news from zambia
CHINSALI
I wish to t hank you for Gospel News, and I would like you to know that it has become the first book on my bookshelf, after my house was burnt to ashes by unknown people. This happened due to my different belief which I have in the Christadelphian faith; to those who are Trinity believers every Christadelphian is deemed a Satanist here.
This happened when I went to attend the funeral of our Bro Joel Mutale who fell asleep recently after a long illness. He has left a wife and eight children. On my way back after the burial, I found my house completely burnt with everything in it. I couldn’t believe that this had happened, but now I have come to understand that we have trials. This has been a great blow to me and my family, but I still remain in faith and pray for comfort and spiritual guidance. Furthermore, I wish to thank God that I was not indoors – if I was in the house it could have caused my death. The Lord God be praised for evermore.
Bro. Charles Kangwa
CHIPATA
I would like to thank you for your effort in producing such a wonderful publication. It is my hope that many, through the knowledge acquired will benefit greatly in spiritual growth. May the Lord of mercy bless you all in this challenging mission.
Sis. Esther Mbewe
FRINGILLA
Last year was a bad year for me in the sense that I underwent serious illness, such as shortness of breath, chest pains and body weakness. I was bedridden from August to November 2008. When I went into hospital I was told that I had Asthma. Immediately I was introduced to drugs for this disease.
However, from December and January good fruits have been shown, and this is the indication that God’s hand has already touched me. Therefore I would like to tell brothers and sisters around the globe that I am well and looking forward to God continuing to bless me that I may stay in good health, as now.
Brethren and sisters, let’s prayerfully read the Bible on a daily basis; God’s hand is not short. If we remain faithful, God will richly bless us.
Bro. Ignatius Chilikwa
KABOMPO
I and members of my household greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The atmosphere with us is as when the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, like ‘men who dreamed, mouths filled with laughter, tongues with joy,’ and our brethren ‘have seen the mercies and love of our Heavenly Father upon us. The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. That we may sow in tears, but will reap with songs of joy. We are going out weeping, carrying seed (the word of God) to sow. ‘We will meet the Lord in the air with joy soon,’ whether we sleep in the Lord or meet him first before falling asleep. (Psalm 126 and 1 Thess.4:13-18)
I am looking forward to reading the book on AIDS once it is published and you have a chance to send me a copy, for God willing, I hope to translate it into my mother tongue (Luchazi) for students and believers alike to read in the local language they understand. I am grateful for the books, ‘The Death of the Cross,’ ‘Preaching the Word,’ and all the study materials you have sent me. I am very encouraged. I now feel that all I have passed through has been for my correction, instruction and guidance on my way to the Kingdom. My desire is to preach until I sleep in the Lord, or meet him in life when he comes.
I have begun preaching at my farm, Lelavana Farm, and I am asking you to pray for me and those who are hearing the word of God, that our Heavenly Father may save some by faith in our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The word of the Lord accomplishes His purpose whenever it is preached. This is why I desire to preach wherever I am, in whatever circumstance. I do not look at what I am by the flesh, but what I am in Jesus Christ who is in me. I sing praises to my Lord, meditate on his word in whatever situation. My mind is on the things our Heavenly Father has reserved for us on the day the Lord shall come - heavenly things, not of the flesh. This makes me feel I should not dwell in town or city, but in the typical rural areas, tilling the land and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Dear brother and sister, kindly find some sister who can personally take the responsibility of teaching my daughter Sarah Kaambeu: she has completed grade 12; and my niece Briniah Masaku, she is in grade 11 at High School. Sarah is your sister in the Lord, she was baptized in 2005 by the late Brother Nelson Bwalya, but Briniah has just joined our family in Kabompo from Mufumbrere I am sending you their addresses.
Bro. Reuben Kaambeu
I wish to greet all Sunday School students, and tell you about Noah. Why did Noah find favour in the eyes of the Lord God? Let’s read Genesis 6:8-9, and 7:1 ‘The Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.”’
Shall we say that only Noah found favour? He did at that time, but we also can find favour if we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that God sent him to die for our sins. Read John 8:24 and 7:38. Everyone who believes that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, can find favour with the Lord, as did Noah, who was righteous in his generation. 1 John 5:1, 4-5.
Sis Gracious Kufuna
My old bicycle is badly damaged and broken beyond repair. Now I am walking with all my family to Kabompo main ecclesia. The bicycle was helping me carry my young children to the ecclesia, but now it is damaged it is not possible and I have to carry them on my shoulders. My wife, your sister, can’t carry two children as she has a new baby, and it is a long distance from where I live to the main ecclesia – it’s 15km. So I would be grateful if you could help me to buy another bicycle to help the seven members in my family.
Bro. Goodson Kufuna
I am sorry for sending the photo for the Second North-Western Bible School so late, this is due to delays with the photographer. The chief speaker was Bro. Dennis Kombe from Ndola, who is our national secretary.
