Joy and celebration have greetednumerous royal weddings in Britainin the 64 years since the present

Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) wasmarried to Philip Mountbatten, whotook the title Duke of Edinburgh. Somewere high profile, such as that of Lady Diana Spencer and HRH PrinceCharles, others of lesser-known mem-bers of the extended royal family wereless so.

While the marriage of QueenElizabeth II and Prince Philip has stoodthe test of time, sadly others starting outwith high hopes of a ‘happily ever after’marriage, have ended in divorce –including the late Princess Margaretand three of the Queen’s own children.Perhaps this is a reflection of the deteri-orating state of matrimony in the coun-try as a whole. Pomp and ceremonycannot counter failing human relation-ships.

Naturally, there is an air of publicexcitement in anticipation of Williamand Kate’s marriage. We all hope that

the future King William V and hisQueen Catherine (or perhaps alwaysKate in the minds of the populace) willhave a happy marriage, and may thatprove to be the case.

For the all the antipathy from somequarters against traditional matrimonialstandards, not to mention the spirallingcosts of weddings in general, stablefamily units, based on durable marriageties and commitments, remain thebedrock of a strong and healthy society.

Christ and the ChurchNotwithstanding the vagaries and

uncertainties of human nuptials, wheretoo often God is left out of the picturealtogether, marriage is of great impor-tance to our Heavenly Father. Thisgreatest of human relationships, insti-tuted by God himself at Creation(Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6), isintended to reflect the love, joy andcommitment to be experienced for alleternity between Christ and his Church.In one of his epistles, the apostle Paul,when discussing marriage explains,‘This is a great mystery: but I speakconcerning Christ and the church’(Ephesians 5:32).

In the book of Revelation this future

The British & European Supplement to

March/April 2011

Published by the United Church of God – British Isles. Address: The Good News, PO Box 705, Watford WD19 6FZ.

Telephone: 01494 875003. Fax: 020 8386 1999. Website: www.ucg.org.uk.

As Britain Celebrates a Royal WeddingAnother Royal Marriage

Awaits ChristiansWeddings are usually times for rejoicing, but marriages, even royal ones, often end in sadness and recriminations. However, the Bible reveals that there will be a futuremarriage lasting through all eternity. Christians preparing for that glorious marriage

renew their commitment to the Bridegroom at the annual Passover service.

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union is described in terms of a ‘mar-riage supper’, where ‘the bride hasmade herself ready’ (Revelation 19:7)and is dressed in white representing the righteous acts of the saints.

Similar terminology is used inMatthew 25:1-13, where Christ likenshimself to the bridegroom and explainsthat only those spiritually prepared willgo in to the marriage banquet.

Christ is even more specific inMatthew 9:15, when speaking of Hisdisciples. He said, ‘Can the friends ofthe bridegroom mourn as long as thebridegroom is with them? But the dayswill come when the bridegroom will betaken away from them, and then theywill fast.’

Espoused to ChristContinuing his theme this time in

his letter to the Corinthians, the apostlePaul speaks in terms of the Churchbeing a chaste virgin, betrothed toChrist (2 Corinthians 11:2). At first

sight, this may seem to us to be astrange way to refer to a relationshipthat can never be a marriage in thephysical sense. However, there is a sim-ilar metaphor of God’s relationship withthe nation of Israel used in the OldTestament which can shed some lighton what these Scriptures mean.

In Isaiah 54:5, the prophet writes tothe Israelites, ‘For your Maker is yourhusband.’ Similar imagery is used inJeremiah 31:32. Other Old Testamentscriptures indicate a parallel betweenthe covenant made between God andIsrael and a marriage agreement. WhenIsrael consistently went astray afterother gods, God divorced her (Isaiah50:1).

In the marriage of His Son, therewill be no repetition of the sadness anddisappointment which God experienced

in His relationship with Israel. The mar-riage between Christ and His Churchwill be on a spiritual plane, where thoseconstituting the Bride will have provedthemselves faithful while still human,through surmounting testing and trialswith Christ’s help. No longer mortal, theywill have been resurrected, or changedto spirit-plane beings, at the return ofJesus Christ to this earth (1 Corinthians15:49–56; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

Many spirit-plane childrenThe aim of this royal marriage will

be to bring as many children as possibleinto a family relationship with God theFather through His Son Jesus Christ. Inessence, these will become the spiritualoffspring of that marriage.

