CONTENTS
Feature Article “How We Got the Bible”
Today’s Sermon
Meetings and Gatherings
Take-Time-to-Pray List
Announcements and
Opportunities to Serve
Article
Little Kids’ Corner
Big Kids’ Corner
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3
3
4
5
10
11
ORDER OF WORSHIP
HOW WE GOT THE BIBLE
Part II: Translators and Their Enemies
Welcome
Congregational Singing
Congregational Singing
In 380 AD, Ulifas created the Gothic alphabet, then translated
the Bible into that language. Goth is the earliest known Germanic
language, and the only east Germanic language. This laid the basis for
centuries to come for people who wanted to revert to the simple firstcentury pattern of the church as opposed to the controlling centralizedgovernment type of church now appearing.
Prayer
Congregational Singing
There had been a Latin translation of the New Testament for
some time. But in 382, Jerome began correcting that version, and the
result was the Vulgate Manuscript. His translation has undergone
several revisions and corrections since that time.
Lord’s Supper
Contribution (members only)
Congregational Singing
In 422, an Armenian alphabet was developed. Then the New
Testament and Proverbs were translated into that language. Because
the people in this area could now read the Bible for themselves, this
eventually led to them not agreeing with the Roman church on many
things for centuries to come. Around 700 in Great Britain, Bede made an
Anglican translation of the Bible based on a Latin translation.
Lesson by Stuart Fain from Eloy
Song of Encouragement
Announcements
In the mid-800s, the Bible was translated into the German
language. Cyril and Methodius, missionaries from Constantinople to
Moravia, invented a Slavic alphabet, then translated the Bible into the
language of the people. It was called the “Old Church Slavonic Bible.”
Closing Song
Closing Prayer
Attendance Last Week
Contribution Last Week
“The Churches of Christ salute you.” (Romans 16:16)
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April 27, 2008
Vol. I, No. 15
63
$714.91
In the late 900s, Aelfric quoted most of the NT in his ancient
English language. He also translated the first six books of the Bible. In
early 1000s, the four Gospels were translated into the language of West
Saxony ~ today’s western Germany and the Netherlands.
~cont. pg. 7
WELCOME to this time of worship. If you
are visiting, you are our honored guests. On
the back table is a sheet explaining our
simple worship. Take notes to what is said
if you like, then challenge us so that we both
know we are on the right track to pleasing
God. We hope, too, you will want to return.
TODAY’S SERMON: “Serving God With a Full Heart”
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together,
and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which is the
first commandment of all?” And Jesus answered him, “The first of all the
commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord’ and
“thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:’ This is the first
commandment. And the second is like, namely, this, ‘Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself.’ There is none other commandment greater than
these.” And the scribe said unto him, “Well, Master, thou hast said the
truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love
him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the
soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is
more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw
that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, “Thou art not far from the
kingdom of God.” [Mark 12:28-34]
MEETINGS AND
GATHERINGS
SINGING AT NURSING HOME: Next Sunday our young (and
young-at-heart) people will be going to a nursing home to sing for
and with the seniors there, and for awhile be a special blessing to
their lives.
CONGREGATIONAL PLANNING SESSION: (Along with a
luncheon) was held yesterday morning at the Anderson home. See
separate minutes. Much good will come from this time spent
together praying and planning.
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SPIRITUAL GIFTEDNESS SEMINAR: May 16-18 is a little
over two weeks away. Set aside that weekend for a life-changing
experience. Doug Hamilton will be here from Pennsylvania to
lead each one of us in discovering our modern spiritual gifts.
Dear Saints of Desert Valley, God did not save us to observe
salvation from the sidelines, but to actively and passionately serve
Him with joy from the front line. Not only does the Father want us
to serve Him individually in our own lives, but as members of the
body, working together as the Bride of Christ. Doug Hamilton
LADIES BIBLE CLASS: Will continue their study at 9:30 AM
with the class ending no later than 11:30. They will meet at the
home of Laveda Fleming, 204 N. Monterey, 876-4286.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON GROUPS:
Andy Seaver’s (431-8403) group meets 5:00 at his home, 1394
E. Kingman Place, Casa Grande.
Paul Houdyshelt’s (423-1802) group meets 1:00 at the Anderson
home, 1336 E. Palo Verde, Casa Grande, 1s & 3rd weeks.
COPPER BASIN BIBLE CAMP: Kids, be thinking now about
summer camp outside of Prescott all of June and early July. Their
website is http://copperbasinbiblecamp.net/index.htm.
TAKE –TIME-TOPRAY LIST
Since November, we have had 89 answers to prayer. On the back
table are ongoing prayer requests that need our continual attention in our daily individual prayers. When there are changes in
your request, do update us. God loves to answer prayer.
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GERALD CUNNINGHAM has new medical patches that are
relieving the pain from his sciatica nerve, but still has pain in a hip
from a recent fall. This is in addition to the pain in his shoulder
requiring surgery.
