Így van megírva: Krisztusnak szenvednie kell, de a harmadik napon fel kell támadnia a halálból.

Átírás

1 VOLUME 84. No. 1 JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH ÉVFOLYAM 1. SZÁM JANUÁR-FEBRUÁR-MÁRCIUS Áldott húsvéti ünnepeket kívánunk mindenkinek! Így van megírva: Krisztusnak szenvednie kell, de a harmadik napon fel kell támadnia a halálból. Happy easter to the members of our congregations! (Lukács ev. 24:46.) This is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and must rise from the death three days later. (Luke 24:46.) FIRST HUNGARIAN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST MIAMI, FLORIDA

2 2. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ Ma, ha az Ö szavát halljátok... Rovatvezető: Demeter Andor püspök Jézussal 2005 húsvét ünnepkörében Halljátok az Igét melynek alapján szól az Úr Pál Apostol Filippibeliekhez írt levél 2. rész 8. versében: Annakokáért az az indulat legyen bennetek, mely volt a Jézus Krisztusban is Öröm és gond a mindennapi élet nemcsak kísérő jelensége, hanem együttható tényezője. Egyházban a hitrejutottak közösségében is mindamellett, hogy Jézus Krisztus tulajdona és egyedüli zsinórmértéke teljes Szentírás, mivel világban él és munkálkodik nem mentes jó és ártó hatásoktól. Íme az akkori korszak nehéz viszonyait legyőző áldozatot vállaló és hordozó Filippiek között viszályokról tudósít az írás és kétségtelenül mutatkozott egységbontó hatása. Mit cselekedett az apostol, amikor tudomást szerzett a gyülekezet belső problémáiról, minthogy együttérzéssel levél útján Krisztusra mutatóan segítségükre siet. Igét hírdet, örömüzenetet szól és bárhogyan is van vegyék tudomásul, hogy az Úr közel. Érdemes elolvasni az eredeti szöveg angolnyelvre átültetett fordítását the Lord is at hand. Gondjaikat vigyék az Úr elé, mondják el zúgolódás nélkül aggodalmaikat. Higgyenek Isten, Jézus Krisztus békességet teremtő erejében. Az Úrban való örvendezés a hit mosolya, ami biztosítja a gyülekezet belső nyugalmát. Meggyőződéssel vallhatjuk, hogy mindig akkor jutottunk eredményre, amikor az Isten Igéjére figyeltünk és Jézus Krisztust követtük. A 2005-ik húsvét-feltámadás ünnepi üzenet sajátossága Jézusi indulat elfogadása és feltételnélkül teljesíteni Krisztus akaratát. Jézus Istennel való azonosságát, egyenlőségét és ebből eredően hatalmának erejét a szolgáló szeretetre tékozolta. A Krisztusi indulat szimbóluma a kereszt, a megáldoztatás tudatos vállalása és ennek eredményes befejezése a gonosz-halál feletti győzedelem feltámadás - örökélet hajnali fény örök ragyogása. Az Ige ajánlása, hogy Krisztust követő keresztyének Filippiben és mindenütt figyeljenek az Ige tanítására. Rendhagyás és megpróbáltatás legtöbb esetben akkor jelentkezik, amikor sorrend felcserélődik jézusi indulat helyébe önző emberi szándék tör elő és érvényesítik. Aztán nem kell csodálkozni a megtorpanásért, amit követhet a keserű kiábrándulás. Csak Krisztussal, a feltámadott Urunkkal! és csendes-békés lesz otthonunk. A különböző életstílusuak jobban egymásra találnak, széttagoltságában a Szentegyház, mint Krisztus teste egységes lesz. Gyülekezeteink Amerikában, Canadában a nagy távolság mellett is jobban összefognak. Az erősnek több alkalma nyílik az erőtelen megsegítésére, és nem lesz érthetetlen és távoli hangnak tünő: Egymás terhét hordozzátok és úgy töltsétek be a Krisztus törvényét. Igen, egyre többen leszünk örömszerzők, gond és bánataratók. Többet beszélünk a jóról és egymásért szüntelenül imádkozunk. A húsvéti ünnepkörben és esztendőnk mindenik vasárnapján megtelnek templomaink bizonyságtevő lelkekkel és szívvel-lélekkel hálákat adván örömteljes szívvel dicsérjük megváltó és oltalmazó Istenünket. Soha ne feledjük el Krisztussal az az indulat legyen bennetek, mely volt a Jézus Krisztusban is - Ámen. Helyesbítés: A Magyar Egyház - Magyar Church számának a 6. oldalán lévő körlevél 4. bekezdésében elírás történt, a helyes történelmi adatot az alábbiakban közöljük: Az első magyar árvaházat Amerikában, Nt. Ruzsa István a Cleveland-i Első Magyar Evangélikus Egyház lelkésze tervezte, szervezte és létesítette. A Szeretetház - így hívták Április 15-én kezdte meg működését. Szerkesztő Az Amerikai Magyar Református Egyház nevében hálásan köszönjük a gyülekezeteknek, amelyek befizették a évi hozzájárulásukat a "Magyar Egyház-Magyar Church" megjelenéséhez. On behalf of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America we would like to thank the congregations for sending the 2005 dues in time which made publishing the "Magyar Egyház - Magyar Church", possible: **Eastern Classis Poughkeepsie, NY $150.- Roebling, NJ $234. Staten Island, NY $100.-Washington,D.C. $84.- **Central Classis Windsor,ONT $ **Western Classis Ontario,CA $400.- Phoenix,AZ $500.- San Diego,CA $150.- MAGYAR EGYHÁZ - MAGYAR CHURCH JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH VOL. 84, NO. 1 ISSN EDITOR IN CHIEF The Rt. Rev. Andor Demeter, Bishop 3921 W. Christy Dr. Phoenix, AZ EDITOR Rev. Bálint Nagy 7S1 Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA CO-EDITOR AND BUSINESS MANAGER The Rt. Rev. Sándor Szabó, General Secretary - Dean 1053 East Sixth Street #32. Ontario, CA EDITORIAL BOARD Rev. Árpád Drótos 229 East 82nd Street, New York, NY Rev. Lajos Fábián 7872 Jasper Ct. Vancouver, BC VSP 3S9, Canada Very Rev. Ferenc Varga, Dean Stacey Dr. Brownstown, MI OFFICE OF PRINTING "AD PRINT" INC N.36th Ave. Phoenix, AZ YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION: Group $5.00 Personal $6.00 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ - MAGYAR CHURCH is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA and printed at AD-PRINT, Inc. in Phoenix,AZ. Address manuscripts and editorial correspondents to MAGYAR EGYHÁZ - MAGYAR CHURCH, 751 Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90005; Tel: (323) , balint.nagy@sbcglobal..net Address all subscription orders, renewals, payments, and change of address notifications to MAGYAR EGYHÁZ - MAGYAR CHURCH, 1053 East Sixth Street, #32 Ontario, CA Tel: (909) , revsand@aol.com.

