Messages and challenges usually come from experience and from God’s working in the heart of the writer; so it is with this challenge. I’ve been studying the book of Colossians and at the end of chapter one, Paul speaks to the church people there about the ministry to which God has called him and, I believe, it serves as a challenge to each of us today.

He begins this section of the book in verse 23 when he simply calls himself a “minister.” This word was used to describe someone who waited on others or who served others. The first lesson I must learn in this challenge for living is that I am a servant – I am here to do God’s bidding and to “esteem others” above myself.

The apostle goes on in verse 24 to speak of his suffering for Christ and for them. Paul’s willingness to suffer for Christ’s sake and for the church has always amazed me. No one enjoys suffering and yet Paul patiently endured, to please Christ and bring the Gospel to his world. Likely I will not suffer as he suffered but I must be willing to endure whatever comes my way for the Gospel’s sake.

The next challenge for living that Paul mentions is the challenge of spreading the Gospel. He is compelled and commissioned by God to take the mystery of the good news to the Gentiles (verses 25-27). This commission still stands. We are responsible, as he was, to make known the way of salvation. I wonder how we are doing in that area.

Finally, in verses 28-29, the apostle challenges us regarding “the perfecting of the saints” or the teaching and mentoring of others with the idea of helping them to mature. He says, “…that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour…” The challenge, then, is to be involved with others with the distinct aim of assisting them in their pursuit of Christlikeness.

Paul was an example in ministry that we would do well to follow as we offer our lives for service to our Lord.

Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

Post by: Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

This article appears in the February 2012 Open Bible Bulletin. Please click here for a pdf copy.

Below you will find pdf copy of the February 2012 Open Bible Bulletin. If you would like to see all the online articles from our monthly Open Bible Bulletin (current and past) please visit this link:

http://nbbi.ca/category/open-bible-bulletin/

Below is the pdf copy of the January 2012 NBBI Open Bible Bulletin. We will be posting the individual articles separately in the coming days.

(Updated: December 31, 2011)

Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

“The doctor said we are having a boy!” So went the conversation as our daughter-in-law phoned my wife with this exciting news. Then she said, “Are you sitting down?” as she broke the wonderful news that they are having not just one but two boys! Twins! I cannot describe the joy that overwhelmed us as grandparents upon receiving this great information.

As I thought about this Christmas challenge, I reconsidered the good news of the Gospel – of Christ’s birth. The prophet Isaiah said, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:…” The angel of the Lord declared to Joseph in Matthew 1:21, “and she (Mary) shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus:…” Later, when Mary began to understand what God was doing and what this Son would do, she sang a joyous song of praise which is recorded in Luke 1.

You see, we don’t know what our twins will accomplish or how their lives will impact mankind or in what way they will be used by God for His glory, but we do know what God’s Son, Jesus, has done and how God’s will has been fulfilled through Him.

Jesus was born to die. While His comparatively short life on this earth was full of meaning and full of teaching and training, His death and resurrection satisfied the demands of our Holy God in that Christ’s death was the price or “wages” paid for the penalty of the sins of the whole world. Anyone who realizes that he/she is a sinner, and repents and places his/her faith in Christ and His substitutionary death will be saved from eternity in hell and to eternal live in heaven.

During this season, much will be said, printed and preached about the miracle birth of God’s Son. Will you allow this good news of Jesus’ love make this the greatest and most meaningful Christmas you have ever experienced?

Post by: Dr. Robert Booker, NBBI Vice-President

This article appears in the December 2011 Open Bible Bulletin.

It is obvious that the world system is in great turmoil. It doesn’t take many newspaper subscriptions or news broad- casts to confirm the Apostle Paul’s statement in Philippians 2:15 that we live in the presence of a society that has turned away from the Truth. With that in mind, we must be more determined than ever to stand firmly on the truth of the Word of God which is the only perfect and reliable standard.

I am reminded of Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 6:11- 14 where he used the word “stand” or “withstand” four times. Evidently, those who follow Christ are expected to stand firm in these days of chaos and are cautioned that it will be absolutely necessary. “Stand” or “withstand” here means to be firm, established, and to resist evil and twisted thoughts and actions.

The new “deacon”, Stephen, in Acts 6 and 7, is a notable example of standing for the faith. He had just been appointed, with others, to handle some business matters in the new church and while preaching and teaching was brought before the authorities who, as he stood there looking up into heaven and declaring the glory of God, murdered him in their anger and twisted thinking. What a cost to stand!

I am reminded of the apostle’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:1 concerning the Gospel preached. He said that they should stand in the Gospel they received. What a positive note – to stand firm in the glorious Gospel that saved us!

These are difficult days to live in this world system, but our God is all powerful and He honours those who steadfastly live and witness for Him.

We at NBBI pledge, by God’s grace, to stand squarely on the true, holy Word of God and to teach it faithfully in the classroom and in life to those who entrust to us their preparation for service.

Post by: Dr. Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

Sixty-seven years and counting! We have begun our 68th year of existence here at NBBI and it has been a good beginning. Pastor Garnett Chute from Hermon, ME challenged us at Staff Retreat regarding our relationship with one another, with our students, and with our God. We came back to campus after Staff Retreat and spent two days (some, more) working together preparing the buildings for our students.

At Weekend of Welcome, Pastor Dave Storey from Miramichi, NB encouraged us all, staff and students, regarding our personal quiet time and then our “going with the Gospel.”

