HT July 2015

Contents
GLS
Since 1946
Editorial
Apostle Paul's Vision
Vol 12 Issue 07 July 2015

RNI No. MAHENG/2004/14223
Koshy Mathew
A Magazine To Spiritually Edify the Entire

Family to Enrich the Church and Society.
Pauline Christology
Thampi Mattackal
Printed at
Uchitha Graphic Printers (P) Ltd.
65, Ideal Industrial Estate,
Lower Parel , Mumbai 400 013
Apostle Paul: His Life and Ministry
Biju Samuel
Published by
Dr. Koshy Mathew, Ph.D.
On behalf of
Gospel Literature Service
Udyog Bhavan, 250 D, Worli Colony
Mumbai 400 030, India.
Strategies & Principles governing

Paul's missionary journeys
11
E J Stephen
Editor
Koshy Mathew
Family: Why it is so Important? - Part 3
15
Koshy Mathew
Trustees
A. T. Kurian
V. E. Chandrashekar
Koshy Mathew
Churches and Missions
Important Information
Change of Address: To notify of a change
in address, mail us your subscription
number and new address at least six weeks
in advance
Harvest Times for your family: Founded as
Active Service, this is a monthly magazine
aimed at the spiritual growth of Christian
families.
Submission of Articles for HT Magazine:
Please send us your article by email to
koshymathew@glsindia.com.
Submission of other manuscripts for
publication: Please send us your
manuscripts of Books, Booklets, tracts etc
by email to glseditor@glsindia.com /
publishing@glsindia.com.
The publisher reserves the right to edit, use
or reject submitted articles. The decision of
the Editorial Board is final and binding.
Copyright Information :
All articles in this magazine belong to GLS,
unless otherwise mentioned. To reprint or
quote elsewhere, please contact us at
info@glsindia.com
The views stated in the articles belong to the
writer and may or may not reflect those of
the Publishers.
18
Thomson B Thomas
G. Raja Rao : LORD's Prophetic Trumpet
19
V E Chandrashekar
Special Features
Devotional
The Promised Rest

Jeby K.Simon
Her Corner
13
The Good Part

Annie Job Das
Kidz
17
All That Matters - Part 3

Tabbsum Roy Paes
Challengers
21
Lead me to the Truth

Ranjit Virdi
Explorer
24
To The Unknown God

Shiny Rebekha
facebook.com/glsindia
twitter.com/glspublishing
Gospel Literature Service

Udyog Bhavan, 250 D, Worli Colony
Mumbai 400 030, India.
Tel : (022) 2493 0116 / 6662 7243
Telefax : (022) 2493 5532.
e-mail : info@glsindia.com
web : www.glsindia.com
Harvest Times for Your Family
Lifeline
Hear, What Conies Tell

Kumaru Nadesan
Graphic Design: Raju Thomas K
July 2015/Volume 12 Issue 07
27
EDITORIAL
Apostle Paul's Vision

A
postle Paul was born in an affluent Jewish family, a

Pharisee by birth, an expert in Torah and was from the
city of Tarsus. He got a unique privilege to study at the feet
of Gamaliel a great Jewish scholar and a "moving
university " in the temple city of Jerusalem. He had a sister
who settled in Jerusalem. His family has selected the
vocation of tent making. Probably for their service of
providing tents to the Roman army; Paul's Family
members were granted with Roman citizenship. He was
neither handsome nor a good orator but was an excellent
writer. Paul's writings reveal his brilliant, logical and
rational thinking. The way in which he penned down
hundreds of names is a proof of his sharp memory and
warm inter-personal Relationship.
Saul, a Benjamite, in the OT, the first King of Israel "when
he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the
people from his shoulders and upward' (1Sam.10:23; 9:2).
This was also true in the case of Saul, another Benjamite, in
NT; Apostle Paul was a towering personality. In spiritual
stature he is taller than any one in the Church history.
Pre-Conversion activities.
There is no indication that Paul had ever seen Jesus Christ
personally. Probably he might have left Jerusalem before
the public ministry of our Lord. He heard and seen various
post resurrection events that happened in Jerusalem. He
understood that 'the way' was a great threat to Judaism
and is detrimental for its survival. It is believed that he was
a member of Jewish Sanhedrin. Paul was young with
choleric temperament, determined to eradicate this new
religious moment identified as 'the way'.
Paul's early life was marked by religious zeal, brutal
violence, and the relentless persecution of the early
church. He was "breathing out threatening and slaughter
against the disciples of the Lord". He made havoc of the
church, entering into every house and, haling, men and
women, committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3; 9:1). He
voted for Stephen's killing and guarded the cloths of those
murderers. He was "exceedingly mad against them" those
who were of 'the way'. (Acts.7:58;26:10-11). Though he
was a "blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious" to the
Church of God he found mercy in the sight of God.
(1Tim.1:13). Later on he admits that he is not fit to be
called apostle, because he persecuted the church of God.
(1Cor.15:9). The remarkable story of Paul repeats itself
every day as sinful, broken people all over the world are
transformed by God's saving grace in Jesus Christ. Blood of
Jesus Christ can cleanse even the sins of the chief among
the sinners.
God in His sovereignty used Paul's Pre-Conversion

activities for the furtherance of the Gospel. Following the
death of Stephen, there was a great persecution against the
church which was at Jerusalem. Except the Apostles,
disciples were scattered throughout the regions of Judea
and Samaria. "They that were scattered went everywhere
preaching the word" (Acts.8:4).
Heavenly Vision
Paul was intercepted by the Lord with the heavenly vision
on the Damascus road. This was the turning point in his
life. There he understood Jesus of Nazareth and Jehovah is
the same and accepted Him as his LORD. Rest of his life he
went on preaching and proving that Jesus Christ is the son
of God.
In the book of Acts three times Paul's conversion story is
narrated and each time the brightness of his vision
increases.
Firstly, In Acts 9:3 we read "suddenly there shone round
about him a light from heaven" This happened in AD
37.Secondly, Paul narrates this incident to the Jewish mob
at Jerusalem in AD 58. He said, " as I journeyed....came near
Damascus... suddenly a great light from heaven shone
around me" Acts 22:6. Thirdly, in AD 61 he witnessed
before King Agrippa. " I saw a light from heaven, above
the brightness of the sun" (Acts 26:13).Then he said, " O
King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to heavenly vision".
As this heavenly vision increased, the view about himself
decreased. In the course of time in AD 57 he counted and
compared himself with Apostles. "I am the least of the
apostles" (1 Cor.15:9). In AD 62 he considered himself with
saints. "I am the least of all saints" (Ep.3:8). At the close of
his life in AD 64 he identified himself as the chief among the
sinners saved by grace (1Tim1:15). As John the Baptist
desired, "He must increase but I must decrease"
(John.3:30) was Paul's mind set.
Paul hazarded his life for the furtherance of the Gospel. In
spite of his ill health he undertook extensive missionary
Journey.He became all things to all people so that by all
possible means he might save some (1Cor.9:22).He served
his Master " with all humility of mind, and with many tears"
(Acts 20:19). This Vision driven life and ministry of Paul
should challenge every one of us.
Paul's Vision Statement: "For to me, to live is Christ, and
to die is gain (Phil1:21).
Koshy Mathew
Editor
E mail: koshimathew@yahoo.com
Harvest Times for Your Family July 2015/Volume 12 Issue 07
DEVOTIONAL
The Promised Rest

Jesus Christ promises two types of rest in Mat 11:28-29. Writer in this
article distinguishes between these two types of rest by taking the
example of rest in Canaan, the promised land.
Jeby K.Simon
If this promised rest is for believers and it could be lost by them, is
it then that they may not enter into
heaven?
If so, is our salvation secure?
s believers, we know about

our eternal rest which we are
going to enjoy when we go to
heaven. In Heb.4.1, the author of
Hebrews, most probably St. Paul,
by the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit speaks about promise of
entering into special rest. Many of
the readers lightly assume that, it
speaks about our eternal rest
which we are going to enjoy in
future. The author warns that
Therefore let the 'readers' fear if ,
while a promise remains of
entering His rest, anyone of you
may seem to come short of
it.(Heb.4.1-NASB). Again many
others presume this as a warning
given to unbelievers, who are yet
to accept Jesus Christ as their
personal savior. But the truth is
that none of the epistles are
addressed to unbelievers; rather
4
Many who are saved

by the grace of God,
may not enjoy this
special rest, promised
by the Lord while they
are in the world.
Because this rest is
the outcome of a
matured Christian life,
led according to the
will of God."
each epistle from Romans to Jude
is addressed either to a church or a
believer. So it is wrong to take this
warning as for unbelievers. It is
however a clear warning aimed at
Hebrew believers as well as all the
saints who read this portion of the
word of God.
Chapter 4 of the Hebrews is a

continuation of the subject mentioned in Ch.3. In the last verses of
Ch.3, the author mentions about
the Israelites who could not enter
into Canaan, the land promised by
God to them. The disobedient
among the Israelites died in the
wilderness, and thus they could
not enjoy the land where milk and
honey flowed. After mentioning
about those disobedient Israelites,
the author talks about this promised rest, and he warns Lest
anyone may seem to have come
short of it. Many seemed to be
confused , just because, they think
Canaan symbolizes heaven. Of
course the redemption of the
Israelites from Egypt and crossing
over the Red sea symbolize our
redemption from sin and baptism
respectively; but readers must
understand that crossing over
Jordan and entering into Canaan
never symbolize death and heaven.
Just one example is enough to
prove that Canaan does not
represent heaven. The Scripture
clearly says that Moses and many
other great men of Israel including
Aaron who were above 20 years
old when they left Egypt could not

enter the Promised Land. If Canaan
truly symbolizes heaven, we would
be compelled to say that Moses
could not go to heaven. I do not
think that any person with the least
knowledge of the word of God
would say so because the word of
God introduces Moses as a servant
of God (Duet.34.5), whom the Lord
knew face to face (Duet.34.10). The
same way as Canaan does not
symbolize heaven, so also the rest
promised here does not point to
the rest we are about to enjoy in
heaven. Verse 11 of Ch.4 encourages the believers to be diligent to
enter into that rest. We know that,
salvation and heaven are free gifts
from the Lord, (Eph.2.8) and none
can achieve these things by their
own efforts. Then what is this rest
promised here for believers into
which many may not enter?
In the gospel of John we see of a
special peace, which the world
cannot give, promised by our Lord
Jesus Christ (Jn.14.27) while He
was on the earth. In his letter to the
church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul
from the Roman prison comforts
the church by reminding them of
the same peace of God which
surpasses all comprehension.
(Phil.4.7) Actually the Philippian
church might have been extremely
disturbed, because of the imprisonment of their spiritual father. They
might have been worrying of their
physically weak Pastor. (2 Cor.12.7)
But on the contrary, Paul was
enduring despite all the hostile
circumstances. He encouraged the
Philippians to Rejoice in the Lord
always.(Phil.4.4) Again he comforted them that The peace of God
which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and
your mind in Christ
Jesus.(Phili.4.7). What is this peace
which surpasses all comprehen-
sion, or the rest promised for the