The starting point for those physicalhuman beings called to salvation in afuture general resurrection (Revelation20:5,11-13) will be the same as for thefirstfruits called now to become

part of the Bride – repentance,faith in Christ and His sacri-fice, baptism and the laying-on-of-hands for the receipt of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37-39). This must be followed byliving a life committed to over-

coming the self, learning the ways ofGod and Jesus Christ and putting theminto practice (2 Peter 3:18).

Every Passover is an annualreminder of what God the Father andJesus Christ have already done for usand their sure promise of a gloriousfuture. As we take the symbols speci-fied in the New Testament, followingChrist’s example, we renew our com-mitment to God, looking forward to thePassover’s ultimate fulfilment in theKingdom of God at the marriage supper(Luke 22:15–18; Revelation 19:5-9).

While we are sure everyone willwish the future king and queen of thisnation every happiness in their mar-riage, such events can also help remindChristians of greater things up ahead inthe spirit realm.

Barbara Fenney

2 The British & European Supplement to The Good News

The marriage between Christ and His Church

will be on a spiritual plane.

The Tragedy ofNeglectedChildren

The Bible says that ‘children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of thewomb is his reward’ (Psalm 127:3,NASB).

Sadly the blessing of offspringsometimes seems not to be appreci-ated in British society. In a recentdebate over the proposed closure ofSure Start Children’s Centres, whichsupport parents and carers, FrankField, MP, the government’s povertyadviser, outlined some of the issuesthat had come to his attention duringresearch for Prime Minister DavidCameron. Mr Field reported that‘Children are regularly startingschool without knowing their nameor how to open a book,’ (MailOnline,5 March 2011).

The Bible explains that childrenrequire nurture, training and instruc-tion from their parents. But above allthey require love, or they could growup as innocent victims of neglect.

For more information and adviceon this important subject, pleaserequest our booklet Marriage andFamily: The Missing Dimension.

Jesus entered our world for morethan one reason, but perhaps Hischief purpose was to save us from

our sins, reconciling us to God the Father. Most believers comprehend some-

thing of Christ’s sacrifice. But often realdepth of understanding is missing. Wecan be thankful that the biblical writerscan help us fill this gap.

How well do we grasp the nature of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins? Do wedeeply comprehend the suffering andthe agony He endured for oursake? Christ wants everyChristian to fully appreciatewhat He went through for oursins to be forgiven. To help usgrasp the supreme importanceof His sacrifice, let us accompany Jesuson His journey to Jerusalem – not in a geographical or chronological sense, but mentally and emotionally, as Heapproached the time when He wouldcomplete the fulfillment of the basicpurpose of His humanity.A strong sense of mission

From early in His ministry Jesus hada strong sense of mission (Luke 2:49-52).By age 12 He was speaking of God as His Father and showing a strong conviction to occupy Himself with HisFather’s will. He knew He had a greatpurpose. Nearly 20 years later, when He was with His 12 disciples, Markrecorded that ‘He began to teach themthat the Son of Man must suffer manythings, and be rejected by the elders andchief priests and scribes, and be killed, andafter three days rise again’ (Mark 8:31).

Christ soon discovered that the 12were not fully able to grasp this knowl-edge. They were not yet converted.They apparently still looked to Him asone who, as the Messiah, would imme-diately deliver the nation from Romanrule. In any event, Jesus had to rebukePeter for letting himself be used bySatan to try to divert the true AnointedOne from His ultimate purpose (verses32-33).

Jesus faced near-total rejection from

the religious establishment. ‘He came toHis own, and His own did not receiveHim’ (John 1:11). Humanly, He wouldundoubtedly have liked to receive someempathetic encouragement from thoseclosest to Him. Jesus repeated theprophecy of His approaching death inMark 9:31, ‘but they [the disciples] didnot understand this saying, and wereafraid to ask Him’ (verse 32).

Because of His acute understanding ofthe purpose of His last visit to Jerusalem,He had to make that final journey to Hisbeloved city virtually without any empa-thy and understanding.His last journey to Jerusalem

‘Now it came to pass that when the[general] time had come for Him to bereceived up [crucified], that He stead-fastly set His face to go to Jerusalem’

(Luke 9:51). Jesus was determined tocarry out His mission. Nothing and noone would deflect Him from His pur-pose. Satan had already tried and failed(Matthew 4:7-11), but now the pressurewould increase and intensify. It wouldbe in this city that Christ would allowHimself to be put to death for our manysins, making it possible for us to be rec-onciled to God the Father.