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first days of classes and many students have spoken about their appreciation for teachers and classes.

My challenge for this month is to ask you to pray for NBBI. Please pray for our board, staff and students that we might be sensitive to God’s moving and leading, that we might seek to glorify Him in our lives and that we might reach out to our needy world.

Our theme this year is prayer, our motto is, Going Forward On Our Knees, and our key verse is James 5:16, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

The theme, prayer, is important for us to consider because of a two-fold aspect – private, quiet, intimate prayer individually before God, and, time spent in the corporate prayer of praise, worship and petition.

The motto, Going Forward On Our Knees, is the promise and desire of all of us for the year. We want to continually and steadily move forward and grow in grace, while making necessary changes that keep us in God’s will. Of course, the only way to do both is through prayer.

The key verse adequately expresses our pledge. We want to be righteously energetic as we petition our God to accomplish much in our lives and on our campus.

Please covenant with us to “pray without ceasing.”

Post by: Dr. Robert Booker, NBBI Vice-President

This article appears in the October 2011 Open Bible Bulletin.

It is with regret that I write to inform you that Barry and Linda Beebe are leaving NBBI and are seeking God’s direction for ministry. Barry writes, “For the past two months Linda and I have been praying and contemplating God’s will for our lives, whether here at NBBI or elsewhere. The NBBI Board of Directors has met with me and provided direction for the steps that we should take.”

Barry & Linda Beebe are truly faithful servants of the Lord who have ministered at NBBI for 11 years. We will pray earnestly for them as they seek further ministry.

Linda has exercised her gift of hospitality on campus making many of our students welcome in her home. I am reminded of her service to the board of directors at board retreats when she served our meals with elegance, table cloth, finery and all!

We will all miss Barry’s fiery preaching and unique illustrations that included eagles all over the place and a Roman suit of armour complete with 3 swords (2 battle swords and a Bible). Barry has initiated many good changes at NBBI and has represented the Lord and NBBI faithfully.

Barry and Linda, we will pray for you as you seek God’s direction and continue to serve our Lord.

You may contact Barry and Linda by email at: Barry.Beebe@gmail.com

Post by: By Robert Booker, Vice-President

**Editor’s Note: If any of you would like to share something with the Beebes by way of tribute or encouragement, feel free to add it in the comment section below.  We will be sure to forward it along.

Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

We all have the same mother although we have never met her. She apparently lived for many years on the earth but has been gone a long, long time. She never had a mother but she became the mother of all. Her husband named her Eve (Genesis 3:20) meaning, “the mother of all living.”

How amazing God was in creation. Out of the Lord God came the earth, out of the earth came man, out of the man came woman and out of a woman came the Child, the Christ Child. As a child, God came to remake children, women, men and the planet earth.

Here is a twofold lesson we learn from Eve:

1. She Lived a Life of Sorrow (Genesis 3:16). She lived a life of sorrow after being deceived and defeated by Satan. She disobeyed God, losing the tree of life and experiencing the bitterness of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. She enticed her husband into sin, bringing separation from God and a curse on her billions of sons and daughters. She experienced the sorrow of being expelled from her garden home and thrust into a life of hardship and toil on earth. Later one of her sons murdered another son and became a godless fugitive who allured many of his brethren into revolt against God. She experienced the sorrow of having a sinful nature and an aging body of sickness and death that generations to follow would also suffer. Then she watched as the serpent gained control of the world and a corrupt, violent, occultic, perverted and wicked civiliza- tion was established. Eve’s sorrow was far more than personal pain in child birth and subjection to a man. Her sorrow was more than any woman has ever experienced.

2. She Lived a Life of Hope – How did Eve cope? How did Eve endure? What kept her going?

a. God’s Salvation (Genesis 3:21). She came back to God in repentance. God sacrificed an innocent animal (likely a lamb) in order to clothe her in a new covering that made her presentable to God. Blood was shed and grace was provided to bring her back into a special union with God and a relationship and fellowship that enabled her to face life with hope in spite of her sin.

b. God’s Word of Promise (Genesis 3:15). God promised that He would use her to bring forth a coming Saviour, a Deliverer, a Conqueror of Satan and a Controller of the earth. Satan had used her to bring forth sin to man, yet now she would bring forth a Saviour to man. Christ Jesus would come from Eve and her lineage of mothers resulting in Mary delivering the Son of God.
Eve was able to endure her sorrow by daily fellowshipping with her God, leaning in hope on His word that Messiah would one day arrive to save and deliver her children and the earth from the evil one.

Mothers today who face many heartaches and disappointments can live in hope, as Eve did, by relying upon God and the promises of His Holy Word.

Post by: R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

This article appears in the May 2011 Open Bible Bulletin.

Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

I had a wonderful opportunity to spend two weeks at the new Word of Life Bible Institute on Jeju Island in South Korea. I was able to teach the book of Jonah at their missions conference and teach the book of Ezra to the student body. Most of the 33 students were Korean or Japanese, as well as some from the USA and Canada. Steve Nichols is the Word of Life director for Asia. He and his team have been ministering in Korea, Japan, Taiwan and other Asian countries for 20 years. They now have arrived at the goal of establishing a one year Bible institute. I am hoping that some of their grads will consider coming to NBBI.

