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NO. 4
VOL. 1
APRIL, 1910
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Dr. Kelly, a professor in Johns Hopkins University, recognized as being in his special branch a foremost physician and surgeon in America, and who has been honored by honorary or other membership in profes- sional and scientific societies in America, England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France and Austria, says in the Sunday School Times: "My whole attitude toward the Bible is that of the simple faith of my grandfathers, and any other side that is a critical means of investigation has never appealed to me in the least. "Take the Gospel of John, for example: All the scientists in all the world, and ten thousand documents could not convince me that that book is a forgery. I apply to it exactly the same process I apply to my mother's affection—I know i t ."
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Published Monthly by the BIBLE INSTITUTE LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
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Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in Heaven—Psalm I 19:89
I t h I * J n a i t i u t * (Incorporated ) 260-264 South Main Street (Second Floor) L.os Ang e l e s , Ga l i f orn ia
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Lyman Stewart, President Rev. A. B. Prichard, Vice Pres. B. C. Atterbury, M.D. Secretary-Treas. T. C. Horton, Superintendent R. A. Hadden, Supt. Extension Work
The Institute is interdenominational. Its chief text book is the Bible. The management holds to the Divine Origin, Inspiration, Integrity and Supreme Authority of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. It is in accord with the historic teachings of the church and holds neither new theologies, fads nor vagaries. The Institute trains accredited men and women, free of cost, in the knowledge and use of the Bible. (1) The Institute Classes held daily exctept Satur- day and Sunday. Í (2) Extension Work. Classes and conferences .held in neighboring cities and towns. (3) Evangelistic. Meetings conducted bfy compe- tent evangelists under our direction. (4) Spanish Mission. Meetings every Wight for Spanish-speaking people and house visitation^ (5) Shop Work. Begular services in shops and factories all the year. 1 (6) Jewish Evangelism. Personal work iá homes for the Hebrew people. T (7) Bible Women. House-to-house work an A neigh- borhood classes. / Work among the 4000 men on the (8) Aqueduct, new aqueduct. (9) Oil Fields fields. A mission to the men on the oil Sale and distribution of (10) Books and Tracts, selected books and tracts.
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If ye abide in me and My Words abide in you, ye shall asi ye will and it shall be done unto you.—John 15:7.
what
Origin of the Bible. James H. Brookes, D. D.
the people for more than fourteen hun- dred years from the rightful and benign authority of Jehovah, their rejection and crucifixion of the Redeemer, their contemptuous defiance of the Holy Spirit in His manifested presence and power, nought excusing nor extenuate ing. Man never wrote this history of himself and his nation. 5. While faithfully recording the evil deeds of man and the shameful apostasy of Israel, it makes no allow- ance for sin. On every page is written, " B e ye holy." It does not lower its standard to suit our inclinations, but everywhere thunders out its -stern com- mands, ' ' Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet, Love your ene- mies, Besist not evil, Do good to all men," cutting athwart the natural dis- position of the human heart without sparing. Man never framed such a code of morals, nor could he. 6. Although more than fifteen hun- dred years passed in its composition, and about forty writers of every grade of rank and intellect and learning and occupation were engaged on its ¡pages, it maintains the most perfect unity in its teachings from beginning to end. It is the same God, the same Christ, the same Holy Spirit^ the same condemna- tion of man for sin, the same redemp- tion by the blood, the same reward of the righteous, the same punishment of the wicked, without a single jarring note. Man could never have been so harmonious with his fellow man, as shown by the whole history of litera- ture, philosophy and science. 7. For many hundreds of years the fierce light of unfriendly criticism has beat upon it, but it has stood the test triumphantly, and as Archdeacon Farrar deliberately wrote in his better days, *' Nor has the widest learning, nor the acutest ingenuity of criticism ever dis- covered in it one single demonstrable error of fact or of doctrine." It is absolutely impossible that such a book could be the work of man, uncontrolled by a superior power. 8. For eighteen centuries it has been believed and loved by the best men and women who have ever lived. What- ever may be said about hypocrites in
