Pastor Ed Bowen was saved on March 24, 1957 at a revival meeting at Horse Branch Church in Turbeville, S.C. at the age of 23. Brother Bowen has been married to his wife, Margaret, for over 54 years. After being ordained in 1960, Pastor Bowen went on to preach in various places until he became pastor of Cherryvale Baptist. Having been there for over 43 years, in 2000, he had to slow down a bit due to prostate cancer.Though unable to do what he used to do, Pastor Ed has just changed venues. For over ten years now, he has been encouraging people via email. He has graciously agreed to be a contributing author to this website. This series of posts entitled, “Heart To Heart” are the fruit of his times with our Lord Jesus! If they mean as much to you as they do me, then EMAIL him and let him know about it!
(Acts 2:37-38) “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)
Peter once used the sword in a wrong way because he used the wrong sword. Now, he uses the right one. Peter slashed off the ear of Malchus, the centurion’s servant. Then, he only could reach the outside of the body of a person. Here, he used the Sword of the Spirit and used it rightly to reach within the hearts of the hearers. The Word of God is a sharp two-edged sword used to pierce the heart, not to slash off things on the outside of the body.
(Hebrews 4:12-13) “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (KJV)
Preachers may use the Scriptures to slash off things on the outside. Their strokes make big wounds, but bring little results. The aim of the Sword of the Spirit is to reach the inside the heart and the conscience. In doing so, it makes the smallest of wounds, but having eternal and blessed results.
Peter was not qualified to be a swordsman, as we can see by his wielding of the sword. He certainly was not aiming for the ear. Here, though, as he wielded the Sword of the Spirit, he had been qualified by the Lord Himself and directed by the Other Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father had sent. Great victories were won in this spiritual battle and can be won in our own lives as we use the Sword of the Spirit as directed by our Captain. We are “more than conquerors” through Him.
Pastor Ed Bowen
Conclusion
Oh, how we who use the Word of God must be careful to use it in the right way! Speaking the truth in love will go a long ways in reaching people. Thanks Pastor Bowen for this thought!
