Opening…

THE BIBLE; ITS ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND PLACE IN THE WORLD

The Bible contains proof in itself of its divine origin. No other book can answer the questionings of the mind or satisfy the longings of the heart as does the Bible. It is adapted to every age and condition of life, and is full of that knowledge which enlightens the mind and sanctifies the soul.

In the Bible we have a revelation of the living God. Received by faith, it has power to transform the life. During all its history a divine watch-care has been over it, and preserved it for the world.

How, When, and Why Written

After the flood, as men became numerous, and darkness was again settling over the world, holy men wrote as they were moved by the Spirit of God. Thus God spoke to His people, and through them to the world, that a knowledge of God and of His will might not perish from the earth.

For centuries this work went on, until Christ, the promised Seed, came. With Him, and the blessed message of light and salvation proclaimed by Him and by His apostles, the Scripture record closed, and the Word of God was complete.

Original Writings and Translations

The Old Testament Scriptures were first written in Hebrew, upon scrolls, or rolls of parchment, linen, or papyrus. These were later translated into Greek, the oldest translation being known as the Septuagint, or “Version of the Seventy,” made at Alexandria, for the Alexandrian Library, by a company of seventy learned Jews, under the patronage of Ptolemy Philadelphus, about 285 B.C. The original order for this translation is said to have been given by Alexander the Great, who previously, upon visiting Jerusalem in 332 B.C., had learned from the prophecy of Daniel that Grecia was to overthrow the Persian kingdom. See Josephus’s “Antiquities of the Jews,” book 11, chap. 8, par. 5. This was the version in common use in the time of Christ.

The New Testament was all originally written in Greek, except Matthew, which was first written in Hebrew, and later translated into Greek.

Gutenberg Printing The Bible

At an early date, Latin translations, both of the Septuagint and of the Greek New Testament, were made by different individuals, and the more carefully prepared Latin Vulgate of Jerome, the Bible complete, was made A.D. 383-405.

Printing and the Bible

Printing, however, being yet unknown, copies of the Bible could be produced only by the slow, laborious, and expensive process of handwriting. This necessarily greatly limited its circulation. Worse still, its illuminating and saving truths were largely hidden for centuries by the errors, superstitions, and apostasy of the dark ages. During this time the common people knew little of its contents.

But with the invention of the art of printing about the middle of the fifteenth century, and with the dawn of the great Reformation in the century following, the Bible entered upon a new era, preparatory to the final proclamation of the gospel throughout the world.

Luther Translating The Bible

Not a little significant is the fact that the first book printed from movable type was the Bible in Latin, which came from the press of John Gutenberg, at Mentz, Germany, in 1456, a copy of which, in 1911, was sold in New York City for fifty thousand dollars, the highest price ever paid for a single book.

The Bible in Native Tongues

Thus far, however, the Bible had been published only in ancient tongues, now little understood by the common people. Without the Word of God in their hands, the good seed sown among them was easily destroyed. “O,” said the advocates of its pure teachings, “if the people only had the Word of God in their own language, this would not happen! Without this it will be impossible to establish the laity in the truth.”

And why should they not have it in their own tongue? they reasoned. Moses wrote in the language of the people of his time; the prophets spoke in the tongue familiar to the men whom they addressed; and the New Testament was written in the language then current throughout the Roman world.

The translation of the Bible into English by John Wyclif, in 1380, was the chief event in the beginning of the Reformation. It also prepared the way for the revival of Christianity in England, and the multiplying there of the Word by the millions, for all the world, that has followed.

To make such a translation at that time, says Neander, “required a bold spirit which no danger could appal.” For making it Wyclif was attacked from various quarters, because, it was claimed, “he was introducing among the multitude a book reserved exclusively for the use of the priests.” In the general denunciation it was declared that “thus was the gospel by him laid more open to the laity, and to women who could read, than it had formerly been to the most learned of the clergy; and in this way the gospel pearl is cast abroad, and trodden underfoot of swine.” In the preface to his translation, Wyclif exhorted all the people to read the Scriptures.

A sense of awe and a thrill of joy filled the heart of the great German Reformer, when, at the age of twenty, while examining the volumes in the library of the university of Erfurt, he held in his hands, for the first time in his life, a complete copy of the Bible. “O God,” he murmured, “could I but have one of these books, I would ask no other treasure.” A little later he found in a convent a chained Bible. To this he had constant recourse.

But all these Bibles here, as elsewhere, save in England, were in an ancient tongue, and could be read only by the educated. Why, thought Luther, should the living Word be confined to dead languages? Like Wyclif, therefore, he resolved to give his countrymen the Bible in their own tongue. This he did, the New Testament in 1522, and the Bible complete, the crowning work of his life, in 1534.

Impressed with the idea that the people should read the Scriptures in their mother tongue, William Tyndale, likewise, in 1525, gave to the English his translation of the New Testament, and later, of portions of the Old Testament Scriptures. His ardent desire that they should know the Bible was well expressed in the statement that if God spared his life he would cause the boy that drives the plow to know more of the Scriptures than was commonly known by the divines of his day.

The first complete printed English Bible was that of Miles Coverdale, printed at Zurich, Switzerland, in 1535. Matthew’s Bible, Taverner’s Bible, and The Great Bible prepared at the suggestion of Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, appeared soon after. Thus the light of truth began to shine forth once more; but not without opposition.

Burning of Bibles

As Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes under King Zedekiah showed their contempt for God by burning the writings of Jeremiah, and confining the prophet in a dungeon (Jer. 36:20-23; 38:1-6), so now men sought to stem the rising tide of reform by burning the Bible and its translators.

Bible burning was inaugurated in England by the destruction of copies of the Antwerp edition of Tyndale’s New Testament, at St. Paul’s Cross, London, in 1527, followed by the burning of a second edition in 1530. A little later there were wholesale burnings of the writings and translations of Wyclif, Tyndale, Basil, Barnes, Coverdale, and others.

Burning Of Bibles At St. Paul’s Cross, London

Forty-three years after the death of Wyclif, or in A.D. 1428, by order of the Council of Constance his bones were dug up and burned. Oct. 6, 1536, by order of Charles V of Germany, Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake at Vilvorde, near Brussels. “If Luther will not retract,” wrote Henry VIII of England, “let himself and his writings be committed to the flames.”

Such, under the spiritual tyranny that ruled in those times, was the fate of many who stood for God and His Word.

The Word Not Bound

But the Word of God could not be forever bound. In attempting to prevent its circulation men soon discovered that they were undertaking a work beyond their strength.

The Bible had taken deep root in the hearts of the people. What kings and prelates had sought to suppress and destroy, kings and prelates now began to foster and supply.

In his “Stories From English History,” pages 196, 197, Henry P. Warren says: “Henry, by Cromwell’s advice, ordered a translation of the Bible to be made in English, and a copy to be placed in every church. There had been English translations before, but they had not been in the hands of the people generally, and had only been read secretly and in fear.... Cromwell then appointed Cranmer and the bishops to revise the Bible, and publish it without note or comment; and in the year 1539 a copy of the English Bible was chained to the reading-desk of every parish church. From that time the Bible has never ceased to be printed and sold freely.”

The Chained Bible

Says Charles C. Coffin, in his “Story of Liberty,” page 44: “The people listen to the reading with wonder and delight. They begin to think; and when men begin to think, they take a step toward freedom. They see that the Bible gives them rights which hitherto have been denied them,—the right to read, to acquire knowledge. Schools are started. Men and women who till now have not known a letter of the alphabet, learn to read; children teach their parents. It is the beginning of a new life, a new order of things in the community—the beginning of liberty.”

The Bible to All the World

Finally great Bible societies were organized in England, America, and many of the countries of Europe, for the purpose of giving the Bible to the world,—to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people in its own language. Since its organization in 1804, the British and Foreign Bible Society, up to 1912, had published the Scriptures, or portions of them in 440 languages and dialects, with a total of 53,274,516 entire Bibles, 84,059,610 New Testaments, and 89,816,644 portions of the Bible, or a grand total of 227,150,770 copies.

British And Foreign Bible Society House, London

The total issue of the American Bible Society in the first ninety-six years following its organization, or from 1816 to 1912, amounts to 96,219,105 copies. It now publishes the Bible in over one hundred languages.

These, while the largest of their kind, are but two of the twenty-seven Bible societies now disseminating the Scriptures.

Thus is the world being provided with the Word of God, preparatory to the giving of the closing gospel message to all mankind, the ending of the reign of sin, and the advent of the Lord in glory. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14.

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THE VALUE OF BIBLE STUDY

The Forbidden Book. "God’s Holy Word was prized when ’twas unsafe to read it."

The Bible is God’s great text-book for man. It is His lamp to our feet and light to our path in this world of sin. The value of Bible study cannot therefore be overestimated.

Considered from a literary standpoint alone, the Bible stands preeminent. Its terse, chaste style; its beautiful and impressive imagery; its interesting stories and well-told narratives; its deep wisdom and its sound logic; its dignified language and its elevated themes, all make it worthy of universal reading and careful study.

As an educating power, the Bible has no equal. Nothing so broadens the vision, strengthens the mind, elevates the thoughts, and ennobles the affections as does the study of the sublime and stupendous truths of revelation. A knowledge of its principles is an essential preparation to every calling. To the extent that it is studied and its teachings are received, it gives strength of character, noble ambition, keenness of perception, and sound judgment. Of all the books ever written, none contains lessons so instructive, precepts so pure, or promises so great as the Bible.

There is nothing that so convinces the mind of the inspiration of the Bible as does the reading of the Bible itself, and especially those portions known as the prophecies. After the resurrection of Christ, when everything else seemed to have failed to convince the disciples that He had risen from the dead, He appealed to the inspired Word, and “expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27), and they believed. On another occasion He said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:31.

As a guide, the Bible is without a rival. It gives a calm peace in believing, and a firm hope of the future. It solves the great problem of life and destiny, and inspires to a life of purity, patience, and well-doing. It fills the heart with love for God and a desire to do good to others, and thus prepares for usefulness here and for a home in heaven. It teaches the value of the soul, by revealing the price that has been paid to redeem it. It makes known the only antidote for sin, and presents the only perfect code of morals ever given. It tells of the future and the preparation necessary to meet it. It makes us bold for the right, and sustains the soul in adversity and affliction. It lights up the dark valley of death, and points to a life unending. It leads to God, and to Christ, whom to know is life eternal. In short, it is the one book to live by and die by.