3 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 3. oldal THE EASTER STORY The Easter message is, He is not here; he has risen (Matthew 28:6). This is the headline news of history. This is the best news for all people. This is the most significant and important event to all who believe the Easter Story. It declares that Jesus who died and was buried on Good Friday and who was in the grave for three days, came out of the grave on Easter Sunday and is living forever. We have his own testimony in the last book of the Bible, where he says, Do not be afraid, I am the first and the last. I am the living one, I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! (Revelation 1:17-18). Now I want you to know that the resurrection of Christ is real essential for us. It is the center for the people of God. It is the foundation of the church, the cornerstone of our faith, and only hope of our eternal life. If Christ is dead and we cannot believe in his resurrection, then, all is vain and empty. There is no hope and no salvation. If Christ is not raised from the dead, then our faith, our preaching, our worship every Sunday is meaningless nonsense. But thanks be to God for the angel s message of joy and victory, He is not here; he has risen. Our preaching is not vain; our faith is not vain; we are not in our sins; those who have died in Christ have not perished; we are not the most miserable people. Indeed, we are the happiest people in the whole world because Jesus Christ rose from the dead! EASTER SUNDAY GREETINGS DEAR BRETHREN IN JESUS CHRIST! On Easter Sunday 2005, we hear Jesus words through the blessings of the Holy Spirit Peace be with you. We Christians hear and listen to Jesus words with joyous hearts as the disciples did. According to John the Evangelist we read: and the disciples were gathered together Then Jesus came and stood among them. Peace be with you he said The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord (John 20,19-20 ). Today s disciples, we faithful Christians, although we can t see Him, through the Holy Spirit and based on our readings from the Bible, we hear his voice this Easter Holyday. But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life (John 20,31). Today we hear the Lord s blessed and true message. Let us have peace at home with our families, in our congregations and in all parts of the world. With these thoughts we ask our Lord to bless our Easter Holiday and our Worships. Your brother in Jesus Christ, Peace be with You, Andor Demeter Bishop Phoenix, March 4, Mr.Anthony C. Beke Chief Elder Remember he was taken down from the cross and he was buried. A huge stone was rolled against the entrance of the tomb. Soldiers were guarding the grave. Yet the hour came when the tomb was empty. Christ was not counted among the dead, but among the living. The women were told, Why do look for the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5). We do not offer you a dead Christ. We do not offer you a Christ, who lives somewhere in the grave. We offer you a living Christ, who lives today in the hearts of those who have found him and accepted him as their Savior and Lord and who put their faith and trust in him. We need this living Lord! He offers us the power for victorious living in this present life. He offers us a sure foundation on which we can build our lives, a foundation that won t be shaken by the storms or problems or adverse circumstances of life. He offers us faith, hope and love. He offers the power to overcome disappointments and depression and anxiety. He offers us real answers to our deepest needs, and he even offers us peace of mind in the midst of trouble and hardship. In short, Jesus offers us himself in the Easter Story. The promise of Easter is that Christ, our living Lord and Savior, can give us everything we need. Forgiveness of our sins, abundant life, and above all, eternal life. Very Rev. Barnabás Rőczey

4 4. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ Why Do You Weep? John 20: As your thoughts turn toward Easter, consider the question which the angels put to Mary, as she looked into the tomb to make sure that the body of Jesus was really gone. Woman, why are you weeping? (John 20:13.) You may think that a silly question. Why shouldn t you weep at a tomb? Who hasn t shed tears at a grave of a dear one? Yet the question deserves an answer. If Jesus had helped Mary to answer that question, he would have said several things. Why do you weep? Because, you attached too much importance to the physical body. They may have taken away the body of Jesus, but they did not take away Jesus. It is an elementary Christian truth that life is so much more than the body, as to make the body of little consequence. It is only an unconverted area of paganism in our thinking that makes the body the maudlin center of attention at funeral services. The body is only a house in which you live for a while. Human life in the body is at best a short affair. As for man, his days are as grass. (Psalm 103:15.) It is too easy to weep if you attach too much importance to the body. Why do you weep? You weep, because you forget that the influence of Jesus lives on and is not bounded by the tomb. If nothing else had happened, the influence of Jesus would have lived on in the lives of those who knew him and would have made the world better for his presence in it. This is called the immortality of influence, and while it is not the full Christian teaching, it is as far as some people can go. Some people intend that the good example which they had given should live on in the lives of their children. By means of his faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. (Hebrews 11:4.) Why do you weep? You weep, because you lacked faith in Jesus s own words about eternal life. As was said of the disciples, They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death. (John 20:9.) Easter proclaims something more than that the influence of Jesus lived on. It proclaims the faith that Jesus lived on. Belief in eternal life comes not by argument but by faith. Your faith could rest on these things: Jesus said it was so. In my father s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. (John 