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The Citizen, 1986-12-10, Page 31From the Minister's Study THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1986. PAGE 31. Is the new Testament's geneology - BY BOB BARNHART PASTOR, BLYTH CHURCH OF GOD The geneology in Matthew chapter 1 is something most people skip over when reading Matthew. It may even raise the question: “Why is that in there?” A number of things can be learned from the geneology. Keep in mind that Matthew was writing to a Jewish audience. To the Jew, geneology was very important. The geneology mentions five Bruce Campbell new School Fair president The annual meeting of the Belgrave, Blyth and Brussels School Fair Board was held in the Belgrave Community Centre on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The election of officers for 1987 was held. Past president is Murray Vincent; President, Bruce Camp­ bell; First vice-president, Ken Ramsay; second vice-president, Tom Black; secretary-treasurer, Karen Cook. Mr. Glen Couites extended a women in it. (Tamar from Genesis 38, Rahab from Joshua 2, Ruth from Ruth 1: 4, Bathsheeba from II Samuel II and Mary the mother of Jesus.) That would never be done. Women were considered to be possessions not persons. Second­ ly, Ruth was also a Moabite. The Moabites were hated by the Jews. These people were well known by the Jews. Many of them had committed terrible sins such as incest, adultery and murder. Even King David who was considered a heart-felt thank you to Mrs. Joyce Vincent who after 10 years as secretary treasurer has resigned. All of her time and work that she has put towards the school fair was very much appreciated by every­ one. The date for the 1987 school fair was set for Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1987. The next meeting of the school fair board will be held Thursday, January 15, in the Belgrave Community Centre. man after God’s own heart had murdered and committed adultery but when he repented he experien­ ced the grace and forgiveness of God. These are just a few of the stories involved. What could be taught from the geneology? First, you could talk aboutGrace. Abrahamwascon- sidered righteous in God sight and that was 400 years before the “Law”. What made the people acceptable to God? Grace not the Law. Second, by mentioning the women and the Moabite, Matthew was beginning to break down the barriers between the Jews and Gentiles, males and females. Paul says it best in Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The third thing we can learn is that once Jesus’ physical birth is established you can go on and talk about the reason for his birth. We need to remember why his birth is so special. Babies are born every­ day. It was the reason he was born that made it so special. Did you ever wonder why Christ was born as a baby? Christ could have come as a full grown man, carried out his three-year ministry and died on the cross. I think Hebrew 2:17 has the answer. “ For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” Jesus Christ was born physically as a baby so that I could be born spiritually. At Christmas we need to celebrate Christ’s birth but we also need to remember why he was born. The fourth thing we can learn from the geneology is that we need to tell this message to everyone. For the Jew, acceptance into the Jewish faith was through physical birth so there was no need to tell i Blyth Christian Reformed Church HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH Rev. Roger Gelwicks Worship Services 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday School 11:00a.m. TheChurchof the“Back to God Hour” and “Faith 20” Back to God Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith 20 5:00a.m. weekdays, GlobalT.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME relevant anyone. You were either born a Jew or not. For us it is spiritual birth that is important. Paul says in Romans 8:28, 29 “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumci­ sion is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.” This Christmas as you read the geneology and birth of Christ remember not only that Christ was born, alsorememberthereason why he was born. Christ was born physically so that we could be born spiritually. DIRECTORY WE HAVE THE SOLUTION Henry Exel Construction TED MORAN Plumbing & Heating and Electrical •Plumbing*Heating •Sheet Metal •AirConditioning •High Efficiency Furnaces 191 Josephine St., WING HAM 357-2904 BLYTH-523-9585 348-8412 Karcher, C.A. Newell, C.A. Uptigrove, C.A. Rammeloo Rest Home Room available 24hourcare [nurseon staff] Home cooked meals $22.00 per day WHERECANYOU DO BETTER? 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