As the king of Israel was instructed to write him a copy of the law, and to read therein “all the days of his life,” that he might “fear the Lord,” keep His word, and thus prolong his days and the days of his children (Deut. 17:18-20), so ought men now to study the Bible, and from it learn that fear which is the beginning of wisdom, and that knowledge which is unto salvation. As an aid and incentive to this, “Bible Readings for the Home Circle” has been prepared and published.

Bible Readings; Their Value and Use

Briefly stated, a Bible reading consists of questions asked concerning some subject, and answers to them from the Bible. In other words, Bible readings mean a topical study of the Bible by means of questions and answers.

In either receiving or imparting knowledge, there is nothing like the interrogation-point. Nothing so readily quickens thought or awakens interest as a question. Children would learn little if they asked no questions, and he would indeed be a poor teacher who asked and answered none.

Knowing the value of this means of awakening thought, arousing interest, and imparting information, God, in His wisdom, inspired those who wrote the Bible to ask many questions, that He might set us to thinking and studying about the great themes with which it deals. See Job 38:4, 7; 14:14; Ps. 8:4; Mal. 3:1, 2, 8; Ex. 32:26; 1 Chron. 29:5.

But God not only asks questions; He answers them. The following may be cited as a few short Bible readings, taken, both questions and answers, directly from the Bible itself:—

“What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” Ps. 34:12-14.

“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

“They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.” Prov. 23:29, 30.

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place?

“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Ps. 24:3-5. See also Psalm 15 and Isa. 33:14-17.

The Bible itself, therefore, sets the example of giving instruction and of imparting most valuable information by means of asking questions and answering them.

The readings in this book as originally prepared were contributed by a large number of Bible workers, whose experience in giving Bible readings had taught them the most effective methods of presenting the different subjects treated. Over one million two hundred and fifty thousand copies of the book as thus prepared have been sold.

The work has recently been thoroughly revised and rewritten, much enlarged, entirely reillustrated, with the readings classified and carefully arranged according to topics, by a large committee of able critics and Bible students. So extensive has been the revision, and so much and valuable the new matter added, that the present work is practically a new book, although retaining the same name and the same general plan as the former work. Thus prepared, it is once more sent forth on its mission of light and blessing.

As a help in enabling the reader quickly to discover the words which most directly answer the question asked, they are generally printed in italic, unless the entire scripture quoted is required for the purpose.

“Bible Readings” will be found an excellent aid to private, family, and public study of the Word of God.

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I. THE BIBLE; HOW TO STUDY AND UNDERSTAND IT

The Sermon On The Mount. "He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed." Matt. 5:2, 3.

Baruch Writing The Prophecies Of Jeremiah. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Tim. 3:16.

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The Scriptures

1. By what name are the sacred writings of the Bible commonly known?

“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?” Matt. 21:42.

2. What other title is given this revelation of God to man?

“And He answered and said unto them, My mother and My brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 8:21.

3. How were the Scriptures given?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” 2 Tim. 3:16.

4. By whom were the men directed who thus spoke for God?

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21.

5. What specific instance is mentioned by Peter?

“Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.” Acts 1:16.

6. How does David express this same truth?

“The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue.” 2 Sam. 23:2.

7. Who, therefore, did the speaking through these men?

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.” Heb. 1:1.

8. For what purpose were the Scriptures written?

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4.

9. For what is all scripture profitable?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Tim. 3:16.

10. What was God’s design in thus giving the Scriptures?

“That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Verse 17.

11. What estimate did Job place upon the words of God?

“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12.

12. Upon what evidence did Jesus base His Messiahship?

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27.

13. What three general divisions did Jesus recognize as including all the writings of the Old Testament?

“And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.” Verse 44.

14. What does God’s character preclude Him from doing?

“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” Titus 1:2.

15. What is God called in the Scriptures?

“He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.” Deut. 32:4.

16. What, therefore, must be the character of His word?

“Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” John 17:17.

17. What test should therefore be applied to every professed teacher of truth?

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:20.

18. What does God design that His word shall be to us in this world of darkness, sin, and death?

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps. 119:105.

19. To what extent has God magnified His word?

“Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.” Ps. 138:2.

NOTE.—God did this by backing His promises with an oath based upon Himself. Heb. 6:13, 14. By this He pledged and placed at stake His name, or character, for the fulfilment of His word.

20. In what is the true poetry of life to be found?

“Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.” Ps. 119:54.

21. How long will the word of God endure?

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isa. 40:8. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Matt. 24:35.

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O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky! We praise Thee for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lamp to guide our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.

The church from her dear Master Received the gift divine, And still that light she lifteth O’er all the earth to shine. It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture Of Christ the living Word.

WILLIAM HOW.

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The Study Of The Scriptures

Searching The Scriptures. "Study to show thyself approved unto God." 2 Tim. 2:15.

1. What did Christ say to the Jews concerning the study of the Scriptures?

“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39

2. For what were the Bereans commended?

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11.

NOTE.—“If God’s Word were studied as it should be,” says a modern Bible student, “men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose that are rarely seen in these times. But there is little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through, and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view, and no positive instruction gained.”

3. By what comparison is it indicated that some portions of God’s Word are more difficult to understand than others?

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be _the first principles of __ the oracles of God_; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” Heb. 5:12.

4. In what way is this comparison further explained?

“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Verses 13, 14.

5. What writings are specifically mentioned as containing some things difficult to understand?

“And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:15, 16.

NOTE.—Some scriptures are too plain to be misunderstood, while the meaning of others cannot so readily be discerned. To obtain a comprehensive knowledge of any Bible truth, scripture must be compared with scripture, and there should be “careful research and prayerful reflection.” But all such study will be richly rewarded.

6. Who alone comprehends the things of God?

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” 1 Cor. 2:11.

7. How thoroughly does the Spirit search out the hidden treasures of truth?

“But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” Verse 10.

8. What is one purpose for which the Holy Spirit was sent?

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26.

9. Why cannot the natural man receive the things of the Spirit?

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:14.

10. For what spiritual enlightenment should every one pray?

“Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” Ps. 119:18.

11. For what spiritual gift did the apostle Paul pray?

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Eph. 1:17.

12. Upon what conditions is an understanding of divine things promised?

“Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Prov. 2:3-5.

13. What great blessing did Christ confer upon His disciples after His resurrection?

“Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45.

14. What beings of a higher order than man desire to study the truths revealed in the gospel of Christ?

“Which things the angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1:12

15. What is promised him who wills to do God’s will?

“If any man will [willeth to, R. V.] do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.” John 7:17.

16. How did Christ reprove those who, though familiar with the letter of the Scriptures, failed to understand them?

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matt. 22:29.

17. What are the Scriptures able to do for one who believes them?

“And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

18. When asked by the rich young man the conditions of eternal life, to what did Jesus direct his attention?

“He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?” Luke 10:26.

Jesus At The Home Of Martha And Mary. "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:42.

19. Whom did Jesus pronounce blessed?

“But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28.

20. What did Christ say concerning the book of Daniel?

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand).” Matt. 24:15.

21. What other book of the Bible is especially commended for our study?

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy [the book of Revelation], and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3.

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*“**How Readest Thou?**”*

It is one thing to read the Bible through, Another thing to read to learn and do. Some read it with design to learn to read, But to the subject pay but little heed. Some read it as their duty once a week, But no instruction from the Bible seek; While others read it with but little care, With no regard to how they read, nor where. Some read to bring themselves into repute, By showing others how they can dispute; While others read because their neighbors do, To see how long ’twill take to read it through. Some read it for the wonders that are there,— How David killed a lion and a bear; While others read it with uncommon care, Hoping to find some contradictions there. Some read as if it did not speak to them, But to the people at Jerusalem. One reads with father’s specs upon his head, And sees the thing just as his father said. Some read to prove a preadopted creed, Hence understand but little that they read; For every passage in the book they bend To make it suit that all-important end. Some people read, as I have often thought, To teach the book instead of being taught; And some there are who read it out of spite. I fear there are but few who read it right. But read it prayerfully, and you will see, Although men contradict, God’s words agree; For what the early Bible prophets wrote, We find that Christ and His apostles quote. So trust no creed that trembles to recall What has been penned by one and verified by all.

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Power In The Word

Christ The Word. "He spake, and it was." Ps. 33:9.

1. Through what agency did God create the heavens?

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” “For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Ps. 33:6, 9.

2. By what does Christ uphold all things?

“Upholding all things by the word of His power.” Heb. 1:3.

3. Of what are some willingly ignorant?

“For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” 2 Peter 3:5, 6.

4. By what are the present heavens and earth reserved for a similar fate?

“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” Verse 7.

5. In what other scripture is it shown that creative power is exercised through the word of God?

“Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded, and they were created.” Ps. 148:5.

6. What change is wrought in one who is in Christ?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [there is a new creation, R. V., margin]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.

7. What is this new creation also called?

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.

8. Through what agency is this new creation, or new birth, accomplished?

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23.

9. What is the first creative commandment recorded in the Bible? and what was the result of it?

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Gen. 1:3.

10. What connection is there between the creation of light in the beginning, and the light of the gospel?

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:6.

11. Why were the people astonished at Christ’s teaching?

“And they were astonished at His doctrine: for His word was with power.” Luke 4:32.

12. What testified to the power of the word of Christ?

“And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.” Verse 36.

13. What did Christ say is the seed of the kingdom of God?

“The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11.

14. Where should the word of Christ dwell?

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Col. 3:16.

15. What did Christ say of the unbelieving Jews respecting the word of God?

“Ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not.” John 5:38.

16. How does the word of God work in the believer?

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thess. 2:13.

The Centurion. "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Matt. 8:8.

17. What nature is imparted through the promises of God?

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4.

18. By what are believers made clean?

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:3.

19. How may a young man cleanse his way?

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.” Ps. 119:9.