14:2.) We have to accept that with the same assurance as any of the moral precepts of Jesus. Our faith rest on the fact that Jesus himself gave ample evidence that he had a life beyond the grave. You may not understand how it happened, yet no fact in the New Testament is better supported. To the most doubting of the disciples the risen Lord said: Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me! (John 20:29.) Our faith rest upon this in that the teaching and the triumph over death of Jesus find confirmation in our own experience as we stand by the tombs of those who have gone. We can stand by an open grave many times in the life, and we cannot believe that God who sent Jesus into the world intends life to end when a fragile thing like the body wears out is destroyed. We have confidence that the God who has cared for us here will care for us beyond the bounds of vision. The Christian has good answers to the question of the angels. He believes in eternal life. His God wipes away all tears. Sweet Sound of Freedom Picture of Louis Kossuth, the Father of the 1848 Hungarian War of Independence In the life of every nation we can not emphasize enough the importance of the experience of freedom. We can see it as a driving force of history over the limits of any pragmatic argument. This is a spiritual dimension that is more than you can sweep under the rug of reason. Hungarians of the 19th century had a great expression of this basic human desire when after long and disastrous Turkish, then Austrian occupation were provoked into an uprising with the leadership of Louis Kossuth, the father of Hungarian Independence in March 15 is the day to remember those heroes whose sacrifice could not be ridiculed by even 50 years of Communist dictatorship. We Christians treasure the memories of those who reflected upon the great self sacrifice of the Lord for all the people who dare to believe in him, and the values He represented may have been adored by. Rev. Péter Tóth, Norrige, Il.

5 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 5 January 2005 To All WARC Member Churches Dear friends, We wish you a Happy New Year. As we start this new Year, we join the millions of people in thirteen countries in the Indian ocean as they grieve the loss of life and deal with the devastation caused by the earthquake in Sumatra and the Tsunamis that have destroyed lives and properties bringing untold hardship in the region, especially in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. At the time of writing, the death toll is more than 150,000 and it continues to rise. Since last week Monday, I have been in correspondence with our member churches in these countries, and the feedback so far shows the devastation is greater even than as described by the media. I am grateful that our churches in these regions are already doing a lot to alleviate the grief and suffering. This is the time for us to be in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in these regions. I am grateful to note that some of our churches all over the world are already taking action in this regard. I have heard specifically from some churches in Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America. I have also noted what many Christian Aid agencies are doing. Thank you. I call on WARC member churches to continue the efforts of accompaniment in this time. I ask specifically for action in these areas. Please continue in prayer for families in all these countries for those who have lost loved ones and for those who have lost homes, property and their communities. I am sure those who have the facility to respond directly to their partners in the region or through multilateral Does evil exist? 5. oldal platforms available to them have already initiated such processes. Please continue in these efforts. For many churches who are either too small or do not have the facility for direct contribution, please set aside a Sunday in January during which you can take up a collection for the victims. Send this to us to the following bank accounts: Bank name and address: UEB (Switzerland), Quai des Bergues 15-17, 1211 Geneva 11, Switzerland CHF account : IBAN : CH SWIFT code : UEBGCHGP USD account : IBAN : CH SWIFT code : UEBGCHGP Euro account : IBAN : CH SWIFT code : UEBGCHGP We will ensure that your contributions reach their destination. (Please send us an or a letter to indicate you have done so, so that we can follow this up.) Let us use this as an opportunity to pray that the world will rally around in love, responding to bring life where death reigns, and that world leaders will choose to put resources in rebuilding under such circumstances rather than investing in wars. May God bless you this year. Our President, Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, joins me in appreciating what you are doing in response to this devastation. Sincerely yours, Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, WARC General Secretary The university professor challenged his students with this question. Did God create everything that exists? A student bravely replied, "Yes, he did!" "God created everything? The professor asked. "Yes sir", the student replied. The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are, then God is evil". The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor was quite pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth. Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?" "Of course", replied the professor. The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?" "What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question. The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat." The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?" The professor responded, "Of course it does." The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present." Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?" Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil." To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light." The professor sat down. The young man's name was no one other than, Albert Einstein.

