PERIODICAL OF INFORMATION AND NEWS
FOR THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN ITALY
Vol.02.................................................................................................................Num.8
November-December 1998
A PERFECT DAY
(Editorial)
I awake because the light filters through the closed shutters. It is a beautiful day, cold
and clear at November's end. The alarm clock did not ring this morning. It is Sunday and I
have a little more time to do everything. While I am preparing to go to worship, the words
of a brother who called me yesterday evening come again to my mind, a call of greeting and
encouragement. He had seen me a little down the last time and was worried about me.
"I prayed for you," he told me, "and I hope to see you in better shape the
next time." Few and felt words which warmed the heart.
I arrive at the congregation for worship, it is still early, however many brethren are
already there. I see stretched necks as two sisters are warmly embracing and everyone
greets me with very strong emotional ties. In a short time, the auditorium is full and we
begin our Sunday worship service. The songs are warm and full of meaning and the brother
who brings the message is particularly "inspired" this morning.
Everyone is edified. At the end, we greet each other with hugs and give our "See you
again" at the next congregational meeting, which, thanks to God, are many throughout
the week. Before going away, I read in a bulletin a circular letter from a certain
congregation. The words are beautiful which these brethren write to invite us to a meeting
for prayer and study the next month. They desire to share their joy in the Lord with all
the brethren, and what better way to do it than to pray and to study God's Word, no
discussions, no problems, only to be together in harmony. I promise myself that we will be
there.
After returning home, my wife, while preparing lunch, thanks me because I know how to be a
good father and a loving husband who has time and concern for his family and children. I
am deeply moved and think that today is a prefect day.
Then comes an acute sound, continuous and annoying, it disturbs me. It is the alarm clock
that rings. It is 7:00 o'clock on Monday morning and I was dreaming ...
An active and spiritual church does not need to be a dream, just like having brethren full
of affection for one another does not need to be an illusion. However, for somebody or for
many, this perfection remains an illusion. Jesus Himself has called His disciples to
"perfection".
"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt.
5:48). I fear that in many of our Bibles this verse does not exist! But I assure you
that it is there, also if you have not found it yet. I am sure there are many of us who
are dreaming of a better world, more just and more beautiful. Many of us are dreaming of
faithful congregations which are involved in the spread of God's Word. Many of us are
dreaming of the definite disappearance of foolish discussions about useless and vain
topics (Titus 3:3). But the Lord, yesterday as today, does not desire that His children
live in dreams ("His watchman are blind, All of them know nothing.
All of them are dumb dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;
..." Isaiah 56:10) but of concrete actions. I have found another lost verse. These
passages, like magic (I know that Satan is one responsible for this), disappear from our
Bibles.
For as much as we turn through them, we are unable to find them. Maybe we need to open a
"Lost Verses Office".
The passage says: "But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in
all your behavior" (1 Peter 1:15). Have you ever tired to think of the shattering
effect there would be if this divine admonition was put into practice? We would not have
congregations which are sleeping, are dividing, are experiencing crisis. There would not
be brothers who are eternally discontent with this or that or circular letters full of
polemical, improbable, pseudo-biblical theories about fellowship. We are the people of
God, His ambassadors in a world which sinks in the filth of an opulent and egotistical
society. This world, this people needs all our "holiness", all our love, all our
perseverance in doing good, all our faith. God wants it. It is His will.
(Vittorio Vitalone)
WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO BE?
Jesus walked by the shore of Galilee.
He said to His disciples: "Let the little children come to Me."
I ask myself if, up in heaven, we will see children who will ask:
"What was I supposed to be?"
What was I supposed to be?
What would my eyes have seen?
Why did I die before I could exhale a breath
And before I could rest my head on my mother's chest?
Oh, Jesus, what was I supposed to be?
Was I supposed to be, a prophet used for Your ministry?
Was I supposed to be, a doctor who discovered a cure for an incurable disease?
Oh, Jesus, what was I supposed to be?
And also if I would have been born imperfect, why could my parents not see
That I would be perfect when You will return?
Oh, Jesus, what was I supposed to be?
(a song of Keith Lancaster)
WORKERS IN THE LORD'S VINEYARD
"Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest"
(Matthew 9:38).
1) Dearest brothers and sisters,
Much is said about the proposal of preaching the Gospel and much more is written about it,
but Jesus does not ask us only to pray or to talk about the need of preachers of the Word
which exists in our county and in all the world. Jesus wants us also to do something
concrete: let's financially sustain those who work in the Lord's vineyard (Romans
10:14-15; Colossians 3:17).
The purpose of this letter is to ask your help in seeking the progress of God's Kingdom by
working together on something that is concrete. As many brethren know, for more than 30
years I have dedicated myself to preaching the Gospel in the Brindisi and Taranto areas.