Jesus’ final date with destiny as ahuman being had been much on His

mind throughout His ministry.Yet even His own brothers

could not grasp His dilemma.When He was in mortal dangerfrom the religious authorities,His brothers foolishly advised

Him to show Himself ‘openly . . . to theworld’ (John 7:4). Then John noted that‘even His brothers did not believe inHim’ (verse 5). Jesus’ reply to them isinstructive. ‘My time has not yet come,but your time is always ready. Theworld cannot hate you, but it hates Mebecause I testify of it that its works areevil’ (verses 6-7). This world, He said,breaks God’s holy law with impunityand does not like to be reminded of itssins.

Yet this Gospel account tells us thatno one up to that time had been success-ful in arresting or harming Him ‘for Hishour had not yet come’ (John 8:20). ButJesus knew full well that when theappointed time did arrive He wouldexperience a violent, premature death –yet a death that was profoundly signifi-cant for the future of all mankind.

Christ’s SpiritualJourney to Jerusalem

How well do we understand the meaning behind Jesus Christ’s sufferings? Do we truly appreciate His sacrifice for our sins?

March/April 2011 3

Do we deeply comprehend the suffering and the agony Christ endured for our sake?

4 The British & European Supplement to The Good News

A fate foretoldHumanly, Jesus was no different

from the rest of us. He didn’t want todie (Matthew 26:39). But, unlike mostof us, He knew well in advance thetime and circumstances that would sur-round His death. He knew the exactmode of execution – one of the mostcruel and painful methods ever devisedby men, the Roman crucifixion (John12:32-33). In His travels He had nodoubt seen the gruesome spectacle ofmen dying by crucifixion. Such execu-tions were intended to be a public deter-rent to challenging Roman authority.

Psychologically, this advanceknowledge was no comfort to Jesus.Rather, it had the opposite effect. AsHis fate drew near He lamented: ‘NowMy soul is troubled, and what shall Isay, “Father, save Me from this hour?”But for this purpose I came to thishour’ (verse 27).

Do we, 2,000 years later,truly grasp the depth of Christ’ssufferings for our sake? Do werealise what our sins, collec-tively and individually, did tothis sinless and vibrant youngman, our Saviour, in the prime of Hishuman life? Not only the humiliation,the terrible beatings and the crucifixionitself, but the mental anguish He suf-fered was agonising.

This was to be no ordinary death.Jesus knew He had to take the sins ofthe whole world – past, present andfuture – on Himself. He did for us what we could never do for ourselves.

Christ’s agony atGethsemane

Arriving at the Garden of Gethsemaneand taking Peter, James and John withHim, Jesus asked the other disciples towait while He prayed. ‘Then He said tothem: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful,even to death. Stay here and watch.” Hewent a little farther, and fell on the

ground, and prayed that if it were possi-ble, the hour might pass from Him. AndHe said, “Abba, Father, all things arepossible for You. Take this cup awayfrom Me; nevertheless, not what I will,but what You will’’’ (Mark 14:34-36).

At the time of His greatest agony upto that time, His most trusted friendscould not even stay awake. They werenot much help, but the Father strength-ened Him by sending an angel (Luke22:43). Then, with fixed determinationand renewed resolve, He said to the dis-ciples, ‘Rise, let us be going. See, Mybetrayer [Judas Iscariot] is at hand’(Mark 14:42). His suffering continuedwith the humiliation and scourging thatsoon followed.

Later, in the last few moments ofHis human life, ‘Jesus cried out with aloud voice . . . “My God, My God, whyhave You forsaken Me?”’ (Matthew27:46). Though sinless, Jesus at His

death took on Himself all the sin of all humanity for all time. The awfulpenalty had to be paid. In the end ofthis great trial, Christ had to bear theweight of our sins absolutely alone.Christ’s sacrifice was an act of supremeselflessness under the most difficult ofcircumstances. He willingly chose togive His life for us. This was heroism in the highest degree possible.

That is why Christians must nevertake His sacrifice for granted. We mustnot forget the ultimate price Jesus paidto blot out our sins. Our appreciationfor His sacrifice must endure forever.

