Jesus at the Center

Dr. Robert L. Lindsey, March 1980 (photo: Kurt Ben-Joseph).

“…he welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This final verse of the book of Acts (28:31) is Luke’s last witness to the remarkable career of the Apostle Paul. It first came to my attention a few months ago when I was working on a manuscript by David Bivin, director of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research. He cited this text on his dedicatory page, honoring his mentor, pastor and friend, Dr. Robert L. Lindsey.*

This scripture’s apt characterization of Dr. Lindsey’s life and four decades of ministry in Israel came back to mind last week when we received the report of his death. On the evening of May 31, following a long illness, he passed over from an earthly dwelling to an eternal habitation—to be with the Lord whose kingdom he so forcefully proclaimed and about whom he so brilliantly taught.

Many of his disciples, friends and admirers assembled on June 7 at the Narkis Street Baptist Church in Jerusalem to bear witness to the remarkable life of this godly pastor and gifted scholar. Eighteen speakers, including Professor David Flusser of the Hebrew University and Teddy Kollek, longtime mayor of Jerusalem, honored Dr. Lindsey with moving words of respect and recollection.