Our eighth annual Men for God Rally provided many wonderful reports of blessing. Pastor Bob Snell had challenging messages regarding men and integrity. The men’s music group, “One Blood” provided inspiring music. Those who gave testimony were used of God to connect with men in a spiritual way. The Men for God scholarship offering amounted to $4,589.37. This will assist a number of young men to continue their studies at NBBI.

The Christmas, “Faithful Gift” offering totalled $29,828 and enabled us to end the 2010 year in the black. Praise God for people who are dedicated to this kind of Bible training ministry.

Our two winter teen retreats have been packed out. What a blessing to see many youth leaders and pastors coming with their teens. Many of the youth workers are NBBI grads. Pastor Wayne Heikkinen used God’s Word to motivate young men and women to live for Jesus Christ. Teens were saved and strengthened for Christ.

Two student missions teams went to Texas and Halifax on March break. The Texas team worked with Hispanic teens at a youth group and the Halifax team worked with “Pax-North” (grads, Brad and Shelby Somers) reaching street people for Christ.

Many of our staff have been struggling with health issues this winter. Thank you for your faithful prayers on our behalf.

I would like to thank those who wrote, called or emailed to assure me of their prayers. I have been dealing with back, neck, shoulder and arm problems since the beginning of January. There has been much improvement and I am hoping for a full recovery.

Post by: Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

This article appears in the April 2011 Open Bible Bulletin.

Dr. Robert Booker, Vice President

The book of Ezekiel has been a special blessing to me over these last few weeks, and in Dr. Beebe’s absence, I would like to share with you some of those blessings.

1. Ezekiel was a young prophet during the Babylonian siege of Judah and Jerusalem. In the first three chapters of the book, God displays for Ezekiel angels and wheels in order to get his attention and to show him His glory. I was challenged to consider this: does God have my full attention? Have I “seen” His glory in His Word and do I fully understand my responsibility to listen closely to Him and His calling?

2. In Ezekiel 4-24, God gives the prophet over twenty signs and warnings to disclose to Israel as to why He is allowing Babylon to defeat them and take many captives. Our wonderful God never has an afterthought and never makes a mistake; He makes it clear when we sin and, above all, declares freely His desire for our renewal. His grace is amazing and His mind and actions are always toward restoration. Consider 1 John 1:9-2:2.

3. Chapters 25-32 contain God’s message to the Gentile nations. It is generally a message of condemnation in this case, but His message for the last 2500 years (the times of the Gentiles) has been one of grace.

4. Ezekiel chapters 33-48 deal primarily with the future of Israel and God’s great plans for them. It is a message of physical and spiritual restoration. Chapter 37 gives two picture lessons of the gathering of the Jews from the nations and the new life and unity that will be given them. It never ceases to amaze me how God maintains His love for Israel even though they have been so disobedient. However, we Christians of this dispensation must be thankful for His gracious love as well.

5. The most amazing four words in all of the book are the last four words of the book. “The Lord is there.” What a way to end the story! Someday (the millennium) Israel will be restored, the land will be theirs and Jesus, the Messiah, will be in the new temple, in Jerusalem, in the midst of His people where He has wanted to be all along! Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is there!

Post by: Dr. Robert Booker, NBBI Vice President

This article appears in the March 2011 Open Bible Bulletin.

Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

Only in the Word of God can we hope to know and understand the essence of true love. We often allow the world’s philosophy of love (just an emotion, attraction, or a physical relationship) to cloud our estimation of love’s true quality.

Love is a Person – 1 John 4:7-12, 16-19 – God Himself is the essence, the personification of love. Love originated in God and only by knowing Christ as Lord and Saviour can we begin to understand the actuality of love.

Love is a Decision – “For God so loved the world”, John 3:16 – God chose, by an act of His will, to love His creation in spite of their sin and rebellion. God was not motivated by feeling, emotion or by the goodness of His creatures, but by His sovereign will and purpose toward man.

Love is an Action “…that he gave his only begotten son”, John 3:16 – God acted first in His mind and by His will to purpose and plan to work on behalf of His creation to provide a way of redemption. God then acted outwardly toward His creation by revealing His love, mercy, grace and eventually, by the gift of His son.

Love is an Emotion – Psalm 16:7, Hebrews 11:6 – Our God is blessed, exalted and pleased by the response of lost sinners embracing Christ, by faith, and seeking to grow to be like Christ in their daily lives.

Pure love takes place when a person, in obedience to God, decides by an act of the will, to express himself or herself unselfishly in thoughts, words and deeds of loving kindness toward another. This act and expression of love is with or without feelings of affection and regardless of whether or not it is deserved. The result of such love may lead to the creation of, or renewal of, emotions or feelings of fondness between both parties or it may not. Regard- less of the outcome, it is how we are commanded to love others and how our God has showed us to love others.

This agape love is to be given to God (Luke 10:27); partners in marriage (Colossians 3:19); family members (Titus 2:4); brethren in Christ (John 13:34-35); neighbours (Matthew 19:19); strangers – unbelievers (Leviticus 19:34); and our enemies (Luke 6:32).

If we love Him because He first loved us, let us love Him and others, as He first loved us.

Post by: R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

This article appears in the February 2011 NBBI Open Bible Bulletin

Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

The year of our Lord 2011. We are now entering a new year given by our Lord Jesus Christ and a new year for our Lord Jesus Christ.

