Jul 1996 - Editorial

by HYLAND, D. T. | Category: Editorial | Jul 1996

This month's article in the series Lives as Lessons deals with the journey to faith of the Ethiopian Eunuch and Cornelius, the Roman centurion. When God through 'the scripture . .. preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham' He said, 'In thee shall all the nations be blessed' (Gal. 3:8). The experience of these two seekers after truth, from outside the commonwealth of Israel, reveals how this prophecy and promise was being fulfilled. The Ethiopian was the first African recorded in Scripture to be reached with the gospel. The conversion of Cornelius indicates that salvation through faith in Christ is available to all Gentiles.

This month the first article of a series of three on The Road to Calvary appears. God willing, this series will be followed by articles on The Road to Emmaus and The Road to Damascus.

The Lord began His last journey to Jerusalem from Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God' and the Lord made the epoch-making declaration, 'I will build My Church'. But the road to the Cross did not have its beginning at Caesarea Philippi. Nor did it have its beginning when John the Baptist plunged Him beneath the Jordan. It did not have its beginning at His birth at Bethlehem, although it has been truly said, 'The shadow of that Cross is over His cradle'. Not even in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve sinned, does this road have its origin.

Peter, in His first epistle, tells us that the Saviour 'was foreordained before the foundation of the world' to be the Redeemer (1:20 AV). As the writer of the article points out, the road to Calvary had its beginning in the eternal counsels of the Godhead.

This month's article in the series Paul's Prison Prayers reveals the fervour of both Paul and Timothy's prayer for the Church in Colossae.

HYLAND, D. T. | Jul 1996
Editorial