Voice Of Liberation fl BY REV. CJ. WESLEY RANEY IS THE NEW TESTAMENT VALID? We ere all familiar with the game of whiapering something in the ear of one person, and then have that person whisper it into the ear of someone else,a nd so on until the message has been passed to the last person in the group. The larger the group is, the less likely you will recognize any part of the original message. The words and activities of the New Testament happened nearly 20 centuries ago. If we cannot repeat messages accurately tdo one another today, then how can we know that the things we are reading in the New Testament are valid facts? As far as we know, nothing that Jesus said or did was written down until at least 20 years after He died. Paul was the first person to write about Jesus. Mark, the first of the gospels to be written, was probably not written until 35 years after Jesus died. Some people say that we cannot trust the New Testament writings about Jesus, for they do not tell us the facte about Jesus, only about the faith of His followers. These doubters teach that the Christians made up stories about Jesus, and that Jesus’ teachings were only what the writers claimed He said and in their words. The Christians are said to have changed whatever they wanted to change to fit their beliefs and practices. The place to begin answering these criticisme is the same place the Christians of the first century began—with the Resurrection of Jesus. The Resurrection of Jesus is the central evidence of Christianity. By this, the apostles were turned around. After the arrest of Jesus, every one of His disiples deserted Him (see Matthew 26:56). They thought that their dreams were over, and that it was time to run. It was customary in the first century to award the followers of a master whatever honor or dishonor befell the master. The disciples were fearful of their own lives after the crucifixion of their Master. How, then, can we explain that within a few days, they could not keep quiet about this same Jesus? Simon Peter was terrified to admit to an insignificant maiden that he ever knew Jesus (John 18:17). But later the rulers could not squelch his words about this same Jesus (Acts 4). The disciples were at first terrified to whisper about Him, but later they were thrilled to shout about Him. How could these changes take place if there were no resurrection? Some people say that the disciples expected the resurrection, and that their strong expectation played tricks on their minds. But the fact is, the disciples never expected the resurrection. In fact, they didn’t even believe the first reports that it had happened. They believed that He was gone from the i tomb, but they did not believe that He had risen (John 20:8-9). The angel’s message to the women, “He is risen,” did not bring joy, but fear (Mark 16:8). They simply did not believe it. Mary wept and wanted to know, “Where have they taken him?” (John 20:11 -13). This disciples did not believe until Jesus showed them the scars in His hands and feet. Then, they talked with Him and saw Him eat. They saw Him perform miracles, build a fire, and fix breakfast. The risen Jesus remained on the earth 40 days, performing many signs so people could believe He was alive. John testified that Jesus performed “convincing proofs.” In I Corinthians 15:5-7, the apostle Paul says that the ! resurrected Jesus appeared to more than 500 brethren at one time. Paul also aid that most of these people were still alive at the time in which the * Letter to the Corinthians was written. This was Paul’s way of saying, “If you ( don’t bolieve the resurrection, check it out. There is abundant evidence all around us.” People could deny that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, but they could not put down the resurrection any more than we can deny the fact that Mrtin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn.. Who would believe a writer who said that Dr. King died of cancer? No one would believe that now because there are too many eyewitnesses around. The facts about Jesus were written down while the eyewitnesses were still alive. The facts told by the eyewitnesses spread across the Roman Empire. Today, we can be sure that the New Testament, and the facts about Jesus, are valid. God’s Word is trustworthy? Come iLet’s Thinl BY EVA L. PERRY WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN? One who is Saved. II Timothy 1:9. One who is being Sealed. Ephe sians 1:13. One who is Seated. Ephesians 2:6. One who is Sanctified. I Corinthi ans 6:11. One who is Secure. John 10:28. One who is Sustained. II Corinthian 9:8. One who is a Son of God. Romans 8:14. One who is a Saint I Corinthians 1:2. * One who is a Servant. Colossians 3:24. * One who is a Supplicant. I Timo thy 2:1. One who is a Soldier. II Timothv 2:3. One who is a Stone. I Peter 2:5. One who is a Stranger. II Peter 2:11. One who is a Sheep. I Peter 2:25. One who is a Steward. I Peter 4:16-19. One who will see the Savior. I John 3:2. THE WORD OF GOD The Word of God is very plain, To those who from their sins Refrain; And seek to walk with Jesus here, He makes their Bible vision clear. The Word of God is understood, By honest hearts who never Would Go wrong because of selfish gain, Or choose to walk a hidden lane. The Word of God is now revealed, To those who covet to be sealed; And always practice perfect love, And live as harmless as a dove. Constant Bible study gives rise to so many poems in my heart anc mind—I do enjoy my task in life. T< God be the glory far ever! Again I must say—Read youi Bible prayerfully and