Annual reminder of Christ’s sacrifice

How important does God the Fatherconsider Jesus’ sacrifice? The Scriptures

tell us that He has worked out a mar-velous plan to remind us year by yearof this most important act in all history.The explicit instructions Jesus Himselfgave, along with those of the apostlePaul, show that the annual Passovershould be the most significant date onthe calendar of every Christian. Whenwe observe it, as Paul wrote, we ‘pro-claim the Lord’s death till He comes’(1 Corinthians 11:26).

In a figurative and spiritual senseand to a small degree, Christians haveto walk the path to Jerusalem with Jesusevery year. We are reminded of the partour own sins played in His death bycrucifixion.

Paul tells us that before we partici-pate in this annual reminder we mustexamine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28;2 Corinthians 13:5), knowing we muststruggle with ‘the sin which so easily

ensnares us’ (Hebrews 12:1).Following Christ’s example andinstructions, Christians partakeof a small piece of unleavenedbread followed by a sip of wine,the symbols Christ gave toremind us of His sacrificed body

and shed blood (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The annual Passover observance isalso a reminder of our sacred covenantwith God – that, as He willingly gaveHis only begotten Son as a sacrifice forour sins (John 3:16-17), so we havewillingly surrendered our lives to Himto obey His will (Romans 6:6-13).

The Bible provides basic instructionon other very important observancesrehearsing the essential steps that fol-low in God’s plan. (Request or down-load our free booklet God’s Holy DayPlan: The Promise of Hope for AllMankind). But the reminder of andacceptance of Christ’s sacrifice, markedby the annual Passover, will always bethe crucial first step.

John Ross Schroeder

Jesus knew He had to take the sins of the whole world – past, present

and future – on Himself.

The Authorised Version of 1611remains the most printed andinfluential of all English transla-

tions of the Bible. Encouraged by somePuritan theologians of the day and com-missioned by King James I of England,the new Bible was to be read in allChurch of England congregations.

The Protestant Reformation was infull swing leading up to this time, andchurch authorities encouraged read-ing of the inspired Scriptures.Chained Bibles were attached out-side churches and key public build-ings. Literate citizens would readpassages of the Bible to the majorityof people who were unable to read.God’s Word was made accessible tothe general public. Although thereading of the Bible in any transla-tion was very dangerous in pre-Protestant England, it was now offi-cially sanctioned by the authorities.

But it wasn’t long before dis-agreements arose among Protestants onhow far to go down the road of restoring‘the faith that was once delivered’ (Jude3). There were disputes about the ques-tion of whether the introduction ofSunday as the weekly rest day intro-duced by the Roman Catholic Churchearlier in its history should be retained,or whether the seventh-day biblicalSabbath should be restored and kept asJesus Christ and the New TestamentChurch kept it (Luke 4:16; 23:56;Hebrews 4:4-9). Then there was theissue of law or grace, leading many

reformers to the wrong conclusion thatthe Ten Commandments weren’t requiredto be kept. The Roman Catholic doctrineof heaven and hell came under scrutinyas well as the doctrine of the Trinity, aword nowhere found in Scripture. (Forfurther information about these doctrines,request our free booklets about Heavenand Hell, The Ten Commandments andWho Is God?)

Long-established traditionstook precedence over God’s Word

The Protestant Reformation saw a much-needed reform of what wasbelieved to be a corrupt church that hadintroduced its own traditions and dis-carded the doctrines of the Bible. Butmany reformers were unwilling to go allthe way in restoring the true ‘faith oncedelivered’ and found it easier to compro-mise. After many centuries of havingembraced false doctrines, forced upon

them by a universal and powerfulchurch, the brightness of the truthrevealed in God’s Word blinded theireyes. Just like some 1500 years earlieramong the Jewish people in the HolyLand, stated so elegantly by a NewTestament apostle, ‘The light shines in darkness and the darkness did notcomprehend it’(John 1:5).

Many of the doctrines and beliefsthat churches hold are in error, see-ing that they did not really allowGod’s Word to have the last word on the vital questions concerningsalvation.