20. How did God heal His people anciently?

“He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Ps. 107:20.

21. How did the centurion show his faith in the power of Christ’s word to heal?

“The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Matt. 8:8.

22. What power has the word when hidden in the heart?

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Ps. 119:11. See also Ps. 17:4.

23. Why did God humble Israel, and suffer them to hunger?

“And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, ... that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” Deut. 8:3.

24. What is required beyond a mere hearing of the word?

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22.

25. What is the result of doing God’s will?

“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” 1 John 2:17.

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The Life-Giving Word

The Raising Of Jairus’s Daughter. "His commandment is life everlasting." John 12:50.

1. What is the nature of the word of God?

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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.” Heb. 4:12.

2. How are the oracles of God described?

“This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us.” Acts 7:38.

3. What did Christ declare His words to be?

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63.

4. What was Peter’s testimony concerning Christ’s words?

“Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” Verse 68.

5. What did Christ declare His Father’s commandment to be?

“And I know that His commandment is life everlasting.” John 12:50.

6. What lesson was intended by feeding the children of Israel with the manna?

“And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” Deut. 8:3.

7. What interpretation did Jesus give to this lesson?

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” John 6:32, 33.

8. In further explanation of the meaning of this lesson, what did Jesus declare Himself to be?

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” Verse 35.

9. What benefit is derived from eating this bread of life?

“As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.” Verses 57, 58.

10. What instance is recorded of one who fed upon the true manna?

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jer. 15:16.

11. What name is applied to Jesus as the revelation of the thought of God in the flesh?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. “And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.” Rev. 19:13.

12. What was in the Word?

“In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4.

13. What is Jesus therefore also called?

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.” 1 John 1:1.

14. Why did the Jews fail to find life in the Scriptures?

“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.” John 5:39, 40.

15. What constitutes a part of Christian experience?

“And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.” Heb. 6:5. See answer to question 10.

16. In assigning him his life-work, what instruction did Jesus give to Peter?

“Jesus saith unto him, Feed My sheep.” John 21:17.

17. What apostolic injunction indicates the way in which this instruction is to be obeyed?

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:1, 2.

18. How are we instructed to pray for both physical and spiritual nourishment?

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matt. 6:11.

NOTE.—When “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us,” the thought of God was revealed in human flesh. When holy men of God “spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” the thought of God was revealed in human language. The union of the divine and the human in the manifestation of God’s thought in the flesh is declared to be “the mystery of godliness;” and there is the same mystery in the union of the divine thought and human language. The two revelations of God, in human flesh and in human speech, are both called the Word of God, and both are the Word of life. He who fails to find Christ thus in the Scriptures will not be able to feed upon the Word as the life-giving Word.

Like wandering sheep o’er mountains cold, Since all have gone astray; To life and peace within the fold, How may I find the way?

To Christ the Way, the Truth, the Life, I come, no more to roam; He’ll guide me to my Father’s house, To my eternal home.

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Christ In All The Bible

On The Way To Emmaus. "He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27.

1. Of whom did Christ say the Scriptures testify?

“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39.

NOTE.—“Search the Old Testament Scriptures: for they are they that testify of Christ. To find Him in them is the true and legitimate end of their study. To be able to interpret them as He interpreted them is the best result of all Biblical learning.”—Dean Alford.

2. Of whom did Moses and the prophets write?

“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:45.

NOTE.—In her translation of the Old Testament Scriptures, Helen Spurrell expressed the following wish for all who should read her translation: “May very many exclaim, as the translator has often done when studying numerous passages in the original, I have found the Messiah!”

3. From whose words did Christ say the disciples ought to have learned of His death and resurrection?

“O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?” Luke 24:25, 26.

4. How did Christ make it clear to them that the Scriptures testify of Him?

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Verse 27

5. What did He say a little later to the eleven?

“These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.” Verse 44.

6. Where in the Bible do we find the first promise of a Redeemer?

“And the Lord God said unto the serpent, ... I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” Gen. 3:14, 15.

7. In what words was this promise renewed to Abraham?

“In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Gen. 22:18. See also Gen. 26:4; 28:14.

8. To whom did this promised seed refer?

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Gal. 3:16.

9. Whom did God promise to send with Israel to guide them into the promised land?

“Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Ex. 23:20.

10. Who was the Rock that went with them?

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed [went with, margin] them: and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Cor. 10:4.

11. In what prophecy are Christ’s life, suffering, and death touchingly foretold?

In the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah.

12. Where is the price of Christ’s betrayal foretold?

“So they weighed for My price thirty pieces of silver.” Zech. 11:12. See Matt. 26:15.

13. Where in the Psalms are Christ’s dying words recorded?

“My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?” Ps. 22:1. See Matt. 27:46. “Into Thine hand I commit My spirit.” Ps. 31:5. See Luke 23:46.

14. How is Christ’s resurrection foretold in the Psalms?

Made Known In The Breaking Of Bread. "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures?" Luke 24:32.

“I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee.” Ps. 2:7. See Acts 13:33.

15. Where again in the Psalms is His resurrection foretold?

“For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” Ps. 16:10. See Acts 2:25-31.

16. In what words does Daniel foretell Christ’s receiving His kingdom?

“I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Dan. 7:13, 14.

See also Luke 1:32, 33; 19:11, 12; Rev. 11:15.

17. How is Christ’s second coming described in the Psalms?

“Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for He cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity.” Ps. 98:8, 9. “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50:3-5.

18. What is Christ to one renewed after God’s image? “Christ is all, and in all.” Col. 3:11.

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A glory in the Word we find When grace restores our sight; But sin has darkened all the mind, And veiled the heavenly light.

When God’s own Spirit clears our view, How bright the doctrines shine! Their holy fruits and sweetness show Their Author is divine.

How blest we are, with open face To view Thy glory, Lord, And all Thy image here to trace, Reflected in Thy Word! CAMPBELL’S COLLECTION.

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Titles Of Christ

In the Old Testament

Seed of the woman. Gen. 3:15. Mine Angel. Ex. 23:23. A Star out of Jacob. Num. 24:17. A Prophet. Deut. 18:15, 18. Captain of the host of the Lord. Joshua 5:14. A Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24. My Beloved. Song of Solomon 2:10. Chiefest among ten thousand. Song of Solomon 5:10. (One) altogether lovely. Song of Solomon 5:16. The Mighty God. Isa. 9:6. The Everlasting Father. Isa. 9:6. The Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:6. The Lord Our Righteousness. Jer. 23:5, 6. The Son of God. Dan. 3:25. The Son of Man. Dan. 7:13. Michael, ... the Great Prince. Dan. 12:1. The Branch. Zech. 6:12, 13. The Messenger of the covenant. Mal. 3:1. The Sun of Righteousness. Mal. 4:2.

In the New Testament

The Word. John 1:1. The Lamb of God. John 1:29. The Bread of life. John 6:35. The Light of the world. John 8:12. The Door of the Sheep. John 10:7. The Good Shepherd. Verse 11. The Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6. The True Vine. John 15:1. That Rock. 1 Cor. 10:4. The last Adam. 1 Cor. 15:45. The Chief Corner-stone. Eph. 2:20. The Man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:5. A Great High Priest. Heb. 4:14. The Author and Finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2. The Chief Shepherd. 1 Peter 5:4. An Advocate. 1 John 2:1. Michael, the Archangel. Jude 9. The Lion of the tribe of Judah. Rev. 5:5. The Morning Star. Rev. 22:16. King of kings, and Lord of lords. Rev. 19:16.

NOTE.—Christ is referred to in the Bible under something like three hundred different titles and figures, of which the above are only examples. Why this is so is because He is all that these names and figures represent.

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II. SIN; ITS ORIGIN, RESULTS, AND REMEDY

Driven From Eden. "Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken." Gen. 3:23.

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Creation And The Creator

Creation. "Behold, it was very good." Gen. 1:31.

1. By whom were the heavens and the earth created?

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1.

2. Through whom did God create all things?

“For by Him [the Son] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.” Col. 1:16. “All things were made by Him [through Him, R. V., margin]: and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3. See also Heb. 1:1, 2.

3. What do the heavens declare?

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” Ps. 19:1.

4. What was God’s object in making the earth?

“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.” Isa. 45:18.

5. In whose image was man created?

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Gen. 1:27.

6. What home did God make for man in the beginning?

“And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food.... And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Gen. 2:8-15.

7. What may be perceived through the things that are made?

“For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Rom. 1:20.

8. Whose workmanship is the Christian?

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10.

9. What assurance is given concerning the unfailing power of the Creator?

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.” Isa. 40:28.

10. What encouraging statement follows concerning the supply of power to the faint?

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Verse 29.

11. To whom are those who suffer exhorted to commit their souls?

“Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19, R. V.

12. What gave special force to the oath of an angel?

“And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.” Rev. 10:5, 6.

13. What contrast is drawn in the Scriptures between the Creator and false gods?

“Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.... The portion of Jacob is not like them: for He is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name.” Jer. 10:11-16.

14. To whom is our worship justly due?

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Ps. 95:6.

15. In view of the curse upon this creation, what has God promised?

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isa. 65:17. See Rev. 21:1.

16. What is the true basis of the brotherhood of man?

“Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?” Mal. 2:10.

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O Thou eternal One! whose presence bright All space doth occupy, all motion guide; Unchanged through time’s all devastating flight! Thou only God—there is no God beside! Being above all beings! Mighty One, Whom none can comprehend and none explore; Who fill’st existence with Thyself alone, Embracing all, supporting, ruling o’er; Being whom we call God, and know no more!

Thou from primeval nothingness didst call First chaos, then existence; Lord, on Thee Eternity hath its foundation; all Sprung forth from Thee,—of light, joy, harmony, Sole origin,—all life, all beauty Thine; Thy word created all, and doth create; Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine; Thou art and wert and shalt be! Glorious! Great! Light-giving, life-sustaining Potentate!

DERZHAVIN.

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The Origin Of Evil

The Fall Of Satan. "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18.

1. With whom did sin originate?

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.” 1 John 3:8.

NOTE.—Without the Bible, the question of the origin of evil would remain unexplained.