DALE CASSITY will learn a week from tomorrow when he is to
have stints put in his kidneys.
KATHY SEAVER, learned from her MRI last week that her knee
was fractured in two places. However, she is being brave and went
back to work.
MILES ANDERSON is still recovering from his pneumonia.
Pray for his full recovery in the near future.
THANKSIGIVING: Deanne Montoya, daughter of Miles and
Pat Anderson is able to go to work now and is in training for a
new kind of job. She lives in Las Vegas, NV.
ANNOUNCEMENTS &
OPPORTUNITIES
ON THIS DAY April 27, 1952, Katheryn Haddad was baptized.
TOisSERVE
Today
her 56 spiritual birthday.
th
ROSE & HAROLD HEATH, Pat Foresythe’s sister and brotherin-law in Benson, have found an apartment in Arizona City near
her grandson and great grand daughters. They will be unloading
their moving truck on Monday, April 28. Harold is a former lifelong preacher of the gospel, but has increasing alzheimer’s.
TODAY 56 YEARS AGO: On this day, April 27, 1952,
Katheryn Haddad was baptized into Christ. Today she celebrates
her 56th spiritual birthday.
BULLETIN SERIES: Today, is part 2 of a 3-part series on “How
We Got the Bible”. Part 1 was The Manuscripts. Part 2 is The
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Translators’ Enemies. Part 3 will be The Translators’ Hymns.
After reading them, you’ll never again take the Bible for granted.
MOVIE “EXPELLED”: This movie was released nearly two
weeks ago. It deals with silencing Creation scientists who
challenge Darwinian thinking. Ben Stein, a very accomplished
man, is the writer and you can see the preview at
www.expelledthemovie.com/ playground.php
Please try to see it, for it is what you
and your children are going to be
facing in the future. Watch the
preview and then pass this on
to your other friends. Doug Hamilton
“I recommend this movie very much.
We saw it last week. Watching this
journalist, Christian, and creationist,
you will appreciate this movie.”
Lisa Kesler
FOOD ROOM: Remember to bring a can or package of food
each week. An easy way to remember is to place your item or
items next to your Sunday shoes or where you normally keep your
Bible. We thank Ricki Hill for providing a storage room for the
food to keep it available when needed by the less fortunate.
COMMUNION TRAYS: A sign-up sheet it on the back table to
volunteer to prepare the communion trays for one month.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR CHRIST, for youngsters in
the third through twelfth grades, has a website at http://www
.ltcsw.org/index.html.
CHURCH OF CHRIST RADIO: Hear beautiful acappella
Christian music at http://www.live365.com/stations/christian144.
Also available at http://www.acappellaradio.net .
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~cont. from pg. 1
In 1147 in France, Henry of Toulouse, France, announced that
he and his followers would not accept any beliefs regarding religion
unless they were from the scriptures themselves. As a result, he and his
followers were named heretics by Rome. Not long after, Peter Waldo of
Lyons, France, picked up this movement, and the believers began to be
called Waldenses by their enemies; they called themselves Christians.
Persecution of those who had the Bible in their own language
continued to grow. A German named Arnold visited Rome preaching
against additions that had been made to the New Testament church. He
and some of his friends were burned at the stake.
Encenas, a Spaniard raised in Rome, was arrested for having a
New Testament in Spanish and imprisoned. Dominicus, a soldier, began
teaching the Gospel in the Bible. When arrested and asked, “Will you
renounce your doctrines?” he replied, “I maintain no doctrines of my own;
what I preach are the doctrines of Christ, and for those I will forfeit my
blood.” He was then tortured and hanged.
At the same time, the Roman church ordained that laity not be
permitted to read scriptures. But it backfired, and even more insisted on
reading and following the scriptures for themselves. In the 1200s, the
Bible was translated into Italian, and also the language of the Dutch.
By the 1300s, John Purvey and Nicholas of Hereford translated
the Bible into the language of the common person ~ what we today call
Middle English. Language had changed in Germany by this time also.
So, the Bible was translated into the common language of the people in
Germany. It was this Bible that, a century later, would be the first one
reproduced on a printing press.
Soon after, John Wyclif of Wales denied the doctrines that had
been declared through the centuries that did not agree with the written
New Testament. He trained preachers who traveled all over England
preaching in the people’s language and reading directly from the
Gospels and Epistles. He translated the Bible into Middle. In 1382 papal
decrees were enacted against him.
He died in 1384.
Later,
representatives of Rome exhumed his bones and burned them. Wyclif is
often called “The Morning Star of the Reformation”
In 1401, the King of England ordered all of Wyclif’s followers who
spread the common translation of the Bible burned as heretics. William
Santree of Smithfield was the first. In 1419 Sir John Oldcastle was
sentenced to burn. In 1473 Thomas Grantor was burned at the stake
outside London. In 1499 Badram was burned in Norwich.