The designation of the years of human history as B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini – in the year of our Lord) did not begin until A.D. 525. Some have wrongly assumed that A.D. refers to “after His death.” This would result in the 33 years of His life being undated and falling between 1 B.C. and A.D.1. It has also been tradition to place the B.C. after the number of the year and to place A.D. before the number of the year.

Many who do not embrace Christianity have argued against these historical designations and have promoted the idea of B.C.E. (before the common era) or C.E. (the common era). China, in 1912, adopted the Georgian or western calendar and designated each year as W.E. (western era). In 1949 the communist take over of China resulted in the designation of C.E. (common era).

I guess we should not be surprised if the world, one day, refuses to recognize the seven day week since it originated in Genesis 1. No matter how hard historical revisionists try, there is no denying the impact of God Almighty, the Holy Scriptures, the nation of Israel, the Lord Jesus Christ and the true Christian church on the history of mankind. History is actually “His Story,” the account of a holy, loving God, seeking to redeem man- kind and reconcile each one to his/her Creator.

This year we need to focus on our Lord Jesus Christ. In His mercy and grace, He has given us another period of time, made up of 365 days, in which to bring glory, honour and praise to His glorious name. Let us not lose our focus to things, people, events, trials and worldly distractions. Let us daily keep our focus on Christ, His Word, His will and His work. Remember it is the year of our Lord 2011.

Post by: Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

Have you ever wondered what Jesus said when He came into the world for His miraculous conception? As we think of the wonderful incarnation of Christ, we are often reminded about what the angels said, what Mary and Joseph said, what Zacharias and Elizabeth said, what the shepherds and wise men said and what Herod, Anna and Simeon said, but what did Jesus say?

In Hebrews 10:5-9, these words are recorded. Jesus was quoting Psalm 40:6-8 as He came to Mary’s womb in the town of Nazareth. His cry was “Lo, I come” or look, behold, see I am arriving. This cry was not to planet Earth but rather to His Heavenly Father.

He came to fulfil God’s Word. The volume of the book refers to the knob or head of a wooden stick upon which the scroll of skin or reed paper was wrapped. The words of God were written on these Old Testament scrolls, engraved by the hand of a ready scribe. Jesus is proclaiming to be the focus of all Scripture, the revelation, manifestation and incarnation of all that they had known, worshipped and believed for thousands of years.

He came to do God’s will. Jesus came to accomplish and achieve God’s predetermined plan and purposes for man’s redemption and restoration. His first recorded words are found in Luke 2:49, “I must be about my Father’s business.” His cry of agony and distress in the Garden of Gethsemane was, “not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Jesus came as a servant of Jehovah and took upon Himself the form of a human servant. He was made in the likeness of men, even to wash the feet of men and eventually to carry the burden for all of men’s sin.

He came to do God’s work. A special body, prepared for Jesus in Mary’s womb, was virgin born. His body and being were sinless in their substance and sinless in activity. Jesus’ quote from Psalm 40:6 speaks of His ears being opened (digged). This may refer to the bond servant who had his ear pierced with an awl in reference to his commitment to serve his master. The body of Jesus was to accomplish what no body of a bull or goat could ever achieve – to be a complete, once for all, eternal, final sacrifice and offering for all humanity. “Once for all!”

Once again, at Christmas, we are called to remember Christ and His fulfilment of God’s Word, God’s will and God’s work. We must also realize that we have been brought into this world to do the same in regards to God’s great plan to bring the world to Christ and conform men and women to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Post by: Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

This article appears in the December 2010 Open Bible Bulletin.

Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

Our theme for the 2010-2011 school year is “the Christian Soldier, the Armour of God and the Fight for Faith.”

Paul speaks to Timothy about a good war (1 Timothy 1:18); a good fight (1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7) and a good soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Some would wonder what is good about warring, soldiering and fighting? However, when it is a soldier of Christ, warring and fighting against sin, self, Satan, evil spirits and an evil society it is good; very, very good!

The word “good,” translated from the Greek, refers to beauty, an inner quality of character, an inner substance of value and honour, that which is intrinsically good in its very nature.

Paul, the old battle hardened soldier, is challenging the young soldier, the young recruit Timothy, to make it good. He challenges him to go to war against evil and do it well, to fight with character and integrity, a battle which is of supreme value and quality, a battle for God’s glory, God’s truth and God’s holiness.

I am challenging our students to enter the realm of spiritual warfare and spiritual conflict. We need to recognize the wiles of the devil and the fiery darts of the wicked one. We need to learn how to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. We need to put on the whole armour of God. We need to stand, withstand and wrestle against principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness and wicked ones in high places. We need to march forward for Christ in the dark kingdom of the devil, preach the Gospel of light and claim precious souls for Christ.

Good soldiers need to endure hardness and hardship; they need to defend and fight for the faith once delivered to the saints. They need to use the great weapons provided by our Commander. They need not to be entangled with the distracting affairs of this life.

The captain of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ, emerged from the tomb a conqueror. By His life, death, burial and resurrection, He has defeated all sin, crucified the old man, overcome this vile world and spoiled all principalities and powers, triumphing over them in an open show of victory.

Are you a good soldier of Jesus Christ?

Dr. R. Barry Beebe, NBBI President

The word “philosophy” is derived from two Greek words, philo which refers to love and sophia which refers to wisdom. Philosophy speaks of a passionate search for truth, wisdom and reality. This results in the eventual realization and understanding of that truth, which allows the development of a framework of beliefs and principles upon which an individual or group of people would function.

