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Editoral . . .
Cooperation --- Myth or Reality? The Choice is Ours!
Royce Mitchell, Jr. Editor
When I look at the incredible diversity God has placed
in His Church, I am amazed. We recently attended the BSA
Conference in St. Louis, and it was encouraging to see
the comraderie that existed between members of very
different Sabbath keeping groups. Has the time come when
we can put aside our small differences to work for the
goal set before us by God, through His Son? It certainly
appears that way!
Even within the pages of this issue, we have articles
written by members of many different Sabbath keeping
groups, yet it is likely that nobody could take
exception to anything that any of the authors wrote
within the articles. I know that God must be pleased
when we demonstrate His attitudes of tolerance and love.
An interesting juxtaposition of manna with God's Sabbath
is presented for our understanding by BSA's First Vice
President this issue. Further, we see the relationship
of faith, hope and charity placed for our consideration
by John Conrod and Doby Petrovic.
Has anyone wondered exactly what the Gospel brought to
us by Christ actually was? Was it the message of
believing on Him? Was it acceptance "just as I am?" Was
there a more significant point that Christ was trying to
drive home? Why would we need to be "Reclaiming
'Gospel,'" anyway?
We give you a glimpse into a problem of faith that arose
last century in Sabbath keeping congregations in
Europe. What some of our brothers went through, at the
hands of their brethren will astound you! Could this
happen again? You might find it hard to believe that
this happened in the first place.
What went through your mind on the day of your baptism?
We find out the thoughts of a recently baptized sister
in this issue. We also find from Darl Arbogast that we
have common ground, despite our differences. This
article is an encouraging look at how we are alike,
rather than different.
As we are entering the Passover season, we are
encouraged to take a look at how we can serve one
another in the coming Conference of Sabbath Keeping
Congregations. We are given a schedule as well as some
background on this coming conference. God must certainly
be pleased when He sees His children put aside
differences to work together toward His goals, instead
of their own agendas.
Cooperation is indeed an intriguing idea, and one whose
time has certainly come amongst the various brethren who
are Children of the Most High God. How did Christ feel
about our cooperating with one another? In Matthew 18,
we find Christ telling us that if even two of us could
agree on what we ask for that the Father would give it
to us. He also tells us that where two are gathered in
His name that He would be there. How much more so would
He desire to be among us when many of us put aside our
differences and look to each other as brothers, and ask
Him to be with us?
When His disciples saw others casting out demons in His
name, what was His attitude toward them? Did He not tell
them that those who are not against Him are for Him?
Here we see that Jesus displayed an incredible attitude
of cooperation. Is it within us to display such an
attitude? I believe it is, and I am encouraged to see it
coming to pass.
Does God cooperate? That is an interesting question that
perhaps we have not thought about before. When Christ
was praying in the Garden on the night before His death,
He asked God to take the cup from Him. Why did Christ do
that? Was it because He knew that the Father was easily
entreated, and that He might be able to think of another
way that His purpose could be fulfilled, short of the
horrible death that awaited Christ? Could it be because
our Father is cooperative? Such things make for
interesting meditation and Bible Study.
There is coming an opportunity to demonstrate our unity
in Christ this summer. We are asked as leaders in the
Christian Sabbath keeping community to attend a
conference in Tulsa Oklahoma in July. Encouraging news
is that there have been many responses already, and it
has only been advertised a few weeks! The Bible Sabbath
Association already has several Board members committed
to attending this event, including your editor. If you
would like to attend, see the article on that event
beginning on the back cover. As our front cover
illustrates, we have a choice. We can choose life or
death, and God allows us to do either.
TSS
March - April 2000 The Sabbath Sentinel
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