New Testament believers?
The same apostle Paul, when he
writes the epistle to the church at
Ephesus, mentions about a peculiar
spiritual blessing which the Lord
offers to a new believer when he or
she is in Christ. ( The first three
chapters of Ephesians describe the
spiritual blessings, a believer gets
when he or she is in Christ.) In Ch.2
v.6 Paul says that our God raised us
up with Jesus Christ and seated us
with Him in the heavenly places
when we accepted Him as our
savior. It means that, when one is
in Christ, God raises him or her
from the very death, inherited
because of sin and transgressions
(Eph.2.5) and makes seated with
Him in the heavenly places instantaneously. Thus, all the believers
being physically in this world and
yet seated in the heavenly places
spiritually would mean that the
Lord wants us to enjoy the heavenly peace and rest while we are
still on the face of the earth itself.
Although believers have tribulation
in this world (Jn.16.33), yet a God's
child can experience heavenly
peace and joy in this world itself;
the same peace and joy which we
would enjoy when we will be in
heaven. (2 Cor.12.9,10)
Even the repeated appeals of Moses

to God did not make any impact
which could help him to go to
Canaan.
The same way, many who are saved

by the grace of God, may not enjoy
this special rest, promised by the
Lord while they are in the world.
Because this rest is the outcome of
a matured Christian life led according to the will of God. The only
reason behind not enjoying was
their 'unbelief' (Heb.3.19). The
word 'unbelief' here shows their
distrust upon the word of God
spoken to them. The Israelites were
trying to solve their problems and
meet their needs with their own
wisdom and understanding. Even
today most of the believers lead
their Christian lives with the help
of their own wisdom, understanding and money and not with the
help of the written word of God and
the guidance from the Holy Spirit.
The reason behind why such
Christians are unable to trust in
God's word and lead a life according to the will of God is their
hidden sins. Until and unless we do
not get rid of those hidden sins
which entangle us and lay aside
every encumbrance (Heb.12.1) we
will not be able to experience that
But the Hebrew author also warns divine rest, promised by the word
of God while we are on this earth.
us that there is a possibility that
many may not enter into that rest,
Therefore let us be diligent to
the same way as Moses the Lord's
enter that rest, so that no one will
servant could not enter into
fall, through following the same
Canaan, the Promised Land, in spite example of disobedience.
of his body being taken away by
(Heb.4.11)
God Himself. We know that Moses,
Jeby K.Simon, Katihar (Bihar)
the man of God (Duet.33.1) would
surely go to heaven, but the word of
Jeby K Simon is an
God clearly says that, because of
evangelist serving the Lord,
Moses' disobedience, he could not
in Katihar, Bihar.
enjoy God's promised land Canaan, the land where milk and
honey flowed (Duet.32.49-52).
FEATURE ARTICLE
Pauline Christology
Thampi Mattackal
detailed description, since each one
picked only a certain element
relevant to achieve its purpose. His
vision of risen Christ changed his
view of Christ and provided new
understanding and meaning of the
scripture. Paul explains that in his
testimonial description given in
Phil.3:4-14.
Paul as a devoted Jew, on his mission
to destroy the followers of 'the Way'
was stricken by a light (shekinah)
from heaven flashed around him. He
was knocked down and heard a voice
'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute
me?' His question was 'Who are you
Lord?'
He realized that the person
hristology mainly deals with the
Paul Interchangeably
who spoke to him was divine and
study of the person and the work
used God and Christ.
addressed him as 'Lord'. The answer
of Lord Jesus Christ. A significant
This.........
usage
in
was
'I am Jesus, whom you are
part of this branch of theology is
persecuting'
(Acts 9). Paul heard the
revealed through the inspired
Pauls writing is clear
divine
name
'I
am' (ego eimi) and
writings of the Apostle Paul. The
that he put
realized that it is God Himself spoken
formulation of his Christology has
Jesus Christ and God to him (Ex.3:6, 14; Isa.43:25). That
many sources. Some of his prethe father on equal
was the first time that he realized
Christian background had significant
that Jesus Christ is Lord. He realized
influence in developing and
basis. This is a major
that the light from heaven is the
articulating his Christology. One of
point in Pauline
same Shekinah that filled the
them was his Jewish heritage. He
Christology
tabernacle (Ex.40:34-35), the same
followed a pharisaic lifestyle,
glory of Jehovah filling the temple
believed that there is a covenant
with Lord seated on throne and with
relationship between Jews and
the Greco-Roman culture and
the seraphims standing above (Isa.
Jehovah and practiced the sacrificial thinking was another pre-Christian
6:1-4;
Jn.12:39-41), the same glory of
system and followed the Law as a
factor that influenced his Christology
God
of
Israel that filled the millennial
sign of that covenant relationship. He (Acts 17:16-34; 23:23-25:32).
temple
(Ez.43; 1-7). This is similar to
believed that Jews are the recipients
The
most
important
factor
from
the burning bush experience of
of the oracles of God and gained
which he developed his Christology
Moses (Ex.3) and his vision of God in
deep understanding of it. He
was his Damascus experience. His
Ex.33:21-23. From that Damascus
describes his Jewish heritage in
personal
encounter with the risen
experience he accepted the full deity
portions like Rom.9:2-5; 11:1-32; 2
Cor.11:21-22; Gal.1:13-2:21; Phil.3:4- Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus of Christ and from that time onwards
was a defining moment in his life. His in his Christological expression, he
11. As a Roman citizen and also
Damascus
experience is recorded
used the attributes and prerogatives
fluent in classical Greek, he has
three
times
in the Book of Acts (9:1- of God interchangeably for both God
accrued a lot of knowledge and
22; 22:1-16; 26:4-18). We need to
the Father and God the Son. Thus,
experience in Greek-Roman culture.
read all three to get the full and
when he wrote to the Colossian
His familiarity and experience with
believers that- For in Him dwells all

the fullness of Godhead bodily (2:9),
'Godhead' indicates of a being with
absolute deity with God's essential
nature, rather than some divine
qualities.
Equality of Jesus Christ with

the Father
Jesus Christ's equality with the
Father is clearly revealed in the
Gospels and was also a claim of Lord
Jesus Christ (Matt.21:41-46; Jn.5:18,
8:58, 10:33, and 19:7). This truth is
clearly revealed in the writings of
Paul. In his opening salutations in
most of his letters, he links the flow
of grace and peace from God the
Father and Jesus Christ ( Rom.1:7; 1
Cor.1:3; 2 Cor.1:2; Gal.1:3; Eph.1:2;
Phil.1:2; 2 Thes.1:2;Titus 1:4;
Philm3). Paul attributed his
apostleship and his commission to
both God the father and Jesus Christ
(Gal.1:1; 1 Tim.1:1). Jesus Christ
possess the same attributes as God
the Father (Rom.8:35, 37;
Rom.11:29; 1 Cor.7:25; Phil 1:8; 2:1;
1 Cor.8:6; 2 Cor.6:14-15; 2Cor.5:21;
Gal.2:17). These attributes include
both communicable and noncommunicable.
The salvation is attributed to the
work of God the Father and Jesus
Christ. Christ is the Savior (Eph.5:23;
Phil.3:20; 2Tim.1:10) and the Father
is the Savior (1 Tim.1:1; 2:3; 4:10).
Believers are called in by both the
Father (Rom.8:28-30) and by Jesus
Christ (Rom.1:6) to be his holy
people. The church is called as the
church of God (1 Cor.11:16; 1
Thes.2:14; 1 Tim.3:15) and the
church of Christ (Rom.16:16). For
Paul prayer, thanksgiving and glory
are centered on both God, the Father
(Eph.1:17 Eph.3:14; Col.1:9) and
Lord Jesus Christ (Rom.10:13; 1
Cor.1:2; 2 Cor.12:8; 2 Tim.2:22) and
sometimes directed towards both (1
Thes.3:11; 2 This.2:16-17). When
we make a detailed study of Paul's
writings, in many other areas also,
Paul used God and Christ
interchangeably. According to Don N.
Howell, Pauline Christology covers
attributes, goal of creation, execution

of eschatological judgement,
salvation and its corollaries, the
object of faith and hope, source of
spiritual benefits to believers
including the Holy Spirit, reference
point for the believers accountability,
possessor of church and kingdom,
recipient of prayer, blessing, glory
and thanks, and the source of the
apostolic commission, its power. This
extensive use of God Christ
interchanging usage in Paul's writing
is clear that he put Jesus Christ and
God the father on equal basis. This is
a major point in Pauline Christology.
word for kyrios' is 'Mar'. Paul used

the Aramaic word 'Mar' for Jesus
Christ in 1 Cor.16:22, Maranatha- our
lord, come.
In 1 Cor.11:23-32, while explaining
the Lord's Supper six times, Paul
mentions the word 'Lord'. All the
times it refers to Jesus Christ. Paul, in
his Christological vocabulary, used
the expression 'Jesus Kyrios' to
declare his deity and the lordship of
Jesus Christ. Paul also used it to
express the preexistence of Jesus
Christ (Phil.2: 6, 9).
According to Paul, we need to

confess that Jesus is Lord for
Usage of the designation
salvation (Rom.9:9, 13). It speaks not
'Lord '
only his person, but also his work.
Paul says that aspect of lordship of
'Lord' (Kyrios) is a Christological
Jesus
Christ many times in his
title that Paul used as a designation
Pastoral Letters (1 Tim.1:1; 2:3;
for Jesus Christ. This title
4:10;
Tit1:3; 2:10). Our salvation
emphasizes the deity of Christ. There
depends
upon our faith in the person
is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through
and
the
work
of Lord Jesus Christ.
whom all things and through whom
Paul's
usage
of
the title 'Lord' in
we live (Rom.8:6). On the Damascus
Phil.2
implies
Christ's
absolute
road Paul asked 'who are you Lord'.
lordship
over
the
whole
universe.
Paul says that confess with your
mouth that Jesus is Lord and you will Usage of the Designation 'God'
be saved (Rom.9:9). The same title is
When we examine the writing of
used in Phil.2:11. The name 'Lord' is
Paul, there are places that he used
the word used for 'adonai' (Lord)
the word God (Theos) for Jesus
and also for 'Yahweh'. It is important
Christ. For example, in Rom.9:5,
to know that the Jews did not speak
Theirs are the patriarchs, and from
the name of God YHWH because of
them is traced the human ancestry of
the fear of breaking the third
Christ, who is God over all, forever
commandment. So they replaced the
praised! Amen. In Tit.2:13, he writes
word 'Adonai' and it became a
While we wait for the blessed hope
designation for 'Yahweh'. Kyrios is
the glorious appearing of our great
the Greek translation of the Hebrew
God and savior, Jesus Christ. Here
'Adonai', the designation for God the
both nouns controlled by a single
Father. Concerning Paul's usage in
article are to be taken as one entity.
Philippians of the word 'kyrios', F.F.
He uses the word 'God' with the
Bruce says, ' The Greek noun he uses
same sense of the Old Testament.
is 'kyrios', which because of the
Paul's Christological confession is
Septuagint usage lent itself happily
stated
in 1 Cor.8:6. Yet for us there is
to this exalted connotation. In the
one
God,
the Father from whom all
Septuagint it is used not only to
things
came
and for whom we live;
render such a Hebrew word as 'adon'
and
there
is
one
Lord, Jesus Christ,
(Lord) but also to render the
through
whom
all
things came and
ineffable name of God of Israel- the
through
whom
we
live. This is
name which commonly reproduce as
analogous
to
the
theological
Yahweh' ( Paul : Apostle of the Heart
confession of the Old Testament in
Set Free, Pg.116). Paul also
Dut.6:4.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord
developed this Christological
concept form Ps. 110:1. The Aramaic
26
BIBLE STUDY
Apostle Paul:
His Life and Ministry
Here writer is expounding how God used Apostle Paul
for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ.
Biju Samuel
Paul was very sincere in his
intentions and efforts. Being a good
Pharisee, he knew the scriptures and
truly believed that the Christian
movement was detrimental to
Judaism. Hence Paul's hatred of the
Christian faith and thus he
persecuted the Christians without
mercy. He got permission from the
high priest to arrest the Christians at
Damascus but God met with Paul on
the road to Damascus. Paul's
encounter with Jesus turned his life
aul of Tarsus was a man with

excellent credentials. He was a
sincere Jew, he studied at the feet of
Gamaliel, the finest teacher in those
days. Later he became an apostle of
God, he received a wealth of
revelation, and yet when he
describes God's love to the
Ephesians, he writes, 'the love of
Christ which surpasses knowledge.'
Paul was indeed a humble man.
Besides Jesus Christ himself, apostle
Paul played the most important role
in shaping the history of Christianity.
His actions, even before he became a
Christian, were significant. The
apostles and the first believers were
in their comfort zones in Jerusalem.
The Lord's command to take the
gospel 'to the end of the earth' was
pretty much ignored. Paul's
persecution of the Christians got the
church started in obeying Christ's
command.
8
After his encounter with Jesus Christ,