6 6. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ Freedom from Sin "So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). It was Communion Sunday, a time to reflect on Christ s suffering and death and to think about the payment for our guilt and sin. As I sat in church, I noticed a couple in the pew in front of me. In the past year, he had been unfaithful to his wife. He had to live with the consequences, but he knew that God's love and forgiveness were there for him to receive because of Christ's substitutionary death on the cross. He repented of his sin and God forgave Him. Next to me sat a man recently separated from his wife and children. His life was a mess. Someone had reported him for exposing himself to a girl at a drive-through restaurant. He had severe problems, but he was here in church because he knew Christ had forgiven all his sins - past, present and future. He repented, God forgave him and now he sang the hymns with conviction. The church is full of sinners. Some sins are wellknown, others are hidden, but God knows the hearts of each one of us. He longs to show compassion toward us all. Communion reminds us that without Christ s death and resurrection there would be no personal relationship with God. There would be no forgiveness of sins, no sense of freedom. Because of Christ we can be forgiven. We just have to admit our sin and turn from it. He is waiting with open arms. Thank you Lord, for the ordinance of communion - a time to reflect on your sacrificial love for us. Amen. ******************** WHO TOOK YOUR PLACE? One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near and the driver got out and said, "I always park there! You took my place!" The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing. After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said "That's where I always sit! You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing. Jesus took our place. Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place." ********************** Ask for More If you are having a hard time trusting God in your life these days, you are in good company. Even Jesus' closest followers, who walked and talked with Him here on earth, found their faith lacking too. Feeling overwhelmed and incapable of measuring up to the standards Jesus laid out, they cried out, "Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5). Jesus replied that faith, even as small as the tiny mustard seed, could bring powerful results. Don't let your own feelings of inadequacy or your overwhelming circumstances crush your faith today: * Cry out to God to increase your faith. * Keep God's Word close to your heart. * Keep your prayers honest and open before God. * Find a quiet spot today and pour your heart out to Him. * Tell Him all your fears and doubts and ask Him to increase your faith. The power of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to comfort and guide His children, will begin to grow your faith in your heart and through His Word. You can't muster up faith through your own willful thinking. It is given to you by God as you seek to know Him with all of your heart. Father God, thank You that You are the giver of faith. Today I come before You and ask that You would increase my faith. Help me to trust You with my whole heart. Keep doubts and fears from my mind as I lean on You to guide me through this day and through the circumstances of my life. Increase my faith today I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

7 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUS EGYHÁZ Rt.Rev. Andor Demeter, Bishop 3921 W. Christy Dr. Phoenix, AZ Tel. /Fax (602) March 6, Bethlehem, PA. Respected General Assembly! Very Reverend Dean, Barnabás Röczey Respected Chief Elder, Frank Kiraly Beloved Colleagues, Dear Brothers in Christ! I thank God and owe my gratitude to Very Rev. Dean Barnabás Röczey, who has made my attendance possible and in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of The Hungarian Reformed Church in America (100.d.). I am thankful that he has made it possible for me to attend and participate in the annual Eastern Classis Conference. I also extend my thanks to our hosts: the Bethlehem Congregation, Church Council, and Pastor Rev. Ronald R. Hári s leadership, Mr. Robert F. Csizma, Chief Elder, and his esteemed colleague Mr. Bálint Balogh, honorary Chief Elder with whom I worked for ten years within the church and also Mr. Anthony C.Beke, Chief Elder of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, and Mr. Frank Király, Chief elder of the Eastern Classis. Finally, I greet former church leaders: Honorary Bishop Rt. Rt.Rev.Alexander Forró, Honorary Chief Elder Mr. Stephan Szabó, General Ecclesiastical Secretary Rt. Rev. István Török and Dean Very Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan. In the past years, as well as recently, the good Lord has held our hands and blessed us each on our own endeavors. He has shed light and hope onto our sometimes bleak and worrisome lives and gave us comfort and strength when we needed Him. This has also helped us to better serve Him. All of us have left our native Hungarian lands but our roots remain Hungarian. This change in geography does not parallel a change in our love for our heritage and mother tongue, and we aim to uphold our culture in our new homeland. I see the wonder and mercy of God as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the American Hungarian Reformed Church in the year Sixty years have passed since it was in danger of becoming extinguished. However, our spirit and faith remained strong as it was God's will and it is our duty to do our part in maintaining our American Hungarian Churches, a large part of our heritage. In Duquesne, PA on December 9th 1924, an American Hungarian Reformed Church was established. At this time, it was called the Free Hungarian Reformed Church, but was changed by the general assembly of 1959 to the American Hungarian Reformed Church. The American Hungarian Reformed Church is only one branch of the Reformed Church, which is a part of the Christian Church. Belonging to the world's Reformed Churches are: The World Federation of Reformed Churches, the Consultative Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Churches and the World Federation of the Hungarian Reformed Churches. We remain thankful for the 80 years of hard work and commitment allotted to establishing and maintaining this church, and we will do our duty to further do so. 7. oldal There are three Classis of the Hungarian Reformed Church; Western, Central and Eastern and there are twentyfive congregations. There are 6040 members within the church, among which 3803 are voting members. Our activities and accomplishments are carried out accordingly by our members of the congregation, our elders, and pastors, all of whom are aided greatly by our organizations within the church. The Pastor's Conference, along with the Presbyter's Conference work well together in raising the