New Brunswick Bible Institute carefully derives its philosophy from: (1) The Biblical patterns of discipleship, mentoring and training believers as found in the Word of God. (2) The purposes and intents of the founding fathers and directors of this institution. (3) The Board of Directors, who are responsible to lead this ministry, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that we can be ever effective in training Christian workers.

New Brunswick Bible Institute’s philosophy of ministry includes: (1) the theological and doctrinal position of this institution (2) the goals and purposes of this institution (3) the objectives and directives of function for this institution and (4) the affiliations and associations of this institution.

The purpose of the New Brunswick Bible Institute is to assist the church of Jesus Christ in the training of men and women to be effective followers of Jesus Christ in the fulfilment of the Great Commission, to serve worldwide in missions, evangelism and discipleship.

NBBI’s objectives, for which we strive continually, are: (1) Biblical Training – The Word of God is to be the main ingredient in teaching men and women to live godly Christian lives and to serve in a holy and acceptable manner. Our courses and our ministries are to be derived from and saturated with the Scripture for evangelism and discipleship. (2) Character Training – We seek to teach men and women to live a godly, spiritual and disciplined Christian life. We seek to challenge our students to rise above self-discipline, or required-discipline, and live a Holy Spirit-disciplined life. (3) Ministry Training – We are preparing servants of Christ, in conjunction with local churches and Christian families, to be devoted to the great mission Jesus has given us. We seek to help students recognize and use their talents, gifts, abilities, possessions and time by serving one another on campus, in churches, in the community, in Christian camps, on mission trips, etc.

Over the past 66 years we have seen many changes in our policies, programs, properties and people, yet our philosophy remains the same. More changes will come as we seek to remain healthy, effective and energized in our mission.

Our commitment to the Lord and His people is that we will ever be true to the foundational principles that have brought this school into the 21st century.

This article appears in the October 2010 Open Bible Bulletin.

R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

by Barry Beebe

Over the past 2009-2010 school year, the NBBI’s Board of Directors has been reviewing the purpose and philosophy of New Brunswick Bible Institute. In doing so, we reviewed our Act of Incorporation, a 1945-1946 Bulletin and Prospectus and various other articles from former leaders of this institution.

This paragraph from our Act of Incorporation defines our purpose. It states that we are “constituted a body corporate and politic…with the purposes and objectives of establishing a school for training of young men and women in a thorough and practical knowledge of the Bible and to the use of the same in any form of Christian activity to meet the need of all the various evangelical bodies for trained workers in the Maritime provinces and in home and foreign missionary work in general.”

In this early publication drafted by our founding fathers in 1945 we read this purpose statement. “The principle purpose of the New Brunswick Bible Institute is to give Bible training to consecrated Christian young people for full time service for the Lord at home or abroad.” Bulletin & Prospectus, 1945-46. Here are some other quotes from that brochure:

“It is our earnest prayer that New Brunswick Bible Institute will ever be a missionary school. When the missionary vision of any Bible institute wanes, its very life is sorely in danger.” – Rev. John Parschauer, Founder

“…the institute may ever be recognized as a place where young lives will receive a missionary vision and a sound training…” – Clayton B. Clark, President, Board of Directors

“The aim of this institution is to provide its students with a practical working knowledge of the Bible so that they might be in a position to impart this all-satisfying Bread of Life to others.” – C. E. Rideout, Vice President, Board of Directors.

Our philosophy statement reads, “The sole authority for ministry at New Brunswick Bible Institute is the Word of God and our sufficiency in service is Jesus Christ. We seek to train students in godliness and help them discover and develop their gifts in order to be a relevant participants in the Great Commission.”

Principal, Rev. Kenneth M. Robins’ classic statement says, “With the prospering hand of the Lord and in the will of God it would be expected there will be growth in student enrolment and staff personnel. This no doubt will bring about necessary changes. My prayer is however that whatever expansions and changes are made, the basic Christian and biblical philosophies we now hold will be maintained. Ever this school should remain solid in discipline, spiritual in outlook, missionary in outreach and simple in faith and practice. It must ever be a school where the Word of God is taught, practised and honoured.”

Our catalogue sites three basic goals for the efficient training of Christian workers:

1. The core of our curriculum must be the Word of God.
2. Knowledge must be accompanied by a disciplined life, especially in prayer and purity.
3. We must be committed to worldwide evangelism and missions.

The NBBI Board of Directors, as well as our administration, faculty and staff are wholeheartedly committed to these foundational principles that have guided this institution of biblical training for 66 years. This is not only the truth about our past, but also our efforts in the present and our commitment to the future.

This article appears in the September 2010 Open Bible Bulletin.

R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

NBBI faculty and staff are always ready to help and assist local churches, Christian camps, youth groups, Christian schools, missions and other Christian organizations with special speakers, music teams, testimonies, skit presentations, youth workers, etc. We are available.

1. We provide speakers for Sunday services, mission conferences, evangelistic meetings, men’s and ladies’ meetings, marriage retreats, youth camps, Vacation Bible School and many other venues.

2. Our music director and student music teams are available to provide good quality Christian music for both young and old at regular services or special events you may organize.

3. Our student SEM team is able to provide skits with a spiritual emphasis, testimonies, Bible messages and praise music, as well as help with games, activities and sports at youth events.

