The Open Bible Bulletin - November 2023

By Keith McMahon

Everything is Changing and Yet Nothing is Changing

It doesn’t take much more than a casual observation of our culture to recognize that in this present day so much seems to be changing with respect to once-accepted social norms. What was once considered common sense is now often seen by the world around us as offensive. Whereas the Scriptures were at one time recognized by many in our culture as a great source of guiding truth, they are now seen as a key source of oppressive hate to those who would disagree with God. We need not be surprised. God told us it would be this way. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come…” II Timothy 3:1 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…and they will turn their ears away from the truth…But you be watchful in all things…” II Timothy 4:3-5

Doesn’t this seem to describe conditions today, not only in our world, but too often even in the minds of some professing believers? Biblical truth that speaks to such themes as morality, gender identity, abortion, euthanasia, and a host of other ethical issues has been, in large, rejected by society and even by some saints. It seems that everything is changing. Yet nothing is changing with respect to the Person and purposes of God. It is good for us to be reminded of the following truths from the first chapter of Colossians.

Staff On The Road

Matthew Little

November 4-5 Knox Ridge Baptist Church

Mike Grant

November 10-12 Madawaska Gospel Church Missions conference

Keith McMahon

November 10-12 Grace Bible Church Of Oakland

1:1-11: God is still in the gospel business of saving and changing lives. He offers us His grace and peace for today, and the hope of heaven for tomorrow. He fills us with His wisdom and strength so that we might live lives that please Him.

1:12-18: God is still on His Throne. He delivers believers from the power of darkness into the Kingdom of His Son. As the Sovereign, the Son reigns over all His creation, including His Church.

1:19-27: God is still giving us the privilege of ministering to other believers. As the Saviour, the Son reconciles all who will believe to the Father. As His servants, we get to joyfully serve His Church, even if it means we might suffer.

1:28-29: God is still the One with all the answers to life’s questions. “It is Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:8-10

Campus Life

God has used NBBI to help mould me into the man that He wants me to be. I have enjoyed my time experiencing theological and practical training. I have learned that God has one redemptive purpose throughout all of scripture. I have learned my role in His purpose: to love Him and to love others.

Sam Leubner- Senior

Registrar’s Report

By Tilly Grant

As we journey through another school year, our campus is alive once again with students and God’s Word is being taught in classrooms and discussed in hallways and dorms. Our enrollment is low, but we remain grateful for the students that God has brought to our campus. We could speculate as to the reasons for the low numbers, and whether that could be tied to the spiritual climate of our current culture, to changes in the priorities of today’s young people, to economic hardships or to other reasons. Regardless, we continue to trust in God’s provision and faithfulness. During the 2022-2023 school year, it was amazing to once again welcome guests to NBBI for the ladies’ and men’s conferences as well as youth retreats, College for a Day, and spring conference after two crazy pandemic years. There were some familiar faces and some new ones. Additionally, our faculty returned to their normal pre-covid summer camp ministries this past summer. We are praying that God will use these avenues to stir hearts about the great need for Bible training and for Christian workers. Will you pray with us to this end?

President’s Challenge

The Beauty Of Holiness

James Montgomery Boice was once speaking on the attributes of God and asked the audience to list God’s qualities in order of importance. They put love first, followed by wisdom, power, mercy, omniscience, and truth. At the end of the list, they put holiness. Boice responded by saying, “This surprises me because the Bible refers to God’s holiness more than any other attribute. The Bible doesn’t generally refer to God as loving, loving, loving! Or wise, wise, wise! Or omniscient, omniscient, omniscient! But over and over we read the cry of the angels, ‘Holy, holy, holy!’”1

God’s holiness places God far above any of His creation. It is the crown that adorns Him and the attribute that makes Him the prized possession above everything else. Psalm 96:9 says, “O worship the Lord in the

beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” This verse transports our minds back to the Jewish temple. What a splendid sight it must have been! The interior of the temple was overlaid completely in gold. The material used for the veil and other linens was gorgeous reds, blues and purples. The furniture was handcrafted and overlaid with gold. It was indeed a place of beauty and splendor and it was a “Holy Place.” There the priests worshipped the Lord in the “beauty of holiness.” In that place of holiness was unmatched beauty. This is certainly how God intended it to be. The place of holiness was also a place of beauty. Why? It is because true holiness will always produce beauty. The beauty of our great God and King is directly linked to His holiness. In fact, beauty naturally flows out of holiness.

This must be true of you and I also. When our lives were transformed by the power of the gospel, the beauty that comes from being a “new cre-

3 Countries Represented

ation in Christ” (II Cor. 5:17) should now shine from us. When our lives are marked by holiness, people can’t help but be drawn to the beauty of your countenance. What is it in your life that radiates “the beauty of holiness” in this sin-filled world?

Chapel Speakers

Matthew Little

Marsha Boyd-Mitchell Christian Action Federation

March 13, 2023 - Mariah Holly to Gabe (‘18/ABM ‘19) & Hannah (Grant ‘18) Myers

August 25, 2023 - Wesley Elliott to Jonathan (‘19/Abm’20) & Sarah-Ann (Blackburn ;19) Swanson

March 24, 2023 Allison Renae to Cornelius & Lisa (Harms Assoc ‘17) Klassen

Homegoings

Dale Gallagher (‘54) was promoted to Glory on September 10, 2023. Though small in stature, this giant of a man had a huge impact through his ministry with children - even the child in the 80-year -olds among us. His children’s meetings and workshops for teachers of Sunday schools, Bible Clubs, etc will continue that impact for generations to come. He will be missed on his beloved Prince Edward Island, in the Maritimes and New England / Eastern States. Pray for his wife, Margaret (Lavers ‘55) and extended family.

Partner With Us

Men For God

January 26-27, 2024

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Guest Speaker:

College For A Day

November 9-11, 2023

Have you been praying about NBBI? Do you know someone who is in grade 11 or 12 and is interested in seeing what a year at NBBI is like? Look no further than our College For A Day event! Come and be our guest, free of charge, sit in on our classes, enjoy our dining and meet our students and faculty. All meals and accommodations are provided! Sign up todaynbbi.ca/cfad

Intrested in applying? scan here for more info:

DR. DINO J. PEDRONE