2. From what time has the devil been a murderer?

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” John 8:44.

3. What is the devil’s relationship to lying?

“When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Same verse.

4. Was Satan created sinful?

“Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Eze. 28:15.

NOTE.—This, and the statement in John 8:44, that he “abode not in the truth,” show that Satan was once perfect, and in the truth. Peter speaks of “the angels that sinned” (2 Peter 2:4); and Jude refers to “the angels which kept not their first estate” (Jude 6); both of which show that these angels were once in a state of sinlessness and innocence.

5. What further statement of Christ seems to lay the responsibility for the origin of sin upon Satan and his angels?

“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matt. 25:41.

6. What led to Satan’s sin, rebellion, and downfall?

“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” Eze. 28:17. “Thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: ... I will be like the Most High.” Isa. 14:13, 14.

NOTE.—In a word, pride and self-exaltation led to Satan’s downfall, and for these there is no justification or adequate excuse. “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18. Hence, while we may know of the origin, cause, character, and results of evil, no good or sufficient reason or excuse can be given for it. To excuse it is to justify it; and the moment it is justified it ceases to be sin. All sin is a manifestation of selfishness in some form, and its results are the opposite of those prompted by love. The experiment of sin will result finally in its utter abandonment and banishment forever, by all created intelligences, throughout the entire universe of God. Only those who foolishly and persistently cling to sin will be destroyed with it. The wicked will then “be as though they had not been” (Obadiah 16), and the righteous shall “shine as the brightness of the firmament,” and “as the stars forever and ever.” Dan. 12:3. “Affliction shall not rise up the second time.” Nahum 1:9. See reading on “Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan,” page 499.

7. In contrast with the pride and self-exaltation exhibited by Satan, what spirit did Christ manifest?

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:6-8.

8. After man had sinned, how did God show His love, and His willingness to forgive?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

NOTE.—Inasmuch as God, who is love, who delights in mercy, and who changes not, offered pardon and granted a period of probation to man when he sinned, it is but reasonable to conclude that a like course was pursued toward the heavenly intelligences who first sinned, and that only those who persisted in sin, and took their stand in open revolt and rebellion against God and the government of heaven, were finally cast out of heaven. Rev. 12:7-9.

Cain And Abel--The First Murder. "Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother." 1 John 3:12.

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The Fall And Redemption Of Man

Sin And Its Remedy. "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

1. What is sin declared to be?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.

2. What precedes the manifestation of sin?

“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin.” James 1:15.

3. What is the final result or fruit of sin?

“And sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Same verse. “The wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23.

4. Upon how many of the human race did death pass as the result of Adam’s transgression?

“By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 5:12. “In Adam all die.” 1 Cor. 15:22.

5. How was the earth itself affected by Adam’s sin?

“Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee.” Gen. 3:17, 18.

6. What additional curse came as the result of the first murder?

“And the Lord said unto Cain, ... And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength.” Gen. 4:9-12.

7. What terrible judgment came in consequence of continued sin and transgression against God?

“And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.... The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence.” “And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.... The same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” Gen. 6:7-13; 7:6-11.

8. After the flood, what came in consequence of further apostasy from God?

“And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let Us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.” Gen. 11:5-8.

9. Into what condition has sin brought the entire creation?

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” Rom. 8:22.

10. What explains God’s apparent delay in dealing with sin?

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

11. What is God’s attitude toward the sinner?

“For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Eze. 18:32.

12. Can man free himself from the dominion of sin?

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jer. 13:23.

13. What place has the will in determining whether man shall have life?

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

14. To what extent has Christ suffered for sinners?

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53:5.

15. For what purpose was Christ manifested?

“And we know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.... He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:5-8.

16. What was one direct purpose of the incarnation of Christ?

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Heb. 2:14.

17. What triumphant chorus will mark the end of the reign of sin?

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:13.

18. When and by what means will the effects of sin be removed?

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10.

19. How will the curse of the confusion of tongues be brought to an end?

“For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.” Zeph. 3:9.

20. How thoroughly will the effects of sin be removed?

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4. “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it [the holy city]; and His servants shall serve Him.” Rev. 22:3.

21. Will sin and its evil results ever appear again?

“What do ye imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.” Nahum 1:9. “There shall be no more death.” “And there shall be no more curse.” Rev. 21:4; 22:3.

NOTE.—That sin exists none can deny. Why it was permitted has perplexed many minds. But He who can bring light out of darkness (2 Cor. 4:6), make the wrath of man to praise Him (Ps. 76:10), and turn a curse into a blessing (Deut. 23:5), can bring good out of evil, and turn mistakes and downfalls into stepping-stones to higher ground. Heaven will be happier for the sorrows of earth. “Sorrows remembered sweeten present joy,” says Robert Pollock, in “The Course of Time,” page 29. In the final outcome it will be seen that all things have worked together for good to them that love God. Rom. 8:28. Cowper, despondent and about to drown himself, was carried the wrong way by his driver, and went home to write the inspiring hymn below.

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God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs, And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings o’er your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. WILLIAM COWPER.

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Creation And Redemption

Creative Power. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Eph. 2:10.

1. What is revealed concerning God in the first verse of the Bible?

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1.

2. What contrast is repeatedly drawn in the Scriptures between the true God and false gods?

“Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.... The portion of Jacob is not like them: for He is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name.” Jer. 10:11-16. See Jer. 14:22; Acts 17:22-29; Rev. 14:6-10.

3. Through whom did God work in creating all things?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3.

4. Through whom is redemption wrought?

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Rom. 5:8, 9.

5. In what scripture do we learn that Christ, the active agent in creation, is also the head of the church?

“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Col. 1:16-18.

6. What scripture shows that the Creator is also the Redeemer?

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” Isa. 43:1.

7. Who is declared to be the source of power to the weak?

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Isa. 40:28, 29.

8. What prayer of David shows that he regarded redemption as a creative work?

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps. 51:10.

9. Who keeps the heavenly bodies in their places?

“To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isa. 40:25, 26.

10. What can the same Holy One do for the believer?

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24, 25.

11. What is the measure of the power which is available for the help of the believer?

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places.” Eph. 1:17-20.

12. How great was the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage?

“Ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?... Hath God assayed to go and take Him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?” Deut. 4:32-34.

NOTE.—The great deliverance of Israel from bondage and oppression in Egypt is but a type of the power of God displayed in the deliverance of man from the bondage and slavery of sin. In both is seen a manifestation of creative power.

13. What scripture plainly states that it is creative power which transforms the believer?

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10.

14. Of what great work is the Sabbath both a memorial and a sign?

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Ex. 20:8-11. “It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.” Ex. 31:17.

15. Inasmuch as creation and redemption are both wrought by the same creative power, of what besides the original creation was the Sabbath given to be a sign?

“Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” Eze. 20:12.

16. Through whose agency is the material universe sustained?

“And He [Christ] is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Col. 1:17, R. V., margin.

17. What statement shows that all things, both material and spiritual, are sustained by the same personal agency?

“But to us there is ... one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him.” 1 Cor. 8:6.

18. Why is God worthy to receive glory and honor?

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Rev. 4:11.

NOTE.—That comparatively modern view of creation known as evolution, which rests upon human research rather than upon divine revelation, and which substitutes an impersonal force for a personal Creator, overthrows the very foundation of the gospel. Redemption is simply the new creation, and the Creator is the Redeemer. The Head of the original creation is the Head of the new creation. The original creation was wrought through Christ by the power of the word; the new creation, or redemption, is wrought in exactly the same way. The evolutionary theory of creation inevitably involves an evolutionary theory of the gospel, and sets aside the truth concerning sin, the atoning sacrifice of Christ, and the necessity of becoming new creatures through faith in the saving power of Christ.

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O worship the King, all-glorious above, And gratefully sing His wonderful love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of days, Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise!

O tell of His might, and sing of His grace, Whose robe is the light; whose canopy, space; His chariots of wrath the deep thunder-clouds form, And dark is His path on the wings of the storm!

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail; In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail; Thy mercies, how tender! how firm to the end! Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend! ROBERT GRANT.

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The Character And Attributes Of God

The Bow Of Promise. "This is the token of the covenant." Gen. 9:17.

1. In what one word is the character of God expressed?

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:8.

2. What are some of the attributes of God?

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.” Ps. 145:17.

3. Does Christ possess these same attributes?

“By His knowledge shall My righteous servant [Christ] justify many.” Isa. 53:11. “Neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” Acts 2:27.

4. When proclaiming His name to Moses, how did the Lord define His character?

“And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.” Ex. 34:5-7.

5. What is said of the tender compassion of God?

“But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Ps. 86:15.

6. What is said of God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises?

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.” Deut. 7:9.

7. What is said of the strength and wisdom of God?

“Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength and wisdom.” Job 36:5.

8. What treasures are hid in Christ?

“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:3.

9. In what language is the justice of God described?

“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.” Deut. 32:4.

10. In what words is His impartiality proclaimed?

“For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.” Deut. 10:17. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” Acts 10: 34, 35.

11. To how many is the Lord good?

“The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Ps. 145:9.

12. Why did Christ tell us to love our enemies?

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt. 5:44, 45.

13. How perfect does Christ tell His followers to be?

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Verse 48.

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The Love Of God

The Burial Of Christ. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." John 3:16.

1. What is God declared to be?

“God is love.” 1 John 4:16.

2. How great is God’s love for the world?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

3. In what act especially has God’s love been manifested?

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9.

4. In what does God delight?

“Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy.” Micah 7:18.

5. How are His mercies continually manifested?

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22, 23.

6. Upon how many does God bestow His blessings?

“He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt. 5:45

7. What did Jesus say of the one who loves Him?

“He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself unto him.” John 14:21.

8. Into what relationship to God does His love bring us?

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1.

9. How may we know that we are the sons of God?

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.... The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Rom. 8:14-16.

10. How is the love of God supplied to the believer?

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 5:5.

11. In view of God’s great love to us, what ought we to do?

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” 1 John 4:11.

12. With what measure of love should we serve others?

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16.

13. What exhortation is based upon Christ’s love for us?

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.” Eph. 5:2.

