Audio tape cassettes of Mr. Herbert Armstrong's Pentecost sermon have been mailed out to be played in all churches. As mentioned in last week's PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, Mr. Armstrong powerfully details the "what and why" of God's Church — the reason and purpose God has established His Church and called each of us to be a part of it.
We are Christ's disciples — "learners." We are being trained to help teach and rule the people of the new civilization Christ will build when He sets up the Kingdom of God on earth. This, along with supporting God's Apostle in proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world, is the whole purpose of the Church — the Firstfruits of God's Family.
One valuable tool in helping to prepare for this responsibility that I feel many have been overlooking is the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course. All the foundational truths of the Bible are expounded in the course. It is a carefully planned, structured course in the study of God's Word that every member can benefit from.
Many of the members may have assumed the correspondence course is too basic for them — that they already understand all of God's truth. Some have gone through the old 58-lesson course or the shorter (but not weakened or watered down in any way) 12-lesson version, and therefore think that they do not need to enroll in the current updated and expanded course. But there never comes a time when we "know it all." If we are not continually studying, refreshing our minds, and reviewing the precious truths God has opened our minds to understand through His Spirit, they will fade and eventually we will lose them!
We all need to remember Peter's statement in II Peter 1:12-13: "I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is — right... to stir you up by reminding you" (RAV throughout). We need to be continually reminded of the basics. We must never stop learning! We must never stop studying! We must never stop reviewing! Notice Paul's instruction in Hebrews 2:1: "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." God's people must take this warning seriously!
Jesus Christ told His disciples, "Elijah truly is coming first and will restore all things" (Matt. 17:11). The many truths of God's plan and supreme purpose for His Church and eventually all mankind have been restored in God's Church through His end-time Apostle. Yet, as Paul warns, we can, through neglect, let these things slip away from us! Mr. Armstrong has brought into sharp focus these "mysteries," now restored to God's Church, in his book MYSTERY OF THE AGES. As he has mentioned in the Refreshing Program, this is a book that should be reread as soon as we finish it the first time, in order to really soak up what God is teaching us. Learning is indeed a lifelong process. We must continue to study and review God's Word all our lives.
So encourage the brethren in your congregations to enroll or reenroll in the Bible correspondence course. Notice what one member recently wrote:
I have just finished Lesson 16 and I want to tell you how much I appreciate these wonderful tools for learning more about God's Word. Having been a member for 9 years, I finished the first 12 lessons many years ago when I was first baptized. When I heard a while back that they were going to continue them from Lesson 12, I thought "that's nice," but personally felt that it would be so simple and basic in doctrine that it would be of little value to me.
How wrong I was! When I finally reenrolled I was amazed at how God was giving me an even deeper and clearer understanding of His word in areas I thought I had already fully understood! The Bible correspondence course is not just for those newly coming into the understanding of God's truth. My grateful thanks. J.C. (Oxnard, CA)
Another member wrote:
I am thrilled with the lessons! I have been a member since 1970 and I feel I am still learning the deep, spiritual intent of God's laws. Mr. Armstrong says we must grow; this is one way to do it. Anyone who does not take advantage of the Bible correspondence course is missing a great deal. D.L. (Fresno, CA)
The truths Mr. Armstrong has been emphasizing in articles and sermons during recent years are expounded in depth in the expanded course. Mr. Armstrong personally determined the subjects of these new lessons, beginning with Lesson 13. Lessons 19 and 20 especially focus on the fact that God has called us to be teachers and rulers in the World Tomorrow. Lesson 20 is titled "In Training for Rulership." And now, beginning with Lesson 23 (which is scheduled to be printed this month), is a new series of lessons covering each of God's Holy Days.
Inspire the members to see the value and need to be studying the Bible with the help of the correspondence course, as well as the booklets. God has so much to teach us! We must be willing and active learners, so that one day we may teach His way to the whole world!
On another subject, I received a disappointing report from Mr. Richard Rice that over 100 U.S. pastors failed to call in their Pentecost offering reports on time. Mr. Rice explained again that this causes his department to have to call them, which slows down their operation considerably.
I've explained before how the complete offering reports are needed just as soon as possible, how I am responsible to have that information for Mr. Armstrong on time as planned, and how each pastor must do his part as a member of the overall team. (See June 11, 1982 PGR.) It is inconsiderate and a neglect of responsibility to fail to follow the clear instructions the Mail Processing Center sends out. I expect a change in this problem beginning with the Feast of Trumpets and continuing from then on! Let's show a willing spirit of cooperation by not allowing neglect, forgetfulness or any other "reason" to prevent us from getting this job done properly and on time. I'm looking forward to 100% cooperation.
Please do not cease to pray for God's protection for our brethren in the Philippines. Mr. Guy Ames forwarded to me a report from Mr. Victor Lim, pastor of the Davao City and Tagum churches. Mr. Lim states:
Increasing rebel activities in areas where our members have farms is making life more and more difficult. One member is being sought after by the rebels in an effort to recruit her to make her a group secretary. The member has so far evaded a meeting with the rebels so she is safe for the meantime. We are constantly praying for God's divine protection upon such members and hope that members in other church areas can include them in their daily prayers.
The rebel activity is a constant threat to our brethren in the Philippines, especially in the southern islands. Often our people are threatened, or efforts are made to force them to aid the rebels (which of course would result in charges of treason by the government), or even to recruit them or their sons for guerrilla activities.
The threat of homes and crops being forcibly used by the rebels, and vehicles being commandeered, are a part of daily life for many of God's people in the Philippines. Let's give our support to these brethren through our prayers for God's ongoing protection, which He has so faithfully given His people.
Recent Ordinations
Two men were ordained as local elders by the regional director for Australia, Mr. Robert Morton. Robert Kelly, business manager for the Australian regional office was ordained May 23, and Timothy Grauel, who serves the Adelaide church, was ordained May 25.
Pentecost, May 26, several men were ordained local church elders: Edward Blake — Chicago (North), Illinois: Ray Bloom — Chillicothe, Ohio: Dale Dakin — Ft. Myers, Florida: Ronald Fricke — Bismarck, North Dakota; Malcolm Lee — Johannesburg (Central), South Africa; Merle May — Glendale, California; and Mark Welch — Grand Rapids, Michigan.
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
Worldwide Church of God