Paul was baptized by Ananias at
Damascus, and he immediately
began telling others about Jesus
Christ, setting a good example for
new believers. The longer young
believers put off speaking about
Christ, the more difficult it becomes.
It was dangerous for Paul to preach
the gospel because the Jews were
very bitter about his conversion.
They now considered him a traitor
and plotted to kill him. As Christians,
persecution is our birthright.
God used all of Paul;

his background, his
training, his
citizenship, his mind,
and even his
weaknesses. Are you
willing to let God do
the same with you?
Paul escaped from Damascus and

came to Jerusalem where his
troubles continued. The Christians
were afraid to receive him, but
Barnabas took Paul to the apostles
and related his story to them. The
apostles received Paul, but due to a
threat from the Greek Jews, he left
Jerusalem and went to Caesarea, and
from there to Tarsus, his hometown.
Christian life is certainly not an
easy life.
upside down. He never lost his

passion; it was now just channeled
for the gospel of Christ.
The First Missionary Journey

Acts 13-14 [c. AD 47-49]
The conversion of Paul was the real

turning point in the ministry of the
early church. Till this time there was
no concerted effort to take the gospel
to non-Jews, baring a few exceptions.
It was the missionary journeys,
under the leadership of Paul, that
carried the gospel across the length
and breadth of the Roman Empire.
A while later, Barnabas came to

Antioch and then went to Tarsus to
look for Paul. Together, they labored
for a whole year at Antioch. Perhaps
it was their effective gospel work
that the people of that city began to
call them Christians, which meant
'Christ's ones.' The Holy Spirit
instructed the church to separate
Barnabas and Paul 'for the work to
which I have called them.' Thus

began Paul's first missionary journey
accompanied by Barnabas and John
Mark.
The apostles just asked the Gentile

believers to avoid the sins of
fornication, idolatry, and certain
kinds of food.
They first went to Cyprus and

It was the missionary
preached the gospel throughout the
journeys, under the
island. The proconsul Sergius Paulus
leadership
of Paul, that
was interested in the Word but
carried
the
gospel
across
Elymas, a sorcerer, tried to keep him
the length and breadth of
from the truth. Paul punished Elymas
the Roman Empire
with blindness for a while so that he
would stop opposing the gospel.
From Cyprus the party went to
The Second Missionary
Antioch in Pisidia via Perga.
Paul set a pattern that we see
throughout his missionary journeys.
At every place Paul would first seek
out the synagogue and preach the
gospel to the Jews. A few would
accept the Good News and some
would oppose it. Then Paul would
take the gospel to the Gentiles and
when the opposition would become
too much he would move on to the
next place. This became a pattern in
every city that Paul visited with just a
few exceptions. During the first
missionary journey, Paul and
Barnabas visited Cyprus, Salamis,
Paphos, Perga, Pisidian Antioch,
Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. They
returned through the same cities and
reached Antioch in Syria. There was
an equal amount of success and
opposition but the work of the gospel
was established in these places that
led to the growth of churches. Back
in their home church at Antioch, they
reported all the wonderful things
that God had done through them.
The Jerusalem Council Acts

15 [c. AD 49]
The vexing issue of whether Gentile
believers had to obey Jewish laws
caused many problems in the early
church. Paul and Barnabas decided
to go to Jerusalem and consult with
the apostles and church leaders
there. After a great deal of
discussions, it was decided that since
God had accepted the Gentile
believers without any conditions, it
was not right on the part of the
'Judaizers' to impose any conditions.
Journey Acts 15:36-18:22 [c.

AD 50-53]
The beginning of the second journey

saw a rift between Paul and
Barnabas over Mark. Paul refused to
have Mark along and finally they
went in different directions. We do
not hear of Barnabas or Mark again
in Acts, but Paul considered them
both as friends (1 Cor. 9:6; 2 Tim.
4:11). Paul took along Silas and the
brethren commended them to the
grace of God. At Lystra, Timothy
joined the group and they went
through Phrygia, Galatia and reached
Troas.
The Spirit prevented them from
going further into Asia and at Troas
Paul saw in a vision a man of
Macedonia saying, 'Come over to
Macedonia and help us.' This came to
be known as the Macedonian Call
and heralded the arrival of the gospel
to Europe. They went on to Philippi
where Lydia became probably the
first convert in Europe. Paul's pattern
of success and persecution in the
gospel work continued.
They traveled from Philippi to
Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth,
Ephesus, and Jerusalem from where
they returned to Antioch. The
Macedonian Call, the conversion of
Lydia, the conversion of the
Philippian jailer, the 'fair-minded'
Bereans, Paul's speech at the
Areopagus in Athens (one of the best
examples of contextualization in the
Bible) and Paul's 18-month stay at
Corinth along with Aquila and
Priscilla were the highlights of the

second missionary journey.
The Third Missionary Journey

Acts 18:23-21:31
[c. AD 53-57]
Paul had a job to accomplish and
precious little time to do it. After a
very brief period at Antioch, he again
set out to strengthen the believers is
the new churches; the third
missionary journey had begun. Paul
visited the churches at Galatia and
Phrygia, and came to Ephesus. Paul
stayed at Ephesus for two years and
ministered the Word. Paul traveled
from Ephesus to Macedonia, Corinth
(where he stayed 3 months), Troas,
Assos, Mitylene, Samos and Miletus
before finally arriving at Jerusalem.
The two-year stay at Ephesus, the
success of the ministry there, the riot
instigated by Demetrius, the 3-month
stay at Corinth, the all-night long
meeting at Troas, the death and
raising up of Eutychus and Paul's
passionate farewell address to the
Ephesian elders at Miletus, where he
warned them of future dangers, were
some of the highlights of the third
missionary journey. Unlike the two
previous journeys, Paul concluded
his third missionary journey at
Jerusalem.
Paul is Arrested and

Imprisoned Acts 21:1726:32 [c. AD 57-59]
Paul was clearly warned about the
dangers of going to Jerusalem, yet he
trusted his Savior to see him through,
'we know that all things work
together for good to those who love
God.' (Romans 8:28) The Jews were
really upset with Paul. They started a
riot and Commander Claudius Lysias
arrested Paul. With permission from
Claudius, Paul defended himself to
the Jews who turned violent after
listening to him.
The commander saved Paul and the
following day he appeared before the
Sanhedrin. This too ended badly and
when the commander came to know
of a plot to murder Paul, he sent him

over to the governor at Caesarea,
under guard. Paul remained in prison
for more than two years at Caesarea
during which time he appeared and
defended himself before Felix, Festus
and King Agrippa. It was when he
appeared before Festus that Paul
appealed to Caesar.
The Journey To Rome Acts

27-28 [c. AD 59]
While Paul was being taken to Rome,
Luke and Aristarchus went with him.
During the journey to Rome, they
were caught in a severe storm and
the ship was completely destroyed,
though no life was lost as foretold by
Paul. They were shipwrecked on an
island called Malta where they spent
the winter. Three months later, they
boarded a ship and arrived in Rome.
The centurion delivered his prisoner
to the captain of the guard, but Paul
was allowed to live by himself, with a
soldier to guard him.
Paul, though a prisoner, had fulfilled
his long held desire to go to Rome
and meet with the believers there.
Luke ends the book of Acts and the
story of Paul rather abruptly. Paul
continued to stay at his rented house,
receiving visitors, preaching the
gospel, and teaching Bible truths. It is
believed that Paul's first
imprisonment lasted from c. AD 6062 and second term from c. AD 64.
According to Eusebius, Paul was
beheaded in AD 67.
Paul is a worthy example to follow.
'Imitate me, just as I also imitate
Christ.' God used all of Paul; his
background, his training, his
citizenship, his mind, and even his
weaknesses. Are you willing to let
God do the same with you? God is not
looking for your ability; He is looking
for your availability.
BRAIN BUSTERS FROM THE BIBLE

HT-Quiz 7
1. Who was the mother of Ishmael ?
2. Which wood was used by Noah to make the Ark?
3. Who was the First born of Adam ?
4. To which tribe did King Saul belong ?
5. Which is the smallest book in the Old Testament ?
6. Who was the grand mother of Timothy ?
7. Who was the father of David?
8. How many Children did Jacob have ?
9. Name the sons of Eli?
10. Who was the husband of Naomi?
11. Name the Evangelist who baptized an Eunuch?
12. Name the sister of Moses?
- FM
INSTRUCTIONS
If you are twenty (20) years old or less

then you can definitely be a part of Brain
Busters from the Bible
Please use only the New International

Version (NIV) of the Bible.
Kindly send us your answers with the
Biblical references.
Incase of postal delay, please visit our
website: www.glsindia.com and look into
our blog FIRESIDE where the
questions will be posted on the 1st of
each month or write to us.
Send us your name and age with the

answers, so that we can acknowledge
your names if you have got all your
answers right.
The answers for the quiz will have to reach

us before the 15th of each month.
Send your answers to
koshymathew@glsindia.com
cc to: koshimathew@yahoo.com
Answers for HT-Quiz 6

1. The Pentateuch
2. Deborah judges 4:4
3. Adonijah 1kings 1:5
4. Esther Esther 2:7
5. Three friends job 2:11
6. Solomon
Biju Samuel is an economist

by training; an advertising,
media man by profession; a
communication trainer by
passion; and an itinerant,
Christian speaker, specially
among teens and young
adults. He lives in Muscat.
10
7. Matthew, Mark, Luke& John

8. Paul
9. Psalms
10. 3 John
11. 66 books
12. Jeremiah 13:23
CHILDREN WHO GOT THE ANSWERS RIGHT

Sherly Ruth
Sandesh Amis Lopes
Benaiah Saju Joseph
Lydia Saju
PRACTICAL
Strategies & Principles governing

Paul's missionary journeys Part 1
E J Stephen
2.Preaching to the gentiles
St Paul the Apostle Airport - Macedonia.
he first important principle right

at the beginning of Paul's
missionary journeys is that he was
ministering to the Lord at Antioch
church. As they ministered to the
Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said
separate me Barnabas and Saul for
the work(Acts 13:2). God chose
experienced, proven men in the local
assembly for the vital mission field.
Before they could be assigned the
work of the mission they were found
useful and faithful in the local
church.
The second principle is that it is the
Holy Spirit that chose 2 of them out
of 5 devoted men in that church. It
was the senior most Barnabas and
junior most Saul who were chosen
for the mission field. They were
probably the best in the Antioch
church.
responsibilities for a wider ministry.

