In This Issue

• PILATE, THE ROMAN GOVERNOR
• BIBLE STUDY IN HOME MAKES WOMAN A LAWBREAKER
• PRESIDENT GARFIELD’S RULES FOR SUCCESSFUL LIVING
• UPCOMING GOSPEL MEETING SCHEDULE
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PILATE, THE ROMAN GOVERNOR

As Jesus stood before Pilate, the Roman governor, He clearly acknowledged that He was born to be King of the Jews, Matt. 27:11; John 18:36-37. While in the context of Matt. 27:11, we might take note of the insight this passage gives us into the character of Pontus Pilate. Were it not for the writings of the New Testament Scriptures, we would know almost nothing about this man.

We note that Pilate was well aware that the charges made against Jesus were unwarranted. The governor never received an appropriate answer to the question in Matt. 27:23, "What evil has He done?" And when he finally gave the order for Jesus’ crucifixion, Pilate symbolically washed his hands, and pronounced Jesus to be a just man, verse 24.

This passage also reveals that Pilate not only understood that Jesus was not guilty of any crime, but he had also come to realize the motive of those who cried out for Jesus’ destruction. "He knew that because of envy they had delivered Him," verse 18.

With the knowledge that Jesus was innocent, that His accusers were motivated by envy, Pilate’s conscience was stirred. His wife’s dream, which caused her to plead for him not to harm "that just Man," (vs. 19) must have added to his inner turmoil. Yet the enemies of Jesus had him "over a barrel." Jesus had indeed admitted to being a King, vs. 11. Pilate understood that Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world, thus He was not a political threat to the Roman Empire, John 18:36. But he also knew that Caesar might not understand that fact. And when the Jews argued, "If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend" (John 19:12), they had found Pilate’s weak point. He dreaded immensely to crucify a man he knew to be innocent -- but he feared even more for word to get back to Caesar that he had released a man who claimed to be a king.

Before giving in to the cries of the violent mob who sought to destroy Jesus, Pilate tried three tactics. First, when he learned that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate sent Him to be tried by Herod Antipas, who was the tetrach of that region, Luke 23:6-12. Jesus made no defense, and Herod soon sent Him back to Pilate. Then Pilate hoped the mob who cried out for the blood of Jesus would accept His release in keeping with the tradition that one prisoner was to be released during the Passover season. They refused. Finally, Pilate had Jesus scourged and brought before the mob, hoping they would see His pain and anguish, and have mercy on Him, Luke 23:16; John 19:1-4. At this point, Jesus’ enemies knew they had won. If their pressure would persuade Pilate to scourge a man he knew to be innocent, a little more pressure and he would crucify that same innocent man. Let us not miss the point of the power for evil in the sin of compromise. We must not give in to sin.

--CRJ

BIBLE STUDY IN HOME MAKES WOMAN A LAWBREAKER

Couple sues Denver after zoning panel upholds ruling.

According to a recent newspaper article (Washington, D.C.), Diane Reiter became a lawbreaker because she had a regular Bible study group in her home and not a literary society meeting. The literary society meeting is legal, ongoing Bible studies are not.

The Denver zoning administration cracked down on her because she had a dozen of her friends into her home to examine the text of God’s word. That’s a "no, no" in Denver. If there was ever a community that should encourage Bible study it is Denver, Colorado, home of the Littleton school shootings. Well, they would have allowed one such meeting a month, but Diane was conducting them weekly.

Mrs. Reiter is being represented by the American Center for Law and Justice. Her lawyer, Jam Sekulow, called the Denver zoning board’s action "an example of religious hostility at its worst."

The Denver authorities disagree that the action was taken because it was a Bible study being hosted. They argue that the ruling can be enforced against any kind of activity such as book clubs, poker games or "Monday Night Football" parties. However, these other activities are not cited in the regulation whereas Bible study groups are. That makes a difference.

A spokesman for the zoning board, Janice Tilden, director of the board told them in the course of her official business that if they were having a weekly "book club" in their home rather than a "prayer meeting" then it would most likely be "no problem."

Clearly the decision against the Reiters was based on the fact it was a religious gathering. Besides, the government has no right to decide that fifteen Bible students are forbidden while fifteen rowdy and noisy football fans are not. The governments of our nation are increasingly singling out religion as forbidden activities.

God’s word addresses this kind of thinking when it says, Isa. 5:20, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

City governments permit rock concerts which promote illicit activities but crack down on Bible studies? What is wrong with such governments?

--Floyd Chappelear via Stand.

PRESIDENT GARFIELD’S RULES FOR SUCCESSFUL LIVING

One of the most illustrious careers found in the pages of American history is that of James Abram Garfield, 20th President of the United States. Before his election to this country’s highest office, he was a college president, state senator, major-general, U.S. Congressman and U.S. Senator, a combination of honors without parallel in the national annals.

When Garfield was a young man, someone placed in his hand one day a slip of paper, which he carried with him all his life. Inscribed on this paper were the following lines:

• Make few promises.
• Always speak the truth.
• Live within your income.
• Never speak evil of anyone
• Keep good company or none.
• Never play games of chance.
• Drink no intoxicating drinks.
• Good character is above everything else.
• Keep your own secrets if you have any.
• Never borrow if you can possibly avoid it.
• Do not marry until you are able to support a wife.
• Keep yourself honest if you would be happy.
• When you speak to a person, look into his eyes.
• Make not haste to be rich, if you would prosper.
• Save when you are young to spend when you are old.
• Never run into debt, unless you see a way out again.
• Good company and good conversation are the sinews of virtue.
• Your character cannot be badly hurt except by your own vices.
• If anybody speaks evil of you, let your life be so that no one will believe it.
• Never be idle. If your hands cannot be employed usefully, attend to the culture of your mind.

As one thinks of this great and successful man, it is well to remember that he was devotedly religious. From his mother, Garfield learned the value of prayer and daily Bible reading. It was his practice through life to pause each evening at sunset and read the Scriptures. Because of his belief in prayer, he was often referred to as the "praying colonel" during his army career. Moreover, he always faithfully met with the church for worship. Garfield firmly believed "there is nothing that can make youth so shapeful, manhood so strong, and old age so beautiful as the religion of Jesus Christ.

While yet a teen-ager, he espoused the cause of Christ and took his stand with those calling for a complete return to the New Testament. A few months after preaching his first sermon, Garfield wrote to a friend: "I tell you, my dear brother, the cause in which we are engaged must take the world. It fills my soul when I reflect upon the light, joy and love of the ancient gospel."

Christ and His gospel can give real meaning and purpose for your life! Without Him, no life can be truly successful. Open your heart to Him today, for says He: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20).

--A.T. Pate

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