Thi,s very ancient book, more ancient in some of its parts than any other book of which we have any knowledge, carries within itself the evidences of > A its supernatural origin. He who reads it attentively and intelligently can be- lieve that man made the world as read- ily as he can believe that man made the Word. 1. Compare the views it gives of the Supreme Being with the conceptions of the deity put forth by all other re- ligions—that of Egypt, or Greece, or Bome, or China, or India, or of Pagan- ism anywhere. It represents to us a Person eternal, self existent, omni- potent, omnipresent, omniscient, im- mutable, infinite in holiness, justice, goodness and truth. Man, unaided and unguided, never had such a thought of God. 2. From first to last it reveals to us a personal Messiah, or Christ, both di- vine and human, filled with power and love, who meets the demands of a righteous and unchangeable law by dying in the place of sinners, and then ascending to the right hand of the Majesty on high as the representative and great high priest of all who accept His grace. Man could never have in- vented such a Saviour. 3. From its opening to its closing chapter it sets forth a •divine and per- sonal Spirit, who regenerates, and abides with the believer forever to comfort and help and teach him, and to bear his infirmities, and to quicken his mor- tal body at the second coming of Christ. Man never dreamed of such a Parac- lete. If in the history of the race there has been even an approximation to the doctrine of the Bible concerning the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, let it be shown. 4. Throughout it portrays the most repulsive picture of man, his preference of the devil's lie, his deliberate sin, in- gratitude, unbelief, rebellion, idolatry, his entire and universal depravity, the falsehood of Abraham, the treachery of Jacob, the founders of the Jewish na- tion; the adultery and murder com- mitted by David, their greatest king; the cowardice of Elijah, the revolt of
the church, there have been millions upon millions who were not hypocrites, and these have testified, a great multi- tude of them in the flames of martyr- dom, that this, book changed them from sinners to saints, that it brought them to God, that it filled them with sacred joy and hope, that it made less heavy the burdens of life, that it eased their toil, that it brightened their pathway with its promises, and sweetened their eup of affliction, and gave them the victory over death. Man never wrote a book that could do this for the sinful and suffering. 9. It contains numerous prophecies that have unquestionably been fulfilled before the eyes of all the world, as those concerning the mightiest empires and cities of antiquity. The Emperor Julian might deliberately plan to de- feat the prediction about the desolation of Jerusalem until the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled, but all have been, the "Word of the Lord abideth forever." Whatever else man can do AUTHORIZED PREACHING. The Lord said to Jonah Preach the preaching that I bid you (Jon. 3:2). This is an unchangeable statute for all who speak in the name of the Lord. In Titus 2:15 Paul says, These things teach, exhort and reprove with all au- thority. "These t h i ng s" are found expressly in verses 11 to 13. In them we have an epitomy of evangelical preaching: The grace of God hath appeared bringing salvation to all men, instruct- ing us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age (Harg.) looking for the blessed bop« and appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesua Christ. In these words we have Christianity condensed. They eover the ground of our discourse in three main heads, viz.: I. The grace of God that has appeared; v. 11, The grace of life that should appear; v. 12, the grace and glory that shall appear. It is all here. PAST, PRESENT, PRO- SPECTIVE. A historical fact— the fin- ished salvation completed in Christ; a practical effect—the work of salvation
he cannot prophesy, and therefore the Bible is not friiffl him, but from a higher source. ID. It summons its witnesses by thousands at the present day from the dark regions of heathendom. Within the memory of men now living entire communities of brutal, cruel, degraded, naked, cannibal savages ia New Zea- land, the Fiji Islands, New Hebrides and New Guinea have been clothed, and are found in their right mind sit- ting at the feet of Jesus, singing His praise at family worship, crowding His house on the Lord's day, advancing in civilization, knowledge and refinement, converted by nothing but the Bible. Dr. John G. Paton has seen more than 14,000 such converts in the New Heb- rides. No book of man can do a work like this. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent word I perfecting in us; a prophetical hope— the coming salvation consummated in glory. On one hand the first advent and the crown of shame; on the other the Second advent and the crown of glory; and between an unworldly peo- ple looking back to the foundations of their faith, and forward to the corona- tion of their hope. The power of the blood, the power of the Spirit, and the powers of the world to come. BLESSED GRACE! BLESSED LIFE! BLESSED HOPE! THE CHRIST THAT WAS, THE CHRIST THAT IS, THE CHRIST THAT COMES. n. CHRISTIANITY PERSONAL. It has a personal Saviour. It is not the teaching of Jesus, nor the preaehing which is salvation; it is Jesus Himself. The prevalent teaching, that we can do without Jesus, that all questions as to His supernatural birth, supernatural mission, supernatural works, and His supernatural delivery from the prison- house of death, are indifferent, super- fluous and inconsequent, is utterly at variance with Scripture, our necessities, and experience. So far from its being
Helpful Sketches. J. H. Sammis.
