BIBLE STUDY HELPS FOR 1955 On International Uniform Sunday School Lessons
WORDS
from the
WORD by Charles L. Feinberg, Th.D., Ph.D., Director, Talbot Theological Seminary
The teacher's commentary BROADMAN COMMENTS
Sons o f God Part Two
s we have seen in a previous study, the phrase sons of God has specific connotations in the Old Testament. When we come to consider the New Testament usage of the term, we find it much enlarged and enriched in meaning. It embodies some of the most basic truths inherent in the doc trines of salvation and grace. Let it be understood clearly from the outset that the New Testament gives no ground whatsoever for the view that all men are by nature sons of God. It is wholly unscriptural to speak of the brotherhood of man and the Fa therhood of God. Our God is Creator of all men, but this is a vastly dif ferent concept from being the Father of all men. On the contrary, the Scriptures teach that men are rather children of wrath by nature. See Ephesians 2:1-3. As such they are motivated and controlled by the spir it of disobedience (Eph. 2:2-4). The New Testament words trans lated son are teknon and huios. Both words denote sonship, but the first indicates it is by physical descent, and may more properly be translated children; while the second indicates sonship rather from the legal aspect than from the viewpoint of. birth and is correctly translated son. John prefers the first usage, because he stresses the household concept, while Paul emphasizes the second, in order to assure believers of their legal in heritance rights before the law. Though the idea of sonship to God is so prominent throughout the New Testament, nevertheless, there are few actual references to sons of God in the original text. The reference in John 1:12 is actually to children and not sons. In the eighth chapter of Romans verses 14 and 19 are prop erly rendered sons, but verse 16 is to children. In Galatians 3:26 and 4:6 the word is sons, but 4:7 has the singular son. Philippians has but one citation and that is to children in 2:15. Both references in 1 John 3:1, 2 are to children. In pointing out these distinctions, we do not intend to im ply that where the reference is to sons of God, a different company is in view from those included under the category of children of God. They are assuredly one and the same com
pany under two different aspects. To be a child of God is to be a son of God, and vice versa. It is of eternal significance that men realize that they become chil dren of God only by regeneration through the Holy Spirit upon trusting Christ as Saviour from sin. The new birth assures the believer immediately that he is a partaker of the divine nature. Born into the household of God, he partakes at once of the na ture of the Father. Compare John 6:48-51; 15:4,5; and 2 Peter 1:4. This family likeness, if you will, manifests itself in that the child and son of God resembles the Father in holiness (1 John 3:9), in love (1 John 4 :7), and in victory over the world (1 John 5:4). The son of God is con stantly in the special love of the Father (John 17:23) and the object of His unremitting care (Lk. 12:27- 32). He bears, not only the family likeness, but the family name as well (Eph. 3:14,15 and 1 John 3:1). As the believer’s life is brought more and more in keeping with the will of God, he is constantly being conformed to the image of the Son of God, the great pattern for all the sons of God. Note Romans 8:29. As a child in the home with other chil dren of God, the son of God loves the brethren (1 John 3:14). When need arises or the heart is drawn out to prayer and adoration, the son of God is free to call upon God. The son of God never gets beyond the point where the Father’s correc tion cannot reach him. Should he fail to heed the admonition of the Word of God and the voice of the Spirit of God, the Father applies His chasten ing hand to prove His love (which will not allow us to stray unnoticed), and to bring forth ultimately the fruits of righteousness. Read careful ly Hebrews 12:5-11. But the comfort and consolation of God are ours also in the hours of distress and sorrow (2 Cor. 1:3,4), and then beyond all earthly computation we have as sons of God a blood-bought right to an undreamed of inheritance (Rom. 8:17 and 1 Pet. 1:3-5). May we ever walk worthy of the high calling of sons and daughters of the living and lov ing God. END.
Features added to 1955 edition 'A' Life-centered lesson introductions k Brief outlines for teaching k More expository matter k Sharp focus on contemporary living k New author The Sunday School student's textbook POINTS FOR EMPHASIS 1955 by Clifton J. Allen 75c • With these valuable helps for teacher and student k Pocket-size (3%" x 5 ") for handy study k Scripture passage printed in full k Lesson explained in brief paragraphs k "Truths To Live By" for each lesson HOSPITAL MINISTRY by Richard K. Young $2.50 How to minister to the sick— THE PASTOR’ S
To help the pastor avoid regrettable mis takes To show him how to meet patients7 spiritual needs To inform him on using the Bible and prayer in hospital visiting
At your favorite bookstore or BROADMAN PRESS 127 Ninth Avenue, North Nashville 3, Tennessee
NOV EMB E R , 1954
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