spirits of the congregations as does the "Magyar Church" newsletter. We are also pleased to report that the church is able to help those that come to us in need. I announce the following: The Hungarian Reformed Church of San Francisco and Vicinity elected a new pastor: Gábor Köpe Magyari who dutifully completes his task and along with the church council works to strengthen their church. We ask God to bless the pastor, church council and congregation. I regret to inform you that Toronto s Rt. Rev. Pastor Paul Mezo, our beloved brother, has passed away. God bless his memory. His pastoral duties are carried on by his daughter Rev. Eva Mezo. This replacement is in accordance with our church s By-Laws. In Oshawa, Canada, Toronto s sister church, the general assembly voted to break connections with the American Hungarian Reformed Church. According to our by-laws the following general assembly will have to deal with this matter. At all times, our goal remains that we discharge our responsibilities to the Holy Writ, to our Faith, and to our church. Our accomplishments equate to praise for our God, and we serve to continue in the building of our beloved church which was established through the Holy Spirit. "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but by willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly..." (1 Peter 5: 2-3). Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct (Hebrews 13:7-8). We look back fondly upon those individuals that have provided service to our church. We will always remember with gratitude and appreciation, our Bishops: Dr. Dezső Ábrahám, Dr. Zoltán Béky, Dr. András Harsányi and Lajos Nagy, our general secretaries Dezső Trombitás, István Kovács and Paul Mezo and our deans Gábor Csordás, Dénes Tamás, Tibor Tóth and Pastor Bertalan Négyessy who founded three congregations (San Francisco, Hollywood, Ontario). I also remember fondly and therefore regret to inform you that Margaret Abraham, wife of the late Bishop Dezso Abraham, has passed away. Finally, we are all thankful for the hard work and dedication of the congregations of the Central and Western Classis. Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before His presence with singing (Psalm 100:1-2). Grace and peace to all and God bless our work. Thank you for your attention and time. Respectfully, Andor Demeter, Bishop.

8 8. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ Miracle of the Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:20. But now is Christ risen from the dead is one of the most extraordinary claims ever made by sane men. Yet it is made by the writers of the Gospels and by Paul. Of all the miracles of Jesus s life, there are only two recorded by all four Gospels, the feeding of the five thousands and the Resurrection of our Lord. The Bible mentions at least six other persons who were raised from the dead, but none of them has stirred up a ripple on the mind and heart of man. These other individuals, who came to life when everyone thought they were dead, are scarcely mentioned again, while the fact that Jesus overcame the grave is the keynote of the rest of the New Testament. The prophet Elijah raised from the dead the son of the widow of Zarephath. Elisha performed a similar miracle upon the son of the woman of Shunem. Peter, through prayer, brought back to life Tabitha, or Dorcas, a woman full of good works and charitable gifts. There are three different occasions when Jesus raised people from the dead. The first occasion, related in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, is that of the raising of the daughter of Jairus. Jesus took the twlve year old girl by the hand and said, Maid, arise (Luke 8:54) The Gospel of Luke mentions the resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain. To him Jesus said, Young man! Get up, I tell you! (Luke 7:14) The Gospel of John gives the story of the raising of Lazarus, who had been laid away in a tomb. To him Jesus cried, Lazarus, come out! (John 11:43) This resurrection was the occasion for the teaching of Jesus: I am the resurrection, and the life, whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26) When John the Baptist from the prison sent messengers to ask if Jesus were the Messiah, our Lord said to them, among other things, Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing: the dead are brought back to life (Matthew 11:4-5) But what matters most is not how many other people were raised from the dead, but that Jesus himself was raised from the dead. In fact the word resurrection is almost always used to mean the Resurrection. In the triumph of Jesus over the grave we find confirmation of some convictions about the future life. Future life is possible. There is a wonderful note of victory in what Jesus heard at the Transfiguration about death - not as a burden to be borne, but rather of the way in which he would soon fulfill God s purpose by dying in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). The future life is a conviction of the heart which can be confirmed by outer facts, but which can never be proved as a mathematical formula. In the most assured fact of the New Testament, the Resurrection of Christ, we find confirmation of the trust that future life is possible - and more. This future life is a different and a better kind of life. It is not just a continuation of the present, for ever and ever amen. Few women would want to go on doing household chores for eternity. Few men would want to go on selling something for ever and ever. Much as we like preaching, we are not sure that we would look forward to the strain of preaching to all eternity. Death is going to destroy the kind of life we now live. Death must be taken in all seriousness - no amount of embalming or floral tributes can hide the cold, stark fact. What comes is a different kind of life. Christianity does not teach the eternity of this life. What resurrection means is not a going-on of the kind of life we know. It means a brand new kind of life - eternal life. This eternal life, little as we know about it, will not be strange, but will be like going home. At least it will be that way for those who know and love God, as he is revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke of it as may Father s house (John 14:2). When you know the father, a house can never be strange. Paul spoke of the future life as being at home with the Lord (2.Corinthians 5:8). It s what we don t know that we fear. That is why it is so important to know God. When we know God we see death, not as an unwilling voyager through savage seas, but as a weary traveler who turns his face to his father s home. JESUS AS MESSIAH The word "Messiah" means "Anointed One," the name given to the promised Deliverer who would some day come to the people of Israel as their great Savior and Redeemer, "anointed" as Prophet, Priest, and King by God Himself. Some, of course, are still looking for the fulfillment of these Old Testament promises in the future, when the "Messiah" will come to establish a world kingdom of peace and justice centered around the chosen nation, Israel. On the other hand, the group of Jewish believers who became the first founders of Christianity were convinced that Jesus of Nazareth was their promised Messiah. The name "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of "Messiah," so that the name Jesus Christ really means "Jesus the Messiah," or "Jesus the anointed." They preached this truth with such conviction and power that not only many Jews but, later, a still greater host of Gentiles, believed on Jesus, both as the Christ and also as the Lord and Savior of all men. And indeed they had good reason for such faith. The Old Testament Messianic prophecies were found to be uniquely fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. There are hundreds of these prophecies, so that the possibility of their accidental convergence on any ordinary man is completely ruled out by the laws of probability. Some of the prophecies are so framed, in fact, as to preclude their fulfillment by anyone living after the first century A.D. For example, the patriarch Jacob said, in Genesis 49:10, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come." The name "Shiloh" is a title of the Messiah, and the prophecy states that Judah's tribe would remain the chief tribe in Israel, in particu-

9 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ lar providing their kings, until Messiah would come. The prophecy must have been fulfilled prior to the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem in A.D. 70, by which time certainly all semblance of a scepter had departed from Judah. Similarly the promise was given to King David that the Messiah should be one of his descendants, as the King eternal, the one of whom God said, "I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever" (II Samuel 7:13). Isaiah said, "There shall come forth a rod out of the stem (literally 'stump') of Jesse (that is David's father), and a Branch shall grow out of his roots" (Isaiah 11:1). This is another name of the Messiah, and indicates that, even after it would appear that the family tree of Jesse has been cut down, yet one Branch will grow out of the stump. Evidently the very last one who could be known to have come of this lineage would finally prove to be the promised Messiah! This was fulfilled uniquely in Jesus. His foster father, Joseph, was in the royal line from David and thus held the legal right to the throne (Matthew 1:1-16). His mother, Mary, was also a descendant of David, as shown by her genealogy in Luke 3: But ever since the time of Jesus, it would be quite impossible to establish the legal or biological lineage of any pretender to David's throne, as all the ancient genealogical records were destroyed soon after that. An even more striking prophecy is given in Daniel 9: There Daniel was told explicitly that Messiah would come 69 "sabbaths" (that is, 69 sabbatical years - a total of 483 years) after the decree was given to rebuild Jerusalem, which at that time lay in ruins after Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had destroyed it. Humor Corner. Dear Pastor Letters... Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours sincerely, Arnold. Age 8, Nashville Dear Pastor, Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson. Sincerely, Pete. Age 9, Dear Pastor, My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something. Robert, age 11, Dear Pastor, I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love, Patty. Age 10, Dear Pastor, My mother is very religious. She goes to play bingo at church every week even if she has a cold. Yours truly, Annette. Age 9, Dear Pastor, I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won't be there. Stephen. Age 8, Dear Pastor, I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland. Loreen. Age 9. Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon where you said that good health is more important than money but I still want a raise in my allowance. Sincerely, Eleanor Age 12, Dear Pastor, Please pray for all the airline pilots. I am flying to California tomorrow. Laurie. Age 10, New York City Dear Pastor, I hope to go to heaven some day but later 9. oldal Such a decree was given later by the Persian emperor. Although the exact date of the decree is somewhat uncertain, the termination date of the prophecy must have been some time in the first century A.D. In fact, it must have been before the destruction of the city and the temple by the Romans in A.D. 70, because the prophecy said quite explicitly: "After (the 483 years) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself; and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary" (Daniel 9:26). Not only must Messiah come before this destruction, but He was also to be "cut off," rejected and killed, before it came. It is obvious that no one but Jesus could have fulfilled these prophecies. The prophecies absolutely preclude any still future Messiah, except that even that hope also will find its fulfillment in the second coming of Christ. And then, of course, there are still hundreds of other prophecies, all of which were fulfilled by Jesus Christ: His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14); His birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); His sacrificial death (Isaiah 53:5); His crucifixion (Psalm 22:14-18); His bodily resurrection (Psalm 16:10); and many others. All of these unite in their witness that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" (John 20:31). The probability that hundreds of such specific predictions, each quite independent of the others, could all be fulfilled concurrently in one individual, is unlikely in the highest degree, especially in view of the miraculous nature of many of them (e. g., the virgin birth, the resurrection, etc.). No rational conclusion seems possible except that Jesus is all He claims - Messiah, Savior, Lord and God. than sooner. Love, Ellen, age 9. Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher. Thank you. Alexander. Age 10, Dear Pastor, My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house. Joshua. Age 10, Dear Pastor, Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class. Carla. Age 10, Salina Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, Age 11, Dear Pastor, How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers? Sincerely, Marie. Age 9, Temperance Sermon A minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great emphasis he said, "If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river." With even greater emphasis he said, "And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river." And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, "And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river." Sermon complete, he sat down. The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, nearly laughing, "For our closing song, let us sing Hymn #365, "Shall We Gather at the River."