4. NBBI extension classes are also available to local churches. NBBI faculty can come to your area for a weekend of concentrated Bible courses, or a number of weekends or week nights to hold special classes of ministry and theological training.

5. We are available for pulpit supply and to help churches without pastors. On occasion, we have staff, or mature married students, who can serve in an interim capacity as churches search for a full time shepherd.

6. Our Christian Service department is often able to help churches in our region with student workers for youth groups, Sunday School and other church ministries.

7. During the school year, staff and students are able to travel in the Maritimes, as well as Maine, New Hampshire and Quebec for weekend ministry. When schedules allow, staff are able to travel as far as necessary to take advantage of ministry opportunities.

8. We do not have any financial requirements or stipulations for our staff or students to minister at various events. We are a faith based ministry and trust our God to provide all of our needs through the generosity of His people. NBBI covers the travel and ministry costs of all staff and students. Gifts to NBBI are always most appreciated.

Please contact our office at (506) 375-9000 or e-mail us at for inquiries regarding speakers and student ministry, music teams, school presentations and promotions or our Christian Service department.

We are available and we do want to help whenever we possibly can!

This article appears in the July/August 2010 Open Bible Bulletin.

Dr. R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

Our fourth year, Advanced Biblical Ministries program, began in 1991. It is an internship where our students spend the school year serving with a local church, with a Christian organization or overseas with a missionary. Their time is spent in a concentrated study program provided by NBBI, while serving under the mentorship of a godly Christian leader. The fourth year curriculum consists of tracks in Christian education, missions, evangelism, pastoral  ministry, counselling, youth ministry and ladies’ ministry.

Graduates of the ABM program are given a diploma of Advanced Biblical Ministries from NBBI and a Bachelor of Theology degree from Covington Theological Seminary.

Please note the following scenarios for completing the fourth year program:

1. A graduating third year student could go directly into the fourth year.
2. A previous third year grad could return to do the fourth year in an appointed place of ministry or in the local church where he/she now serves. This would allow him/her to continue in his/her present ministry. At our recent May 2, 2010 graduation, we had a number of pastors and Christian workers who came back and graduated from our fourth year program and received their Bachelor of Theology degrees. One pastor was a grad of 1959.
3. Previous fourth year grads may apply and meet the appropriate requirements to be approved by Covington Theological Seminary for the Bachelor of Theology degree.

Special scholarships are now available for Christian workers who are applying for the fourth year program.  Please see the scholarship information on our NBBI web site.

Dr. David Doherty is in charge of the ABM program and will be available to answer your questions and consider your application. Perhaps now is the time for you to consider returning for your fourth year diploma or to apply for your degree.

This article appears in the June 2010 NBBI Open Bible Bulletin.  Click here for the printable pdf version.

R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

The 2009-10 school theme has been “Learning to Walk, to Run and to Fly” from Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

I spoke on this theme in our chapels and illustrated it with video, decorative objects, songs, etc. I challenged our students and have been challenged myself to incorporate this truth in my daily life.

Isaiah 40 speaks of a mighty, mighty God who is very, very strong. He is called Jehovah nine times, Elohim seven times and Adonai once. In verses 1-2 He is the Comforter; in verses 3-5 He comes to reveal His glory; in verses 9-11 He is the caring Shepherd; in verses 12-28 He is the Creator; in verse 25 He is the Holy One; and in verse 28 He is incomprehensible.

Isaiah 40 also speaks of the frailty of man. We humans are very, very weak. Mankind is described as being flesh, corrupting, frail flesh verses 5-6; weak, worthless grass and fading flowers verses 6-8; little wobbly lambs verse 11; a drop in the bucket verse 15; small dust verse 15; nothing less than nothing and vanity, verse 17; grasshoppers verse 22; stubble verse 24; and faint, with no might, weary and falling verses 29 and 31. These dramatic descriptions are given to prepare us for the final verse of the chapter, verse 31. Man has no hope of being able to spiritually proceed unless he waits on the Lord.

(1) Walking refers to the pattern of a consistent Christian life. Walking in faith, love, truth, etc. and not by sight or feelings.

(2) Running refers to energy and passion in rising to the opportunities and tasks that God places before us – running the race, pressing toward the mark, striving to accomplish the will of God.

(3) Flying refers to a spiritual ability to rise above and to live above the problems of life, the issues of life and the trials of life; to soar like an eagle in heights of God, not to be pulled down by the enemies below.

There is only one hope on earth for mankind and that is to seek the Lord, wait on the Lord and to continuously rely on the Lord for the renewal of our strength. Our God is like a great eagle soaring over His creation, Exodus 19:3-4; Deuteronomy 32:9-14. God calls us, His eaglets, to wait on Him, grow in strength and learn the disciplined life of walking, running and soaring in the Spirit.

This article appears in the April 2010 Open Bible Bulletin.

R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

To fully follow the Lord Jesus Christ as a genuine disciple will require a spiritually disciplined Christian life. Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, forsake all and bear their cross daily by denying themselves.

Living for Christ in this godless world, controlled by satanic forces and dwelling in bodies cursed by sin and the sin nature, will demand complete surrender to the Holy Spirit and the divine nature given to us through salvation. Any hope of victory or success in holy living, holy worship and holy service will require commitment, dedication and consecration to spiritual discipline.