Brother, I am writing this letter during an asthma attack, which has now lasted three months. After taking a lot of medicine in 1997 the disease seemed to have gone, but now it has started again. I ask brothers and sisters world-wide to pray for me: I believe with God nothing is impossible.
The ecclesia is assisting in replying to students.
Bro. Charles Muhupu
Second N.W. Bible School, August 2008.
KABWE
I will be very glad if my letter finds you in good health, as it has left me here. I received your letter, together with books. Although the books which I requested had all gone, all the same it is good and nice that you have sent me some others. Please continue doing so, God willing.
Since you started sending me Gospel News and other literature, I have learned a lot of things, that’s where we can learn what is happening in other ecclesias, and what they are doing. I have been moving from one place to another looking for employment. You know things nowadays are much more difficult, so you have to work extra hard in order to survive.
Last year I missed Bible School but this year, if God is willing, I will be there, because that’s where I know brothers and sisters from different countries or towns, and that’s where we learn a lot of things. Life is so hard, but God is great and controlling everything, since He is the one who created all things, and we are in the last days.
Bro. Greenwell Kunda
KAFUE
I am very grateful for the ‘Christendom Astray from the Bible’ book you sent to me and I would like to ask you to assist me with another book called ‘The Last Days,’ written by Duncan.
Our way of life is the best way of preaching to most people around us. The word of God, which is already working in us will effectively produce fruit which will yield salvation.
By the grace of the Almighty we have started building our meeting hall; brothers and sisters help with the project once a week. We are appealing to all brothers and sisters who can assist us with building material for the hall.
Bro. Josiah Siane
I have received a book you sent me, thank you very much, the book is becoming helpful to me. I am requesting a DVD, ‘The Revelation in One Hour,’ I think it will be very helpful to me to teach others. I would be very happy if you could send me any suitable DVDs. Also ‘2,600 years: Daniel and the Revelation – A Brief History of God’s World.’
I have a question on how a Christadelphian brother or sister should dresss: what does the Bible say on this? I need your help on this matter. Thank you.
Sis. Moment Mazyamuna
Happily Almighty God will bring an end to all adversity very soon (Isaiah 25:8; Rev.1:3; 21:3-4). In the meantime, He shows that He really cares for us by providing ‘instruction’ and ‘comfort from the Scriptures,’ so that we can cope with trials now, as we look forward to that wonderful future just ahead. (Rom.15:4; 1 Peter 5:7). At that time those who are upright in God’s eyes will enjoy unending life in a new world, free from every form of adversity. (Psalm 37:29, 37).
Bro. Lotson Kayuni
KASAMA
My young brother has an old-fashioned video/audio set which can play tapes, VCDs and DVDs. He is Catholic, but there is potential for preaching, for he and his family do read and learn our expositions. He invites us at times for discussion. My request is that you may send us any information using the forms mentioned above. This home of seven members can be a good springboard for the word of God, by His grace and will. (1Pet.3:20; 2Pet.2:5)
In spiritual terms the Bible (God’s word), has always symbolically associated gold with tested faith. (1Pet.1:7). How do we relate this to Dan.2:32?
Logos Vol.75 #3, Dec.2008 pp.122 (Millennial Temple): the passage suggests the temple will be physical, which a sister like me, fails to understand. In contrast, the following passages seem to suggest something spiritual: John 2:19; 1Cor.3:16; 1Pet.2:5; Heb.3:5-6; Rev.3:12 and Rev.21:22. I would like to have your views on this, and please as you always do, some notes where possible.
Sis. Christine Simpanzye
Trusting all is well with you, I would like to let you know that if things go well and God is willing, I hope to start a carpentry workshop, which could help me make a living. If possible would you kindly, help me by sending the prices of suitable tools which I need to purchase. Tools here in Zambia are very expensive – that’s why I want to consider buying them from the U.K.
Bro. Joshua Mushili
KAZEMBE
When studying the Truth, I used Bible Basics seriously, together with the KJV Bible which I borrowed from the nearest brother. Now the Kazembe Ecclesia has moved from Kasumpa School to Mbereshi. I have remained isolated near Mangamu, but every Sunday I walk all the way to Mbereshi and take part in the Breaking of Bread and exhortations. Could you please send me another Bible Basics together with the Gospel News as these are essential to me for regularly revising and studying.
Bro. Vincent Mwenje
KITWE
I would like to make some comments on the topic ‘The Devil’. Firstly, because the word ‘devil’ is found many times, but in the New Testament only. Secondly, because many people talk about it in Christian circles as well as in non-Christian circles. Thirdly, because many people believe that the devil is a fallen angel.
Collins Gem Dictionary describes ‘devil’ as a personified spirit of evil, or a person of wickedness.
Let us look at Matt 4:1-11, bearing in mind that “Jesus was given the Holy Spirit without limit” (John 3:34), so that although he could have allowed himself to be moved from place to place by an evil person, here this happened in the mind of Jesus, in his thoughts.