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There remai neth therefore a rest to the people of God (Hab. 4:9). He shall find freedom from faults: (He) is able to present us faultless be- fore the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24). They shall walk with me in white (Rev. 3:4). He shall have a glorious body: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like His glorious body (Phil. 3:21). We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed (1 Cor. 15:51). Then shall thè righteous shine forth as the sun (Matt. 13:43, 17:2). He shall see the Lord: We shall see Him as He is (1 Jno. 3:2). Father I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am: that they may behold my glory (Jno. 17:24), They shall see His Face (Rev. 22:4). They shall have a mansion: In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you; I go to prepare a place for you (Jno. 14:2). They shall have a crown: 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 that love His appearing (2 Tim, 4:8). He shall be confessed before angels: Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God (Luke 12:8). He shall have wonderful knowledge: For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Cor. 13:12). He shall be forever with His Lord: So shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17). I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Ps. 23:6). Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out (Rev. 3:12), He shall never want for food and comfort: They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat (Rev. 7:16). 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 (Rev. 12:4). i As they say at the Fisherman's Club, "Praise the Lo r d !"
true that so long as we have the prin- ciples and precepts of Christian prac- tice we need not trouble ourselves about the rest, our whole hope and strength are fixed on and derived from Him as the Sovereign God and the very Sub- stance and Fount of salvation. Simeon was right when looking up from the babe in his arms he said, "Now, O Lord, let thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have beheld thy Salva- tion" (Luke 2:29). Our salvation is not in ourselves, it is in Him. " T he Lord is my strength and my salvation'' (Psa. 118:14). Therefore Jesus said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life, the door, the resurrection," etc. (Jno. 14:6, 10:7, 11:25). Therefore, also, He is our peace, our life, our hope, our bread and our drink (Eph. 2:14; Col. 3:4, 1:27; Jno. 6:36, 6:55. All schemes of salvation may be tested by this: Is the personal Christ trusted and preached as Salvation. His will, His work saves individual souls, setting them free as by a sovereign and official stroke of an executive pen dipped in His blood; or as one who lifts them from the quicksands of sin in which they sank the more helpless in all their struggles; or as one snatch- ing them from the flames as brands from the burning. We are not as drowning men swimming for the shore; nor as strugglers with billows supported by the buoying help of a life preserver, but as these utterly exhausted and help- less, unresistingly and obediently cling- ing to a strong and infallible life-saver. Our watchword is, He is become my Sal- vation! Jesus said, " I will raise him up; I will in no wise cast out," "None shall be able to pluck out of My hand," " Fa t h er I will that they may see my glory" (Jno. 6:40, 6:37, 10:28, 17:24). " And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to loose the seals thereof: for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God a kingdom and priests: and we shall reign on the e a r t h" (Rev. 5:9, 10)- IIL THERE'S A GOOD TIME COMING TOR THE CHRISTIAN. He shall find rest from his troubles: And to you who are troubled . . . rest when the Lord Jesus shall be re- vealed from heaven (2 Thess. 1:7).
I refuse to be disappointed; I will only praise.—Hannington.
Brief Thoughts For Busy Teachers International Sunday School Lesson As Taught by T. C. Horton at the Bible Institute, Los Angeles, Cal. Lesson No. 1—April 3. THE POWER OF FAITH. Matt. 9:18-34. Golden Text—Mark 9:23. Theme: A Fourfold Truth of Faith. Outline: gogue where Jesus taught, nor before Him in a public audienee. She had exhausted all of her resources in a vain effort to find relief. She is a type of the sinner whose sin is like a running sore; who tries all the devil's quack doctors and gets no better. Doctor,— No sin—no hurry—not so bad—do your best—pay your debts—God is too good and a hundred other pill makers who drive their victims to an untimely and unchanging destiny. The sinner gets worse every day and power to resist sin is lessened as the days pass.