Meanwhile, over in Prague, John Huss continued to follow the
examples of Wyclif, preaching and bringing the actual Bible to the people
in their own language. In 1415 a papal council ordered Huss to be
burned at the stake. When the kindling was piled up to his neck, he was
asked to abdicate his teachings. He replied, “I never preached any
doctrine of an evil tendency; and what I taught with my lips I now seal
with my blood.” When the fire started he sang a hymn “with so loud and
cheerful a voice that he was heard through all the cracklings of the
combustibles, and the noise of the multitude.”
In 1405, Romanian Nicodim translated the four Gospels into the
language of the common people. By 1449, there were 33 translations of
the Bible into various languages of the common people. And the Bible
began to be printed with movable type. In 1471 the Bible was translated
into new Italian. In 1475 it was translated into the Czech language and
into the Finnish language. In 1477 it was translated into the language of
the Dutch. Also another Italian translation was made by Bonifacio
Ferror; it was later destroyed in the inquisition in 1498. In 1499 the Bible
was translated into the Slavonic language.
In England, persecution of those following Wyclif and his
translation of the Bible grew. In 1506 William Tilfrey was burned at the
stake at Amersham. In 1507 Thomas Norris was burned for telling
others the Gospel. In 1508 Lawrence Guale was burned, in 1511
William Succling and John Bannister were burned at Smithfield, in 1517
John Brown was burned at Ashford, his feet first to the bone, then the
rest of him. Richard Hunn was killed in the palace of Lambeth.
In 1522 William Tyndale began releasing his more modern
translation of the Bible. His followers and those of Wyclif continued to be
persecuted for preaching right out of the Bible. In 1518 John Stilincen
was burned at the stake in Smithfield. In 1519 Thomas Mann was
burned at London. Also James Brewster of Colchester, Christopher of
Newbury, and Robert Silks of Coventry ~ all burned alive.
In the mean time in 1517 Ulrich Zwingli began preaching topical
sermons using all scriptures he could find on that topic. He realized the
church of the New Testament was not the church of his day. Between
1523 and 1530 Jacques Lefevre translated the Bible into French. In
Turin, a Wandense had his bowels taken out and put in a basin for him to
look at until he died. At Revel, Catelin Girard was burned at the stake.
But the Waldenses now began to preach the Gospel in public. So those
captured were either skinned or burned alive.
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Between 1526 and 1535, Martin Luther translated the Bible into
a more modern German. In 1526 Hans Schlaffer in Germany was
baptized by immersion, then preached against infant baptism saying it
was never commanded in the Bible he’d read. He was arrested, and in
prison he wrote
But Jesus Christ has died, and satisfied
The guilt that was mine own.
Early the following year, he and 20 others were beheaded at Schwatz.
And Martin Luther penned this hymn:
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
….Of such a man fear not the will,
The body only he can kill.
In Strasburg, Switzerland Michael Sattler was imprisoned, his
tongue torn out of his body for preaching right out of the Bible of the
common people, tortured with hot tongs, then burned. In 1527, Leonart
Schiemer was baptized by immersion as he had read from Bible in his
language, then preached in Austria and Bavaria. He penned this hymn:
Thine holy place they have destroyed
Thine altars overthrown.
And reaching forth their bloody hands,
Have foully slain thine own.
And we alone, thy little flock,
The few who still remain,
Are exiles wandering through the land,
In sorrow and in pain.
We wander in the forests dark
With dogs upon our track;
And like the captive, silent lamb
Men bring us prisoners back.
They point to us amid the throng,
And with their taunts offend;
And long to let the sharpened axe
On heretics descend.
In Tyrol, Bavaria, he was arrested.
beheaded and burned.
On January 14, 1528, he was
LITTLE
KIDS’
CORNER
BIG KIDS’
CORNER
Find the Teenagers in the Bible
1. Abraham was ____ old when his son Ishamel was born (Genesis
16:16)? Abraham was ____ old when his son Isaac was born (Genesis 21:5)? How old was Ishamel when brother Isaac was born?___
2. How old was Joseph when he was sold to Egyptians as their slave
(Genesis 37:2, 28). ____ How do you think Joseph acted toward
his new owner, Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh’s guard (Genesis 39:4)?
__________________________________________________
3. Azariah became king of Judah when he was _____ years old (2
Kings 15:1-3). Was he a good or bad king? _____
4. Jehoi-achin became king of Judah when he was ____ years old (2
Kings 24:8-9). Was he a good or bad king? ____ How long did he
rule? _____
5. Josiah was 8 years old when he became king. After eight years,
he began to actively seek God (2 Chronicles 34:1-3). How old was
he at that time? _____
6. Jesus was how old when he sat
in a class of Bible scholars and
began to teach his teachers
(Luke 2:42, 46)? ____
7. When grown, Jesus brought
a young lady back to life (Luke
8:42, 54-55). How old was she?
____ Do you think she was
afraid to tell her friends about
Jesus after that? _____