In other words, the church released
the men to go whom the Holy Spirit
has chosen to send away, even
though they were very useful in the
local assembly.
They undertook a hazardous journey
for the name of Lord Jesus Christ in
the words of Apostle Peter (15:26).
They did not fear the hazards in
their journey/mission because they
were sent by the Holy Spirit.
Strategies in first missionary journey
1.Overcoming hindrance
They passed through many places

and they arrived in Paphos (13:6).
There they met the resistance from
the devil through one sorcerer
whose name was Bar-Jesus (Jewish
name) and Elymas (Greek name). He
was hindering the proconsul Sergius
Paulus from believing in the Lord.
The third principle is that though the Then Paul was filled with Holy Spirit
remaining responsible brethren
and reprimanded Elymas and put
fasted and prayed and laid their
him away so that Sergius Paulus
hands on them and sent them away,
could believe in the Lord (V12).
they were actually sent forth by the
Holy Spirit (V4). The Holy Spirit not In any spiritual initiative we should
only chose them but also send them anticipate hindrance/obstruction by
the devil but the Holy Spirit gives us
forth. The men chosen by the Holy
strength to deal with the situation in
Spirit and sent away were actually
an appropriate manner.
'released' by the church from local
When they came to Antioch in Pisidia

we can see a major breakthrough in
that a huge crowd of Jews and
gentiles came to hear them in the
synagogue. In fact almost the whole
city came to hear the word of God
(13:44). But the Jews were filled
with envy and spoke against them
whereas the gentiles were receptive
and gladly received the word of the
Lord. Then they decided to preach to
the gentiles and immediately Paul &
Barnabas were prompted from the
scripture Is. 42:6 that the Lord has
been set to be a light of the gentiles.
When Paul & Barnabas started their
journey, they may not have had any
clue that they are going to preach to
the gentiles but at the appropriate
time when they found that Jews
were not receptive to the gospel
they turned to the gentiles and that
too under the guidance of the word
of God.
God's strategies are not fully
revealed to us in advance. But He
will never fail to reveal His
mind/plans at the right moment.
This helps us to be dependent on
Him at all times. Elijah did not know
how soon river 'Cherith' is going to
dry up and what he shall do then?
But when it dried up He revealed His
plan of providing a widow of
Zarephath who looked after him till
the end of drought in Israel.
3.Confirmation from the Lord

& Apostles
They didn't have to leave Antioch
empty handed but as many as
ordained to eternal life believed
(13:48). And the word of the Lord
was published throughout all the
11
region (V49). And the disciples were

filled with joy and with Holy Spirit
(V52). What a wonderful experience
and confirmation that indeed the
Lord has blessed their ministry. Had
it not been in accordance to God's
will, the filling of Holy Spirit would
not have happened. Once again this
work among the gentiles was
confirmed by Peter & James in the
Council at Jerusalem wherein Peter
said you know that a good while ago
God made choice among us, that the
Gentiles by my mouth should hear
the word of the gospel and believe
(15:7). Then James supplements
Peter by quoting from Amos 9:11, 12
I will build again the tabernacle of
David .. that the rest of the
mankind might seek after the Lord
and all the gentiles. (15:16,17).
When they came to Iconium they
went to synagogue as usual and a
great multitude of Jews and Greeks
believed. A further confirmation that
indeed the Lord is saving the gentiles
alongwith the Jews.
4.A harmonious team

We know that Barnabas was a man of
grace. He allowed Paul to become
the chief speaker as they began the
missionary journey. Now when they
began to lead gentiles to the
knowledge of salvation Barnabas
didn't dissent with Paul. Otherwise
the mission would have come to an
end at Antioch itself. How
wonderfully the Lord has chosen
Barnabas and Paul as a team to go
together in the mission.
In the OT Ezra & Nehemiah two men
of God worked as a team in the
building of the walls of Jerusalem
and in the restoration of worship in
the temple. Ezra - a scribe & priest,
Nehemiah a governor but Ezra was
given the responsibility to lead the
people in the reading of the word of
God. Wherever we need to work as a
team we must have the humility and
team spirit to promote the
ministry/work of the Lord.
12
Even though a worker is

primarily accountable to
the Lord who called him
for the ministry; that
never under mines his
responsibility and
accountability towards
the local assembly that
has commended him to
the ministry
5.Impotent man proved to be
of great potential
When they came to Lystra they saw
an impotent man in his feet, a cripple
from his mother's womb but a
potential soul for the kingdom of
God. So Paul commanded with loud
voice stand upright on your feet.
But he not only stood up but also
leaped and walked (14:10).
And this incident gave a major boost
for the gospel work at Lystra. An
impotent man turned out to be a
source of great potential in the
gospel outreach. The amazing ways
of God's work.
6.Man's applause are

shortlived
Strangely the same place where they
were treated like gods, the same
people soon became so hostile to
stone him and to drag him out of the
city as though he was dead. Paul
whom they treated as god Mercurius
because he was the chief speaker,
was stoned to 'death'. The Lord who
gave them the power to do signs &
wonders (14:3) gave the miraculous
power to Paul to rise up and leave
the city of Lystra.
Man's applause are always
shortlived. But our Lord abideth
faithful.
7.Instead of shortest route

longest route for return
journey
Once they reached the last
destination Derbe in the 1st
missionary journey, it was much

closer to Antioch from where they
were recommended but they
returned via the places they have
just finished their work. So they
returned via Lystra, Iconium,
Antioch, Perga etc. (14:21,25). And
it was with the purpose to fulfill
God's strategy to strengthen the
disciples ; they encouraged them to
continue in the faith. They also
appointed elders in every church
and with fasting & prayer they
commended them to the Lord. It
clearly shows that in missionary
endeavors pastoral care is as
important as evangelism.
What a caring attitude by the
missionaries. They expressed their
pastoral care and concern for the
new believers and also made
arrangements for shepherds / elders
who will continue to care for the
flock.
8. Reporting to the
commended church what God
has done
Once they were back in Antioch from
where they were recommended, the
church had gathered together and
they narrated to them all that God
had done through them and how the
door of faith was opened unto the
gentiles. Their focus was what God
had done and not what they had
done. Anywhere this focus is
interchanged the deterioration in the
blessings can be seen. Even though a
worker is primarily accountable to
the Lord who called him for the
ministry; that never under mines his
responsibility and accountability
towards the local assembly that has
commended him to the ministry.
(to be continued)
- E.J. Stephen is a
Chartered Accountant
and the CEO of Bethany
Hospital, Thane.
HER CORNER
The Good Part

Writer brings to our attention how our Lord appreciates Mary of Bethany
for her priorities in life
Annie Job Das

that he was always welcome here.
It is here in Bethany (Matt 21:17)
that Jesus Christ was anointed by a
woman with the alabaster jar (Matt
26:7).
Thus Bethany always held a special
place in the heart of our Lord Jesus
Christ. More so Martha's house was
very special to the Lord. So on one
such occasion Jesus went to visit
this special family in Bethany (Jn
12:1). When we see these two
sisters here, we should remember
that, both of them loved the Lord,
both were in the same house under
one roof, belonged to one family
maybe belonged to the same place
of worship and loved the Lord.
he Lord's desire has always

been to fellowship and to
spend time with His children. From
Genesis to Revelation the heart cry
of our LORD has been to walk with
us, talk with us, sit and stand with
us; in short he wanted our
companionship, our courtship,
comradeship. Time and again we
hear him say that we have forsaken
him and went on to love something
else he compared that to
adultery. He always wanted us to
give HIM priority. He should be our
first love. Whats the use of getting
busy in the KINGdom affairs and
not spend time with the KING. If he
is the KING he says where is the
respect, reverence and due unto
him. In Malachi 1:14 we read-I am
a great king..and my name is to be
feared among the nations. Also in
But they were different in showing

their priority towards our Lord
Jesus Christ. When the Lord
We are so engrossed
entered their house, Martha rushed
in our lives that we
to the kitchen to make elaborate
arrangements to serve an exotic
hardly take time to sit
meal to her Lord. She was going out
of
her way to make special dishes
at HIS feet.
for the Lord. And as we all know
too much of workloads make us
frustrated and irksome and that
Jeremiah 5:22- will you not tremble
was what exactly happened to
at MY presence? He says you are
Martha. She was angered at Mary
never aware of my presence, my
not helping her.
power, my position and my
purpose for you.
Many times we do not give the Lord
With this short prelude lets go over
to a house in Bethany. This is the
house of Martha, the Lord Jesus
always was happy to visit. This is
the place where he liked to rest,
relax and rejoice with the family.
This family was one of Lord's
favorite ministry spot. He knew
the priority and our attention and

honour due to HIM.
The Lord always desires to listen to
us, as we narrate and tell HIM
about all our issues of our life, but
seldom do we understand the heart
cry of our Lord.
13
There are many parameters and

things which keep us away from
the presence of the Lord :
1. Being Too Busy

Lk 10:39,40 We are so engrossed
in our lives that we hardly take
time to sit at HIS feet.
2. Money
caught up in all the things we have

to do like work, eat, sleep, etc. We
have time for everything except
spend time at his feet. Sometimes
the time we spend at the feet of the
Lord is so monotonous that we
hardly are aware whether we
enjoyed that quality time with our
KING.
answer for all these questions lies

in Mary sitting at the feet of the
LORD. And what is that good part?
What did she held on to that she
was commended for. We will take a
peek into the GOOD things which
Mary held on to.
1. Good shepherd.
(John 10:11). The Lord is so good.

He is our shepherd whose caring
and concern are beyond
We are by nature sinful and if we
live by our nature we cannot spend description. The good shepherd
time with the Lord. The self should lays down His life, nurtures us ,
be crucified on the cross (Rom 6:6). corrects us and feeds us . Mary
knew this GOOD shepherd and she
We need to die to ourselves and
live in christ (Gal 2:20). There is so held on to Him.
much of ME, MY and I- ness. We are 2. Good Tidings (Gospel).
much into ourselves, so engrossed
Romans 10:15.The first thing
into our affairs that we forget the
which Mary held on to at the feet of
LORD So to sit in his presence, our
the LORD is the Gospel. The good
SELF should be crucified (Ps
news, the gospel should be the
139:23,24).
main theme of our lives. Many a
3. Media
But its amazing that Mary did
time the gospel takes a back seat in
Biggest distraction of many
wonderful things when Jesus came our lives. The cross becomes
believers. It could be T.V., cell,
into the house.
secondary to us, but lord wants it
tablet, computer, music, video
as our complete priority and
Let's imagine that Jesus Christ
game, magazines, and etc. We
importance.
comes into the house and sits in
watch all this for hours till we are
the visitors room, Martha is far
3. Good Name (Psalms 54:6).
left with very little time to spend at
away at a distance in the kitchen,
the feet of the Lord.
Have you tasted the goodness of
but Mary is doing a few things let's
the LORD? Oh, taste and see the
4. Church Activities
list them :LORD
is good is heart cry of our
We are very busy pursuing church
1.She comes close to the Lord
psalmist.
We are engrossed in
and beliefs about GOD, but forget to
tasting the dirt and filth and the
2.She sits at the feet of the Lord
pursue GOD himself. We are so
bitterness of the world and have no
busy with the kingdom affairs that 3.She looks at the Lord
time to taste the goodness of His
we have no time for the king.
4.She listens to the Lord's words
name. Mary became a class apart
5. Relationships
by tasting His Name which is good.
And because Mary did the above
Relationships fall into varied
listed things, the LORD
4. Good Commandment (Romans
categories friends, parents,
commended her by saying the most 7:12).
siblings, spouses, girls/boyfriends,
beautiful thing ever about her (luke
This is exactly what Mary tasted at
children, co-workers, bosses etc.
10:42) But one thing is needed,
the feet of the LORD. It says in luke
Relationships are extremely
and Mary has chosen that GOOD
10:39 that Mary heard HIS WORD. I
important but our relationship
PART.
guess she didn't just hear with her
with GOD is of utmost importance
Just imagine how glad Mary must
ears, but heard with all her heart,
(1 Jn 3:11).
have been when she heard the Lord mind and strength. We are all guilty
6.Routine
say that about her. Why was Mary
of just listening to messages as a
The most important thing is that
commended that way? Why was
formality. Mary is prompting us to
spending time with GOD should be she appreciated that way? Why was
16
in our routine. It so easy to get
the LORD glad about her? The
We all need money to live in this
world, but we must not be owned
by it. Money itself is not
interference in our walk with GOD.
The love of money is. Matt 6:19-34
says for where your treasure is,
there your heart will be and not
with the Lord. In the mad rush for
money how many of us are guilty of
neglecting the LORD, assembly
gatherings, special meeting and
other meetings which our assembly
organizes?
14
7. Ourselves
FAMILY
Family: Why it is so Important? Part 3

