give us this day our daily water TRUE WORSHIP: FREEDOM FROM INSTITUTIONS? 14 NEWS CHURCH RESPONDS TO LEBANON EXPLOSION 4 ADVENTIST RECORD | AUGUST 29, 2020 ISSN 0819-5633 editor’s note blessings If you have received an email or letter from me grace) by hanging on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:23) and over the past 15 years you will know that I nearly taking human sin and its penalty. The end result was always have the word “Blessings” in the salutation or that the blessing God promised to Abraham and his final greeting. Here is a current sample, “Blessings as descendants would be ours (Galatians 3:8–14). we, with God, transform the Pacific”, “Blessings as Our curse has become a blessing. In Jesus we have we become a thriving disciple-making movement” or every spiritual blessing available (Ephesians 1:3). “Christian blessings”. According to various business Knowing that we live in the blessing of God because schools, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways of Jesus, have identity, are forgiven and have a secure of signing off a letter or email—blessings is rarely used. future, Christians have a mandate to be a blessing in However, I believe blessings is an appropriate way for a word and action to others. We can even bless those pastoral leader of a church to greet others because of who curse us, love our enemies and pray for those who the rich biblical background. persecute us (Luke 6:27,28, Romans 12:14). Blessings comes from the Hebrew word barak—to The priestly blessing recorded in Numbers 6:24–27 kneel (Genesis 24:11)—and is related to berakhah or is my favourite blessing. In the form of a silver scroll, gift. There is another Hebrew word, esher, translated this blessing is the oldest biblical text found—dating blessing or happiness (Psalm 1:1–3). In the Old back to the time after Solomon’s temple. Today, Testament we find fathers who bless, barak, their wives Christians as well as Jews use the text to bless others. and children (Genesis 27:27-29, 1 Samuel 2:20), rulers Some Jewish families even recite the blessing for their bless their subjects (2 Samuel 6:18, 1 Kings 8:14,55) children as they welcome the Sabbath. and priests and Levites bless God or worshippers of “The Lord bless you God (Genesis 14:19, Leviticus 9:22, Deuteronomy 10:9, and keep you; 21:5). The blessing was a verbal declaration of desiring the Lord make his face shine on you favoured status from God and could include a wish for and be gracious to you; prosperity and success. Blessing God was about giving the Lord turn his face towards you the Godhead honour for the goodness and blessing that and give you peace. come to all beings from God (Psalm 103:1,2,20–22). ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I Blessings were part of the first covenant. They will bless them’” (NIVUK). were the promises of God if Israel kept in obedient Just before the global COVID-19 pandemic, Chris- relationship (Deuteronomy 28:1–14). These blessings tian song writers Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Steve Furtick were contrasted with the curses (Hebrew Qal) or and Chris Brown wrote a song, using the words of the consequences of not staying in relationship with the priestly blessing. This song has become an instant hit Lord who saved them (Deuteronomy 28:15–46). The among Christians. The pandemic has brought hope- covenantal descendants of Abraham were to be a lessness and despair, but “The Blessing” brings hope blessing to the whole earth (Genesis 12:3). and favour. Cities and countries all over the world have In some cultures, still today, people not only verbally recorded “The Blessing” as couch choirs (check out curse others, but also place a spiritual curse on their YouTube). enemies by pointing the bone or putting a needle in a As Christians we are the priests of voodoo doll. The major curse on earth is sin (Genesis the world (1 Peter 2:5,9). I invite you 3:14,17, 4:11, 5:29, Isaiah 24:6). The devil brought sin to invoke and live and wants humans to be cursed forever. God’s anti- out the blessings glenn townend dote is blessing. Jesus redeemed us from the curse of of God. spd president sin and the law (complete exacting obedience without /SPDpresident senior consulting editor graphic designer noticeboard adventist media glenn townend nerise mcquillan [email protected] locked bag 1115 senior editor template designer subscriptions wahroonga nsw 2076 australia jarrod stackelroth theodora pau’u [email protected] + 61 (02) 9847 2222 assistant editor noticeboard + 61 (03) 5965 6300 cover credit maryellen fairfax julie laws mailed within australia and nz Amaan Ali abn 59 093 117 689 copyeditors letters $A60.00; $NZ90.00 Unsplash vol 125 no 