AMEN

By David Maxson

Wherever in the world might wor­ship, there’s one word you’ll un­derstand. It’s a universal word. Though it may be pronounced differently it is the same in every language: “Amen.”

“Amen” is a Hebrew word that was taken into the Greek New Testament un­translated. The Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) translated it “so be it” or “let it be,” but the writers of the New Tes­tament simply used the Old Testament word “Amen.”

“Amen” in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament “amen” was usu­ally a congregational response to ex­press agreement to some statement of truth. For example, in Deuteronomy 27:16 the Levites say, “‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” There are twelve curses listed in Deuteronomy 27 and the congregation was called to say “Amen” or “we agree” with all of them.

Consider this beautiful scene of rever­ence and worship:

Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered ‘Amen, Amen!’ while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. (Neh. 8:5-6)

The “Amen, Amen!” from the people was an emphatic statement meaning, “We agree with what you have said! We join in your praise! We affirm your bless­ing of God!”

This congregational response is in the Psalms. “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’” (106:48) The congregation would affirm the leader’s blessing of God by saying “Amen.”

“Amen” in the New Testament

It’s interesting how Jesus used this word. He would begin a statement of truth by saying “Truly (or Amen) I say to you…” In John’s gospel it was often doubled: “Truly, truly or (Amen, amen) I say to you…” It was Jesus’ own unique way of affirming the truthfulness of what He said.

Paul frequently used the term “Amen.” He especially liked it when praising God (Rom. 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 16:27; 2 Cor. 1:20; Gal. 1:5; Eph. 3:21; Phil. 4:20; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:16; 2 Tim. 4:18), as did the other NT writers (Heb. 13:21; 1 Pet. 4:11; 5:11; 2 Pet. 3:18; Jude 25; Rev. 1:6; 7:12).

Paul taught churches to use this term. When addressing the problem of praying in a foreign tongue he asks, “how will he who occupies the place of the unin­formed say ‘Amen’ at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?” (1 Corinthians 14:16) In this state­ment is the assumption that when public prayer is made, other people besides the one praying would say, “Amen.” Don’t miss this. It matters to Paul that this is done. He could have just said, “When you pray in a foreign tongue, how will others pray with you?” But he said more than just that. He said, “How will they say ‘Amen?’”

“Amen” – It’s Universal Nature & Purpose

Someone might say, “I don’t care if people say ‘Amen’ to my prayers,” or “That’s not my tradition or my personal­ity or that’s not part of our culture to say anything out loud in a group.” How would Paul respond to that? Paul tried to be “all things to all men,” right? Paul adapted to whatever culture he was in, and if he were working with us he would not sug­gest we voice our agreement in a way that makes us uncomfortable. Or would he? Remember that saying “Amen” was not a part of the Corinthian culture either. It wasn’t a Greek word. It was Hebrew. It was Old Testament. It was a Jewish way of worship. Yes, Paul was all things to all men, but what that implies is that the “Amen” was taught to them de­liberately. There was a specific purpose behind it.

The use of the “Amen” by the congre­gation was for the purpose of edification. It involved the assembly in the worship. The worship in Corinth (as described in 1 Cor. 14) was not only disorganized and chaotic, but individualistic. Paul’s desire was that all participate in the worship. The “Amen” allows them to do that in a decent and orderly fashion (14:40). [Note that in both singing and saying “Amen” after prayer the whole congrega­tion is allowed to participate together in an audible way – 14:15]

“Amen” in Heaven’s Worship

In Revelation 4-5 we’re given a glimpse into heaven’s worship. Twenty-four elders and four living creatures and an innumer­able host of angels surround the throne of God and the Lamb offering their praise and adoration. It ends with a glorious conclusion as they all declare together,

“‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’

Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives for­ever and ever.” (5:13b-14)

The next time you are led in prayer by one who exalts the name of God why not express your agreement with him? Why not join all the hosts of heaven who ex­press their agreement to that prayer? Say together with all who worship and adore the great God of heaven, “AMEN!” &

A MOMENT’S WISDOM

Praise loudly; blame softly...Courage is fear that has said its prayers...Beware of half-truths; you may have hold of the wrong half...The man who expects to get to heaven should take the trouble to study the route that will take him there...Poverty: A state of mind induced by a neighbor's new car...We all admire the wisdom of people who come to us for advise...Peace comes not from peace treaties, but is made in the hearts of men...Most of the footprints made in the sands of time have been made by work­shoes...It's not what you know about Jesus that counts, but what you do with Him...A Christian must keep the faith - but not to himself...Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be en­joyed...Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to spend...Character is like the founda­tion of a house, it's below the sur­face...Life is measured by its depth, not its duration...Author Unknown. &

THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD

(Matt. 21:28-32)

By Bob Myhan

Jesus was the Master at using things in the material realm, with which we are all familiar, to illustrate things in the spiritual realm. He used various figures to illustrate different features of the spiritual re­lationship that is possible be­tween Him and us. One of these figures was a vineyard.

LAWS OF HORTICULTURE

A.  Each plant contains its own seed (Gen. 1:11-13).

B.  We reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7).

C.  Reaping is proportionate (2 Cor. 9:6).

SOWING FOR THE MASTER

A.  That which is sown is the word of God (Luke 8:11).

B.  The soil is the human heart (Luke 8:12).

C.  The good and honest heart bears fruit (Luke 8:15; Mat. 13:23).

FIGURES FROM THE VINEYARD

A.  The metaphor of the vine and branches (John 15:1-8)

B.  The parable of the wicked vinedressers (Matt. 21:33-39)

C.  The parable of the laborers (Matt. 20:1-7)

Are you a branch on the true vine? As such, are you bringing forth much fruit? Are you a laborer in the vineyard? Do you respect the Son of the landowner? &