(1) Faith for Body Subject to Disease. (2) Faith for Body Subject to Death. (3) Faith for Body Subject to Defor- mity. (4) Faith for Body Subject to Demons. The theme of our lesson is Faith, as illustrated in different individuals under different circumstances, and shows how all things are possible to faith. This will be a good time to lay the founda- tion deep and broad for a true faith upon the part of each member of your elass, in the Son of God. The lesson is also an illustration of the personal relation of the Lord Jesus Christ to individuals. " F a i th believes God upon His bare word, against sense in things invisible against reason in things incredible."—John Trapp. Faith is the substance (Heb. 11:7). Faith is not dependent upon what it sees, but is itself the substance of things de- sired. In his " T h e Master He a r t ," Robert Speer says, ? ' Faith with Jesus is per- sonal confidence in Himself. Faith with Jesus is the answer of a man's soul to His soul, the touch of a man's per- sonality upon His personality, thè sur- render of a willing life to Jesus Christ as its Lord and King. ' ' (1) FAITH FOR DISEASED BODY. " T h y Faith hath made thee whole. ' ' These verses tell a wonderful story of faith. Mark and Luke add some items of interest. The woman had been sick for twelve years, for the same length of time that .the Ruler's daugh- ter had lived (Luke 8:42). The woman had suffered many things of many physicians, had spent all—• was no better, but worse (Mark 5:25). The Complaint. An issue of blood which sapped her life and rendered her unclean. She could not go to the Syna-
The Conscious Need. She knew her helpless condition and realized that she must act while He was near. The most convenient season is now for saint and sinner; now while you feel your need, lay hold of Him. The Contact by Faith. She said within herself, or over and over again, " I f I do but touch His garment." The hem or fringe of His garment was probably blue (Num. 15:35)—heavenly color signifying that the character of His service was heavenly (Psa. 133:2). The faith of the woman was simple and definite. She did not analyze it. She simply believed that there was a cure in a touch. The Compassion of the Lord. He honored that child-like simplicity which sought unnoticed to secure the blessing. He knew that virtue had gone out of Him (Mark 5:30), showing elearly that all of the service of our Lord was rendered at the expense of His vital powers. His heart had been moved, His sympathies aroused. He had re- sponded to faith, and healed her. The Confession of the Lord. "Who touched Me ? " Multitudes had touched Him. The crowd had jostled, but He asked Who? He had been touched by the curious. The touch of convention- ality had been upon Him by Simon, who made Him a feast. At Gadara they touched Him carelessly and begged Him to depart, and at Nazareth they crimi- nally touched Him and sought to slay Him. At the house of Jairus there was the touch of contempt. No virtue went out of Him to the many who had the
out (Mark 5:40). Unbelief hindered the work of God. Even the Lord could not do many mighty works in Nazareth because of the unbelief (Matt. 13:58). If we could turn the unregenerate out of our churches the Lord eould manifest larger power. He took the father and mother, Peter, James and John into the room and with the touch of His hand and the word of His mouth brought back into the body the spirit of the girl. "Maid, arise." How simple. His touch identified Himself with her dead body, He spoke and she lived. Peter, James and John belonged to the inner circle (Mark 5:37, 9:2, 14:33), and so may we if we will. What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus Christ. When He descends from heaven with a shout all those who sleep in Jesus will arise (1 Thess. 4:16). What a comfort for us are these words. If man had made this Bible, we should have had some wonderful stories of the soul of the maid—where she went, what she saw. As it is we have the simple fact of her resurrection. There is nothing to satisfy idle curiosity. (3) FAITH OF THE DEFORMED. "Believe ye that I am able— Yea Lord." Two blind men—whose faith reached up and out to Him as the promised Messiah. The Son of David was prom- ised as the mercy giver (Psa. 72:12-13; Luke 1:78; Psa. 146:8; Isa. 35:5, 42: 6-7). Perception of Faith. Though handi- capped by a dreadful deformity, these two men, companions in misery, became companions in a mighty faith. They had a spiritual insight and vision