Self-discipline is a worthy ideal when it is achieved with a sincere, humble heart. Many people have become self-disciplined by force of character, inherited traits, influence of personality, structured programs, leadership, etc. We must however be aware that ungodly people can also be very self-disciplined. We must not allow the apex of human discipline be the goal of our Christian lives, no matter how impressive it looks.

Supervised discipline is needed in all aspects of society whether the home, school, church, work place, nation, etc. Supervised discipline refers to those in leadership using regulations, rules, guidelines, etc. in mandating forms of behaviour for the good of individuals and groups of people.

I suppose, if we lived in a perfect world, full of perfect people, we would not need supervised discipline. Heaven will be such a place! Until then, we need the directives of those in leadership to help promote order, structure and efficiency among people groups and to guard against a form of life lived at the lowest form of accountability and carelessness. Supervised discipline cannot however bring people to the pinnacle of accomplishment. There must be something better.

Spiritual discipline is alluded to in Galatians 5:22-23 as temperance. This word means “strength of control.” It refers to the influence of the Holy Spirit upon the mind and will of a believer so that he or she determines and chooses to live, act and serve in a way that is most Christlike.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 speaks of exercising your self to godliness for the sake of your present life, future reward and for the glory of our great Saviour. Exercise speaks of gymnastics, the training and discipline of your inner and outer man to achieve spiritual heights of victory, service and character.

The Word of God, the example of Christ and the lives of holy people, of past and present days, should motivate us to reach for the highest level of Christian living.

When we yield to the Holy Spirit and give our members as instruments of righteousness in obedience, we will rise to a level beyond self or supervised discipline. Spiritual discipline must be the ultimate goal for ourselves and those we influence.

This article appears in the March 2010 Open Bible Bulletin.

R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

Do you have a missionary home? Is your family interested in missions? Have you taught and exemplified a missionary life style? Let me explain.

1. Have you and your spouse committed your lives to the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ? Is your life dedicated to glorifying God by evangelism and discipleship?

2. Are you raising your children and grandchildren to consider a life on the mission field; to be open to God’s call to full-time Christian work; to value the privilege of devoting one’s life to the proclamation of the Gospel?

3. Do your children and grandchildren know that you pray for missionaries, give to support missionaries, entertain travelling missionaries and are involved in your local church’s missions program and missionary meetings?

4. Have you gone or have you encouraged your children or grandchildren to go on short-term mission trips?

5. Do you encourage your children or grandchildren to attend at least one year of a missionary focused Bible institute such as NBBI.

At NBBI our students have courses in missions each of their three years, regular weekly chapels where missionaries and Christian workers challenge us as to the vast, exciting opportunities that exist around the world. Our students have access to our mission teams that train and pray during our school year and then go forth for God in committed service. In 2010, we have one team going to Uruguay, South America, one team going to the inner city of Halifax, NS and two teams going to Bermuda.

We are far behind in our task of getting the Gospel to the world in each generation. There are often more missionaries coming home than are going forth.

Why have we made secular work, secure careers, university education, high salaries, good benefits, comfortable retirement and the accumulation of this world’s goods so important to our children and grandchildren? What about a life of faith, a life of service, a life of sacrifice, a life devoted to the call of Jesus?

Do our children and grandchildren see our homes as missionary homes and do they see our lives devoted to the Great Commission?

This article appears in the February 2010 Open Bible Bulletin.

R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

The need of the new year is to find Samuels for God, Samuels to step forward for God; Samuels who will devote themselves to Scripture and service for Christ.

Samuel was born in answer to his mother Hannah’s prayer and through God’s gracious provision. He was a gift from God, 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 17. Hannah and her husband Elkanah raised him to believe in Jehovah, worship God and serve the Lord (1 Sam. 1:21-22,24,27-28).

Hannah gave her child back to God as an offering for God’s work and for the ministry of serving and leading Israel. He may only have been 4-5 years old when he joined the tabernacle priests, Levites and other young men, to learn how to minister to his God and his people (1 Sam. 2:18-20,26).

Samuel heard God’s amazing call to faith and service in the dark of night (1 Sam. 3:1-18) and he responded with a sincere cry, “speak for thy servant heareth.” I believe this was his conversion and the beginning of a ministry that impacted the nation because of his commitment to God and His Word (1 Sam. 3:19-21).

Sometimes we hear people ask, “Where are the young people who should be in theological training? Where are the young people who need to go to the mission field. Where are the young people who need to launch out in evangelism, outreach, church planting and discipleship ministry? Where are the young people to be future leaders of our churches?”

I truly believe the real question should be, “Where are the parents who are specifically raising their children to serve the Lord Jesus Christ? Where are the Hannah’s and Elkanah’s who will let their children go into ministry, missions and into foreign lands for Christ?”

We seem proud and honoured (though certainly a little fearful) when our youth go to other lands with guns in their hands to defend our liberty. Should we not be even more honoured to send forth our youth with Bibles in their hands to set free captives in the kingdom of darkness?

Every Christian mother and father should be raising their sons and daughters to be active servants of God in a local, Bible believing church. Every Christian parent should encourage their children to get at least one year of Bible training at a Bible institute or college. This will further prepare them spiritually, theologically, morally, biblically and ministerially for the spiritual battles they will face in future years and opportunities God will give them to impact the world.

Every Christian parent should be faithfully active in Christian service as an example to their children and willing to send forth their Samuels into God’s fields which are white unto harvest.