10 10. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ JÉZUS VAGY BARABÁS? Lukács 23:13-25 A passiótörténet olyan, mint egy mozgalmas cselekményű, sokszereplős film. Pergessük kissé vissza az események filmjét... A kárhozat fia Júdás tehát a főpapi pribékek kezébe adta az Urat, s azok láncbaverve odahurcolták a Főpapi Tanács, a Szanhedrin elé. Ott aztán Annás, a tényleges főpap és apósa Kajafás a testület szürke eminenciása kihallgatták és istengyalázás vádjával halálraítélték az Urat. Ez a gyakorlatban semmit se jelentett, mert a római fennhatóság alatt élő zsidókhiába itéltek valakit halálra; az itélet csak akkor emelkedett jogerőre, ha azt a római prokurátor is aláírta, sőt mi több; a kivégzést is csak a rómaiak hajthatták végre... Aztán volt még egy probléma; az, hogy a helytartó csak két okból mondhatott ki halálos ítéletet; gyilkosságért, vagy Rómaellenes, császárellenes lázadásért. Mindezekkel tisztában voltak a ravasz főpapok is! Tudták, hogy itéletük indoklása, az istenkáromlás, egy csöppet se fogja érdekelni Pilátust. Őt, a felsőbbrendű civis romanus -t, - aki mélységesen lenézte zsidó alattvalóit - teljesen hidegen hagyták azok vallásos ügyei-bajai... A főpapok tehát azzal vádolták be az Urat Pilátusnál, hogy ő királynak mondta magát s ezzel tulajdonképpen a császár ellen, Róma ellen beszél, lázít. Ez már hivatalból érdekelte a helytartót. A további események ismeretesek; Pilátus többször is kihallgatta az Urat. Mint minden művelt rómainak, neki is biztos kisújjában volt a Lex Romana így egy pár kérdés után meggyőződött, hogy az elébe vezett vádlott, ártatlan. Összehívta tehát a főpapokat és a többi vádlókat és ezt mondta nekik; Ide hoztátok nekem ez embert, mint aki a népet félrevezeti; és íme én ti előttetek kivallatván, semmi olyan bűnt nem találtam ez emberen, amivel őt vádoljátok (14.vers). De mindhiába, mert ahogy Lukács írja tovább...az ő szavok (mármint a népé) és a főpapoké erőt vesz vala! (23/b.vers). Mármint rajta Pilátuson!... Nos éppen itt van a pilátusi dilemma! Ő tudja, hogy az Úr ártatlan! Csakhogy Pilátus gerinctelen, megalkuvó, gyáva ember! Nem akarja összeszűrni a levet a - népakaratot irányító - zsidó főpapokkal, hiszen azok könnyen bevádolhatják kenyéradó gazdájánál, a mindenható római császárnál Tiberiusnál, s akkor vége jól fizetett állásának, s talán életének is. Hiszen ez a barbár keleti csőcselék már fenyegetőzik is: Ha ezt szabadon bocsátod, nem vagy a császár barátja; valaki magát királlyá teszi, ellene mond a császárnak (Jn.19:12). Hát akkor inkább az a názáreti vándorrabbi pusztuljon el, mintsem neki legyen gondjabaja, hátránya! De, hogy megnyugtassa lelkiismeretét, még egy utolsó próbát tesz. Régi szokás volt Izraelben, hogy a Pesszach, a zsidó húsvét ünnepén, szabadon bocsátottak egy fogly-rabot, s azt a nép választhatta ki. Nos, a helytartó is kegyesen engedélyt ad egy fogoly szabadon bocsátására. Valamiképpen szánta is azt az álmodozó vándorrabbit, azt az ártalmatlan prófétát és arra gondolt, hogy a nép annak a szabdonbocsátását fogja kérni. Hogy ez megtörténjék, gondoskodik arról is, hogy egy rablógyilkost, gonosztevőt szembesítsen Jézussal. A rómaiak börtönében már régóta ott sínylődött egy Barabás nevű rab. (Bár-Ábbász héberül, magyarra fordítva; az Apa fia) János szerint rabló volt, Márk szerint a rómaiak ellen lázadt. Valamiféle ókori politikai gengszter-terrorista lehetett... Valóban, nem is lehetne tökéletesebb Jézusellenképet elképzelni! A helytartó egyik oldalán Barabás, egy földi apa fia és az Úr Jézus a mennyei Atya Fia! Kettőjük között csak annyi a hasonlóság, hogy mindketten megkötözve állnak a helytartói palota oszlopcsarnokos erkélyén. BARABÁS A BŰN MÉLYSÉGE... AZ ÚR JÉZUS, A TISZTASÁG ÉS SZENTSÉG MAGASSÁGA! Kettejük között ott ül Pontius Pilátus a helytartó, s aztán talán gyávaságában, vagy talán mert minél hamarabb túl akart esni ezen a kínos ügyön: - felteszi a kérdést a palota előtti térségen zajongó tömegnek; A kettő közül melyiket akarjátok, hogy elbocsássam