17 tracey bridcutt [email protected] other prices on application kent kingston news & photos website melody tan [email protected] record.adventistchurch.com August 29, 2020 | Adventist record 3 news what makes you excited? church responds to lebanon explosion jarrod stackelroth This year has been labelled a Adventist Development and Relief Lebanese community cope with the COVID-19 year, but for our Union it Agency (ADRA) response teams health and economic challenges is the year of our youth—a special in Lebanon are providing essential of the pandemic and are ready to year for young people to lead the provide additional support during Church in evangelism work. They emergency supplies to recovery have been empowered to apply the workers and survivors of the this added crisis,” says ADRA’s “Farming Cycle” discipleship model massive explosion in Beirut’s port. President Michael Kruger. “We are and prepare for a harvest. The huge blast that struck the Leba- committed to increasing our emer- The reaping campaigns started in nese capital city on August 4, killed gency response activities to provide July, so every Saturday night I am at least 135 people, wounded more life-saving essentials to those in on Facebook. What am I looking than 5000 people and left more than need of assistance.” for? I love seeing posts of baptisms 300,000 people homeless. ADRA is working with church happening around our Union. I’m “Responders say they have never volunteers, local authorities, and inspired just by looking at pictures of seen anything like this before. The partners in Beirut to coordinate people being baptised. images look like a war zone. The first the relief and recovery operations. Baptism represents uniting with dispatched ambulance teams were To assist with ADRA’s emergency Christ in His death, burial and killed by a secondary explosion. We response in Lebanon, please visit resurrection. This symbolism is filled are delivering water and essential ADRA.org/Disasters. with deep meaning. In baptism the equipment to firefighters and civil eyes are closed and the breath is defense workers,” says Gunther NZPUC responds suspended as in death. Then comes Wallauer, ADRA regional director for Seventh-day Adventist Church burial in the water and resurrection the Middle East and North Africa. leaders have called for prayer and from the watery grave to a new life “We are providing bedding supplies, support. in Christ. The eyes open and the believer begins breathing again—a so they have a place to rest; they The New Zealand Pacific Union likeness of resurrection. need cots, tents, generators for Conference (NZPUC) is a partner in The great difference between lights since electricity is out in most ministry with MENA. Pastor Eddie Christianity and every other religion of the city. We know there’s devas- Tupa’i, president of the NZPUC, is the death, burial and resurrection tation in several neighborhoods close reached out to his counterpart at of Christ. These three acts make to the epicenter. Our teams on the MENA to offer his support. possible all that God desires to do ground are quickly assessing the “The New Zealand Pacific Union for us. To keep these three vital acts situation to provide immediate aid to (NZPUC) has received an initial alive in the minds of Christians until children and families.” report from our ministry partner the end of time, the Lord instituted ADRA teams toured at least five MENA, that the explosion near baptism by immersion as a memo- neighborhoods including schools central Beirut has caused significant rial. There is no symbolism of death, surrounding the blast zone to deploy damage to the building used by the burial and resurrection in the other the humanitarian support including Adventist Learning Centre,” shared forms of baptism. Only immersion water and food to the victims. Pastor Tupa’i. “No-one was in the fulfils the meaning. Authorities believe the deadly blast centre at the time of the explosion. So, every baptism, I am reminded was caused by tons of highly explo- “We have communicated with of Jesus’ death, burial and resur- sive material stored in a warehouse Pastor Rick Edward (president, rection—the greatest act of love. at the main port. The disaster is MENA) to convey our best wishes Every baptism, I witness a miracle— overwhelming the country already and hopes for the Adventist Church someone has been reborn into a new life in Christ. I am witnessing dealing with an economic crisis and and the people of Beirut.” someone who stood up in public to the coronavirus pandemic. declare that Jesus is his/her Lord “Our prayers are with and Saviour. Every baptism, I see the Lebanese nation, more people joining the army of especially the children God.