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B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #66
January 17, 2006

Recently our pastors and members suffered from severe flooding in the Chennai area of India. This is in the BELC area. Pray that God would comfort our brothers and sisters in remembering that what truly counts - forgiveness of sins, deliverance from death and the devil, eternal life - can't be taken from them. This they possess even though possessions may be destroyed. Whenever something like this happens, it is a pointer from God to look from earth to heaven. Heaven is our home. We are only temporarily here.

ELCC - Our Congo brethren are having trouble with the registration of the church body with the government. The government has asked such a large amount for the whole process that the CLC Mission Board is not able to go forward with this. Also there has been one previous failed attempt which was costly in our offerings. Now Pastor Muzakuza and the brothers face a government saying they should be registered. Pray that the Lord would give some solution to this dilemma. It is indeed true that we aught to obey the government. Yet when the government requires what is obviously a 'bribe' and not just a registration cost, we find ourselves unable to carry forward.

"Thumbnail Sketches of NT Books"

With this we will be having a series on sketches of the NT books. One way for a person to get more out of a book, any book, is to consider the outline of the book and then to read it. So we will have for each of the NT books an outline. It also helps to know when one book was written in relation to other books, so you have the Timeline from Franzmann's "The Word of the Lord Grows." While some of the dates are more general, still this gives a general idea of when the book was written and in connection with some other events also.

And it is also good to quiz yourself periodically on a subject to have a review of it. With this beginning we have a quiz to follow. When we finish the series of "Thumbnail Sketches..." why not take the quiz again to see how you did, unless of course you get 100% this first time. The following 27 items are to be matched to the 27 books. See how you do. Which New Testament book is indicated by each of the following:

a) Pastoral letter to Crete,

d) by the brother of James,

g) the Most Doctrinal Letter,

h) written by a Gentile of Antioch,

i) about the Church's Head,

j) about the Church as the Body of Christ,

k) written to a region,

l) the shortest Gospel,

n) to Jewish Christians (in Rome?),

p) Congregational Problems,

q) Warns against Hypocrisy,

r) a Repentant Tax Gatherer,

s) to the Elect Lady and her Children,

t) Pastoral Letter to Ephesus,

u) Slavemaster and Slave,

v) Lawless One in 2:3-12,

x) the Word of the God Grew,

y) Clear Statement of the End in 4:13-17,

z-1) Epistle of Suffering,

z-2) Paul's Last Letter.

TIMELINE (Why not cut this out and tape it in your Bible.)

30 Pentecost; Birthday of the NT Church

32 Death of Stephen and Conversion of Paul

43 Founding of the Gentile Church at Antioch; Paul summoned to Antioch by Barnabas

44 Death of James the Son of Zebedee

c.45 Epistle of James

46-48 Paul's First Missionary Journey

48 Epistle of Galatians

49 Apostolic Council

49-51 Paul's Second Missionary Journey

50 I Thessalonians; 50 (summer) II Thessalonians

52-56 Paul's Third Missionary Journey

55 I Corinthians; 55 (summer or fall) II Corinthians

56-58 Paul's Caesarean Imprisonment

58-59 Paul's Voyage to Rome

59-61 Paul's First Roman Imprisonment

59-61 The 'Captivity Letters' -Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, Philippians

50-60 Gospel of Matthew (the estimates of what year are in this range)

c. 60 Gospel of Mark

62-63 I Timothy (estimate of which year varies)

64 Fire in Rome. Neronian Persecution

65-67 II Timothy (estimates vary for most of the following books)

65-69 Gospel of Luke. Acts

70 Fall of Jerusalem

90-100 Gospel of John, I, II, III John

Notice that the books of the NT are arranged not according to time given, but according to type of book as in a library. The same is the case with the OT.