Koshy Mathew
amily is the first and the only

divine institution established
before the fall of Man. As its origin
is in the heart of God and got
initiated by Him in the garden of
Eden, we should maintain the
sanctity of Family. When families
fail, it is God who gets hurt the
most.
Family is the functional unit of a
society and begins from the Holy
matrimony. Usefulness of any
individual to the society, by and
large would depend upon what he
learns at home from his parents.
Healthy and peaceful families alone
can create a peaceful and crime
free society. Psalmist in Psalm 128
describes the characteristics of a
model God fearing family and
concludes with peace upon Israel.
If a society has God fearing
families, it will usher in peace upon
the nation. Most of the inmates in
our prisons are from broken
families. Prime reason even for the
fall of mighty Roman Empire was
broken families.
Family is important because

of its origin.
God exemplified the importance of
family by sending His beloved Son
in to a family. Jesus Christ was born
in the family of Mary and Joseph.
He grew there like any Jewish boy
under the care and discipline of His
parents. He grew along with His
brothers and sisters as in any
family, experiencing sibling rivalry.
As the eldest son in the family He
worked as a Carpenter to support
the family. For thirty years He
remained with His family showing
the importance of family
relationship without joining any
Jewish sect like Qumran or
Essenes.
Family is important as it
displays Agape Love
Secondly, families are to reflect
God's image: Then God said, Let us
make man in our image, in our
likeness. So, God created man in
his own image, in the image of God
he created him; male and female he
created them (Genesis 1:26-27).
Each individual (as a male and as a

female) is created in the image of
God. However, a married Christian
couple, as husband and wife has a
unique capacity to reflect God's
image. When we recognize our
purpose is to reflect the image of
God, we see that we have an
opportunity to be a witness to the
lost world with our family life.
World will know that we are His
disciples if we manifest agape love
in our relationship. (John 13:35)
God expects us to reflect the love
relationship that exists within the
God-head through our Christian
family life. In God- head there exist
three persons but in essence they
are one and we call it Trinity. There
is absolute harmony in their counsel
and unity and love in their
relationship. (Deut.6:4; Acts 2:23)
Jesus Christ is the beloved of the
Father and the only begotten who is
in His bosom (John1:18; Mat 3:17).
God expects us to reflect that
oneness and love in our marital
relationship. Moreover He expects
us to manifest the love of Jesus
Christ for the Church through our
family life. (Ep.5:25)
Marriages of Christian believers are
only a shadow of the coming
marriage of the Lamb of God.
(Rev.19:7-9) Paul exhorts the saints
to love their wives as Christ loved
the Church. In short God expects
families to display agape love or
divine love; thus His image.
15
God designed families to carry We will not hide them from their
children, showing to the generation
out God's eternal purposes.
Third reason for the importance of
family: God designed the family to
carry out his eternal plan and
purposes in this world. So, it is
important for us to transmit the
spiritual heritage from one
generation to another generation.
Moses clearly instructed these
things to the children of Israel.
"These words, which I command
you this day, shall be in your heart
and you shall teach them diligently
to your children, and shall talk of
them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way, and
when you lie down, and when you
rise up." (Deut.6:6-7)
to come, the praises of the LORD,

and his strength, and his wonderful
works that he has done.
........which he commanded our
fathers, that they should make them
known to their children: That the
generation to come might know
them, even the children which
should be born; who should arise
and declare them to their children"
Ps.78:2-7
World renowned family counselor

and author of many books on
Family Dr. James Dobson in one of
his books, *explains this four
generation strategy from the history
Family prayer, in the morning and
evening, is a regular feature of a God of his own family. Dr. James
Dobson's great grandfather
fearing Christian homes. In olden
constantly
prayed for four
days they were considered as Bible
generations and God answered his
teaching sessions. Father being the
prayer.
All his four generations
head of the family teaches the
inherited the spiritual heritage and
spiritual lessons to his children.
James Dobson was belonging to that
Children get promotion without
exams. Nowadays in many families
fourth generation. Dr. James Dobson
these healthy practices are
and his wife Shirley similarly fasted
vanishing; divorces and family
and prayed for their Children one
break ups are the external
day in a week. God honored their
manifestations of this serious
prayer. Knowledge on parenting
spiritual malady.
techniques is no guarantee that our
Children will walk in the ways of
Four generation Strategy
God.The
last exhortation of our
Paul instructs Timothy, one of his
Savior
to
the daughters of Jerusalem
spiritual sons to transmit the
before the crucifixion,is to weep for
spiritual truths which he learned
their
Children. With prayers and
from him to the faithful ones who
tears, let us pass on the spiritual
can teach others. Paul had a "four
baton from generation after
generation strategy" in
communicating eternal plan and
generation; that is the ultimate
purposes of God.
purpose of Family.
Joel the prophet exhorts, to share
God's dealings with His people. "Tell
you your children of it, and let your
children tell their children, and
their children another generation".
Psalmist also narrates this "four
generation strategy ". "I will utter
dark sayings of old: which we have
heard and known, and our fathers
have told us.
16
* "Straight talk to men and their

wives" Chapter 5 - A man and his
Ultimate Priority page 48-56.
Koshy Mathew is an
itinerant Bible Teacher
based in Mumbai.
The Good Part

contd. from Page No 14
listen to HIS GOOD WORD with our
heart.
5. Good Will Of God (Romans
12:2).
We as His children need to always
seek His perfect will which pleases
Him. There is perfect will and
permissible will, and we as
believers need to be very cautious
not to fall in the trap of permissible
will which is not what the Lord has
in store for us. So , lets strive to
find His perfect will for our
families and for our children.
6. GOOD WORKS (Matthew 5:16).
The Lord is asking us to let our
light shine so that men may see
them and glorify the LORD above.
We should make sure to do good
works to have a great testimony;
this is not to become hypocrites
but to genuinely strive to shine for
HIM.
7. GOOD DESIRE (Proverbs 11:23).
We need to have good desires for
the Lord. Attempt great things for
God and expect great things for
God. What great desire the wife of
Zebedee had for her sons, she
wanted two of them on either side
of their LORD. She is a mother who
desired great things which was a
GOOD DESIRE.
Its because of these Good things
that what Mary chose is the GOOD
Part. May we also crave and desire
the good part, so that we may also
be commended by our LORD JESUS
CHRIST.
Annie Job Das is a full
time worker serving the
Lord along with her
husband in Hyderabad.
She works amoung the
sisters and children.
KIDS CORNER
ALL THAT MATTERS -3
ATM
All that Matters is

God's love
imi had not yet completed her sentence when her

friend Shweta disconnected the call. Rimi met with
an accident a month ago and it seemed to have changed
her outlook on life completely. She heard mummy telling
dad that Rimi has become emotionally vulnerable after
the accident and we need to be careful. Rimi cried
herself to sleep that night. Was it true? On the
contrary she felt
Last one month had been difficult for her. She never
realised before that how difficult life can be for those
who are physically incapable. The fracture in her leg
would take time to heal. After a week of attention and
care post accident, her Mummy joined her office back
and so did dad in 2 days. Nurse had been taking care of
her. Friends who signed her plastered leg with get well
soon messages slowly got occupied in their own world.
Friends, Family and relatives did care for her but they
were not available all the time.
Rimi had been feeling lonely and rejected with no one to
listen to her unhurriedly. She was slowly sinking in
stress. She decided to help herself and began to google
about stress. Though Rimi was 14 years old and had
accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour, she had yet to
experience the depth of Gods love. God chose this
difficult time of healing to show His love to Rimi. Rimi
came across an online sermon. The preacher spoke of
Gods love. He quoted Psalm 27:10 Though my
father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive
me Rimis heart began to pound.
Hertears like a flooded river swallowed all the
obstacles and flowed freely. Our friends might not
have the patience to listen to the problems and pains we
are facing but God is waiting to hear from us. He read
from Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while
they are still speaking I will hear and quoted John
5:14-15 what a wonderful expression of Gods love?
He never gets bored of our repeated demands, He

listens calmly and patiently to all our pains and
complaints. He forgives our repeated mistakes. Above
all, He sent His only son to die for us. Can we have a
better caring friend than Him? Can we have a better
loving father than Him? He asked. He is always there for
us. Nothing on earth can match His love for us. We can
not die for Him but we can live for Him. If He is the first
love of our life, He will make all things right.
Rimi got goose bumps, her eyes were filled with the tears
of gratitude for her Saviour and her heart felt cleaned,
washed and much lighter. Her faith was renewed and she
was reassured of the love God has for her and all of us.
The preacher concluded with repeating the title of his
sermon ATM- All that matters is Gods love he laughed
not that machine, daddy uses to get money from. Doesnt
matter what situation you are into all that matters is his
love for you. In the ATM of our heavenly father are the
rewards that earthly currecncy cant buy. They are
eternal. Rimi loved the title and decided to share it with
all her friends.
Dear Children, Do you rely on God in the times of trouble
or on world and yourself? Do you need to be reassured of
Gods love?
Tabbsum Roy Paes is an
HR by profession, talented
in writing and translation. At
present she lives at
Gurgaon, New Delhi/ NCR.
17
MISSION
Thomson B Thomas
The duties of the
churches to the world
also include efforts in
reforming the society
by education, eradication
of social evils, charity
works etc.
these teams, local churches carried

out church planting in areas close
to them. Here we see the two
methods in which churches fulfilled
their evangelistic duties. They sent
missionaries into the faraway field
and at the same time saturated
their own localities with the gospel.
Acts 13.1-3, provides the classic

example of steps in sending men,
Barnabas and Paul, called for His
it is necessary to know how
service into the wider field. They
churches can involve in the
might have shared about their call
fulfillment of divine purposes in
and intention to the church at
Missions.
Antioch where they were members
In the Following lines we shall see
then. The seriousness with which
how the churches may fulfill its
the church took the matter is
duties in the Missions. It is in
evident in their prayer with fasting
issions, in the technical
evangelism, edification and
that ensued. Knowing the will of
sense, have to do with God's
worship.
God in the matter they released
purposes for this age. They are
them to the work the Lord called
about His redeemed people, and all
Evangelistic Efforts of the
them for. The church did not
that He sends them to do on this
Churches
influence them or control them.
earth. God being the 'Centrifugal
They were guided by the Holy
Being' in Missions, His glory is the
In His Great Commission the Lord
Spirit alone. Though Paul and
ultimate goal. In the present age, as told the Apostles, Go therefore and
Barnabas did not look to the church
an important step in the process of make disciples of all the nations,
at Antioch for material support,
fulfilling the purposes in Missions, baptizing them in the name of the
definitely the church was with
He is separating a company of
Father and of the Son and of the
them with their prayers and
people from the Gentiles for His
Holy Spirit, teaching them to
support. This is assumed from the
name (Acts.15.14). This entity, the observe all things that I have
return of these men to Antioch and
church, manifest through various
commanded you; and lo, I am with
their reports shared with the
local churches, is the means of
you always, even to the end of the
church. Paul's policy of material
attaining His purposes. Paul says,
age (Mt.28.19, 20). This duty to
support was based on faith alone.
Now to Him who is able to do
disciple others is the duty of all
Recognising those who are called of
exceedingly abundantly above all
believers, individually and
the Lord and encouraging them in
that we ask or think, according to
collectively. In referring to Acts of
the ministry, are the
the power that works in us, to Him the Apostles for the works of the
responsibilities of the leadership of
be glory in the church by Christ
early church, Ralph Winter says,
the churches.
Jesus to all generations, forever and Sometimes a church recognized
ever (Eph.3.20, 21). As God is
The churches have the duty of
God's call on individuals for the
fulfilling His Missions through the
work and sent them out. Each team evangelising their own locality also.
local churches they are the
of travelling evangelists worked as
Missions of the churches also. Then a self-contained team. . Besides
23
18
BIOGRAPHY
G. Raja Rao: Lord's Prophetic Trumpet

