November 21, 1999
Volume XIX - Number 47  


The above question is on the outside cover of the October 25, 1999, US News & World Report. The article by Jeffery Sheler beginning on page 50 reports the discovery of a flattened basalt stone uncovered in excavations of the ancient city of Dan in upper Galilee. The inscriptions on the stone were nothing less than amazing. Recorded in ancient Aramaic letters was a reference to a military victory of the King of Damascus over two ancient enemies. One foe the fragment identified as the "King of Israel," the other was "the House of David." As Sheler writes, "The reference to David was a historical bombshell. Never before had the familiar name of Judah's ancient warrior king, a central figure of the Hebrew Bible and, according to

Christian Scripture, an ancestor of Jesus, been found in the records of antiquity outside the pages of the Bible. Skeptics had long seized upon that fact to argue that David was a mere legend, invented by Hebrew scribes during or shortly after Israel's Babylonian exile. Now, at last, there was material evidence: an inscription written not by Hebrew scribes but by an enemy of the Israelites a little more than a century after David's presumptive lifetime."

The article further states, "In extraordinary ways, modern archaeology has affirmed the historical core of the Old and New Testaments -- corroborating key portions of the stories of Israel's patriarchs, the Exodus, the Davidic monarchy, and the life and times of Jesus."

On page 58 is this revelation, "spectacular discoveries have produced a wealth of data illuminating the story of Jesus and the birth of Christianity. The picture that has emerged overall matches the historical backdrop of the Gospels. In 1968, for example, explorers found the skeletal remains of a crucified man in a burial cave at Giva'athaMitvar, near the Nablus road outside of Jerusalem. It was a momentous discovery: While the Romans were known to have crucified thousands of alleged traitors, rebels, robbers, and deserters in the two centuries straddling the turn of the era, never before had the remains of a crucifixion victim been recovered. An initial analysis of the remains found that their condition dramatically corroborated the Bible's description of the Roman method of execution." The article describes the bones preserved in a burial box with an iron nail still lodged in the heel bone of one foot, and that the shin bones were broken, just as John said was the practice of Roman crucifixions.

While we have never doubted that the Bible is true, it is refreshing to know that continuing archaeological discoveries give added proof that the Bible is true. It is accurate, reliable, and will face us on Judgment's morning. Are you taking time to read it daily? Are you ordering your life by it's precepts? Think about it.

Ladies' Work Group

The Ladies' Work Group is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening (Monday) at 7:00 in the annex. All of the ladies of the congregation are invited to attend and participate.

New Van

The new van recently purchased by the congregation has been insured, lettered and serviced -- and is now ready to roll. May God bless us while we use it in His service.

December Events

If you know of events scheduled for December that need to be on the Activities calendar - please see Carl or Nancy Chambers with the info.

Sign-Up Lists

Please remember to look over the Year 2000 duty schedules posted on the bulletin board in the foyer. We need this information in order to make up the monthly duty assignments. Make any neccesary changes directly on the posted sheets.


"We are forever reaping what we sow. Sow cruelty and cruelty you shall reap. Sow kindness and kindness you shall reap. Be friendly and your friends will multiply. (Galatians 6:7)"

Bill

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 5:20)

Have A Happy Thanksgiving

Keely Watkins, Joyce Williams, James & Dot Thornhill, Norris Clark,
Macon Cox, Robert Cox, Lois Bryant, Barb Faught, Kay Harold, Romie Price, Lancaster Littleton, Enree Phillips, Beth Struble, Tony Price,Margaret Clark, Vannie Dowdy, Elizabeth Gillespie, Pasley & Latanae Sims, Travis Thornhill, Robert West, Jeff Brooks, Vera Willis, Jasper Sims, Ernest Jones,
Alzonio Rhodes, Juanita Ashley, Olivia Miner, Ervin & Alma Eubanks, Sue Church,
Sherry Hobbs,William Buchanan, B.C. Carr, Mattie Hughs, Virgie Lyles,
Victoria Wooster,Doc Anderson (Grovemont), Wanda Huggins (Brandywyne), Floy Murphy (Vero Beach),Talmadge Royal (Hawthorne), George Willis (I.H.S.)