By
training, Alfred Ackley was a cellist who had studied at the Royal Academy of
Music in London. But he was also a minister of the gospel, serving Presbyterian
churches in Pennsylvania and California.
The
gospel song “He Lives” was written after a question was posed to Ackley by a
young Jewish student: Why should I worship a dead Jew?
Ackley
answered 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.”
Ackley
talked to the man further and then went home to reread the Resurrection stories
of the Gospels. As he read, the words “He is risen” struck him with new
meaning. Then, from the combination of the scriptural evidence, his own heart,
and the experience of the innumerable cloud of witnesses, he sat down at the
piano and wrote the song. He once said, “The thought of his ever-living
presence brought the music promptly and easily.”
Scriptures: Matthew 28:6; Philippians 3:10;
Revelation 1:18
Themes: Resurrection of Christ, Hope, Joy
Lyrics of the Hymn:
I
serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I
know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I
see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And
just the time I need Him He’s always near.
He
lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He
walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He
lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You
ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
In
all the world around me I see His loving care,
And
tho’my heart grows weary I never will despair,
I
know that He is leading thru all the stormy blast;
The
day of His appearing will come at last.
Rejoice,
rejoice O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal
hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The
hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None
other is so loving, so good and kind.
By ALFRED
H. ACKLEY (1887–1960) © 1933 Word Music, LLC All rights reserved. Used by
permission.
Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen,
William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 599-600). Tyndale House Publishers.
Kindle Edition.
