"How beautiful are the feet of them that
preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things!"
(Romans 10:15)
It has now been a year passed since William (Bill) McKendrick -- the founder of this blog -- went home to be with his Lord God and Saviour. During his time here on earth, Bill made a significant impact on the lives of many young people. Indeed, there was never a person that Bill met who didn't learn -- right there and then -- of the wonderful saving grace of Jesus.
Moreover, in connecting with people -- one could always count on Bill to guide them to the Saviour. He was never one to let worldly distractions or the excuse of time/prior commitments prevent him from preaching the good news gospel to anyone who would listen.
But within this primary motivation, Bill was similarly adamant (and instrumental) in preaching the "full gospel." In fact, Bill never willingly stood by and let longstanding religious traditions or revised "easy language" translations replace the actual Word.
Some might remember his boldness from days gone by when he openly challenged traditional churches to defend statements of belief and church teachings that did not align with the scriptures.
In the local papers, for example, Bill placed ads that stated "$10,000 Reward" for any person who could prove -- using the scriptures from the original Greek or King James version of the Bible -- that any person -- having received Jesus as their Saviour were then baptized using the titles "Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
In this particular instance, Acts 2:38-42 (and the fact that every person baptized in the scriptures was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ) always won the day. But Bill went even further, investigating the origin of Matthew 28:19. When he learned that this latter verse was changed by the Roman Catholic Church (around 385 AD), there was no turning back in his determination to preach Jesus to one and all.
For the record, Acts 2:38 states: Then Peter [standing with the eleven] said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
In finding ways to disseminate this same message to a wider audience, Bill established this blog -- another example of Bill's willingness to share his numerous insights and revelations from the scriptures. The same determination can be witnessed in the succession of church communities that he personally established over the years. Throughout, it should be noted that never once did Bill ask for money in any outreach endeavour. Rather, he showed the true meaning of the gospel by willingly sharing what he had with others, trusting His Lord God and Saviour for all his needs.
Moreover, in connecting with people -- one could always count on Bill to guide them to the Saviour. He was never one to let worldly distractions or the excuse of time/prior commitments prevent him from preaching the good news gospel to anyone who would listen.
But within this primary motivation, Bill was similarly adamant (and instrumental) in preaching the "full gospel." In fact, Bill never willingly stood by and let longstanding religious traditions or revised "easy language" translations replace the actual Word.
Some might remember his boldness from days gone by when he openly challenged traditional churches to defend statements of belief and church teachings that did not align with the scriptures.
In the local papers, for example, Bill placed ads that stated "$10,000 Reward" for any person who could prove -- using the scriptures from the original Greek or King James version of the Bible -- that any person -- having received Jesus as their Saviour were then baptized using the titles "Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
In this particular instance, Acts 2:38-42 (and the fact that every person baptized in the scriptures was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ) always won the day. But Bill went even further, investigating the origin of Matthew 28:19. When he learned that this latter verse was changed by the Roman Catholic Church (around 385 AD), there was no turning back in his determination to preach Jesus to one and all.
For the record, Acts 2:38 states: Then Peter [standing with the eleven] said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
In finding ways to disseminate this same message to a wider audience, Bill established this blog -- another example of Bill's willingness to share his numerous insights and revelations from the scriptures. The same determination can be witnessed in the succession of church communities that he personally established over the years. Throughout, it should be noted that never once did Bill ask for money in any outreach endeavour. Rather, he showed the true meaning of the gospel by willingly sharing what he had with others, trusting His Lord God and Saviour for all his needs.
To commemorate Bill's life on earth, the following blog written by Bill before his death is copied below for your edification. May you be richly blessed ...
"The answer -- hidden from the wise and prudent --
was revealed unto babes. The Apostles requiring
assistants to help spread the gospel message
to the world conversed with believers in this
fashion. They said, "Look you out seven men
of honest report and filled with the Holy Spirit
and wisdom."
The reason for this is so that the apostles
could appoint men of faith to attend to the
daily ministration of the people. Indeed,
this was necessary for two reasons.
First, the increasing number of people that had come to believe the gospel message made
it more difficult to ensure that every believer
was supported in their quest to serve Jesus,
and second, the complications that continually
emerged by ongoing persecution. (Acts chapter
six elaborates on these credentials.)
The apostles praying, laid their hands upon the people. Seven people were appointed, energized by the Holy Spirit in power. Philip was one of the seven chosen to serve by the multitude. Now appointed, as outlined in Acts chapter 8, Philip went to a city called Samaria and preached Christ to them. The people were receptive to the gospel message that Philip spoke. As well, hearing and seeing miracles, and the lame healed was just a starting point. Unclean spirits, crying with loud voices, fled the bodies of many that were possessed. Many more believed. In fact, there was great joy in the city. No, Philip was not practicing medicine. He was simply preaching Jesus Christ to the masses. Indeed, Philip simply believed that God was capable of restoring people to good health. In so doing, he harnessed a childlike faith with God as His instructor. Remember what the scriptures state. Throughout, Jesus advocated for believers to become like children. Jesus taught that expressing childlike faith in God is akin to a non-wavering faith. But like children, our faith, even if our faith is only a mustard seed in size, is capable of catching God's attention. What did the scriptures state? That God, in response to our faith, is capable of moving mountains. Only believe, He said, because without faith, it is impossible to please God our Saviour. Even more so, it is our faith that is so critically important. Believe that all things are possible. If you have faith as a grain of mustard, all things are possible. You see, Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus came to redeem man out of the house of satan’s bondage. In other words, Jesus overcame captivity. As a captive, Jesus assumed sinful man's place at Calvary. He wanted to cover your sins with the blood He shed. This is why it shouldn't be a secret as to what God can do. The words of an old gospel hymn come to mind, "What He has done for others, He’ll do for you ... With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you ... It is no secret what God can do." Just like Philip, who in simplicity preached those everyday truths that pertain to the Kingdom of God, Jesus wants you to do the same. In the name of Jesus the Christ, the residents of Samaria responded when Philip suggested that their seed of expressed faith arising in their heart, needs to be watered. Using the analogy that all seeds need water, they were all baptized into the name of Jesus. The name that is above every other name in heaven and on earth. The important note here is that there was no hesitation. These people believed the message and straightway, went down into the water to be baptized. The same day, straight away, and by so doing, they stepped into a new dimension of life redeemed by Christ. They stepped into a realm where they now understood that God Himself as a Son had fulfilled a plan for their salvation. Over time, the news that Philip had preached Jesus (blood, water and spirit) to the Samarians reached the ears of the Apostles who were at Jerusalem. The apostles sent Peter and John to Samaria. Upon their arrival, they prayed for the believers that they might receive God’s Holy Spirit too. For as yet, the Holy Spirit had not descended upon them. They had not yet received God's promise as all believers would. But they had taken the first steps to a personal relationship with their God and Saviour. The Samarians had repented and were baptized into the name of Jesus. They were redeemed and although they had great joy were effervescent, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, the scriptures noted that as of yet, the Samarians had not yet received the breath of Jesus breathing into them His Holy Spirit. Why is this so important? Why is the message in the scriptures written this way? Well, these things are written that we might believe ... and that we all should be of one accord, continuing steadfastly in the teaching of the Holy Spirit of Jesus, as delivered to believers through the mouths of the apostles. These are the principles of the doctrine of Christ. There are other scriptural references too. Philip's experience with the Samarians is not an isolated one. The scriptures detail other examples of repentance and remission of sins being preached in Jesus' name. Acts chapter 2, Acts chapter 10 and Acts chapter 19 are prime examples. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart -- and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) Peace to all those who are of God's household. Have faith in Jesus." |
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