think! Muhammad Speaking At Duke _DURHAM—Imam W. Deen Muhammad, the fifth son of Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad' and spokesman for Muslims in America, will speak at Duke Uni versity on Thursday, April 16, at 7/ p.m. in Page Auditorium, West’ Campus. Sponsored by the Black Student Alliance of Duke University, Muhammad will speak on “The Impact of Islam in America.” Tickets, which are free to the' public on a first-come, first-served basis, are now available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the BSA office in the Bryan Center on West Campus, 684-4164, and at Page Box Office, 684-4444. Muhammad, the only American invited to attend the Islamic Confer ence on the Persian Gulf, also was invited to Duke to speak to the class of friend and associate C. Eric Lin coln, a Duke religion professor and author ofa book on black Muslims in America. Muhammad is spokesman for Muslims in America, a group includ ing African-American, ethnic and white Muslims. He is credited with establishing direct interfaith dia logue between leaders of Al-Islam, Christianity and Judaism across the globe. In 1988 Muhammad represented Muslims at the World Parliament of Religious Leaders for Survival of the Earth and Its Environment in Oxford, England. That same year, he represented Muslims at the sign ing of the First Amendment Charter for Religious Freedom in Wil liamsburg, Va. Last fall, Muhammad became the first Muslim to give the invocation at the opening of.the Senate. For more information, call 684 4154. Some say a raccoon’s footprint looks a lot like one that would be left by a small human being. Min Jailed For Tricking Money For Black Votes LEESBURG, 0*. (AP>-A nun jailed pravioualy on miadamaanor charge* of duping paopla out of money now la accused of tricking three Lee County politicians Into giving him money for black votes, police said. Ivory Johnson, 33, of Albany, was charged with getting $388 over a recent weekend from three candi date*, whose identities were not released. Johnson told the candidates in the southwest Georgia county ha was with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and could get the organise* tion to endorse their campaign—for a price, authorities said. Sheriffs Deputy Dennis Parker said the men believed Johnson. On* of the men gave Johnson $106, one gave him $100 and the third forked over $20. he said. Johnson was charged with theft by deception, a misdemeanor, Parker said. He was arrested in Albany when a car he was riding in wds stopped by oolice at a grocery store. Parker said a man driving the car was unaware that Johnson was being sought. He was not charged. Parker estimated that Johnson had been arrested at least 40 times before on similar charges. “He’s either representing a church or he’s got a sick relative or he’s representing a service organi zation,” Parker said. “He’s changed up a little, but he’s a good con man.” jremenlei, Kenneth NAACP president, H. B. of tin Rileigh-Apex NAACP1* Tha event wee held an Saturday, ...i. March 21 at S p.m. In tha Shaw University Gym. Wilkins has served for 2 years as chairman of the steering committee and the branch members wanted to say thank you by giving him a gift. You & Your Child by Eileen Adams Raising Cooperative Kids Some people tend to think that a competitive nature is something that is taught and implanted in our children. That’s true, not only in part — we as people are bom with a necessary aggres sive energy if For no other reason than to be able to survive. Also, parents teach their children when they’re very young that it’s good to be “first”; that is to say that parents make things “games” for T kids, like being the first to find the peanuts in the supermarket, and, there fore, kids learn to compete. During the early ado lescent years, youngsters take greater responsibil ity for their thinking. This, then, is the time to emphasize the impor tance of fair play and co operation. To do this, encourage your children to participate in sports, such as relay races, which are collaborative as well as competitive. This will serve your child well, as they will learn coopera tion as well as competi tiveness. You see, while the word “competitive” conjures up a negative image, it is indeed a nec essary facet of the indi vidual who wishes to achieve. In a way, a healthy sense of competi tiveness can be seen as desire and ambition — in a healthy sense. Laodicea United Church Of Christ 2004 Rock Quarry Road Raleigh. N.C. 27610 Phono: 832-8784 Prayer Line: 828-PHAV Radio Ministry (WCLY, 1550 AM) Saturday—7:00 P.H. Sunday worantp 11:00 a.m. RiMo Study Wed., 8:00 p.m. R*v. Q. Waslay Nanay, Pastor RUSH METROPOLITAN A.M.E. ZION CHURCH 558 East Cabarrus St. Raleigh. N.C. 27601 (010)832-6270 Sunday Schol.9:30 a.m. Morning Worship. 11:00 a.m. V.C.E.6:00 p.m. Evening Worship.7:00 p.m. Prayer Service.7:30 p.m. Office Phone: C.E. WILLIE, IH (919)832 5628 Mlnisler (919)821^1979 FIRST COSMOPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 1515 Crosslink Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27610 DO. W. B LEWIS. PASTOR Sunday School. Morning Worship.11:01a.* Baptist Training Union.»:00 p.m. Teachers Meeting a Piayer Service Wednesday. T:30p.w. I Wake Baptist Grove Church 902 Main Straat Gamar. N C Ragular Sunday School 9:45 am 8 00 & 11:00 am TUESDAY ^ Continual Wftnaaa Training 7:00 - 9 00 pm WEDNESDAY ^Saad For Tha Sowar Bibia School 7:00 pm THURSDAY Lay Inatituta For Equipping 7 00 - 9:00 pm TUESDAY A FRIDAY Inlareaoaory Prayar 5:00 am OUTREACH MINISTRIES Siyfu. CtMpki, ijoUtn fy* ?>mik e* CMdrtn. LBp—UU UOfiut Mu.