G. Raja Rao studied up to primary school level in Telugu. He could only read Telugu. He talked very little,so
his peers labelled him a 'dumb man'. But in the hands of the Lord he became His prophetic trumpet. He
authored 94 books, is a record in Telugu Christian literature. For more read...
V E Chandrashekar
next to him and read a portion from

New Testament: Luke 16: 23-31 and
expounded that the rich man, who
aspired for only riches of the world
and not God was sent to eternal fire
after his death. Subsequently, Raja
Rao heard a brother on a Sunday
morning speak on Rom 10:9 and
detail the salvation path of God.
Having got thus convicted, he
repented for his sins and accepted
Jesus Christ as Lord and personal
Savior in 1952. He was baptized in
1953 when he was 16 years old.
od has been choosing a number

of persons from Telugu
Christian Assemblies to evangelise
and equipping them spiritually for
His ministry in Andhra Pradesh.
Bro. G. Raja Rao stands out as one
among the exemplary evangelists
so far.
His early life and education

Raja Rao was born in 1937 in
Thimmasamudram village near
Chirala, Prakasam district of
Andhra Pradesh. He was the last
child in the family of Golla Nallaiah
and Kotamma. He had two elder
brothers and one elder sister. His
mother Kotamma was God fearing,
and a reverent woman. God used
her to lead him into the saving
knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was educated up to primary
school level in Telugu, which made
him capable of only reading but not
writing. In his young age he used to
talk minimal and most of the time
kept silent and so was even labeled
a 'dumb man'.
His call for ministry and his

Family
to comment on his behaviour. He

responded angrily even with
abusive language. His mother
Kotamma started receiving
complaints from one and all
women. She began praying to the
Lord to bless Raja Rao with His
As teenager, he was made to work in saving knowledge. One day as she
was preparing the fire with wooden
tobacco barns and agricultural
sticks to cook food, he came and sat
fields. He gained reputation of
next
to her. She asked him to look at
completing the assigned tasks with
the glowing fire and told him
commitment and to perfection. His
assertively
that- unbelievers, who
capability to do hard labour
do
not
believe
in Jesus Christ as
surprised many. His ability to work
their
saviour
will
be cast into
with numbers (accounting) was
severe,
blazing
and
never ending
incredible which made even his
fire.
Eternal
burning
of unbelievers
supervising work men come to him
after death pictured by his mother
to learn.
started him to crave for knowing
His Salvation
TRUTH. Sometime later, a stranger
sitting
under a tree near their house
Though Raja Rao was more a silent
called
Raja
Rao and made him sit
person, yet he did not like any one
Raja Rao developed a life of prayer

and concern for perishing souls
early on. He did not want to step
out for the ministerial work
impulsively. The Holy Spirit
revealed about his commitment for
Lord's work to the assembly and to
many believers. The assembly
accepted the Holy Spirit's call of
Raja Rao to serve Him. Raja Rao
began the ministerial work in the
villages in and around
Thimmasamudram (Acts 1:8). As a
beginner, he did not desire for
anybody's recognition but went
about fulfilling his spiritual ministry
looking only unto the Lord.
In 1960, he married sister
Emelyamma. God blessed them with
two sons: David Raju and Isaac
Babu.
The younger son Isaac Babu grew
up to become a commended worker
and presently is continuing in the
ministry of our Lord. In his last days
Raja Rao shared the word of God
19
dedicated himself to sacrifice his

with his son Isaac Babu as a cospeaker in a gathering. After listening life for the cause of proclaiming the
to his son, he expressed his gratitude gospel. Raja Rao narrated this
to God and said I am overjoyed to be during his ministry.
able to hear my son speak the Word of
God and also to be a co speaker with Raja Rao also narrated, In a great
city, there lived a man, poor and not
my son.
highly educated. He had a tea stall
Testimonies that transformed for his livelihood. He had an
unusual habit of picking up used
his vision
and disposed off news papers and
Raja Rao modelled his ministry based reading the contents on those scrap
papers. From habit of such reading,
on the lives of different God's
he
servants. The following two narratives acquired proficiency to write
from him will reveal direction opted and even learnt different languages.
Later, he became a writer of repute
by him.
too. Raja Rao got encouraged and
Raja Rao read about a person who
decided to read The Bible and
accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and
many related books from then on.
Saviour, after hearing the gospel from This determination not only made
John Harper in Harper's last critical him a vivid reader but
moments. About four years back, I subsequently made him to become
was travelling in TITANIC ship from an author of commentaries in
England. Unimaginable catastrophe Telugu on all books of the Bible and
struck us. TITANIC ship wrecked and a few other related topics.
started sinking. I was a great sinner
and had no fear of God. Along with
Church planting and
many co-passengers, I too fell into the literature ministry
sea. I got hold of a wooden plank and
held on to it dearly and managed to Raja Rao loved the Lord's work
float. Then a person floating like me more than his family and relatives.
came and asked me Are you saved? I After working in agricultural fields
said no. He then said 'Believe on the in daytime, he preached the gospel
lord Jesus Christ and you shall be
in surrounding villages in the
saved. Momentarily the sea waves
evenings and late into nights by
separated us but soon brought us
walking the distances on foot from
together again. Harper reiterated
Thimmasamudram. Villagers used
without fear of drowning Did you get
to wait with lanterns at late nights
saved? I repeated no. He then
for him to come from adjoining
pleaded You need to believe in Jesus
villages. God established 12
Christ and be saved. The waves
separated us for last time and made churches in Prakasam and Guntur
him drift away. The depth of sea water districts through his ministry.
beneath me at that spot was about
He continued preaching in the
more than 3 km. I could hear him
midst of Telugu believers in
proclaim the gospel loudly to many
different states viz., Karnataka,
drowning persons. Finally, I heard
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya
John Harper concluding I am going to
Pradesh, Orissa He participated in
the Lord and began to sink into the
most of the Bible Telugu classes. He
sea. I was pierced in my heart; I
took
classes in Bible colleges
prayed to the Lord to save me and
accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and covering book after book of the
Saviour right at that moment. After Bible and each time stayed for a
period of 7 or 15 days at a stretch.
reading that witness, Raja Rao
20
Raja Rao was concerned about lack

of Telugu Christian literature. He
prayed and led by the Holy Spirit he
committed himself to write
commentaries on Bible books and
other spiritual books. Since he did
not know to write, he took help of
God's children who volunteered and
wrote with diligence as he dictated
to them. He spent major portion of
money in bringing out the spiritual
books. He used the gifts of God's
children primarily for this ministry.
He wrote commentaries on 66
books from Genesis to Revelation. In
all, he authored 94 books, a record
number.
This literature ministry of Raja Rao
has since prospered as his books are
being read by believers from all
denominations. The readers are
praising God as they rejoice His
blessings.
Raja Rao and his co workers

Elderly God's servants, S. Prabhudas,
S. Anandam, V.Luke, Pavulur
Devayya and Davidson saw God
given gifts in plenty in Raja Rao and
encouraged him in the ministry
from his early days.
God's servants, V. Sambob, N.
Ananda Rao, Paul Gandhi, Vara
Prasada Reddy, V Mathew, Koshy
Mathew and others who were
themselves renowned for their
labour for Christ and were co
speakers with Raja Rao at various
meetings at different places
attributed following characteristics
to him.
He neither hurt nor reacted when
hurt by others. He was a calm and
humble person. He was not jealous
but appreciated the gifts of God in
co-workers openly. Once, he said I
have neither humour to make
people laugh like Bro. Vuyyur M.
25
CHALLENGERS
Lead me to the Truth

Here is a testimony of a young Sikh boy and he narrates how Lord lead
him to the truth for which he prayed.
Ranjit Virdi
devilish music and even had a small
time band called the Kame Kaze (i.e.
Japanese suicide bombers). Some of
my habits were so terrible that it is
shameful for me to even mention
them.
True Christianity
was born on 9th February, 1983

in a Sikh family. I followed a god
that I never knew and worshipped
this god just as my parents taught me
to do. We were not particularly
religious, but I would call our family
as occasionally religious. I feel the
average man has very limited
understanding of the Divine. In our
own wisdom and understanding all
we know is, when we are in need we
can approach this God, and if we are
facing any financial or health crisis
then we need to appease this God. So
we only go to him during crisis or for
our own selfish needs. In a way, we
actually used God.
We use God during examinations, or
just before our job interviews. I
remember the advice my grandmother gave me once,Ranjit, your
exams are coming up. Why dont you
visit the gurudwara in Koliwada,
Matunga (Mumbai) five times? Then
God will really bless you in your
studies. I also had friends who
visited some special churches,
temples or mosques in various
places. Such suggestions from my
relatives and such acts of faith made
me ponder as to why do we need go
to a special place to achieve some-
thing, when we too had the same

holy books, idols etc in our own
homes and are we not worshipping
the same God? Are we not claiming
that the power of God is mightier in
those places and not all that powerful in our homes or local temples? I
found this completely illogical. It
convinced me that this God is not
real.
False Christianity & Atheism

By now I was in college. During my
school days, I learnt to play the
guitar and that attracted lot of
people to me and me to various
forms of music. I became the only
Sikh to play rock music in college,
which made me quite popular and I
often got invited to get togethers.
Life was fun with friends, night
parties and rock music. To add to
this, my so called Christian friends
introduced me to alcohol in a
Christmas party. I was living life on
the edge. I didnt feel the need for a
God so I believe, by then I was an
atheist. I stopped visiting any places
of worship. I started enjoying the
company of drunkards and drug
addicts as I thought that it was a cool
thing to do. I even enjoyed playing
During my degree college I made

friends with two Christians. I got
introduced to the gospel by these
friends. One of them studied with me
in my college. They told me about the
Lord Jesus Christ and how much He
loved me...loved me so much that He
died for me on the cross. They also
told me that we are living in the end
times and how the Lord Jesus is soon
going to judge the unbelievers and
rapture His followers. These
Christians were different from my
early Christian friends. That is when
I realized my former friends were
nominal Christians and the latter
were New Testament believers called
brethren. Their words were backed
by their conduct. What they said was
convincing but something in me told
me to resist. I asked them one
question, If Christ is the true
Saviour then how can He die? They
told me one simple thing, So that He
could show that He is God by rising
again from the dead. This was
something very new to me, that a
person could rise from the dead. But
I resisted this too as I remembered
my parents warning me about
Christians who try to convert people
of other faith. I got very upset at my
friends and told them to never bring
this topic up ever again.
Prayer to an unnamed God

