Jan 1962 - Editorial

by JAS. MARTIN | Category: Editorial | Jan 1962

To minister the truths contained in the word of God is a great privilege and a solemn responsibility. To the elders of the church of God in Ephesus the apostle Paul was able to say, "I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20.27). Unfortunately, in the present day, comparatively few people are willing to give ear to oral ministry. Statistics reveal that in this favoured land of Great Britain only one in ten persons is interested enough to go to a place where the Scriptures are read. It therefore behoves those with exercised hearts for their fellow travellers to eternity to increase every effort and to explore every avenue for the spreading of the truths contained in the Scriptures. The written word may have a wider impact, a more pointed appeal, and a more intensely individual challenge. The editors of this magazine are endeavouring in a limited way to reach many who may not have the opportunity or even the desire to listen to oral ministry.

"Needed Truth" magazine was first issued in 1888, "having as a special reason for its existence, the regular presentation of truth as to the assembly of God, the fellowship of saints, the fellowship of assemblies, the order of the House of God, and kindred subjects."

In the very early days of the issue of the magazine, the elucidation of the scriptural differences between the church which is His (Christ's) Body (in which all truly-born-again ones are, since Pentecost) and the church and churches of God proved to be a most valuable key towards the understanding of the teaching in the New Testament Epistles. More and more truth has been graciously revealed, through the intervening years, concerning God's spiritual House and worship therein, and the Kingdom of God in its present aspect.

It is the purpose of the editors of this magazine to re-state, at times, these truths, particularly for the benefit of the rising generation, and to expound the word of God as it is revealed by the blessed Holy Spirit. It is our desire that instruction on all aspects of the Faith should be presented "for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the Body of Christ: till we all attain unto the unity of the Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ " (Ephesians 4.12, 18).

The written ministry herein will therefore be according to the apostles' doctrine (Acts 2.41, 42), prophetic, which according to its scriptural definition includes "edification and comfort and consolation " (1 Corinthians 14. 8), evangelistic, comprehending the great commission of our Lord in Matthew 28.19, and educating, according to Matthew 28.20, and pastoral, in the spirit of the risen Lord's lesson to Peter, "Feed My lambs," and "Feed My sheep" (John 21.15-17).

Particularly in 1962 (D.V.), the special study will be a series of articles dealing with "the last days in different epochs of God's dealings with men." The first article from the pen of our co-editor J.M. appears in this issue.

JAS. MARTIN | Jan 1962
Editorial