14. Upon what ground does God’s work for sinners rest?

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:4-6. See Titus 3:5, 6.

15. In what other way is God’s love sometimes shown?

“For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” Heb. 12:6.

16. In view of God’s great love, what may we confidently expect?

“He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:32

Bearing The Cross. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love." Jer. 31:3.

17. What is God’s love able to do for His children?

“Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not harken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.” Deut. 23:5.

18. When men appreciate God’s love, what will they do?

“How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.” Ps. 36:7.

19. How enduring is God’s love for us?

“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31:3.

20. Can anything separate the true child of God from the love of God?

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38, 39.

21. Unto whom will the saints forever ascribe praise?

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, ... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.” Rev. 1:5, 6.

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There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, Like the wideness of the sea; There’s a kindness in His justice, Which is more than liberty.

There is welcome for the sinner, And more graces for the good; There is mercy with the Saviour; There is healing in His blood.

For the love of God is broader Than the measure of man’s mind, And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind.

If our love were but more simple, We should take Him at His word; And our lives would be all sunshine In the sweetness of our Lord.

FREDERICK W. FABER.

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The Deity Of Christ

Raising The Widow’s Son. "In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Col. 2:9.

1. How has the Father shown that His Son is one person of the Godhead?

“But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy kingdom.” Heb. 1:8.

2. In what other scripture is the same truth taught?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1.

3. In what way did Christ refer to the eternity of His being?

“And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” John 17:5. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2. See margin; and Matt. 2:6; John 8:58; Ex. 3:13, 14.

4. How was Christ begotten in the flesh?

“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35.

5. What scripture states that the Son of God was God manifested in the flesh?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 14.

6. What does Christ say is His relation to the Father?

“I and My Father are one.” John 10:30.

7. How was He manifested on earth as a Saviour?

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.

8. Why was it necessary that He should be born thus, and partake of human nature?

“Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Heb. 2:17.

9. How was He recognized by the Father while on earth?

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17.

10. What shows that Christ sustains the same relation to the angels as does the Father?

“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.” Matt. 16:27. See Matt. 24:31.

11. How did Christ assert an equal proprietorship with His Father in the kingdom?

“The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity.” Matt. 13:41.

12. To whom do the elect equally belong?

“And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?” Luke 18:7. “And He [the Son of man] shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt. 24:31.

13. Who are equally joined in bestowing the final rewards?

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him [God, the Father]: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Heb. 11:6. “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.” Matt. 16:27.

NOTE.—In the texts (Matt. 16:27; 13:41; 24:31) in which Christ refers to the angels as “His angels” and to the kingdom as “His kingdom” and to the elect as “His elect,” He refers to Himself as “the Son of man.” It thus appears that while He was on earth as a man, He recognized His essential deity and His equality with His Father in heaven.

14. What fulness dwells in Christ?

“For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Col. 2:9.

15. What does God (Jehovah) declare Himself to be?

“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and His Redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside Me there is no God.” Isa. 44:6.

16. In what scripture does Christ adopt the same expression?

“And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Rev. 22:12, 13.

17. Having such a wonderful Saviour, what are we exhorted to do?

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:14, 15.

Before the heavens were spread abroad, From everlasting was the Word; With God He was, the Word was God, And must divinely be adored.

Ere sin was born, or Satan fell, He led the host of morning stars; His generation who can tell, Or count the number of His years?

But lo! He leaves those heavenly forms; The Word descends and dwells in clay, That He may converse hold with worms, Pressed in such feeble flesh as they. ISAAC WATTS.

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Prophecies Relating To Christ

The Star Of Bethlehem. "There shall come a Star out of Jacob." Num. 24:17.

1. Whom did Moses say the Lord would raise up?

“The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, unto Him ye shall harken.” Deut. 18:15. See also verse 18.

2. What use of this prophecy by the apostle Peter shows that it referred to Christ?

“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me.... Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.” Acts 3:22-24.

3. In what language did Isaiah foretell Christ’s birth?

“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isa. 7:14.

4. In what event was this prophecy fulfilled?

“Now all this was done [the birth of Jesus of the Virgin Mary], that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matt. 1:22, 23.

5. Where was the Messiah to be born?

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2.

6. When was Jesus born?

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king.” Matt. 2:1.

7. Under what striking emblem was He prophesied of by Balaam?

“There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Num. 24:17.

8. In what scripture does Christ apply the same emblem to Himself?

“I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Rev. 22:16. See also 2 Peter 1:19; Rev. 2:28.

9. What prophecy was fulfilled in the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem?

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” Matt. 2:16-18.

10. How was Christ’s first advent to be heralded?

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isa. 40:3.

11. By whom was this fulfilled?

“And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?... he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” John 1:19-23.

12. How was Christ to be received by His own people?

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isa. 53:3.

Christ Before Pilate. "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth." Isa. 53:7.

13. How is the fulfilment of this prophecy recorded?

“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:10, 11.

14. What was predicted of Christ’s preaching?

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isa. 61:1.

15. What application did Jesus make of this prophecy?

“And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.... And He began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Luke 4:16-21. See Luke 7:19-22.

16. How, according to prophecy, was Christ to conduct Himself when on trial?

“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” Isa. 53:7.

17. When accused by His enemies before Pilate, how did Christ treat these accusations?

“Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.” Matt. 27:13, 14.

18. What prophecy foretold of the disposal of Christ’s garments at the crucifixion?

“They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture.” Ps. 22:18.

19. What record answers to this prophecy?

“And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots.” Matt. 27:35.

20. What was foretold of His treatment while on the cross?

“They gave Me also gall for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink.” Ps. 69:21.

21. What was offered Christ at His crucifixion?

“They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink.” Matt. 27:34. See also John 19:28-30, and page 167 of this work.

22. With whom did the prophet Isaiah say Christ would make His grave?

“And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death.” Isa. 53:9.

23. With whom was Christ crucified?

“Then were there two thieves crucified with Him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.” Matt. 27:38.

24. Who took charge of Christ’s body after it was taken down from the cross?

“A rich man of Arimathæa, named Joseph, ... went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.... He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock.” Verses 57-60.

25. What experience in the life of a noted prophet indicated the length of Christ’s stay in the grave?

“But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matt. 12:39,40.

26. What prophecy foretold Christ’s triumph over death?

“For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” Ps. 16:10. See Acts 2:24-27.

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Christ The Way Of Life

At Jacob’s Well. "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." John 4:14.

1. What does Jesus declare Himself to be?

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

2. In what condition are all men?

“But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin.” Gal. 3:22. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23.

3. What are the wages of sin?

“The wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23.

4. How many are affected by Adam’s transgression?

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men.” Rom. 5:12.

5. What is the gift of God?

“The gift of God is eternal life.” Rom. 6:23.

6. How many may receive this gift?

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

7. In whom is the gift?

“This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:11.

8. In receiving the Son, what do we have in Him?

“He that hath the Son hath life.” Verse 12.

9. What loss do those sustain who do not accept Him?

“And he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” Same verse.

10. In what other way is this same truth stated?

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

11. After one truly receives Christ, whose life will be manifested in him?

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

12. In what condition are all before they are quickened with Christ?

“God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.” Eph. 2:4, 5.

13. What is this change from death to life called?

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23.

14. When man first transgressed, what was done to prevent him from living forever in sin?

“And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.... So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Gen. 3:22-24.

15. What is declared to be one purpose of Christ’s death?

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Heb. 2:14.

16. Through whom will Abraham receive the promise of the future inheritance?

“The Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land.” Gen. 12:7.

17. How many were embraced in God’s promises to Abraham?

“And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” Acts 3:25.

18. To whom does the “seed” in these promises refer?

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Gal. 3:16.

19. What would make the death of Christ in vain?

“If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Gal. 2:21.

20. Why have all been reckoned under sin?

“But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” Gal. 3:22.

21. How then do all become children of God?

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Verse 26.

22. With whom are the children of God joint heirs?

“If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.” Rom. 8:17.

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Thou art the Way; to Thee alone, From sin and death we flee; And he who would the Father seek, Must seek Him, Lord, by Thee.

Thou art the Truth; Thy word alone. True wisdom can impart; Thou only canst inform the mind And purify the heart.

Thou art the Life; the rending tomb Proclaims Thy conquering arm; And those who put their trust in Thee, Nor death nor hell shall harm.

Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life; Grant us that way to know, That truth to keep, that life to win, Whose joys eternal flow.

The Serpent In The Wilderness. "When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." Num. 21:9.

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Salvation Only Through Christ

On The Cross. "He is able to save to the uttermost." Heb. 7:25.

1. For what purpose did Christ come into the world?

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

2. Why was He to be named “Jesus”?

“Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21.

3. Is there salvation through any other?

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

4. Through whom are we reconciled to God?

“All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” 2 Cor. 5:18, 19.

5. What has Christ been made for us, and for what purpose?

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” Verse 21.

6. How dependent are we upon Christ for salvation?

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: ... without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5.

7. What three essentials for a Saviour are found in Christ?

Deity. “But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Heb. 1:8.

Humanity. “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Gal. 4:4.

Sinlessness. “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22.

8. How did Christ show from the Scriptures that the promised Saviour of the world must be both human and divine?

“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is He? They say unto Him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord; saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is He his son?” Matt. 22:41-45.

NOTE.—Another has aptly put this important truth concerning the union of the human and divine in Christ thus: “Divinity needed humanity that humanity might afford a channel of communication between God and man. Man needs a power out of and above himself to restore him to the likeness of God. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ.”

9. What two facts testify to the union of divinity and humanity in Christ?

“Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Rom. 1:3, 4

10. How complete was Christ’s victory over death?

“I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Rev. 1:17, 18. See Acts 2:24.

11. How complete is the salvation obtained in Christ?

“Wherefore, He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:25.

12. What should we say for such a Saviour?

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:15.

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III. THE WAY TO CHRIST

The Prodigal Son. "When he came to himself, he said, ... I will arise and go to my father." Luke 15:17, 18.

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Faith

Joshua Commanding The Sun To Stand Still. "All things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:13.

1. What is faith declared to be?

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1.

2. How necessary is faith?

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Verse 6.

3. Is mere assent to divine truth sufficient?

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19.