The word ‘devil’ is an abstract noun, so that it is a ‘naming’ word expressing an idea, not a material thing. Examples are: knowledge, truth, efficiency, honour. An abstract noun is the name of a thing which you cannot see, hear, taste or touch. You cannot pick it up and walk with it. It exists in the mind. In another sense, ‘devil’ means ‘sin’ (and the word ‘sin’ is another abstract noun).
The passage in Matthew 4:11 shows clearly that Jesus was tempted by his fleshly nature but overcame it. The Bible says that he was tempted (Hebrews 4:15) in every way, just as we are – yet without sin. Therefore the word ‘devil’ is what we call sinful human nature and cannot be a fallen angel.
In our family lives as well as in the ecclesial body, we should follow Jesus’ example, and not be followers of our fleshly desires. We should always listen to the word of God which abides in us, as it did in Jesus.
Bro Robert Mpundu Niwele
LUSAKA
I was thrilled to read the transcript of the public debate, “Are the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit possessed today?”
Primarily, let me ask the question, if the Holy Spirit works in people who claim so, why then do they belong to different religions? Often these are the people who have disagreed with one another at some time for reasons better known to themselves, and have gone to form splinter churches with different doctrines, yet God is a God of order, not of disorder, and of peace. (1 Cor.14:33)
Even for those so-called ‘miraculous healings’, are they really from God? Jesus and the apostles remained united through and through – an indicator that God was with them.
To modern healers money seems to play a prominent role in apparent healings. So many people go to them with tokens of appreciation in the form of material wealth, including money. They have amassed a lot of wealth through their so-called gift of healing by receiving tokens in this way. By contrast, Jesus never collected money or any form of wealth from people whom he healed. On occasion, he even provided for them. (Matt.15:38) When Jesus sent his disciples out to preach, he told them: ‘Cure the sick people, raise up dead persons, make lepers clean, expel demons. You received freely, give freely.’ (Matt.10:8) Why are the practices of modern-day healers so different from those of Jesus?
In his famous Sermon on the Mount Jesus said religious imposters would say to him, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not perform many powerful works in your name?’ Yet he would reply: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt.7:22-23).
The genuine miraculous healings recorded in the Christian scripture clearly identified Jesus and the apostles as being from God. (John 3:2, Heb.2:3-4) Jesus’ miraculous cures also supported the message he preached: ‘He went round throughout the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom and curing every sort of disease.’ (Matt.4:23)
Such powerful works, or gifts of the spirit, passed away with the death of Jesus and the apostles and any to whom they passed on the gifts. The apostle wrote: ‘Whether there are gifts of phophesying, they will be done away with;’ (1Cor.13:8). Why? Having accomplished their purpose – identifying Jesus as the promised Messiah and the Christian congregation as favoured by God – such powerful works, including healing, are no longer needed; they are ‘done away with.’
Still, Jesus’ miracles of healing have an important message for us today. If we pay attention to and exercise faith in what Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God, we can look forward to the time when inspired prophecy will be fulfilled both spiritually and physically. “No resident will say, ‘I am sick.’” Isa.33:24, 35:5-6.
Bro. Francis Mukabe
Before I came to the Truth I did man’s things, which I should not have done. But I listened when God said to me, ‘Come now, let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ So my dear and beloved brothers and sisters, as persons we are sinful by nature. However, God has been so merciful to us and given us His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins in order to make us clean. That is why it is stated in the Bible that Jesus was pierced for our sins and also bruised for our iniquities.
Bro. Aaron Salamo
MUFULIRA
God wants us to look to His word and see that life in Christ is good. We love, and pray to thank our Father for everything we receive, otherwise the problems of this world will just make us weak in the Truth.
So we have to go on loving one another – no-one may say ‘stop giving to your brother, because here on earth we are facing more trials’ : in this way we need to make our life acceptable. We must love one another with the love which made Christ offer himself on the cross.
Bro. Charles Daka
NDOLA
There is among us those who want the Magazine to cease, and I say it is not the will of the Lord to give them the authority to say it will not go ahead. If it is God’s will the brothers who don’t want that the Magazine continue will be striving against the Lord.
I pray to the Lord God that He will help you always, as you are working in difficult times, to publish the magazine, and I trust in the Lord God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He will not fail to help you in this work. I pray that the Magazine will go ahead to the end of the age.
Bro. Harris Ndonga
What is faith? This question is not simple to answer, but one has to read the Bible widely and be able to understand it. Read Heb 11:1. ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ Read also Matt.9:20-26. A woman suffered from a discharge of blood for 12 years – what did she do? She sought Jesus Christ our Saviour. This woman had great faith because she knew that if she touched the garment of Jesus she would be healed. Read Luke 7:50. The faith of the Centurion: he heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. Read Heb.11:6, where it says ‘without faith it is impossible to please God.’ Therefore let us draw near to God and believe in Him. Remember James 2:14-17 where it says ‘faith without works is dead.’
Bro. James Mwanza
