Posted on 03/20/2011 12:22:47 PM PDT by Ari Bussel
Pastor Billy’s Legacy of Faith By Norma Zager and Ari Bussel
“Regarding the debate about faith and works: It’s like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most important.” C.S. Lewis
Many times, we believe we know someone, until we are surprised to discover things we never knew about him.
This Postcard is about an extraordinary person who possessed numerous facets, most known to all. He was a renaissance man, a basketball player, a preacher and a photographer, and he led a massive congregation. He was a man of color, tall and striking in appearance with his hair formed into long, cascading cornrows.
When he entered a room, heads turned. He cut a very impressive figure, reflecting the image of his Creator whom he loved, respected, adored, promoted and whose gospel he enthusiastically spread.
He enjoyed playing jazz; music, sports and preaching brought him closer to his Father.
Tragically, he recently passed away in his sleep at the age of 58. Completely unexpected, it stunned everyone left behind. At the funeral, when people were asked to stand if they knew him, were part of his church, were affected directly by his actions or even indirectly so, an audience of thousands stood.
There were only eight Jewish people in our group, sitting among thousands of African-American mourners, all there to celebrate Pastor Billy’s extraordinary life. We were present to show our gratitude for his consistent devotion and support for Israel’s welfare.
Before the service started, I spoke with a 20-year member of his church seated nearby. I explained that in Judaism, the greatest deed a person can perform toward another is to attend that person’s funeral. It is the most selfless act, because the departed can never pay back the kindness, and there is no earthly reciprocation for the action.
Eight grateful and dispirited Jewish mourners represented the Jewish community at a memorial and life celebration for Pastor Dr. Billy Ingram of Maranatha Community Church in Los Angeles.
We felt a great debt needed to be repaid. A great show of love was appropriate for such a true friend. Pastor Billy, as we used to call him, was always there for us, for Israel. He had many great loves, his Creator, his wife Solombra, his children, his congregants and Israel.
Patricia Johnson of the Israel Christian Nexus described him:
“Pastor Ingram was a man of passion and conviction, who served God with all of his heart and strength, and showed us all by his example the power of one committed individual to make a positive difference in our community.
“He was a faithful friend of Israel, who led tours there with members of his congregation. At the request of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, he organized and led a tour of key African-American pastors to the Holy Land. He could be counted on to stand with the Jewish State when it mattered, appearing with the Israeli Consul General and area rabbis at demonstrations of support and in front of media during the Second Lebanon War. He served on the board of directors of the Israel Christian Nexus since the organization’s founding in 2002.”
When Israel’s Consul General eulogized him at the funeral he evoked laughter from the crowd as he related that at their first meeting when he walked into the room, he thought Pastor Billy was an “Ethiopian Jew.” He praised his efforts to strengthen Israel and noted with sadness that the Jewish people had truly lost a dear and loyal friend.
I personally recalled August of 2006, when Israel was at war with Hizbollah, an Iranian-and Syrian-backed terrorist organization that took over Lebanon.
Pastor Billy was about to pick up his twin boys, then five, when I called him asking if he could join us at a major event at the Simon Wiesenthal Center to support Israel. Pastor Billy did not hesitate for a moment and said, “I will be there.”
Later, when he walked into the courtyard filled with hundreds of people, all heads turned. He was imposing and majestic in a suit, with his long cornrows down his back, like a warrior in a protective army of the devoted. He spoke that day with a warm and loving heart about Israel, of standing steadfast with the Jewish state.
At today’s funeral service his image projected from huge screens as he praised higher values and the love of God. He was a preacher who knew his Bible, the Bible that is the common denominator that joins the Saturday Jews and Sunday Christians at the hip.
Those gathered today at the memorial were reminded of that special side of Pastor Billy that extended beyond the Bible, making it real and tangible. From within the Old Testament to the modern-day manifestation of God’s Chosen People, from the Hebrews to the Israelis, blessing the children of God was integrally important to Pastor Billy. He connected the Book to life and human beings; his faith was a real entity, and he truly practiced what he preached.
As his Jewish admirers, our presence was a testament to a connection he re-established, the inter-dependence and mending of the vital bridges between the Jewish and African American communities.
There is no question that bridge is built on very solid foundations, for Christianity without Judaism cannot exist. However, that once strong bond between the Jews and Blacks has deteriorated slowly as African-American leaders like Jackson, Sharpton and Wright malign the Jews and the Zionists, spreading hatred and misinformation among their followers and a new generation.
Pastor Billy Ingram knew the importance of the state of Israel. He knew the deeply ingrained commonality of the struggles that drew us together and the necessity to re-forge those bonds in the new millennium. He remembered the past, the troubled times when Jews and Blacks walked arm in arm to battle the wrongs that confronted them and formed a wall of strength too deep to penetrate for it was forged of unity.
Jews and Blacks once worked together to end racism and hatred. Pastor Billy renewed the bond and shared the works because, most importantly, he believed “Faith Without Works is Dead.”
He believed “love” is a verb. It is in the actions not the word that the power lies.
For Pastor Billy, supporting the State of Israel and the Jewish people were one and the same. It came without any preconditions. In fact, it came before much else. He had a priority assigned to it, a higher importance for loving and supporting Israel tantamount to loving and supporting the Almighty, and nothing short of a full attention and complete devotion will suffice.
We must all pray Pastor Billy’s incredible legacy is carried forward by the multitudes his life inspired. May he be an advocate, as he now sits at a circle with the Almighty, to further and to strengthen the ties he and others have built with effort and dedication with the Jewish People.
His memory must serve as an example of the true meaning of Christian values, to love and support a neighbor, to embrace all mankind with a generous and forgiving spirit.