Don’t hesitate; don’t delay; don’t hold back — send Samuel!

This article appears in the January 2010 Open Bible Bulletin.  Download the pdf copy here.

R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

Jesus was sent to save people from sin as the Saviour of the world. The Apostle John was inspired to write these amazing statements, 1 John 4:9 “…God sent his only begotten son into the world that we might live through him”, verse 10 “…that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins” and verse 14 “and we have seen and do testify that the father sent the Son to be the saviour of the world.”

The word “sent” comes from the Greek word “apostello” from which we get the word apostle. It means to be set apart, to be set free to go out on a special mission to achieve a special purpose. Jesus did not have to be forced or persuaded to come to earth. Jesus came delighting to do God’s will as the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Hebrews 3:1; 10:5-10; 12:2.

The sender was God the Father who we see was motivated by love; divine agape love, love that chooses to act in mercy and grace toward those who deserve eternal punishment.

The gift sent was the Only Begotten Son who came to be the propitiation for our sins. Jesus came to take our place before God, to bear our sins, to become sin for us when He knew no sin, neither was there sin in Him. God punished His Son Jesus in our stead and so Jesus completely and satisfactorily paid for our transgressions. God the Father raised Him from the dead and set Him on the right hand of the throne on high.

The beneficiaries of this Sent One, this Sent Gift, are the people of the world; the people of this kosmos; the inhabitants of this creation, all those created in His image. How wonderful that God has not left us in our sin and condemnation but planned for a Saviour, a Deliverer, a Rescuer to visit our planet to set us free.

This Christmas let us celebrate the sending of Christ, the Sender of Christ and the salvation we may receive through Christ. Let us also consider who we can send or how we can be sent to the lost and dying multitudes of earth to tell them of this world’s Saviour.

This article appears in the December 2009 Open Bible Bulletin.  Download it here!

R. Barry Beebe, President of NBBI

by Barry Beebe

There were many great events in Elijah’s life and he impacted Israel as a spokesman of God. I would suggest that one of his greatest accomplishments was finding Elisha to replace him in ministry. In 1 Kings 19, God speaks to him about Elisha and when he finds him, he casts his mantle upon him signifying that he, Elisha, had been called of God for a prophet’s ministry.

In our day and age we need to be finding, identifying, challenging and motivating men and women to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of just asking for volunteers and hoping a good person will respond, let us seek out people whom God has laid on our heart and encourage them to step forward for God.

Our local churches often have many ministries that are understaffed or faltering for lack of leaders. Let us personally and courageously call on key individuals to take on these tasks. This is one of the responsibilities of pastors, elders and deacons as they seek to move God’s work forward.

The need for Christian leaders in the vast regions of the earth is overwhelming. Missionaries, evangelists, youth workers, pastors, church planters, etc. are all in very short supply. Not every believer is called to full-time Christian leadership in other areas but surely some are, yet why so few?

I believe every Christian home, every Christian school, every local church, every Christian camp and every Christian organization needs to be listening to God and seeking to find new Elishas for the ministry.

Acts 13 is a wonderful example of the Holy Spirit speaking to His people and identifying Paul and Barnabas as His choice for ministry. The elders went to them and laid hands on them and eventually sent them forth as Christian servants/leaders.

We need a new generation of Christian workers! We need Elijahs who will listen to God and find Elishas! We need Elishas who will go forth to the ends of the earth for Christ.

This article appears in the November 2009 Open Bible Bulletin.

Dr. R. Barry Beebe President of NBBI

Above and Beyond Giving

by Barry Beebe

It is early September as I write this article and our students are arriving on campus for an exciting new school year.

We are giving praise to our God for a better than average summer financially. May, June, July and August are usually testing days for our staff and general fund needs. This year, because of God’s faithfulness, many prayers and your giving, our staff has not gone without and we are only about $20,000 behind. This is a much improved financial situation compared to last summer and some other years.

Out attendance continues to be low as we enter the 2009-2010 school year and we will be cast upon the Lord for the remainder of the school year.

Days of numerical and financial decrease are not always bad. It causes us to depend more on the Lord Jesus, draw near to each other, trim the unnecessary, rearrange our programs and priorities and review our goals and objectives. We must joyfully welcome what God allows and gives us and learn to be content, Philippians 4:11-13.

God continues to use NBBI to train up Christian workers. Each year more grads enter ministry in their local churches, Christian organizations or on the mission field. I often get to observe these younger grads and am thrilled to see how God is using them in youth work, evangelism, camp ministry, on mission fields and in pastoral leadership.

Thank you for your love and generosity to this ministry!

Dr. R. Barry Beebe President of NBBI

Our 66th Year

by Barry Beebe

We are excited about the opportunity that is before us once again to teach the Word of God to men and women who wish to use their lives to serve Jesus Christ.

Much has changed here at NBBI in the past sixty-six years in regards to faces, facilities, functions and other features. However, what has not changed is our foundation and our focus to use the Word of God for theological training, character training and ministry training.

We are committed to the inspiration and authority of God’s Word. The Bible is the tool used to prepare the man of God for Christian ministry and the Bible is the tool by which we do Christian ministry. The advancement of human civilization has given us many helpful tools to use in our work for Christ but the Bible and the man of God stand above everything else as the instruments God will use to accomplish His eternal plans.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Please pray for a great moving of God on our campus during this 66th school year.