE In this we love to dwell on great truths taining resurrection body everlasting, assured by resurrection Jesus that teach ings of the Apostles' Creed rest on firmest foundation. text, giving us glimpse of heaven, well fits this period of the church-year . . We speak today of 2 298 Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections of making much in in order to serve his It is true of a soldier of Christ, must learn to put things first seek above all things the J things of the Kingdom, Matt. 6: 33. Many a good Christian gives up / much of his time and money and pleasure in order to render greater service to his congregation, to his and to his God. Paul had done this and therefore could say: 2 Tim. 4: 7,8. 2 a suffers renders and goes into death even for a cause, the soldier of Christ and must have faith in ultimate victory, no matter what the circumstances of life may be, remembering Acts 14:22b. St. Paul "The Word of God is not bound," v. 9, and the work of the Kingdom would continue even without him. He is sure of ultimate victory because: vv. 11, 12a. This is also true of all the elect, v. 10. B) This faith is based upon the resurrection of Jesus man the of was up from the dead, we can have the same hope. John 25, 26; 14: 19 b; 1 Cor. 15:55-57. This faith enables the for Christ, ultimate is certain. C) Vv. 12b, 13. A disloyal expect commanding who denies as the of is to be denied by before Throne Mark 8: 38. who is who will promises of grace goodness is also faithful in that He must His 16: 16. cannot deny Himself and His justice. Are a good of E. L. Easter season the per to the of the and the life being the of Christ these the Our a of their this beautiful whole nature ness death provided for un On contrary, much tribulation tion," ready and willing? and presence "They shall in our will of praises who provided this anything else service, will be the , ,I Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections 299 The People that Reach Heaven and Their Bliss 1. They aTe the true beUevers in Jesus the Savior 2. They have come out great tribulation 3. All woes aTe ended and turned into joy 4. They aTe constantly serving God before His throne 1 In grand chapter, one of the most in the Bible, John in a vision is shown heaven and the people that have entered it. It is a multitude without number from all the nations of the earth, v. 9. Who are they? "They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb," v.14. This picture language shows that they by were unworthy sinners, but that they, truly penitent, through faith have accepted the righteous which Christ in His them. Sin, filth, worthiness - all this is overcome through the application of His precious blood. What is our attitude toward the Lamb? 2 The people that John sees have "come out of great tribulation." The fact that one is a believer is no safeguard against earthly suf fering. the "we must through enter into the kingdom of God," Acts 14: 22. The Book of Revelation has much to say about martyrs. For recent martyrs think of Russia. In our country Christians have graciously been spared such ex treme affliction, but even under our favorable conditions it is true "that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecu 2 Tim. 3: 12. Are we 3 With death the troubles ended for the people John beholds. "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more," etc., v.16 f. All their needs will be supplied: "the Lamb ... shall feed them," v.17. What inexpressible joy for them as they behold the Lamb that died for them as they stand in the of their heavenly Father. that sow in tears reap joy," Ps. 126: 5. Does mind like to dwell on the bliss awaiting God's children? 4 The life of joy in heaven will not be one of idleness. The blessed spirits "serve Him day and night in His temple," v. 15. It is clear from v. 10 that this service include the singing to the great God, salvation. If will enter into that it fully in keeping with perfection of joy and happiness which God's love has provided fOJ; His own from the beginning of the world, Matt.25:34. Are we joy fully looking forward to this holy service? W. ARNDT ourselves intimidated therein Gate. Jesus, them, raised 1: 15: Spirit Like how blessed are accepting this pleading about Lord, our Opposition aroused, but Christians " " 300 Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections Third Sunday after Easter Acts 4:18-20 Jubilate - praising the risen Lord is both the Christian's duty and delight. This truth exemplified by the apostles. In the face of grave danger to their personal safety they glorify the Lord. How Can We Christians Properly Praise the Lord? 1. By teLling what we know about Him 2. By not permitting to be 1 Peter and John healed the lame man at the Beautiful When the people were surprised, the apostles claimed no glory for themselves but told them that whom they remembered as the Crucified One, was risen and even now exerting His power, chap. 3:15; 4:2. They glorified the Lord by telling what they had seen and heard, v. 20. They had heard Jesus say that He is the true God, John 10:30; 17:5; true man, John 8:40; the Savior of the world, Matt. 18: 11; how He saves, Matt. 20: 28; John 3: 14; His call to re pentance, Matt. 4:17; gracious invitation to believe, John 6: 40; 3: 15; the promise of eternal life, John 10: 27,28. They had heard the voice of the Father, Matt. 17:5. This word had worked faith in so that they now trusted Him firmly as their Savior from sin. They had seen not merely His innumerable miracles, John 21: 25; but had seen Him as the Son of God, John 1: 14; praying, Mark i4:M; dying, John 19: 26. They also saw Him as proof of His teaching, Acts 3; 1 Cor. 5 if.; ascending, Acts 1: 9. What have we seen and heard? From the Gospel-message of the Bible we have heard the same blessed truths about Christ, re viewed anew during the past Christmas and Lenten season. The risen Lord has sent His Holy into our hearts to work faith in us through the Gospel. Through the eyes of faith we see Jesus as our Savior. the apostles, we glorify the Lord by telling what we know about Him. First of all, what God has done for all men; then, we by truth; finally, with our associates to be reconciled with God, 2 Cor. 5:19 ff. By telling what we know the risen we not only take our place beside the apostles who glorified the Savior, but also prove loyalty to Him. is glorify the Lord by not permitting themselves to be intimidated. aroused conversation raised Him. How Council (emphatic) death instigation of these disregard threats joyfully praise church, acquaintances, through today, again tomorrow." We experienced the soul-stirring Christ's have as courage may speak His in may ourselves, MENNICKE : I , , I I Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections 301 2 The message of Peter and John the opposition of the Jewish leaders. These arrested the apostles and commanded them not to make anything known about the risen Christ, neither by informal nor in public discourses. The Council's prohibition did not deter Peter and John. Bluntly they say they will not comply. They mention the majesty of God, v.19; even argue with their judges that they are taking the only possible action. The Council had condemned Jesus to death; God had could they obey the so thoroughly discredited! Chap.5: 29; cf. Amos 3: 8. Against the weak word of the Council stands the divine word of Christ, Acts 10:42; 1:8; John 15:27; 1 Cor. 9: 16; Matt. 10: 16-25. That which they had seen and heard was so glorious that they say: "We are not able not to speak" (double negative-a strong term). They realized that they were in danger. Only recently they had witnessed the of Christ at the same men, but no threat could intimidate them. Forces are trying to intimidate us: persecution, ridicule (class room), social ostracism, appeal to vanity, the feeling of standing alone (Gospel of the day), temptation to avoid the issue or to com promise. Through the power of the· Gospel we these and the Lord in our home, among missionaries. Trusting in their risen Lord, believers of all ages have joyfully praised their God; chap. 26: 22 ff.; Rom. 16: 27; 1 Tim. 6:12. Luther: "Ich kann nicht anders." Bunyan, in jail for 12 years for preach ing, when offered freedom if he desisted, replied: "If you let me out I shall preach have warmth of Gospel. Through Christ we our soul's salvation. He gives us also the strength to face the problems of life in a war-torn age: to parents at home, men in the camps or on the battle-field, riding the seas or flying through the clouds. Even He gave the apostles to face the difficulties in their day, so He give us grace to of love whatever situation we find v.20. VICTOR