Today, the existence of hundredsof denominations with different doc-trines and practices demonstratesthat there is disagreement on whatthe Bible actually teaches. Clear biblical truths are watered down,theologians often rationalising thatthese truths are no longer applicablein an age of no moral absolutes. You might ask yourself, how well do

you know the Bible? Can you prove thatyour Christian beliefs are actually foundin God’s Word? The King JamesVersion of the Bible and the more mod-ern New King James are good transla-tions to use in finding out for yourselfwhether or not your beliefs are truly bib-lically based. Perhaps you grew up con-fused by the differing views on morality,on which day is the Christian Sabbath,on key Bible prophecies and man’s obli-gations before the Almighty. You owe itto yourself to find out what the Bible

March/April 2011 5

Why the Bible Is theWord of God

The 400th anniversary of the King James Bible reminds us of a time when the people of these islands regarded the Bible as God’s inspired Word.

Perceived then as the only authority on doctrine and morality, does the Bible still contain a vital message for readers today?

actually reveals on these vital topics.

Henry VIII as Catholic monarch

The 16th century certainly saw atime of religious turmoil. There was asurge in questioning the beliefs anddogmas of the universal Church ofRome. Martin Luther was one of theearliest and most famous amongProtestant reformers, at first zealous tocleanse the mother church of false doc-trines and corrupt behaviour. After visit-ing Rome and finding the Church notreally interested in any internal reform,he soon broke with Rome, hiding andin fear for his life in Wartburg in east-ern Germany.

Luther’s break with Rome came to the ears of Henry VIII, king ofEngland. At this time of his life Henrywas still a staunch defender of theRoman Catholic faith. Henry addresseda letter to Luther, critical of theGerman’s reformer’s fight withRome. (Luther had been criti-cal of the Roman Church asexemplified by the 95 Theses[short dissertations] directed atthe Roman Catholic Church.)

The king of England’s interventionmade no difference to Luther’s contin-ued criticism of the Roman Church.Nonetheless, Henry’s zeal for Romewas rewarded by Pope Leo X in 1521who speedily gave him the title FideiDefensor (Latin for Defender of theFaith), the initials of which (FD) arestill found on sterling coins and com-memorative medals to this very day. Of course, it wasn’t long before HenryVIII himself turned his back on Rome,but for totally different reasons to thoseof Martin Luther.

It was Luther indeed who stated thathe would embrace ‘the truth, the wholetruth, and nothing but the truth’ of theBible. Perhaps so, but if Luther’s doc-trines and concepts were biblicallysound, we would find his teachingsbacked up by the Bible. You would be hard pressed to find Luther and the

Bible in agreement on key doctrinesand beliefs. It was a time for reformingwhat had been regarded as a corruptchurch with non-biblical doctrines andpractices. It was also a time for com-promises, for not ‘rocking the boat’ toomuch, with the result that numerousconcepts of the Old Church wereretained and absorbed by Protestants.

Deciding which doctrines are biblically sound

In Old Testament times Moses toldthe Israelites to ‘live by every Word ofGod’ (Deuteronomy 8:3), and in theNew Testament Jesus Christ referred to that particular biblical passage whenstating that it remains the duty of everyhuman being to do just that (Matthew4:4; Luke 4:4). But if we are to live by the Word of God, we need to under-stand what it mandates.

Challenge yourself! Open the pages

of the Bible and see whether the reli-gious views you have grown up withfrom childhood are actually biblical inorigin. If you haven’t already enrolledin our 12-lesson Bible Study Course,you may wish to do so now. There is no charge.

Once we study God’s Word we will see that much of what is taught inChristendom has much more to do withman’s traditions than with the Word ofGod (see Mark 7:5-13). And a goodportion of those traditions are of veryquestionable origins. For example,Christmas has nothing to do with the‘Mass of Christ,’ nor is it the date of Christ’s birth. The apostles neveronce commemorated His birth. Also,instead of celebrating Easter Sunday,the first-century New Testament churchobserved the New Testament Passover

with the new symbols that Christ commanded His disciples to keep (1 Corinthians 5:6-8; 11:23-29). Onlythe Passover truly represents that partic-ular period of time when Jesus gave Hislife for the sins of all mankind.

The word Easter itself, according toa famous early medieval historian, isidentified with the Anglo-Saxon springgoddess, Eostre (Bede, Church Historyof the English People). The Germanword for Easter, Ostern, is equallytraceable to the same spring goddess, aspointed out in the German EtymologicalDictionary, Der Duden. ‘The name ofthe festival of the resurrection of Christwas, prior to the conversion of theGermans the name of [a] spring festivalof a pagan spring goddess’ (emphasisadded).