4. What is required besides a belief in the existence of God?

“For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Heb. 11:6, last part.

5. From whom does faith come?

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8.

6. Why did God raise Christ from the dead?

“Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” 1 Peter 1:21.

7. What is Christ’s relation to this faith?

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Heb. 12:2.

8. What is the basis of faith?

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17.

9. What relation does faith bear to knowledge?

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.” Heb. 11:3.

10. By what principle is genuine faith actuated?

“In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Gal. 5:6.

11. Of what is faith a fruit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” Verse 22.

12. What in the early church showed living faith?

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love.” 1 Thess. 1:3.

13. What is necessary in order that the preaching of the gospel may be profitable?

“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Heb. 4:2.

14. What is the character of any act or service not performed in faith?

“Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Rom. 14:23.

15. How does Abraham’s experience show that obedience and faith are inseparable?

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Heb. 11:8.

16. With what, therefore, is the faith of Jesus joined?

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.

17. In what other statement is the same truth emphasized?

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:20.

18. How is faith brought to perfection?

“Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” Verse 22.

19. What is the result of faith’s being put to the test?

“The trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:3.

20. What relationship to God is established by faith?

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:26.

21. How do the children of God walk?

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7.

22. Upon what condition may one expect answers to prayer?

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” James 1:6.

23. To what parts of the ancient armor is faith compared?

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Eph. 6:16. “Putting on the breastplate of faith and love.” 1 Thess. 5:8.

24. What chapter in the Bible is devoted to faith?

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews. In verses 33-38 are summarized the victories of the heroes of faith.

25. What gives victory in our conflicts with the world?

“This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4.

26. What is the ultimate purpose of faith?

“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8, 9.

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’Tis by the faith of joys to come We walk through deserts dark as night; Till we arrive at heaven, our home, Truth is our guide, and faith our light.

The want of sight she well supplies; She makes the pearly gates appear; Far into distant worlds she pries, And brings eternal glories near.

Though lions roar, and tempests blow, And rocks and dangers fill the way, With joy we tread the desert through, While faith inspires a heavenly ray. ISAAC WATTS

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Hope

Return Of The Dove. "Blessed be God ... which ... hath begotten us again unto a lively hope." 1 Peter 1:3.

1. What is the relation between faith and hope?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1.

2. Why were the Scriptures written?

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4.

3. Why should God’s wonderful works be rehearsed to the children?

“We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done.... That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.” Ps. 78:4-7.

4. In what condition are those who are without Christ?

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, ... that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Eph. 2:11, 12.

5. What does hope become to the Christian?

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” Heb. 6:19.

6. Who have hope in their death?

“The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.” Prov. 14:32.

7. In bereavement, from what hopeless sorrow are Christians delivered?

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” 1 Thess. 4:13.

8. Unto what has the resurrection of Christ begotten us?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3.

9. What is the Christian’s hope called?

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13.

10. At what time did Paul expect to realize his hope?

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:8.

11. What will this hope lead one to do?

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3.

12. What does the prophet Jeremiah say is a good thing for a man to do?

“It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” Lam. 3:26.

13. What is said of the hope of the hypocrite?

“So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.” Job 8:13, 14.

14. What is the condition of one whose hope is in God?

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” Ps. 146:5. “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jer. 17:7.

15. In what may the child of God abound?

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Rom. 15:13.

16. In what do Christians rejoice?

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:2.

17. What will prevent us from being put to shame?

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Verse 5.

18. In the time of trouble, who will be the hope of God’s people?

“The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” Joel 3:16.

19. What inspiring words are spoken to such as hope in God?

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Ps. 31:24.

20. How long should our hope endure?

“And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.” Heb. 6:11.

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How cheering is the Christian’s hope While toiling here below! It buoys us up while passing through This wilderness of woe.

It points us to a land of rest Where saints with Christ will reign; Where we shall meet the loved of earth, And never part again,—

A land where sin can never come, Temptations ne’er annoy; Where happiness will ever dwell, And that without alloy.

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Repentance

Micaiah Urging Israel To Repentance. "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." Rom. 2:4.

1. Who are called to repentance?

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32.

2. What accompanies repentance?

“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations.” Luke 24:47.

3. By what means is sin made known?

“By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20.

4. How many are sinners?

“We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.” Verse 9.

5. What do transgressors bring upon themselves?

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Eph. 5:6.

6. Who awakens the soul to a sense of its sinful condition?

“When He [the Comforter] is come, He will reprove [convince, margin] the world of sin.” John 16:8.

7. What are fitting inquiries for those convicted of sin?

“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 2:37; 16:30.

8. What replies does Inspiration return to these inquiries?

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 2:38; 16:31.

9. What will the truly repentant sinner be constrained to do?

“I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” Ps. 38:18.

10. What is the result of godly sorrow?

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.” 2 Cor. 7:10.

11. What does the sorrow of the world do?

“The sorrow of the world worketh death.” Same verse.

12. How does godly sorrow for sin manifest itself?

“For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” Verse 11.

13. What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and Sadducees when he saw them come to his baptism?

“O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Matt. 3:7.

14. What did he tell them to do?

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Verse 8.

NOTE.—“There can be no repentance without reformation. Repentance is a change of mind; reformation is a corresponding change of life.”—Dr. Raleigh.

15. When God sent the Ninevites a warning message, how did they show their repentance, and what was the result?

“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not.” Jonah 3:10.

16. What leads sinners to repentance?

“Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Rom. 2:4.

John The Baptist Preaching Repentance. "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." Matt. 3:8.

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Confession And Forgiveness

Mary Magdalene’s Repentance. "According unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions." Ps. 51:1.

1. What instruction is given concerning confession of sin?

“Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty; then shall they confess their sin which they have done.” Num. 5:6, 7.

2. How futile is it to attempt to hide sin from God?

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.” Num. 32:23. “Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.” Ps. 90:8. “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Heb. 4:13.

3. What promise is made to those who confess their sins?

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

4. What different results attend the covering and the confessing of sins?

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13.

5. How definite should we be in confessing our sins?

“And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing.” Lev. 5:5.

NOTE.—“True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty.”—“Steps to Christ,” page 43.

6. How fully did Israel once acknowledge their wrong-doing?

“And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.” 1 Sam. 12:19.

7. When David confessed his sin, what did he say God did?

“I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Ps. 32:5.

8. Upon what did he rest his hope for forgiveness?

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” Ps. 51:1.

9. What is God ready to do for all who seek for forgiveness?

“For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.” Ps. 86:5.

10. What is the measure of the greatness of God’s mercy?

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.” Ps. 103:11.

11. How fully does the Lord pardon when one repents?

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55:7.

12. What reason is given for God’s readiness to forgive sin?

“Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy.” Micah 7:18. See Ps. 78:38.

13. Why does God manifest such mercy and long-suffering toward men?

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

14. What prayer did Moses offer in behalf of Israel?

“Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of Thy mercy, and as Thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” Num. 14:19.

15. What reply did the Lord immediately make?

“And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word.” Verse 20.

16. When the prodigal son, in the parable, repented and turned toward home, what did his father do?

“When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20.

17. How did the father show his joy at his son’s return?

“The father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Verses 22-24.

18. What is felt in heaven when a sinner repents?

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Verse 10.

19. What did Hezekiah say God had done with his sins?

“Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back.” Isa. 38:17.

20. How completely does God wish to separate sin from us?

“Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19. “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” Ps. 103:12.

21. How did the people respond to the preaching of John?

“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matt. 3:5, 6.

22. How did some of the believers at Ephesus testify to the sincerity of the confession of their sins?

“And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” Acts 19:18, 19.

23. Through whom are repentance and forgiveness granted?

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:30, 31.

24. What is the only unpardonable sin?

“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matt. 12:31, 32.

NOTE.—As the Holy Spirit is the agent that convicts of sin, and brings the offer of pardon through the Word, the denial of the Spirit’s work is the refusal of pardon. In other words, the only unpardonable sin is the sin which refuses to be pardoned.

25. Upon what basis has Christ taught us to ask forgiveness?

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matt. 6:12.

26. What spirit must those cherish whom God forgives?

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Verses 14, 15.

27. What exhortation is based on the fact that God has forgiven us?

“And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Eph. 4:32.

28. In what condition is one whose sins are forgiven?

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Ps. 32:1, 2.

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Conversion, Or The New Birth

Christ And Nicodemus. "Ye must be born again." John 3:7.

1. How did Jesus emphasize the necessity of conversion?

“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3.

2. In what other statement did He teach the same truth?

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.

3. How did he further explain the new birth?

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Verse 5.

4. With what comparison did He illustrate the subject?

“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” Verse 8.

5. What change is wrought in conversion, or the new birth?

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).” Eph. 2:5.

6. What is one evidence of this change from death to life?

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14.

7. From what is a converted sinner saved?

“Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20. See Acts 26:14-18.

8. To whom are sinners brought by conversion?

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.... Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.” Ps. 51:10-13.

9. In what words to Peter did Jesus indicate the kind of service a converted person should render to his brethren?

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:31, 32.

10. What other experience is associated with conversion?

“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Matt. 13:15.

11. What gracious promise does God make to His people?

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him.” Hosea 14:4.

12. By what means is this healing accomplished?

“He [Christ] was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53:5.

13. What takes place when one is converted to Christ?

“Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17, R. V., margin. See Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-21; 26:1-23.

14. What is the value of merely outward forms?

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Gal. 6:15.

15. Through what was the original creation wrought?

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” Ps. 33:6.

16. Through what instrumentality is conversion wrought?

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23.

17. What change is wrought by beholding Jesus?

“But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18.

NOTE.—A beautiful statue once stood in the market-place of an Italian city. It was the statue of a Greek slave girl. It represented the slave as tidy and well dressed. A ragged, uncombed little street child, coming across the statue in her play one day, stopped and gazed at it in admiration. She was captivated by it. She gazed long and lovingly. Moved by a sudden impulse, she went home and washed her face and combed her hair. Another day she stopped again before the statue and admired it, and got a new idea. Next day her tattered clothes were washed and mended. Each time she looked at the statue she found something in its beauties to admire and copy, until she was a transformed child. By beholding we become changed.

