What was it that within a few days transformed a band of mourners into the spiritual conquerors of the world? It was not the memoirs of Jesus' life; it was not the inspirational which came from past contact with him. But it was the message, “He is risen.” That message alone gave the disciples a living Savior, and it alone can give us a living Savior today. We shall never have vital contact with Jesus if we attend to His person and neglect the message for it is the message which makes him ours. J. Gresham Machen
I give you this charge: Preach the Word ; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Tim 4:1-2
“Nevertheless, I beat importunately upon Paul at that place, most ardently to know what Paul wanted.” Martin Luther
“Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.” [Ps 119:27]
It was not a good time for the church. Rome, the center of the Catholic faith, rather than being a dome of purity and piety had become a den of iniquity and insobriety. Having visited Rome on pilgrimage, Luther made this damning comment on what he saw there. “No one can imagine what sins and infamous actions are committed in Rome, they must be seen and heard to be believed. Thus, they are in the habit of saying, ‘If there is a hell, Rome is built over it’: it is an abyss whence issues every kind of sin.” He added, “The nearer we approach Rome, the greater number of bad Christians we meet with.”