Days passed but the signs of the end
times that they told me kept ringing
in my heart. They told me how that a
21
brother shall hate his brother, a

father his son, a neighbor shall be
against his neighbor and other signs
of end of days. I kept thinking about
these things. Out of all these, the
facts that touched me the most were
to know that Christ rose from the
dead and the hatred that would
increase in mankind. I had not heard
of anyone rising from the dead. No
guru, no swami, no leader, absolutely
no one. Secondly I lived in a family
where my father and his brother
never spoke to each other. I never
spoke to them unless we had to
argue or fight. We didnt have good
relations with any of our neighbors.
Our own relatives too had forsaken
us when my father suffered a
business closure. I kept thinking of
these incidents and could not ignore
them because these were true facts
of my life.
I used to often think of these things
while lying on my bed. Then I prayed
one night. I prayed in broken words:
Oh God, whoever you are show me
the truth. I will not name you Allah,
or Guru or Jesus. If you are alive then
lead me to the truth.
Evidence of the living God

I cant recollect how many days or
weeks passed since I prayed this
prayer. But I soon moved on. One
evening I was playing the guitar with
my friends as usual. We often
jammed-up once or twice a week.
Something strange happened that
day. My friend Nick told me about
something that happened to one of
our friends, Ken. Now Ken had been
addicted to drugs and alcohol for
quite some time. But something had
happened in Kens life, and when I
heard that, it almost swept me off the
ground. Ken had called over a friend
to his place as his father and sister
were away that night. Ken and his
friend used to often consume
marijuana together. Ken had gathered sufficient stuff to intake for that
night. But his friend refused to do it
and told him how Jesus has changed
his life completely and he no longer
22
was an addict. He requested Ken to

ask Jesus for help. Ken resisted this
and simply mocked him. On further
persuasion, Ken finally agreed that
he could at least give it a try. So they
both started to pray.
At first Ken simply fooled around
but his friend told him that if he
really wanted to get out of it he
would have to be serious about this
for once and be honest to himself.
Ken thought in his heart and said in
his mind that if God is real then this
is it. I am willing to be changed. They
both held hands and prayed
together (What I am about to say
next is simply what was narrated to
me and I do not know how much of
this was exaggerated. But there is
one thing I know that if God is real
then Satan is real too). As they were
about to end their prayer by saying
Amen, Ken felt as if two hands held
him by his neck. He couldnt say
Amen. His friend saw this and
shouted saying, Say it, Ken Say it.
This continued for some seconds
and then after a lot of struggle Ken
said that glorious word AMEN.
Immediately after saying Amen, he
burst out in tears. He didnt say
anything that night but kept crying.
That night he left drugs and committed his life to God.
Day of Salvation
When I heard this testimony from
Nick, I told him that I too had
recently heard about the Lord Jesus
Christ from my college friends. Well
I was trembling from within and
losing my breath. I went home and
phoned up my college friend and
told her about this incident. I asked
if this was possible and she simply
said, Yes Ranjit, it is possible. My
God is the living God and He alone
can do this. I was extremely scared
because I was not only about to
stand against the belief of my
immediate family members but the
entire Sikh community. But I
surrendered all to Christ believing
that the God who can heal a drug
addict in one night can also take me
through every hurdle of my life and
if this is indeed the truth then I am

ready to even lay down my life for it.
That night I prayed and surrendered
my life to Christ and received Him as
my Lord and Saviour.
Confirmation from God

The next morning I got a call from
my friend who I spoke to about all
this the previous night. She told me
Ranjit, I have something to tell you.
This morning during my morning
meditation, I got a verse And she
read it out for me, It was from Luke
15:10, it says LIKEWISE, I SAY UNTO
YOU, THERE IS JOY IN THE
PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD
OVER ONE SINNER THAT
REPENTETH.
She told me Ranjit this verse is for
you. There is definitely rejoicing in
heaven about the fact that you have
received the Lord Jesus into your
heart and now you are a part of His
kingdom. I was so touched by this
and I was absolutely convinced that
this couldnt have been by chance or
a coincidence; this was something
planned by God for me much in
advance. This was such a reassuring
promise from the Divine. Then I was
gifted a New Testament. I tell you
this, keeping God as my witness that I
have never read such a wonderful
book ever before in my life. I was so
amazed to see that God had actually
written things thousands of years ago
but they are so relevant even today.
That is why the Bible is known as The
Living Word.
It is now more than 11 years since I
put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ
and I have never ever regretted
following him. Space wont be
sufficient to write everything God has
done for me during these years..
Please feel free to write to me if you
wish to know more.
Ranjit Virdi is a IT
professional and one of
the elders of Hindi
Assembly, Thane. He lives
with his wife and two
children at Thane, MS.
Churches and Missions
ultimately happen when the saints

shall see the Lord face to face. But
the present time is period in which
each should grow gradually into
His image. The needed grace and
ability are provided by the Lord to
each believer to help one another
to grow. This endowment is called
as the spiritual gifts (1 Cor.12.7; 1
Pt.4.10,11; Rom.12.6-8). There is
31st March 1792 was a pivotal day no believer without one or more
for William Carey and the modern
gifts. It is the duty of all believers to
missionary movements. It was the
help each other to identify the gifts
day he preached the 'deathless
and utilize each ones' ability for the
sermon' which was a passionate
growth of others. The leadership of
plea for reaching out to the
each church should see that
heathen. Following this, Carey and believers are given ample
many others, set out to reach out to opportunities to exercise their gifts.
the unreached. The impact of that
Though the Lord has endowed
single sermon and the aftermath
certain with special abilities and
are unfathomable. In 1792 only
seven in every thousand protestant given special calling to some for the
Christians were Asians or Africans. ministry, the Lord's desire
But by the end of the 20th Century concerning the church is not a oneit rose up to 580 in every thousand! man-ministry. All believers have
ministry to fulfill in the churches.
Having told this, sensing the
The Lord has provided the
lethargy around, it is necessary to
fellowship
of gatherings for this
state that a fresh vision and
very
purpose.
If the believers
perspective for evangelism has
become necessary for the churches. should advance in their duties in
Missions it is necessary that the
The duties of the churches to the
church should be instructed about
world also include efforts in
the importance of Missions and
reforming the society by education, updated about the happenings in
eradication of social evils, charity
the field. Occasionally the believers,
works etc. The early believers did
especially, youngsters must be
these individually and collectively
taken to Mission fields and involve
(Gal.6.10; Hb.13.16; Acts.9.39).
them in the work of the Lord. In the
These must be done as the
prayer meetings of the church
expressions of the love of God.
much importance must be given to
These would help churches to be
matters concerning Missions.
salt and light in the society
These conscious efforts only would
(Mt.5.13,14).
create interest in Missions.
Example is the Thessalonian
church (1 Thess. 1.8). They
sounded out the word in
Macedonia, their own province,
and having saturated it with the
gospel they moved to the
neighbouring province of Achaia
too. These are examples for
churches of all-time to practice.
Local Churches and Spiritual

Growth
Churches as Worshipping
Communities
The Lord's Missions in the world

are also for making all who would
believe in Him conformable to His
image (Rom.8.29). This shall
Worship is the loving response of

the redeemed, expressed in words,
attitudes or actions, at the
remembrance of the Redeemer's
person and work. It is the

Godward duty of the church. In
fact worship is not limited to a day
or just a few hours of a week. It
should become believers' lifestyle.
This is what Paul meant when he
told Corinthians, Therefore,
whether you eat or drink, or
whatever you do, do all to the
glory of God (1 Cor.10.31).This
simply means all that we do, even
menial matters, can become
worship rendered to God if we do
it for His glory. It is for this very
purpose the church is being built
up (1 Pet.2.5). It is the duty of all
the believers, specially the elders,
to see that all that happens in the
church is for the glory of God
alone. Thus churches can exist as
worshipping communities.
When all the works of redemption
shall be accomplished, the
universe shall reverberate with
the sound of 'hallelujahs' (Rev. 19.
1-6).This shall happen when the
mighty Redeemer, the Last Adam,
shall have regained more than
what humanity lost in Adam. All
things shall redound unto God's
glory.
In bringing back the lost,
transforming them and making
them for His glory, the churches
are given a unique part to
perform! Fulfilling them are the
Missions of the Lord for the
churches. Meaningful existence
for each church calls for
understanding these Missions,
communicating them to others in
encouraging each other and
fulfilling them in the given time,
before it is too late!
Thomson B Thomas is
an evangelist and a Bible
teacher. He lives in
Mumbai.
23
EXPLORERS
To The Unknown God

In this article the writer is exploring why the
living God is unknown to many
Shiny Rebekha
t is an ordinary sight to
observe people reading a prayer
book in the morning trains. When I
see this, it reminds me of Paul's
experience at Athens. Men of
Athens, I perceive that in all things
you are very religious; for as I was
passing through and considering
the objects of your worship, I even
found an altar with an inscription:
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you
worship without knowing, Him I
proclaim to you. Acts 17:22, 23
It was one of the same experiences
which Jesus also had at Samaria
You worship what you do not
know. But the hour is coming, and
now is, when the true worshippers
will worship the Father in spirit
and truth; for the Father is seeking
24
by my Anatomy professor The

such to worship
eye cannot see what the mind does
Him. John
not know. And that is the reason of
4:22, 23
our ignorance because we have
How great a
gone astray in our minds and our
privilege it is
eyes seeing cannot see and
for a mortal
perceive the truths of God.
man to rise
above his
The Scales of Our Eyes
physical
As we normally see, the muscles
existence and
which we do not use lose their
to be in spirit
flexibility and the collagen tissue is
and worship
His creator. But replaced by fibrous tissue which
makes it firm and makes the
the thing is,
function of muscle difficult. Since
many who
we do not see with our eyes, the
claim to know
function of eyes (vision) is lost and
the true living God, do not
is obstructed by the scales.
understand this privilege. And
hence, worship and prayer become Immediately there fell from his
mechanical and even the living God eyes something like scales and he
received his sight at once; and he
becomes an unknown God for us.
arose
and was baptized. Acts 9:18.
Let us meditate on some of the
When the scales fell off from Paul's
reasons behind our ignorance in
eyes he came out of his ignorant
knowing the living God.
state, the ignorant state in which he
Gone Astray
too worshipped the 'unknown
All we like sheep have gone astray; God'.
we have turned everyone to his
Truth of the living God is hidden
own way. Isa 53:6. There is none
from many because the "god of this
who understands; there is none
age has blinded the minds of them
who seeks after God. Rom 3:11
who believe not, lest the light of the
All those who claim to be regular
glories gospel of Christ, who is the
church-goers and worshippers,
image of God, should shine unto
many in their minds have gone
them. But for us those who believe
astray and there are many more
like Paul "God, who commanded
who have gone astray physically
the light to shine out of darkness,
too. There is this oft repeated quote has shined in our hearts, to give the
light of the knowledge of the glory

of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
(2 Cor.4:4,6). We worship a God
whom we know personally.
Lost In The Worldly Pleasures