18. What are the evidences that one has been born of God?

“If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.” “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 2:29; 4:7.

19. What is true of every one who believes in Jesus?

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” 1 John 5:1.

20. What do those born of God not do?

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” Verse 18.

21. What indwelling power keeps such from sinning?

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9. See 1 John 5:4; Gen. 39:9.

22. What will be the experience of those born of the Spirit?

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:1.

The Conversion Of Saul. "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 9:5.

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Baptism

Baptism Of Christ. "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matt. 3:15.

1. What ordinance is closely associated with believing the gospel?

“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15, 16.

2. What did the apostle Peter associate with baptism in his instruction on the day of Pentecost?

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Acts 2:38.

3. In reply to his inquiry concerning salvation, what was the Philippian jailer told to do?

“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31.

4. What followed immediately after the jailer and his family had accepted Christ as their Saviour?

“And he took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” Verse 33.

5. In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed away?

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16. See Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.

6. By what means are sins washed away?

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Rev. 1:5.

7. Into whose name are believers to be baptized?

“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” Matt. 28:19, R. V.

8. When believers are baptized into Christ, whom do they put on?

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Gal. 3:27.

9. Into what experience are those baptized who are baptized into Christ?

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?” Rom. 6:3.

NOTE.—Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In baptism public testimony is given to the effect that the one baptized has been crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly represent these facts of experience, and that is immersion,—the mode followed by Christ and the primitive church.

10. How is such a baptism described?

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Verse 4.

11. How fully are we thus united with Christ in His experience of death and resurrection?

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Verse 5.

12. What will follow this union with Christ in His death and resurrection?

“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” Verse 8.

13. In what working of God is faith to be exercised in connection with baptism?

“Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” Col. 2:12.

14. At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus set for the benefit of His followers?

“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.” Matt. 3:13.

15. What remarkable experience attended the baptism of Jesus?

“And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Verses 16, 17.

16. What promise is made to those who repent and are baptized?

“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.” Acts 2:38.

17. What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had preached Jesus unto him?

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” Acts 8:36.

18. In order to baptize the eunuch, where did Philip take him?

“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Verse 38.

19. How did the people of Samaria publicly testify to their faith in the preaching of Philip?

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Verse 12.

20. What instruction did the apostle Peter give concerning the Gentiles who had believed?

“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Acts 10:47, 48.

21. How perfect is the unity into which believers are brought by being baptized into Christ?

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:12, 13.

22. After being united with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection, what should the believer do?

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Col. 3:1.

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Lord, in humble, sweet submission, Here we meet to follow Thee, Trusting in Thy great salvation, Which alone can make us free.

Naught have we to claim as merit; All the duties we can do Can no crown of life inherit; All the praise to Thee is due.

Yet we come in Christian duty, Down beneath the wave to go; O the bliss! the heavenly beauty! Christ the Lord was buried so. ROBERT T. DANIEL

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Reconciled To God

Jonah Preaching To The Ninevites. "Be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.

1. What message of entreaty has God sent to us through his appointed messengers?

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:20.

2. Through whom is this reconciliation made?

“All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” Verse 18.

3. What was required in order to effect this reconciliation?

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Rom. 5:10.

4. What basis for reconciliation was made by Christ’s death?

“Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself.” Col. 1:20.

5. Through whom is the reconciliation received?

“We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement [reconciliation, margin].” Rom. 5:11.

6. By what union does Christ reconcile both Jew and Gentile to God through the cross?

“And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” Eph. 2:16.

7. In what prophecy was the work of reconciliation foretold?

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity.” Dan. 9:24.

8. In thus reconciling the world unto Himself, what attitude did God take toward men?

“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” 2 Cor. 5:19.

9. What rendered it possible for God to treat sinners thus?

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:6.

10. What was Christ made, to release men from sin?

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21.

11. How was He treated?

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53:5.

12. What did John declare concerning Him?

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away [beareth, margin] the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

13. To what place did Christ carry these sins?

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24.

14. What is the great purpose of Christ in His work of reconciliation?

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight.” Col. 1:21, 22.

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Acceptance With God

Noah’s Sacrifice. "He hath made us accepted in the Beloved." Eph. 1:6.

1. In whom has God made us accepted?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings ... in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him ... to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.” Eph. 1:3-6.

2. What great gift comes with our acceptance of Christ?

“And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40. See also John 17:2.

3. What is the first and primary evidence of our acceptance with God?

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son.... And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:9-11.

NOTE.—The primary basis of all faith and acceptance is the word of God,—that which God Himself has said. To receive and believe this is the first essential to salvation,—the first evidence of acceptance.

4. Why did John write his testimony concerning God’s love and purpose in giving Christ?

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Verse 13. “These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” John 20:31.

5. What witness does the true believer in Christ have that he is accepted of God?

“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.” 1 John 5:10.

NOTE.—Faith and feeling should not be confounded. Faith is ours to exercise in the Word of God, regardless of our feelings, and often in opposition even to our feelings. Many fail to accept the pardon and assurance of the acceptance of Heaven, because they do not take God at His word, but instead turn their attention to their changeable moods and feelings. Faith always precedes the joyful feelings which naturally result from the assurance of forgiveness and acceptance. This order is never reversed.

6. How only do any become children of God?

“Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:26.

7. What is the foundation of faith?

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17.

8. What assurance has the believer of his union with God?

“Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit.” 1 John 4:13.

9. What three definite witnesses of acceptance are mentioned by John?

“There are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” 1 John 5:8.

10. How does the Spirit witness to our acceptance with God?

“Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Gal. 4:6. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Rom. 8:16.

The Prodigal’s Return. "This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." Luke 15:24.

11. Of what is Christian baptism an evidence?

“As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Gal. 3:27.

NOTE.—In baptism, the water and the Spirit both bear witness of God’s acceptance. The same Spirit which, at Christ’s baptism, said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” witnesses to the acceptance of every sincere believer at his baptism.

12. To what does the blood of Christ witness?

“These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.... If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:4-7. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Eph. 1:7. See also Rev. 1:5, 6.

13. When may we find acceptance with God through Christ?

“I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

14. To whom, therefore, should we ascribe glory and honor?

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5, 6.

15. What is another evidence of divine acceptance?

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14.

16. What blessed assurance is given all believers in Christ?

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7.

Arise, my soul, arise, Shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding Sacrifice In my behalf appears; Before the throne my Saviour stands, My name is written on His hands.

Five bleeding wounds He bears, Received on Calvary; They pour effectual prayers, They strongly speak for me. Forgive him, O, forgive! they cry, Nor let the contrite sinner die! CHARLES WESLEY.

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Justification By Faith

The Penitent Thief. "Thou shalt be with Me in paradise." Luke 23:43.

1. What is the ground of justification on God’s part?

“That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7.

2. What is the means through which this justifying grace is made available to the sinner?

“Much more then, being now justified by His [Christ’s] blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Rom. 5:9.

3. How is justification laid hold upon?

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Rom. 3:28.

4. What is the only way sinners may be justified, or made righteous?

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Gal. 2:16.

5. What concrete example makes clear the meaning of this doctrine?

“And He brought him [Abraham] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.” Gen. 15:5, 6.

6. How is the righteousness thus obtained described?

“And be found in Him, not having thine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Phil. 3:9.

7. Upon what basis is justification granted?

“And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.” Rom. 5:16.

8. Upon what basis does the reward come to one who works?

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” Rom. 4:4.

9. Upon what condition is faith reckoned for righteousness?

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Verse 5.

10. How does grace, as the ground of justification, exclude righteousness by works?

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Rom. 11:6.

11. In what way are both Jews and Gentiles to be justified?

“Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” Rom. 3:29, 30.

12. What statement testifies to Abraham’s faith in God?

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” Rom. 4:20, 21.

13. What did this bring to him?

“And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Verse 22.

14. How may we receive this same imputed righteousness?

“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Verses 23, 24.

15. Why must justifying faith lay hold upon both the death and the resurrection of Christ?

“Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” Verse 25. See 1 Cor. 15:17.

NOTE.—The resurrection of Christ, the promised Seed (Gal. 3:16), was necessary in order to fulfil to Abraham the promise of an innumerable seed; and therefore Abraham’s faith in the promise of God, which included the resurrection, was reckoned to him for righteousness. His faith laid hold upon that which made imputed righteousness possible. See Heb. 11:17-19.

16. What is inseparable from the experience of justification by faith?

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38, 39.

17. How has Christ made it possible for righteousness to be imputed to the believer?

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Rom. 5:19.

18. What prophetic declaration foretold this truth?

“In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.” Isa. 45:25.

19. What other prediction asserts the same great truth?

“By His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.” Isa. 5:11.

20. What does the imputed righteousness of Christ enable God to do, and still be just?

“To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Rom. 3:26.

21. By what name is Christ appropriately called?

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jer. 23:5, 6.

22. What blessed experience follows upon the acceptance of Christ as our righteousness?

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:1.

23. What does Christ thus become to the believer?

“For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” Eph. 2:14.

24. On what basis is there no possibility of justification for the sinner?

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20.

25. How does the death of Christ bear testimony to this?

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Gal. 2:21.

26. What is proved by any attempt to be justified by the law?

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Gal. 5:4.

27. Why did Israel fail to attain unto righteousness?

“But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone.” Rom. 9:31, 32.

28. What is revealed by the law?

“By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20

29. What bears witness to the genuineness of the righteousness obtained by faith, apart from the deeds of the law?

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” Verse 21.

30. Does faith set aside the law of God?

“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Verse 31.

31. What scripture shows that the righteousness which is received by grace through faith must not be made an excuse for continuing in sin?

“What shall we say then? _Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid._ How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Rom. 6:1, 2.

32. Does faith exclude works?

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:20.

33. What is the evidence of genuine, living faith?

“Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” Verse 18.

34. What, then, are the visible proofs of genuine justification by faith?

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” Verse 24. See also verse 22.

35. What great exchange has been wrought for us in Christ?

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21.

