A Creative Christian Community in the Heart of San Francisco
Network for online fellowship of anyone interested in the people, ministries or mission of First United Lutheran Church in San Francisco, CA
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| “Why should I worship a dead Jew?" challenged a sincere young Jewish student who had been attending evangelistic services conducted by Alfred Ackley (1887-1960) in California. Ackley's emphatic answer came quickly: "He lives, I tell you. He is not dead, but lives here and now. Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands." The young Jewish student eventually accepted the living Christ as his Savior, but the question continued to play on Ackley’s mind, even as he prepared his Easter Sunday message. Rising early to prepare for the day, Ackley flipped on the radio as he shaved, and was astonished to hear a famous liberal preacher in New York say: "Good morning—it’s Easter! You know, folks, it really doesn’t make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not. As far as I’m concerned, His body could be dust in some Palestinian tomb. The main thing is, His truth goes marching on!" Ackley wanted to fling the radio across the room. "It’s a lie!" he exclaimed. His wife rushed into the bathroom, asking, "Why are you shouting so early in the morning?" "Didn’t you hear what that good-for-nothing preacher said?" Ackley replied. That morning, Ackley preached with great vigor on the reality of Christ’s Resurrection. But later that night, he was still thinking about the young man’s question and the morning’s radio sermon. "Listen here, Alfred Ackley," his wife said at last. "It’s time you did that which you can do best. Why don’t you write a song about it and then maybe you’ll feel better?" Ackley went to his study, opened his Bible, and re-read the Resurrection account from Mark’s Gospel with fresh insight. The words "He is risen" suddenly took on new meaning. Soon he expressed in song the thrill within his own soul—the indwelling presence of the living Christ. And since its first publication in 1933, "He Lives" continues to inspire Christians with the truth that one of the most compelling proofs of the Resurrection is the daily demonstration by believers that Christ's divine life is now being evidenced in our very selves. Alfred Henry Ackley received a thorough education in music at the Royal Academy of Music in London. As a performer, he was recognized as an accomplished cellist. Following graduation from the Westminster Theological Seminary, Ackley was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry. Even while pastoring churches in Pennsylvania and California, Ackley maintained his interest in writing Gospel music. He died on July 3, 1960, but during his lifetime, Ackley wrote more than a thousand Gospel songs in addition to aiding the compilation of various hymnals and songbooks. But the song for which the Christian church will ever be grateful is this one. It thrills our hearts with its triumphant message and silences the skeptic and the scoffer with these words of personal experience: "You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!" HE LIVES!
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Started by Daryl. Last reply by Susan Strouse Jan 9, 2009.
Started by Daryl Nov 8, 2008.
Started by Susan Strouse. Last reply by Susan Strouse Oct 14, 2008.
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