This spring festival was so power-fully ingrained in the lives of our non-Christian forefathers among the Angles

and Saxons that it was diffi-cult to eradicate it from thereligious calendar. So thechurch officials left it inplace, but gave it a Christianwindow dressing. (Thisprocess is called syncretism.)

But the Bible expressly forbidsusing outright pagan religious festivalsin an attempt to honour Christ(Deuteronomy 12:30-32). Furtherunderstanding is readily available upon request in our free bookletHolidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Observe?

The King James translation of 1611 is a good and accurate version.Although it is more than sufficient forfinding out what the Bible teaches, aswell as showing how you can fulfilyour obligation to God and receive thegift of everlasting life, modern transla-tions like the New King James Versionhave their proper uses as well. Overtime the language has changed and weoften need to read and study the Biblein more modern English.

Gerhard Marx

6 The British & European Supplement toThe Good News

Modern translations like the New King James Version have

their proper uses as well.

March/April 2011 7

Questions & Answers

QDo you believe in justificationby faith, being under grace, notlaw? (Romans 3:19-28).

J L, Coulsdon, Surrey

AJustification is by faith and weare saved by grace (see Acts15:11). In Paul’s letters the

focus of justification is mostly on theacquittal of guilt. But justification –being declared free from guilt – does not instantly make us mature Christians.Both Paul and Peter make it very clearthat growth in godly righteousness is aprocess requiring time and experience(2 Peter 3:18).

That process starts with repentanceand baptism, ‘For as many of you aswere baptised into Christ have put onChrist’ (Galatians 3:27; compare Acts2:38). But attaining the mature right-eousness of Jesus Christ is a goaltoward which we must continue tostrive throughout our Christian lives. Itis not bequeathed to us instantaneously,but comes through a spiritual growthprocess we learn from the Scriptures.

‘He Himself gave some to be apos-tles, some prophets, some evangelists,and some pastors and teachers, for theequipping of the saints for the work ofministry, for the edifying of the body ofChrist, till we all come to the unity ofthe faith and of the knowledge of theSon of God, to a perfect man, to themeasure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’ (Ephesians 4:11-13, emphasisadded throughout).

When we are forgiven we muststrive to behave in a righteous or justmanner from that time forward. In otherwords, the faith required to be justifiedmust be confirmed in our actions. AsJames explains: ‘Was not Abraham ourfather justified by works when heoffered Isaac his son on the altar? Doyou see that faith was working togetherwith his works, and by works faith was

made perfect? And the Scripture wasfulfilled which says, “Abraham believedGod, and it was accounted to him forrighteousness.” And he was called thefriend of God. You see then that a manis justified [made just] by works, andnot by faith only’ (James 2:21-24).

However, James’ words do not inany way imply that forgiveness of sin isearned by one’s works, as Romans 3:19-28 clearly shows. James is only con-firming that, once forgiven, we mustcontinue in righteous living. Notice howPaul puts it:: ‘Work out your own salva-tion with fear and trembling; for it isGod who [actively] works in you both towill and to do for His good pleasure’(Philippians 2:12-13).

Once forgiven, one’s status in God’seyes is that of a ‘just’ or ‘righteous’person. But much character buildingstill lies ahead. A justified person is not to take his or her righteousness forgranted. It must be increased accordingto the example of righteousness set by Jesus Christ. Each child of God isexpected to grow toward ‘the measureof the stature of the fullness of Christ.’

All this does not mean that if aChristian sins after real conversion, heor she loses salvation. ‘If we [Christians]walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,and the blood of Jesus Christ His Soncleanses us from all sin. If we [Christians]say we have no sin, we deceive our-selves, and the truth is not in us. If weconfess our sins He is faithful and justto forgive us our sins and to cleanse usfrom all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:7-9).

Yet spiritual growth and overcomingsin clearly continue to be required ofevery Christian (Revelation 2:26; 3:21).‘He who says he abides in Him [Christ]ought himself also to walk just as He[Christ] walked’ (1 John 2:6).

To understand further, be sure torequest our free booklets The TenCommandments and The New Covenant:Does It Abolish God’s Law?

QWhat is the United Church of God’s view of the HolySacrament? Aren’t we to

receive it regularly in remembrance of Jesus?

