THE KING’S BUSINESS
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is above, so that now to die, is to depart and be with Christ, and that is in heaven. If this be the true interpretation o f these verses in Peter then there is absolutely no ground therein for the doctrine o f a second- chance or probation.
robbed death o f its power, and entering into that upper part o f the world o f departed spirits, took captive all those Old Testa ment saints who had, for so long a time been in captivity to Satan, and led them as his own captives,' into the, paradise which
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FINAL AUTHORITY
THE BIBLE THE
By DR. W ILL IAM EVANS
T HE Bible is not only the book o f God. it is also the book from God. “ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God”—- that is to say, is “ God-breathed” (2 Tim othy 3:16). Again, in 2 Peter 1:20, 21, wc read : “ Knowing this first, that no proph ecy o f the Scripture is o f any private interpretation (or origin, for it seems clear that it is to the source rather than to the exposition o f the Scripture that reference is here made). For the prophecy came not in old time by the will o f man, but holy men o f God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Here are some very clear and definite statements concerning the source o f the Scripture. It is this “ God- breathed” element that differentiates this book from all other writings. The Bible is quite often referred to nowadays as splendid “literature.” Well, the/Bible is that, but it is more than that—it is Scrip ture. Literature is the letter; Scripture is the letter inbreathed by the Holy Spirit. Just as in the creation o f man we learn that man became a living soul when that frame o f dust, as it lay on the ground, became inbreathed by the spirit of life frpm God. Man is dust inbreathed by deity, and if you take away the spirit o f life from man he returns to dust. So ls it with the Bible; it is the letter, but it is the letter inbreathed by God’ s spirit that makes that letter Scripture. And when you rob the Bible o f its inspiration you have nothing bul; mere literature left—you have no Scripture.
Where is the seat o f authority in mat ters o f religion? This is always the prob lem o f the day.' Various replies are given to the question. Reason, says one, is the seat o f filial authority. May not the intellect with its various functions be relied upon to render sure Judgments? One has only to recall the grotesque fancies that have from time to time taken hold o f the finest and brainiest men and led them into the grossest delusions to satisfy himself that the seat o f authority., does not lie in the reason. Not that we are to throw reason away in matters o f religion; for while faith is ofttimes above reason, it is by no means contrary to it. The voice o f reason, however, is not to be considered final and authoritative. Can we not depend upon conscience, that organ as delicate, and sensitive as the bal ance turned by a speck o f dusf, to admon ish us o f evil, to praise us for the good, and settle for us the right and wrong of matters religious? W e have but to recall into what incalculable mischief the con sciences o f some men have led them—Saul o f Tarsus, for example—to recognize speedily that we must look elsewhere for our authority. “ In all good conscience men have written deadly heresies in their books, and under the sanctions, o f a religious com- science have performed deeds of violence and shame.” There are people who claim that the church is the ultimate authority in matters
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