"Why should I worship a dead Jew?"

This startling challenge was asked by a sincere young Jewish student. He had been attending evangelistic meetings and had caught the speaker afterwards to pose his challenging question. The pastor’s response became one of our churches favorite gospel songs.

Alfred Ackley received his first musical instruction from his father. He later studied harmony and composition in London and New York. He was an accomplished cellist. But Ackley was called by God to the ministry and served several churches. Among them was a small ministry in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He had a brother that was pianist for Homer Rodeheaver, the song leader for the fiery evangelist Billy Sunday.

Ackley wrote over 1,500 songs in his lifetime. But one is by far his most famous.

Pastor Ackley’s response to the Jewish student’s query is recorded in Sanville’s book Forty Gospel Hymn Stories: "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 thousands."

Reflecting upon this discussion and re-reading the account of the resurrection of Christ, Ackley sat down at the piano and voiced that conclusion in song. He wrote both the words and music to the stirring song "He Lives!" He says, "The thought of His ever-living presence brought the music promptly and easily." It was published in 1934 and has been a favorite of congregations ever since.

David Stertzbach II, B.A.
Music Pastor