Charles Redeker
The Seven Churches of Revelation
The seven churches of Revelation, as described in chapters two and three of that Book, have intrigued Bible expositors down through the age. Were the messages to these churches intended mainly for the congregations to which they were sent during the apostolic period? Were they intended to be instructive in a general way to the church worldwide in every period of its development? Or [...]
The Memorial Supper – When is it Properly Observed?
Among Bible Student groups, there is general agreement that the celebration of the Lord's Supper should be carried out on an annual basis, as a remembrance of the fulfillment of the Paschal sacrifice. The term “Memorial” Supper has been adopted as a reminder that the primary emphasis of the occasion is to commemorate the death of Christ as the atoning sacrifice on behalf of [...]
The Memorial Supper – Questions of Interest
QUESTION 1. Since Bible Students link the celebration of the Memorial to the Passover observance and use the Jewish calendar to determine the date for the 14th of Nisan, why does our Memorial occur consistently two days before the Passover? (Using the 1996 calendar to illustrate this point, Thursday, April 4 is listed as the Passover day, but our Memorial will be held on [...]
Women’s Role in the Church Today
As one examines the biblical account of the province of women both in the religious affairs of ancient Israel and in the early Christian church, it becomes evident that certain limitations were imposed. Clear differences emerge in the responsibilities assigned to the sexes, with the man consistently given a leading role and the woman a subordinate place. How are we to account for these [...]
Messiah’s Conquering Reign
In attempting to understand what the prophets of the Old and New Testaments have spoken regarding the setting up of God's Kingdom in its early stages, it is helpful to draw together the various lines of testimony in chart form. This facilitates a comparison of related texts, similar language and patterns to clarify the meaning of individual Bible texts. There are several areas of [...]
Spirit Begettal in the Churches Today
The beginning of the third millennium and continued extension of the Harvest Period seems a most appropriate time to review the question of whether spirit begettal can occur in the nominal churches. We would like to investigate this subject from two standpoints: first, by direct sanctified reasoning based on the Scriptures and analysis of current conditions; and second, by examining the statements of Pastor [...]
Memorial Observances
"For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7). Eight "Questions" about the observance of Memorial were treated in earlier articles, February 1996 and August 2008. Here follows a Ninth Question in this series. Question Nine - How do the Temple Festivals relate to the Passover-Memorial service? The cycle of Temple festivals provided much of the same joyful anticipation for the [...]
The Defense of Truth (Proper and Improper Methods)
"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17). Question: May it be inferred from this text that purity of doctrine is placed first above all other considerations and that the defense of truth comes before peaceableness? In endeavoring to resolve this [...]
Two Treatises Available
Two extensive Bible Student treatises have recently come to our attention that deal with history and prophecy. For our readers who want to explore these subjects further, these books can be obtained by writing to the authors. THE KEYS OF REVELATION, Over 700 pages. $20 each The following, excerpted from the Preface, presents the author's thinking. “No explanation of the prophetic and highly symbolic [...]
Historic Confirmation of Bible Student Chronology
Summary report of L.A. Times feature article, “Time Keepers,” by staff writer Thomas H. Maugh, II, August 29, 1996. Metro section, p. B-2. (See also NATURE, “The Exodus Enigma,” July 18, 1996, p. 213, a scientific report in more technical terms.) OVERVIEW In a breakthrough of historic proportions, researchers from Cornell University have developed the first tree-ring chronology from the Middle East, allowing precise [...]