NOTE.—Said Luther: “Learn to know Christ and Him crucified. Learn to sing a new song—to despair of your own works, and to cry unto Him, Lord Jesus, Thou art my righteousness, and I am Thy sin. Thou hast taken upon Thee what was mine, and given to me what was Thine; what Thou wast not Thou becamest, that I might become what I was not.”—D’Aubigne’s “History of the Reformation,” book 2, chap. 8.

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Look upon Jesus, sinless is He; Father, impute His life unto me. My life of scarlet, my sin and woe, Cover with His life, whiter than snow.

Deep are the wounds transgression has made: Red are the stains; my soul is afraid. O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee, Safe from the law that now judgeth me!

Longing the joy of pardon to know; Jesus holds out a robe white as snow: “Lord, I accept it! leaving my own, Gladly I wear Thy pure life alone.”

Reconciled by His death for my sin, Justified by His life pure and clean, Sanctified by obeying His word, Glorified when returneth my Lord. F. E. BELDEN.

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Righteousness And Life

The Lord Our Righteousness. "He that hath the Son hath life." 1 John 5:12.

1. What is assured to the believer in Christ?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

2. What is revealed in the gospel?

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Rom. 1:17.

3. What has Christ brought to light through the gospel?

“Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Tim. 1:10.

4. How closely are righteousness and life thus united?

“In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” Prov. 12:28.

5. What does he find who follows after righteousness?

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.” Prov. 21:21.

6. Through what does grace reign unto eternal life?

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 5:21.

Healing The Lame Man. "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Acts 3:6.

7. What is the very life of the Spirit?

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Rom. 8:10.

8. What are the commandments of God declared to be?

“All Thy commandments are righteousness.” Ps. 119:172.

9. What did Jesus declare God’s commandment to be?

“And I know that His commandment is life everlasting.” John 12:50.

NOTE.—Life and righteousness are thus shown to be inseparable.

10. What does the prophet Jeremiah declare Christ to be?

“And this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jer. 23:6.

11. What does Christ declare Himself to be?

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6.

12. How is righteousness received?

“For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:17.

13. How is eternal life bestowed?

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

14. What did Moses set forth as the basis of righteousness?

“And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us.” Deut. 6:25.

15. What did Christ indicate as essential to eternal life?

“And He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19:17.

NOTE.—The righteousness of God, which is obtained by faith in Christ, brings with it the life of God, which is inseparably connected with righteousness; and the life of God, which is bestowed upon man as a gift through his faith in Christ, is a life of righteousness,—the righteousness, or right-doing, of Christ.

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Consecration

The Carpenter’s Son. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5.

1. What offering did King Hezekiah command to be made when he reestablished the worship of the temple?

“And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.” 2 Chron. 29:27.

2. After the people had united in this service, how did Hezekiah interpret its meaning?

“Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices and thank-offerings into the house of the Lord. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank-offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.” Verse 31.

NOTE.—The morning and the evening burnt offering, or the continual offering (Ex. 29:42), symbolized the daily consecration of the people to the Lord.

3. How is this consecration urged upon all Christians?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1.

4. What is the continual sacrifice of praise declared to be?

“Through Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to His name.” Heb. 13:15, R. V.

5. How is the service of consecration to be carried forward by the Christian church?

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5.

6. Who has set the example of complete consecration?

“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matt. 20: 27, 28.

7. What position has Jesus taken among His brethren?

“For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.” Luke 22:27.

8. In what does likeness to Christ consist?

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5.

9. What did Christ’s spirit of meekness and consecration lead Him to do?

“But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Verse 7.

10. To what extent did Christ humble Himself?

“And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Verse 8.

11. How does He exhort us to the same consecration?

“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11:29.

12. What does He make the condition of discipleship?

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33.

13. What is proof that one does not belong to Christ?

“If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Rom. 8:9.

14. How should he walk who professes to abide in Christ?

“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6.

15. Do we belong to ourselves?

“Know ye not that ... ye are not your own? for ye are bought with a price.” 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

16. What are we therefore exhorted to do?

“Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Verse 20.

NOTE.—Our time, strength, and means are God’s, and should be given to His service.

17. Of what are the bodies of Christians the temple?

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God?” Verse 19.

18. When truly consecrated, for what is one ready?

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Isa. 6:8.

19. How is this willingness for service otherwise expressed?

“Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God.” Ps. 123:2.

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Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee! Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee; Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King.

Take my will, and make it Thine: It shall be no longer mine! Take my heart,—it is Thine own,—It shall be Thy royal throne. FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.

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Bible Election

The Ten Virgins. "They that were ready went in with him to the marriage." Matt. 25:10.

1. What does the apostle Peter admonish us to do?

“Wherefore ... brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10.

NOTE.—This text at once reveals the fact that our salvation, so far as our own individual cases are concerned, is dependent upon our own action. We are elected to be saved; but we are to give diligence to make this election sure. If we do not, it will not meet its purpose in our case, and we shall be lost.

2. What admonition given by Christ teaches the same truth?

“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Rev. 3:11.

NOTE.—Crowns have been prepared for each of the finally redeemed. Every soul is a candidate in the race for eternal life, and hence for a crown. Faith in Jesus, and perseverance to the end, will hold it fast.

3. Upon what condition is the crown of life promised?

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10.

4. In whom, and from what time, have we been chosen unto holiness and salvation?

“According as He hath chosen us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world.” Eph. 1:4, first part.

5. What is the character of those thus chosen before the foundation of the world?

“That we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love.” Same verse, last part, R. V.

6. To what has God foreordained those who attain to this character?

“Having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto Himself.” Verse 5, R. V.

7. According to what does God call us?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Rom. 8:28.

8. According to what have we been predestinated?

“Being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” Eph. 1:11.

9. How many does God desire to be saved?

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:4.

10. Upon what condition is salvation offered?

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

11. For how long must this faith be preserved in order to bring final salvation?

“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt. 24:13. See James 1:12; Rev. 2:10.

12. What scripture is sometimes cited as evidence that God is arbitrary in His dealings with men?

“Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth.” Rom. 9:18.

13. But what other scripture shows with whom God wills to be merciful, and with whom otherwise?

“With the merciful Thou wilt show Thyself merciful; with an upright man Thou wilt show Thyself upright; with the pure Thou wilt show Thyself pure; and with the froward Thou wilt show Thyself froward.” Ps. 18:25, 26. See also Isa. 55:7.

NOTE.—God wills that men shall be saved. He has foreordained the characters that will entitle men to salvation, but He does not compel any one to receive Christ, possess this character, and be saved. This is a matter of individual choice. By His mighty acts and judgments in Egypt, God “hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” Ex. 7:3, 13, 22. But the same manifestations softened the hearts of others. The difference was in the hearts, and in the way God’s message and dealings were received; not in God. The same sun which melts the wax hardens the clay. Ex. 8:32 says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart.

14. What, on man’s part, is essential to salvation?

“Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15. “If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching.” John 7:17, R. V. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

NOTE.—A man once wished to join a certain church, but said he could not do so on account of the views this church held on the subject of “election.” The minister to whom he was sent for help and enlightenment, failing to make the matter clear, an old colored man, a layman, came to the rescue, and said: “Brother, this is the very easiest thing in the church. You see, it is like this: The votin’ is goin’ on all the time; and God, He is votin’ for you; and the devil, he is votin’ agin you; and whichever way you vote, that is the way the election goes.” Commenting upon this incident, Rev. Wilbur Chapman, the noted evangelist, says: “I have studied theology some myself, and graduated at a theological seminary; but I never got anything quite so good as that.”

15. In what fact may every believer rejoice?

“But rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20, R. V.

16. Whose names are to be retained in the book of life?

“He that overcometh, ... I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.” Rev. 3:5.

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O, happy day! that fixed my choice On Thee, My Saviour and my God; Well may this glowing heart rejoice, And tell its raptures all abroad.

’Tis done, the great transaction’s done; I am my Lord’s, and he is mine; He drew me, and I followed on, Charmed to confess the voice divine.

Now rest, my long-divided heart, Fixed on this blissful center rest; Nor ever from thy Lord depart, With Him of every good possessed. PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

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Bible Sanctification

Moses At The Burning Bush. "The place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Ex. 3:5.

1. What inspired prayer sets the standard of Christian experience?

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:23.

2. How necessary is the experience of sanctification?

“Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb. 12:14, R. V.

3. What encouragement is held out as an aid in attaining this experience?

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.” 1 Thess. 4:3.

NOTE.—Whatever is the will of God concerning us can be realized in our experience if our wills are in harmony with His will. It is therefore a matter of great encouragement to know that our sanctification is included in the will of God.

4. What distinct purpose did Christ have in giving Himself for the church?

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” Eph. 5:25, 26.

5. What kind of church would He thus be able to present to Himself?

“That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Verse 27.

6. In the experience of sanctification, what attitude must one assume toward the truth?

“God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 2 Thess. 2:13.

7. What instruction shows that sanctification is a progressive work?

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18. See chap. 1:5-7.

8. What description of the apostle Paul’s experience is in harmony with this?

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13, 14.

9. By what is this cleansing from sin and fitting for God’s service accomplished?

“For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Heb. 9:13, 14. See also chap. 10:29.

10. What change is thus brought about?

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Rom. 12:2.

11. Can any one boast of sinlessness?

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8.

12. What are we exhorted by the prophet to seek?

“Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” Zeph. 2:3.

13. In whose name should everything be done?

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Col. 3:17.

14. In all we do, whose glory should we have in view?

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31.

15. What classes of persons are necessarily shut out of the kingdom of God?

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Eph. 5:5. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.

16. What must be crucified and eliminated from our lives if we would be holy?

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” Col. 3:5, 6.

17. When purged from these sins, in what condition is a man, and for what is he prepared?

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Tim. 2:21.

NOTE.—“Sanctification is the term used to describe the work of God the Holy Ghost upon the character of those who are justified. We are justified in order that we may be sanctified, and we are sanctified in order that we may be glorified. ‘Whom He justified, them He also glorified.’ Rom. 8:30. The grace of God is given to make us holy, and so to fit us for God’s presence in eternity; for ’without holiness no man shall see the Lord.’ Heb. 12:14.”—“The Catholic Religion” (Episcopal), by Rev. Vernon Staley, page 327.

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