The Lord has blessed this work and I have worked with 5 congregations. Thanks to God, the
Lord sent Bro. Stefano Spina and his family to carry on the evangelistic activities in the
city of Taranto on 19 Feb. 1995. This help has been a true joy and a great blessing to me.
Glory to God! From the time the Lord has opened the door of faith to the Albanians (note
Acts 14:27), Stefano and I have carried forward missionary activities "in
Illyricum" (Romans 15:19). God is greatly blessing the work in Albania,
notwithstanding the thousands of difficulties with which these brethren must live. Thus,
today more than ever, there is the need to have another collaborator who, together with
us, can continue to carry forward the Lord's work. Unfortunately, the occupational crisis
under which we have lived for several years in southern Italy makes many of our youth
leave the Puglia region to search for work in the north and even in other countries.
FRANCO VERARDI is one of the few young people that has remained here among us and
regularly has alternated with us in the preaching and teaching of the Word. Franco is
married and has two children. He is a young Christian that is very active, zealous, and
desirous to serve the Lord. He has the gift of preaching and he recently presented a study
on the book of Job in our congregation that was very well done. We have prayed to the Lord
so that Franco can begin not only to dedicate himself to preaching but also to helping the
congregations at Latiano, Mesagne, and San Vito.
The reason that we turn to you, dear brothers, is to ask your collaboration in financially
supporting Bro. Franco, giving to him and his family the help "worthy of his
support" (Matthew 10:10). We are sure that the Lord will provide beyond that which we
ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), touching the minds and the hearts of those who love and who
desire that the Gospel be preached. Our God is great!
We have an urgent need for your answer. To communicate it or to have further information,
you can contact us at the following address:
Vito Ligorio - C. P. 44 - 72022 Latiano (BR), tel. or fax 0831-725.786.
A fraternal hug in the love of Christ Jesus.
(Vito Ligorio)
2) Dear brothers,
I am Lino Luongo, of the congregation in Naples, who writes to you by means of
CHISEinFORMA to communicate to you a news that has cheered the church in Naples and me
which we would like to share with all brothers and sisters in Italy. Not long ago, I
expressed in front of all the congregation the desire to work for the Kingdom of God. I am
a young married Christian and I want to give my best years, all the years that the Lord
wants to allow me to live, serving my God who has greatly loved me and given His Son for
me. This decision brought great joy to the whole congregation and to my wife and me.
Having shared this decision with you, I ask you to pray for me so that I can be a valid
instrument in the Lord's hands not only for the progress of His Kingdom but also for His
glory and praise.
(Lino Luongo)
THANKS
Sis. Rita Lastilla Masini desires to thank all those who have prayed for her in this
difficult period. This sister has felt the nearness of all those who have raised their
voice to the Lord in invoking His blessings on her. "The effective prayer of a
righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16).
NEWS OF THE CONGREGATIONS
APRILIA
The participation was numerous at the meeting "INSIEME (together) 98" with more
that 300 brethren present at Aprilia on Sat. Oct. 30, coming from different Italian
congregations. It has been for several years now that we have not seen so many Christians
assembled together to praise the Lord and to listen to God's Word. The church building on
Guarneville St. was not able to hold everyone. For the fellowship meal it was necessary to
rent a structure in the country outside Aprilia. The speakers clearly explained the theme
under consideration: "Converted from idols to God" (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).
There was also the possibility to intervene with questions and personal experiences. Bro.
Jay Young took the opportunity to present a new project which originated from the
collaboration of different brethren: the birth of the European Bible Institute. There was
also a moment to present two young evangelists, Lino Luongo and Franco Verardi.
Other initiatives and projects were illustrated, among those the commentaries of Bro.
Italo Minestroni. Thanks be to our God who made possible each thing and made it all go for
the best.
(Roberto Negri)
A MEETING
Evangelists of the Gospel and leaders of local congregations (more than 25) participated
in a study which Bro. Italo Minestroni presented at the Florence Bible School on Nov.
13-14. The theme, "God's Benevolent Design: Foreknown, Predestined, Called,
Justified, Glorified", was presented in a clear and well probed way; the
interventions of those present underscored various aspects of the study, particularly
noted was the biblical inconsistency of the calvinistic doctrine of the so called
"double decree and the predestination to condemnation". Whoever wants other
information on the seminar and the materials studied can ask for these from the Florence
Bible School (5 audio cassettes at 10.000 lire).
NEW BIRTHS IN CHRIST
"And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved"
(Acts 2:47).
The Lord is blessing the preaching of the Gospel in Albania; other souls have been
converted to Christ in these last months: Llir and Roshi Tafali, husband and wife, and
Najada Tafali.
At Mesagne (Brindisi), Sonia Epifani asked to be baptized for the remission of her sins
and to begin the new life in Christ Jesus. May God bless these new brethren who have
entered to become part of His family.
