This issue of the Christian Shepherd marks an end as well as a beginning. For many years the Christian Treasury has been used in blessing to souls seeking the truth of God’s precious Word. In view of the previous editor ending his involvement with this good work, we have felt exercised before the Lord to begin publishing the Christian Shepherd. Though some differences in appearance and contents may be noticed from time to time, the unchanging truth of God is ever the basis for what is contained in the Shepherd. May this publication be used for His glory and the blessing of His beloved people.
Our exercises in publishing the Shepherd are best summed up in Acts 7. Stephen, speaking to his brethren, entreats the fathers to hearken to his voice. Had they, in the spirit of true fathers desiring to preserve the nation, listened to his message, how much joy and blessing they might have had!
It is our earnest desire that the Christian Shepherd may, in the spirit of a father, be used of God to nourish and preserve both the family and the assembly. The truths of the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ will provide the blessed foundation of this nourishment and preservation.
Stephen’s message contains helpful principles, which have formed the foundation of our exercises. He points out that Abraham, “the father of us all,” was told, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred.” We desire that the Christian Shepherd provide a separating influence from all that would hinder enjoyment of the Lord Jesus. How vital that fathers, seeking to preserve their families, and spiritual fathers, seeking to preserve the assembly, do so by leading out from all that would corrupt and displace Christ in the heart of the little flock for whom they bear responsibility before God.
Next Stephen reminds his accusers of Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob for whom he made a special garment, “a coat of many colors,” a beautiful sign of his delight in his son. We trust that the Shepherd will turn our eyes away from this world’s empty glory to behold the divine glory of the eternal Son who, ever the delight of the Father, dwelt from eternity past in the bosom of the Father.
After this Stephen speaks of Moses, who was “nourished up in his father’s house.” The result of this nourishing time was that Moses was preserved to become the deliverer of God’s people. How needful that we act as Moses’ father and provide a place of safety for those who, in time, can become deliverers in the family and the assembly.
As deliverer Moses defended an Israelite against his Egyptian oppressor and sought to unite two alienated Israelites back into fellowship. (See Acts 7:24-2824And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. 26And the next day he showed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? (Acts 7:24‑28).) We prayerfully desire that the content of this publication will serve to do the same, liberating each from this world’s oppression while seeking that brethren might experience sweet fellowship, enjoyed in the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
We covet your prayers for wisdom and “understanding of the times” as we undertake this work. We want to encourage our readers to feel free to respond with any thoughts concerning what is presented in the Christian Shepherd. Please see the inside front cover for the editor’s mailing address.
Ed.