J M, County Wicklow, Ireland

AA more biblically correct termis the Passover. The NewTestament reveals Christians

continuing to observe all the annual bib-lical festivals at the times commandedby God. As a youth, Jesus observed thePassover annually on the specified day(Luke 2:41), and He continued the prac-tice with His disciples.

The early Church did not add to orchange the dates God ordained for Hisfestivals. ‘As often as you eat this breadand drink this cup,’ simply means,‘every time you eat this bread and drinkthis cup’ (1 Corinthians 11:26, NewLiving Translation) – that being onceper year at the Passover.

The Bible specifies the yearly observance of the Passover as was thepractice of the early Church. Passover is a memorial of Jesus’death. It is to beobserved annually. All of the other bibli-cal festivals are also to be kept once ayear.

Following the example of Christ and the apostles, we should observe thePassover at the beginning of the eveningof the 14th day of the first month (Abib,or Nisan) of the Hebrew calendar,which is Sunday, 17 April this year.

Keeping the Passover each year re-minds us that God forgives our sins andgrants us eternal life in His Kingdomthrough the atoning sacrifice of JesusChrist, our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).For a more complete study, please seepages 9-17 of our booklet about God’sHoly Day Plan: The Promise of Hopefor All Mankind, available free ofcharge.

8 The British & European Supplement to The Good News

Letters From Our Readers

The Good NewsGod’s timing is perfect! I was about

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S M, York

Thank you very much for the recentcopies of The Good News and WorldNews & Prophecy. I found themenlightening and encouraging. As arecently baptised Adventist, I am stilllearning about our Heavenly Father andHis wonderful plan for us. Readingyour magazines has helped me enor-mously to understand that the Bibleremains God’s instruction book for man– not just for religious-minded people,but for every human being.

C M M, London

Thank you for continuing my sub-scription to The Good News. Godblesses my family every day and inthese troubled times our faith can sometimes be stretched. But any doubtis soon taken away by reading God’sWord and any of the many bookletsyou have sent me. Please accept theenclosed donation.

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is currently serving a prison sentence inSheppey for no fault of his own. I amhoping your magazine will give himsomething to look forward to.

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Bible Study CourseThank you so much for this lesson

[‘What Is Christian Conversion?’]about the simplicity of God’s Word,presented so that conversion can be easily understood, as it is sometimesunclear. But this study [Lesson 8] hasgiven me the confidence to explain it to others.

C R, Bedford

I cannot express how excited I amwith this study course. I do read theBible, but this study has actuallyopened my eyes to much of the depthsof biblical knowledge I should have asa Christian. Thank you for opening upthis great opportunity and privilege.

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useful, tells the truth as it is and ispassed on to several friends (on loan).

It is greatly appreciated. Mr W J M, Isle of Wight

The plain English of your materialmakes it very interesting reading.Nowhere else in the United Kingdom is it so clearly and plainly reported.

Mr D J C, Walsall, West Midlands

United Church of GodThank you so much for your kind-

ness and generosity in distributingfreely your literature about the goodnews of the Bible. I have spent manyenjoyable hours reading this literatureabout God and I am strengthened andrenewed every time. May God alwaysbless your organisation in doing thewonderful work of the Lord. May thelight of glory always shine on you asHis Church.

S M, County Longford, Ireland

Prayers for memberThanks so much for enabling me

to continue studying, even with myhealth problems and difficulty attendingChurch. I appreciate the DVDs I havereceived and the prayers of the brethren.I’m hoping to be able to attend Churchagain soon if I get the all-clear from theconsultant, and that would be so good. Imiss everyone so much.

M R, Manchester

• The United Church of God brethrengladly continue to remember you intheir prayers.

How our literature is fundedThe United Church of God – British Isles is registered as a charity in England and Wales (number 1079192), and inIreland (CHY17954). The publication of this Supplement and other literature is funded by the generosity of members ofthe Church, co-workers and our readers. Following Jesus Christ’s instruction (Matthew 10:8), it is supplied free ofcharge so that His message can be made available to all. We are grateful to those who assist financially in the workdone by The Good News. Donations may be sent to: United Church of God, PO Box 705, WATFORD WD19 6FZ,United Kingdom, or donated online at www.ucg.org.uk/donate.html through Paypal or Charity Choice.