Introduction- We are going to be considering highlights from all sister churches and the fields where our brethren are laboring for Him. This is to encourage each of us to labor more and with new ideas in this world as we await His second coming. We can learn from each other and mutually encourage each other as we labor side by side spiritually, as Paul wrote "that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith..." Rom.1:12. Just as Paul wrote to the Philippians naming them who worked together as we are also laboring side by side in the Gospel. Ph. 4:2 These highlights of the work in the different fields allow us also to remember each other in prayer. May each of us have as a goal what Paul expressed, "without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers." Rom. 1:10

Church of the Lutheran Confession of India

Pastor Nireekshana reports on the CLCI that they have been working diligently this last year to expand their efforts in youth ministries, evangelism, missions and children's VBS. With 74 congregations and over 7000 souls they have been trying to establish new congregations in rural, suburban and urban areas. Gospel meetings lasting several days each have been used at least three times a year in different areas. They continue to use the Jesus Film also. Within the last year they distributed 4000 Telugu catechisms and 1000 Hindi.

The casting of the seed of the Word has brought forth fruit. They have seen new Hindu and Muslim families join the church. For this we praise the Lord. They have gone about evangelizing by: individual members witnessing to friends on a one to one basis, distribution of New Testaments and tracts explaining our services, making contact with independent groups who are separate from other churches, and using the Bible Correspondence Course.

Some changes have been made in the youth ministry. They have moved from the 'small format' meetings to a 'large format' one. This makes it more appealing to visitors and has encouraged students to invite their friends. CLCI youth have been given the opportunity to have more input and involvement in activities and planning. Tea and refreshments are distributed at youth meetings to encourage more time being spent in fellowship. They now call the youth ministry "CLCI Youth in Action." Recently, they have also added a monthly "CLCI Birthday Club."

With the CLC-USA volunteers working with CLCI members, 18 congregations were visited in the VBS program and 1500 children attended.

Pastor Jyothi reports that graduation at the seminary saw six men finish their three year study. Now fully 29 of the pastors in the church have gone through the seminary. This school year there are 32 students. This was the 7th graduation ceremony held in celebration of God's work with these men who serve Him.

Some of his observations follow.

We have been receiving response from many students who would like to join in this seminary, both from our CLCI and from outside. It has been an ecouragement for us.

We continue to praise God at the way He shapes and molds our pastors and students here...God has been changing all students to be His better instruments.

We request you all to pray for our seminary. We need to be reminded that the seminary and all of us all the time are called to be true to Him and His Word.

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B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #67
January 31, 2006

I Cor. 16:9 For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Phone numbers for me in India.
Landline to flat - #91-4422300139
Mobile phone - #91-9840551873

THUMBNAIL SKETCHES – MATTHEW

The Gospel of Matthew first appeared it is thought near Syrian Antioch sometime between 50-70 AD. Matthew wrote from his Jewish perspective showing how Christ fulfilled the OT Scripture. It has strongly Hebrew characteristics. Matthew reminds us that Jesus is the “Son of David” and the “King of the Jews.” The “Kingdom of heaven” or its equivalent the “ Kingdom of God “ is a key phrase as Matthew records Jesus’ teachings, especially the parables. It is only in this Gospel that the word for ‘church’ occurs (ekklesia) in Matthew 18. There is special prominence given to Jesus’ teaching on the end of the age and the Second Coming in chapters 13, 24 and 25. And of course it is in this Gospel that we have the longest record (ch. 5-7) of our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount.

“The sayings of Jesus are arranged so as to form five great discourses, dealing respectively with (a) the law of the kingdom of God (chapters 5-7), (b) the preaching of the kingdom (10:5-42), (c) the growth of the kingdom (13:3-52), (d) the fellowship of the kingdom (chap. 18), and (e) the consummation of the kingdom (24-25). The narrative of the ministry of Jesus is so arranged that each section leads on naturally to the discourse that follows it. The whole is prefaced by a prologue describing the nativity of the King (chap. 1-2) and concluded by an epilogue relating the passion and triumph of the King (chap. 26-28).” Bruce, p. 50 NT Documents

THUMBNAIL SKETCHES – MARK

As we know, Mark is the shortest of the Gospels. It appears to reflect what Peter saw and heard. The young man in Mark 14:51-52 “A young man followed Him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked,” we think was Mark. While he was not one of the apostles, he was with the apostles. He even worked with the untimely born, last of the apostles, Paul. He was with him on the first missionary journey. And though Paul refused to let him go on the second journey, he did join Paul later and work with him. Col. 4:10, Phile. 24 And he definitely worked with Peter also. I Pet. 5:13 John Mark’s mother’s house was a place of gathering for the believers. “When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.” Acts 12:12 Tradition also has it that the Lord’s supper was celebrated in this house.