How and why can anyone not know
their creator, the world's creator,
the supreme force behind
everything happening around us?
Just because people are busy and
lost in worldly pleasures. For as in
the days before the flood, they were
eating and drinking, marrying and
giving in marriage, until the day
that Noah entered the ark, and did
not know until the flood came and
took them all away. Matt 24: 38,
39. To perform your duty or doing
your work is not wrong, but so busy
they were in their worldly
activities, they did not even had the
time to hear about their creator
which Noah preached, let alone
they themselves seek Him.
Irrespective of our lost states
mentally or physically, we have
failed to recognize the living God
amongst us. Let us not be in this
lost state for long but each one of
us taste the 'fountain of the living
waters', because the taste cannot
be described in words O taste and
see that the Lord is good Psa 34:8.
Shiny Rebekha, is a final
year Physiotherapy
student at Seth GS
Medical College and KEM
Hospital, Mumbai.
G. Raja Rao
Immanuel nor ability to make

people cry like Paul Gandhi. At
another place, he responded to a
brother though no hand was raised
accepting the Lord today, yet the
Word of God he preached will one
day fructify; nevertheless if so-andso brother had spoken, two or three
souls may have accepted this Lord
that evening. The brother was
humbled to hear such meek words
from Raja Rao.
He kept his promises. He was ready
to fulfill even if it meant hardship or
personal loss to keep his words.
He helped monetarily for structures
under construction, people in
poverty, needy evangelists and for
crusades of gospel and many more.
He meditated scriptures day and
night and prayed for hours together.
Further, a godly sister commented
that Raja Rao may not have
acquired worldly education but God
blessed him with heavenly
knowledge to expound the
scriptures. He encouraged sisters to
assist him by writing the
commentaries on Bible books:
Esther and Ruth.
In Mumbai, Raja Rao presented
himself in common man's dress:
white dhoti and white shirt. He
expounded scriptures in depth.
Believers from English assemblies

listened to his translated messages
on all days and praised God.
Subsequently they even enquired as
to when he would camp next in
Mumbai. He kept visiting Mumbai
along with Bro. V. Sambob every
year for several years as long as his
health permitted to share the Word
of God
He was not only instrumental in
bringing many to accept Jesus
Christ as saviour, establish
assemblies but also guided many
families to behave in the Biblical
pathway to be true children of God.
He used to clarify often that each of
the warring groups who came to
him for getting issues resolved felt
that he was biased in favour of the
opposite group because he was
basically against quarrels and
wanted each group to forgive and
forget and take the side of the Lord.
Home call
In Raja Rao's last few months, he
continued holding onto prayer and
Bible study as his daily activities. He
enquired about the ministry details
of other evangelists and prayed for
them. Further, Raja Rao resided
along with his wife at homes of his
sons David and Issac Babu and did
not burden assemblies where he
laboured. He continued praying for
the unity in the midst of assemblies
till the end.
Our loving Lord called Bro. G Raja
Rao to heavenly abode on 11 April
2012.
Non Receipt of HT
Subscribers may please note that, we regularly post
HT on 1st or 2nd of every month. In case you have
not received HT please contact us by email through
admin@glsindia.com so that we can send you
another copy.
(A few extracts from Telugu book Raja Rao gari

Jeevitham by P. Venkataratnam)
V E Chandrashekar Former Vice - President of

L & T. One of the elders of
Santacruz Telugu Brethren
Assembly and GLS trustee
25
Pauline Christology
(Kyrios) our God (Theos) is one. The
most important point of the
confession is there is only One God,
who is Lord. Both titles (God and
Lord) are applied to the one and the
same God. Paul says in Corinthians
for us there is One God (theos), the
Father, from whom all came and
through whom we live (He is the
creator and the sustainer);and there
is One Lord (Kyrios), Jesus Christ
,through whom all things came and
through whom we live( He is the
creator and the sustainer).
There is an important point we need
to notice in these two passages. Both
titles (God and Lord) are used for
God in the Deuteronomy passage;
where as in Corinthian passage God
refers to the Father and Lord refers
to Jesus Christ, but Paul kept the
'One' in both. This is very important
in the Corinthian context. He first
distinguishes Christians from
pagans. They have many so-called
gods and lords but we have one God.
His second point is God the Father
and Lord Jesus Christ are not two
Gods, but one. In order to prove that
he took one title (God) form
Deuteronomy and applied to God the
Father and the second title (Lord)
from Deuteronomy and applied to
Jesus Christ and maintained the O.T.
confession of one God by taking 'one'
from Deuteronomy and applied to
both the Father and the Son. Then he
used the same attributes for both the
Father and the Son (creator and
sustainer). By that usage, Paul
maintains the monotheistic truth
and at the same time tells that both
Father and Son are God and Lord and
also the creator and the sustainer.
Here Paul is interpreting the Old
Testament description of God in
relation to Jesus Christ. In this
Christological confession he affirms
the preexistence of Jesus and His
deity. Jesus Christ is God and Lord as
the Father is God and Lord. This is
similar to the Confession of Thomas
26
about Jesus Christ (Jn.20:28).
Usage of the Designation

'First born'
Paul borrowed the concept of 'first
born' from the Old Testament and
applied it to Jesus Christ. This is very
important to understand the
Christology of Paul. Paul uses this
designation twice in Col.1:15-18. He
is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn over all creation (V.15). And
he is the head of the body, the
church; he is the beginning and the
firstborn from among the dead, so
that in everything he might have the
supremacy (preeminence) (V.18).
Paul reveals Christ in relationship to
God, to creation and to the church. In
relation to God who is unseen and
unseeable, he is the image of the
God. He is the representation (2
cor.4:4) and the manifestation
(Jn.1:18; 14:9). In reference to the
relational term God as the Father, he
is the Son (col.1:13). In relation to
creation he is the creator and the
firstborn. In relation to the church he
is preeminent and the firstborn from
the dead.
messianic and applied to Jesus Christ

in Heb.1:5. In this context, begotten
cannot possibly mean physical birth.
The one who is begotten is being
addressed. He is there, for already
exists even before he is begotten. By
using the word 'begotten' the writer
of Hebrew affirms the superiority of
Christ over angels, which is the
subject in the Hebrew text.
Another portion that Ps.2:7 used is
Heb.5:5. This is not speaking about
Christ's physical birth, but his
exaltation to the high priest after the
order of Melchizedek. Here the
writer is using the title 'begotten' to
Jesus Christ to show the
preeminence of Jesus Chris to the
priesthood of Aaron.
Jesus Christ as the image of God is

the mediator between God and man.
Paul says Jesus Christ is the
'firstborn' of all creation. Since he is
preeminent and sovereign over
creation, he is the mediator between
creator and creation. His supremacy
over creation is revealed in V.16. All
were created 'by him', 'for him' hold
together 'in him'. Since he is the
creator and has absolute supremacy
(firstborn according to the idea of
the O.T) over creation, he is able to
redeem the creation. In that sense he
Paul derived the concept of firstborn used the same word 'firstborn' in
from the Old Testament. It is a usual V.18, in his relation to the church. He
is the head and has supremacy over
practice of Paul to refer and quote
the
church. Paul talks about the
the Old Testament to establish a
redemption
of the whole creation in
truth in the New Testament. Ps.89:27
read, I will make my firstborn, higher Rom.8:19-22. As someone said, that
the second person of the Trinity took
than the kings of the earth. This
creature form for the purpose of
whole psalm is the confirmation of
the Davidic Covenant that we read in creation, as he afterwards took
2 Sam.7:8-16. This will literally fulfill human form for the purpose of
in Jesus Christ during the millennium redemption.
on earth and goes beyond (Ps.88:28The term 'firstborn' is a
29). God making David His firstborn
Christological expression to show
has nothing to do with giving birth to
His supremacy and the preexistence
him but everything to do with the
of Jesus Christ.
preeminence. Paul used the same
title that O.T. used for Jesus Christ to Thampi Mattackal, a
convey the idea of preeminence.
Bible teacher lives in
Another reference of firstborn is in
USA.
Ps.2:7 The Lord hath said to me,
Thou are my Son; this day have I
begotten thee. This verse is
Li
e
n
i
l
e
f
Hear, What Conies Tell

Kumaru Nadesan
onies are very gentle creatures,

who find abode in caves and
rock strongholds. They do not have
the ability to defend themselves
from danger other than the ability
to run swiftly. But they are wise
enough to build their homes in
rock strongholds where they can
run for safety. These gentle
creatures teach us a very valuable
lesson to escape danger. The
strategies they employ reminds of
the Wisdom of Solomon, who said,
a prudent man foresees the evil
and hides him; but the simple pass
on and end up in peril. You and I
being born in the family of Adam
are in imminent danger of God's
judgment and eternal death. Adam
disobeyed the commandment of
God and became dead spiritually.
Sin thus entered the world by the
disobedience of one man, Adam
and death by sin; and death passed
upon all men, for thus we all have
sinned. This inherited sin and our
was condemned to death. The Lord

Jesus Christ wasn't guilty, but you
and I are. For you and I have sinned
and 'the wages of sin is death'. He
chose to take your place and my
The Lord Jesus died on the
place and stood condemned, for
wretched cross on our behalf, while
God has made Him sin for us, who
we are feeble and without strength,
knew no sin; that we might be
to take away our sin and deliver us
made the righteousness of God in
from the jaws of eternal death. He
Him. The Lord Jesus has thus
suffered a sham trial and coarse
become the hiding place for those
mockery for our sake. The people
who trust in Him!
for whom He came, did spit on his
Dear reader, have you found a
face, buffeted him, the Roman
soldiers stripped Him and arrayed hiding place for yourself in the
Lord Jesus Christ, the rock of ages?
Him with a royal robe, platted a
If not, be smart like the conies,
crown of thorns upon his head,
placed a reed in His right hand for confess your sins and flee to the
scepter, and bowed the knee before Lord Jesus Christ, the rock of ages,
where there is safety from eternal
him in mockery saying, 'Hail, King
of the Jews'. They flogged Jesus, the death.
Lord of glory and crucified Him
naked on the cross. Such treatment Kumaru Nadasen, a
legal consultant lives in
was meted out only to the worst
criminals, but Pilate called the Lord Thane, Maharashtra.
Jesus, 'this just person', not
deserving any punishment. Yet He
own sin make us weak and frail
exposing ourselves to the dangers
of eternal death in hell, the destiny
of the impenitent sinner.
27
27

HT July 2015

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

HT July 2015

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Contents

Apostle Paul's Vision

Vol 12 Issue 07 July 2015

A Magazine To Spiritually Edify the Entire

Apostle Paul: His Life and Ministry

Strategies & Principles governing

Family: Why it is so Important? - Part 3

Churches and Missions

G. Raja Rao : LORD's Prophetic Trumpet

The Promised Rest

The Good Part

All That Matters - Part 3

Lead me to the Truth

To The Unknown God

Gospel Literature Service

Harvest Times for Your Family

Hear, What Conies Tell

Apostle Paul's Vision

postle Paul was born in an affluent Jewish family, a

God in His sovereignty used Paul's Pre-Conversion

Harvest Times for Your Family July 2015/Volume 12 Issue 07

The Promised Rest

s believers, we know about

Harvest Times for Your Family

Many who are saved

July 2015/Volume 12 Issue 07

Chapter 4 of the Hebrews is a

old when they left Egypt could not

sion, or the rest promised for the

Even the repeated appeals of Moses

The same way, many who are saved

Harvest Times for Your Family

July 2015/Volume 12 Issue 07

believers that- For in Him dwells all

Equality of Jesus Christ with

attributes, goal of creation, execution

word for kyrios' is 'Mar'. Paul used

According to Paul, we need to

July 2015/Volume 12 Issue 07

aul of Tarsus was a man with

Harvest Times for Your Family

After his encounter with Jesus Christ,

God used all of Paul;

Paul escaped from Damascus and

upside down. He never lost his

The First Missionary Journey

The conversion of Paul was the real

July 2015/Volume 12 Issue 07

A while later, Barnabas came to

which I have called them.' Thus

The apostles just asked the Gentile

They first went to Cyprus and

The Jerusalem Council Acts

Journey Acts 15:36-18:22 [c.

The beginning of the second journey

Priscilla were the highlights of the

The Third Missionary Journey

Paul is Arrested and

Harvest Times for Your Family

July 2015/Volume 12 Issue 07

of a plot to murder Paul, he sent him

The Journey To Rome Acts

BRAIN BUSTERS FROM THE BIBLE

If you are twenty (20) years old or less