At Catania, in an atmosphere of great emotion and joy, Francesco Cammarata was baptized
into Jesus Christ. He is the fleshly brother (and now the spiritual brother as well) of
dear Bro. George Cammarata.
BEST WISHES!
To Gianni and Nunzia Lavarone for the birth of their second daughter, Marta. A greeting
and best wishes to all of them from the congregation in Naples: "May God bless your
family!" It is a real blessing to be able as parents to say: "As for me and my
house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
LETTER FOR THE UNITY OF THE CHURCHES
We received from Bro. Federico Insabato of the congregation at Garbatella (Rome) a
letter-invitation to pray and to work towards the unity of the churches of Christ in Rome.
Bro. Federico feels pained for the division which exists among different congregations.
Besides being a work of the flesh which the Gospel condemns (1 Corinthians 1-3), it also
is an ugly witness to unbelievers: "Father, may they all be ONE so that the world may
believe that You have sent Me" (John 17). We cannot help but share such an appeal for
unity and we are in agreement in condemning divisions from within the body of Christ. May
God give us a spirit of peace and unity!
CHIESEinFORMA wishes all a happy 1999, rich with the Lord's blessings!
LITERATURE OF CHRISTIAN AUTHORS
ROME - Vle. Jonio
Vittorio Vitalone, "A MEDICAL DOCTOR AT CALVARY: the passion, the crucifixion, and
the death of Jesus as seen by a Christian medical doctor".
The booklet is composed of an introduction, some historical notes, an exegesis, and
medical perspective on Jesus' sufferings in the last days of His earthly life. The author
has collected all the data about suffering of Jesus which the four Gospels report and
sought to examine them from the viewpoint of a doctor: from the anesthetist and of the one
who revives, which continually has something to do with the people who struggle between
life and death. The impression which one gets reading this booklet is, as the same title
suggests, like having a Christian doctor at Calvary who follows Jesus step by step during
those terrible hours of suffering and agony and makes the diagnosis of Him who carried our
pains and our illnesses, an atrocious suffering that soon will carry Him to death; a
medical bulletin which keeps one informed continually on the health conditions of the
suffering Christ. Reading the Gospels, who among us has not asked questions on the type of
crucifixion reserved for Jesus, but above all on the medical and scientific meaning of
certain "enigmatic" expressions. The author comes to our help presenting to us
the conclusions that he has arrived at as a Christian and as a doctor who works in one of
the largest hospitals in Rome. Without a doubt it is interesting and fascinating to read
the pages of this booklet and to relive together with this Christian doctor the moments of
suffering of Him who loved us to the point that He died for us on the cross.
Paolo Mirabelli, RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND MODERNISM - historical,
theological, and sociological survey on the churches of Christ.In July of 1998, Dr.
Ornella Urpis, of the University of Triest, made contact by phone with our congregation in
Rome at V.le Jonio, asking us if we wanted to collaborate with the magazine FUTURIBILI of
Prof. Alberto Gasparini, a magazine which would dedicate an issue to the theme of
relationships between religions and modernism. It was necessary to prepare an article
containing the birth and the development of the church of Christ and the process of
secularization. In September 1998 we sent the first article, but Dr. Urpis told us that it
would not work because it had "a format which was too theological and thus was not
workable for magazine about sociology." On Oct. 5th, 1998, she sent a letter by fax
containing guidelines of the article which she proposed. Therefore, we prepared a second
article, trying to follow the guidelines which were given. After 4 weeks, the writing was
brought to an end and on Nov. 3rd, 1998, it was sent to the Department of the Science of
Man at the University of Triest. When everything was finished, some brethren proposed to
print up the writing and to use it as an introduction to the churches of Christ. The idea
seemed good and it was done. The text of this booklet is thus the article sent to Prof.
Gasparini of the University of Triest. We have only added a passage from Paul's letter to
the church in Ephesus and the citation of a Christian writer of the first century:
Diognetus. Obviously, the contents of this booklet are not really an official written
statement of the churches of Christ, but simply the author's thought, which can be shared
or rejected, leaving the reader to decide. He who desires to have an exact description of
the Lord's church must uniquely search for it in the pages of the New Testament.
Our prayer and hope are that this modest work can stimulate those who will read it to
desire and to rediscover the beauty and the simplicity of non-denominational Christianity,
to be just Christians as the Gospel teaches. Whoever wants a copy can ask for it from
Paolo Mirabelli, in care of the Church of Christ - Viale Jonio, 286 - 00141 Rome, sending
5.000 lire ($3.50) to contribute to the expenses for printing and postage.
- Edited by: Paolo Mirabelli
c/o CHIESA DI CRISTO
V.le Jonio, 286
00141 ROMA
Tel. & Fax 06/87193697
- Published and distributed by: Paolo Di Luca
Casella Postale 639
59100 PRATO
Tel. 055-8710016
E-mail: dilpao@texnet.it
- Editorialist: Vittorio Vitalone