The following is from the ancient church historian Eusebius, “ Mark, having been the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately all that he (Peter) mentioned, whether sayings or doings of Christ; not however, in order. For he was neither a hearer nor a companion of the Lord; but afterwards, as I said, he accompanied Peter, who adapted his teachings as necessity required, not as though he were making a compilation of the sayings of the Lord. So then Mark made no mistake, writing down in this way some things as he (Peter) mentioned them; for he paid attention to this one thing, not to omit anything that he had heard, nor to include any false statement among them.” Bruce, p.43 NT Documents

Outline
I The beginning of the Gospel message. 1:l-13 John the Baptist; Jesus’ baptism and the wilderness temptation.
II Public ministry in Galilee.l:14-9:50. Calling of disciples, cures, miracles, and teachings. Disputes with the religious leaders; appointment of the Twelve; parables of the kingdom; and feedings of the multitudes. The disclosure at Caesarea Philippi and the Transfiguration.
III From Galilee to Jerusalem. 10:1-52
IV The last week in Jerusalem. 11:l-16-16:8. Triumphal entry, cursing of the fig tree, cleansing of the Temple. Disputes with Pharisees and Sadduccees; the apocalyptic discourse. The Supper, Gethsemane, arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, resurrection.
V Appearances of the risen Christ. 16:9-20

Highlights

Bharath Evangelical Lutheran Church

The BELC is divided up into eight districts with 7066 souls served by 157 pastors. Pastors D. Paul at Nagalapuram and Moses at Nellore would both like to start a two year Bible school. We are studying this issue and taking it to the Lord in prayer. It is a large undertaking. There is no question that the harvest is great and more workers are needed. We wait on the Lord in this as in all things.

Pastor Moses supervises three districts and reports 27 pastors have gone through the monthly training in Nellore and 20 in Renigunta. Now we are seeking to get the catechism out among the people and learned. The idea of having a two year training school at Nellore is to send the men out to places where there is no church.

Pastor Victor is on the scene in the Kadapa District and leads the study with Pastor Moses coming over also. Fifteen men have now completed going on three years of monthly study. On last Easter Sunday 36 souls were baptized in the Kadapa congregations. In 2006 Pastor Victor would like to start meetings in Kurnool District.

He has also started a publication 'Living Light' published by the Kadapa pastors. This is distributed throughout the Telegu speaking districts. It is useful to pastors to spread the Gospel to the unknown and other communities.

Pastor D. Paul with three other pastors supervise five districts. In these districts as in the others once the pastors have passed the catechism exam we seek to distribute the catechism to the people. Pastor D. Paul reports on the VBS effort that around 1840 children were enrolled with 67 teachers and 35 volunteers. Based on the Bible teams handicrafts, drawing and coloring pictures, dances and candle processions were prepared to provide a joyous atmosphere. CLC missionhelpers here elsewhere worked among the people.

Future desired plans follow.

Gospel Team - They are planning to have teams of perhaps 15 for each district with tracts, musical accompaniment and preaching in villages where there is no Christian church.
An orphanage is desired and they are praying to work this out.
Health check-up camps are being considered twice a year to help in the villages.
Balwadis - A school for children 2-5 years is desired.
Tuition Centers - Through these children in 6th to 12th standard could be helped after school in religion and other subjects. A couple are running now.
Film Project - This has proved useful in sharing the message of Jesus and it is desired to continue, especially to go to places where a church could be started.
In 2002 in January the BELC faced a very disruptive time. But since then God has blessed the simple preaching of His Word. Faith has grown as well as numbers. A new meeting with 22-25 pastors is starting which we pray would turn into the ninth district.

T. Sampath, Rajamani and Bhasker lead studies and supervise in a variety of districts.

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