These times are more perilous and dangerous than ever before. It is now we must look into our hearts and set an anchor, one solidly resting in deep, inner belief and conviction and love for one another.
Support of Israel is not only necessary, but also the right thing to do for the sake of all people. Pastor Billy stood beside a friend in need, Israel. He loyally defended a people, the Jews, constantly attacked and maligned, showing his true character and integrity to God’s principles.
Pastor Billy Ingram was a true man of character, and “character” meant for him “living” the manifestation of God’s will and commandments. The world and the Jewish people lost a giant. May we all be so blessed to have more friends like Pastor Billy and may his good works serve as a light to guide us all out of the darkness.
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The series “Postcards from America—Postcards from Israel” by Ari Bussel and Norma Zager is a compilation of articles capturing the essence of life in America and Israel during the first two decades of the 21st Century.
The writers invite readers to view and experience an Israel and her politics through their eyes, Israel visitors rarely discover.
This point—and often—counter-point presentation is sprinkled with humor and sadness and attempts to tackle serious and relevant issues of the day. The series began in 2008, appears both in print in the USA and on numerous websites and is followed regularly by readership from around the world.
© “Postcards from America — Postcards from Israel,” March, 2011 Contact: bussel@me.com
First Published March 18, 2011
Salvation is NOT BY WORKS
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
James 2:18-26
18 But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. 20Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith without works is barren? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. 23Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called the friend of God. 24You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? 26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
Good passage. Works don’t make you saved, but yet if you claim to be saved and yet have no good works to show for yourself, then your faith may be dead. A tree is known by its fruit.
Thanks for posting, btw. :-)
That’s passage is always the prominent message to the ‘faith without moving a muscle crowd’.
**Abraham believed God**
And how did he believe God?......by his actions!
One has to move some muscles to believe, whether it’s walking to hear a preacher, mouthing a confession of faith, and yes,.....obeying Acts 2:38, to fulfill the Lord’s command to be born again, and thus having one’s sins remitted by baptism in the name of Jesus.
To any that disregard the Acts 2:38 conversion,.....isn’t that behavior really rebellion, and that, against God?
Bingo! We see lots of scripture quoting blowhards who call themselves Christians have no good works, nor integrity in their interactions with others. Our good works and deeds are fruits of a living active faith which give glory to God and not ourselves.
Amen and they are fruits of genuine repentance. The crowd you speak of argues to justify their behavior than take action. They do not understand how blessed you become and how God’s love truly starts to flow in your life.
Amen
AGreed...
Works has nothing to do with Salvation, as no one can boast..
I think *Works* will determine our *rewards*
Very nice article, however thier is truly nothing we can offer GOD, he needs nothing from us...It is however what GOD has done for us in *Jesus Christ*
No one can boast in the name of the Most High, wether Jew or Gentile nor matter King or Pauper..We are seen the same to the Most High GOD...Jesus is what cleanses us, and reedems us worthy to stand worthy in his sight....
It is high time Americans learn the unblemished truth of early American history. Without a single doubt we are now engaged in a spiritual war of wars, and to recognize who we are and to Whom we owe our allegiance is imperative. Please be apprised of the following:
Of utmost importance is the question in these dire times: “What you need to know about the founding of America”. Fill in the deliberately discolored gap in your knowledge of early American History by reading Peter Marshall’s and David Manuel’s books, “The Light and the Glory”, “The Sounding of the Trumpet” and “From Sea to Shining Sea”.
I am nearly finished reading “The Light and the Glory:”, and though my formal education ended in l950, I have never read a better researched or a more compelling book on this vitally important subject. I will have the other two books downloaded onto my kindle this week.
No matter what the question, there is no substitute for the truth. To be victorious in restoring our amazing God given Republic, we will need to join forces in common cause under His Faultless Leadership as did our “first comers”.
Works without Faith are nice, but no one gets saved from Hell. The mainline churches are the United Way with pews.
There is *Faith* and there is *Belief*
Belief with all your heart soul and mind that Jesus Christ is LORD saviour of the world, the only begotten son of the One true living GOD, who takes away the sins of the world is the *Gift of Salvation* Faith in that belief is what prompts you to lead a life of Christ, loving other’s as yourself....
Justification and Sanctification are 2 separate things. I’ll say no more.
Jesus makes clear the order of our love: God first and our neighbor second. If we love our neighbor without loving God and bringing His Good News to our neighbor, then we really don't love our neighbor, do we?
So, the works without the faith are just as dead and generally are done to make ourselves feel good.
Ditto to the thanks-for-posting.
Minor linguistic note: The Hebrew word “Emunah” (”faithfulness”), related to the familiar “Amen”, should be at the core of our understanding of this faith issue. The Greek “Pistis” does mean faith, but to the Hebrew writer Shaul (Paul), it was more verb than noun: i.e. “Faithing” is the essence of our walk with Jesus. We are to manifest His faithfulness. As Chesterton noted, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been tried and found difficult.”
That is why the King James has a correct translation in Romans, Galatians: we are to have the faith OF Jesus. Not just a faith in Jesus (which is still critical as the quote from John 6 shows). The notion of mere intellectual assent to the proposition that Jesus is Lord and Saviour being the sole component of a trip ticket to the Good Place would have been alien to Paul. The NIV and other translations applying what is called the “objective genitive” (faith IN Jesus Christ) instead of the “subjective genitive” (the faith OF Jesus Christ) miss the point. The Greek is clear, I believe.
That said, the thief on the cross didn’t have time to get baptized or do a bunch of good works, yet the Lord still said to him upon his confession, “This day you will be with me in Paradise.” How merciful is the Lord!
Again, thanks for starting an interesting thread.
Shabbat Shalom
True. G-d's Judgment is by works. And instead of Paul I suggest you heed the Master Himself:
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Try READING your Bible for a change.
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