nektek? Azok pedig mondának; Barabást. Monda nekik Pilátus: Mit cselekedjem hát Jézussal, akit Krisztusnak hívnak? Mindnyájan mondának; Feszíttessék meg! (Mt.27:22) Az Úr sorsa megpecsételődött! Ad crucem! Keresztre vele! - hangzott a helytartó parancs... A Szentírás tömören és szűkszavúan írja le az eseményeket. Nem mond semmi olyant ami a kíváncsiságunkat kielégíthetné. Nem tudjuk megmagyarázni, hogy miért döntött így a nép? Az Írás arról se tesz említést, hogy vajjon minden ottlévő követelte Jézus halálát, vagy voltak olyanok is, akik az ő szabadonbocsátását követelték?! Az Írás, a nép elképesztő, tragikus döntését azzal magyarázza - ugyebár - hogy a főpapok, farizeusok, írástudók a népet megagymosták, hogy modern fogalmakkal éljünk. Vannak írásmagyarázók, akik azt állítják, hogy ezen a fogolyválasztáson a nép nem vett részt, csak a főpapok és azok cinkosai, emberei. A kérdés - ilyetén való boncolgatása - teljesen felesleges. A választás megtörtént örökre és visszavonhatatlanul, mert ez volt eleve elrendelve a mennyei Atyánál. Hogy is mondta az Úr a Gecsemáné kertben?...avagy nemkell-e kiinnom a pohárt, amelyet az Atya adott nekem? (Jn.18:11) Ne is foglalkozzunk tovább azzal a bizonyos döntéssel, választással, hanem ahelyet inkább nézzük meg sajátmagunkat annak a tragédiának tükrében... Ismerjük be alázattal és mélységes bűnbánattal, hogy bűneink sokszor arra késztetnek, hogy ha még szomorkodunk is nagypéntek gyászos napján, vagy netalán tán még könnyezünk is az Úr Jézus kálváriája felett, akkor is sokszor a Sátánnal szólunk, Barabást válasszuk! Súlyos dolgot mondtam itt ki, de azt elsősorban sajátmagamból kiindulva mondtam. Életemben nem egyszer álltam én is válaszúton és őszintén bevallom: volt amikor lemondtamleléptem Jézus útjáról és bűneim kényszerítő ereje sokszor Barabást mondatott ki velem, éppen életem döntő pillanataiban. Mert én, meg te, meg mindnyájan FÖLDI APÁNAK vagyunk a fiai; örököljük-hordozzuk - mint egy fertőző betegséget - azok bűneit, terhelt vonásait, terhelt lelkiségét! MI MINDANNYIAN BARABÁSHOZ

11 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11. oldal VAGYUNK HASONLÓK! De milyen áldott dolog, hogy a passio-történetnek nem ez az utolsó szava és konklúziója. Ha a mi választásunk lenne döntő Isten mérlegén, akkor mindnyájan el lennénk veszve. Csakhogy itt nem a mi választásunk történik, hanem az Úr Krisztusé. Itt Ő választ és engem, mindnyájunkat; bűnös Barabásokat. Minket választ és ezzel magára veszi elhordozza a keresztfának haláláig összes bűneink igáját, hogy mi felszabaduljunk. Hogy nekünk teljes bűnbocsánatunk, feltámadásunk és örökéletünk legyen! Akkor lesz nekünk igazi nagypéntekünk és diadalmas húsvétunk, ha boldog hálával telik meg mindnyájunk szive drága Megváltónk iránt, az ártatlanság báránya iránt, aki érettünk, miattunk és helyettünk szenvedett és halt meg és feltámadt, hogy nékünk életünk, örökéletünk legyen. Csendüljön fel tehát ajkunkról-szivünkből a régi szép énekvallomás: Jézus, Világ Megváltója, Üdvösségem megadója, Megfeszített Isten Fia, Bűnömnek fán függő díja: Jézus engedd Hozzád térnem, Veled halnom, Velem élnem! Ámen! Nt. Nagy György, Windsor, Ont. Kunszery Gyula HÚSVÉTI FÁK Azon a vasárnap ujjongtak a pálmák, mert a megváltásnak messiási álmát valósulva látta Jeruzsálem népe; jött Jézus... lepleket dobtak le elébe, s lengettek fölötte büszke pálmaágat, azon a vasárnap. Akkor csütörtökön a szelíd olajfák karcsu ágaikat lankadatlan lehajtják, mert a Gecsemanekertben gyötrelemmel vért verejtékezett egy magános ember, vére szétfolyott a fekete rögökön, akkor csütörtökön. Azon a pénteken szomoru szél susog, búsan hajladoznak bánatos cédrusok, mert fönn a Golgotán cédrusfából ácsolt kereszten függött egy véresre korbácsolt, meggyötört, megkínzott kihült, sápadt tetem, azon a pénteken. S a másik vasárnap úgy pirkadat tájba` kivirult a világ valamennyi fája, északi fenyőktől délszaki pálmákig mind üdén kizöldel, lombot hajt, virágzik, mert halottaiból Jézus ím feltámadt ezen a vasárnap!