which enabled them to believe for themselves that Jesus was the long-looked-for Prophet. Persistence of Faith. They followed, crying. They did not cease until they found access to Him in-the house. The only condition of the Christ is "Ac- cording to your faith be it unto you." Our mercies and blessings are meas- ured by our confidence in Him. How we limit Him. Oh, for a larger expec- tation. (4) FAITH FOB DEMON POSSESSED. "They brought to Him." Who brought him? We do not know, but He knows, and we know that we can bring the needy to Him, if we only have the faith we should. The demon was cast out and the man spake. Dumb Christians can be made to speak if they will come to Jesus and their testimonies
privilege of seeing, hearing and touch- ing Him, and so it is today. There was no virtue in His garment, but in Him- self. All the old relies in the world would not make one sin-sick soul whole. Her faith availed and the Lord brought her to His feet in confession (Mark 5:33). The Faith Commended. "Daughter, thy faith had made thee whole, go in peace and be whole of the plague." In Luke 7:50 it is ' ' Thy faith hath saved thee." Also Luke 17:19-18:42; Acts 14:9. (2) FAITH FOB A DEAD BODY. "My daughter is even now dead." •Tairus was the Chief Ruler—his daughter was dying, Luke says (8:42); Mark says at point of death; Matthew says, dead. The rulers hated the Lord, but this one worshiped Him. Jesus Christ received the worship of men, therefore He must be God or an im- poster (Matt. 8:2, 14:33; Luke 17:15- 16; Acts 10:25-26). The Buler's Bequest. "Come and lay thy hand upon h e r ." He was heart- broken and poured out his soul at the Saviour's feet (Mark 5:23). Some have contrasted the faith of the Buler with that of the Centurian (Matt. 8:8), but the conditions are far different. To be- lieve that one eould be raised from the dead required a supreme effort. She was an only daughter (Luke 8:4). The young man at Nain was an only son ! ("Luke 7:12). Lazarus was an only brother (Jno. 11:1). The Lord's Besponse. " H e arose and followed." How wonderful that the Creator of the world (Jno. 1:3) should become an humble servant of men (Matt. 8:7; Jno. 4:34; Acts 10:38). How quickly He responds to every in- vitation. ' Would you have him in' your home, in your business or your pleasures? Invite Him. In your sore distress, in grief or pain, in perplexity or temptation, only say to Him, "Come." and He will be with you. The Maid's Besurrection. That the maid was dead was evidenced by the presence of the paid mourners and friends, who made great lamentations. The very scorn and contempt of the mourners laid the foundation for the full manifestation of His power. What awful sacrilege, when they laughed Him to scorn. In the very presence of the dead the Prince of Life was made the butt of ridicule. He would not work the miracle in the presence of these unbelievers, so He turned them
will cause multitudes to glorify God. Again is prophecy fulfilled (Isa. 35:6). The people were glad and the Pharisees were mad and blasphemed God in as- cribing the deliverance to the devil. If you please God, you will never please the Pharisees. POINTS PRACTICAL. (1) It is a well-founded faith that puts a finger upon the fringe of His garment. (2) Virtue is vested in Him and flows forth at faith's demand. (3) A full frank confession of Him as the Christ of God brings comfort and cheer. (4) It is well worth while to count Him worthy of worship. (5) The faith of one who follows the Lord is not disheartened by dis- tance, disturbed by delay, nor dis- couraged by doubts. (6) The Pharisees had the incurable disease of sin, were blind to the truth, possessed of demons of doubt and were dead to God. (7) Binding the broken hearts, deliver- ing the demon possessed, bestowing sight upon the blind and defeating death are matters of greater mo- ment than debating with doubting Pharisees. Lesson No. 2—April 10. THE MISSION OP THE TWELVE. 1- 4 (4) Sending Forth Shepherds..5-15,40-42 The parallel passage is found in Mark 6. With adult classes it will be well to read this lesson in its dispensa- tional aspect. Verses 16-39 reach into this age and have a forward reach into the coming age; however, the truths here are practical and should be force- fully applied. (1) SPIRITUAL VISION. "When He saw the multitude." .Tosepbus tells us that there were 204 cities and populous villages in Galilee. The word multitudes is therefore not an exaggerated term. In his visitations the Lord Jesus had looked upon the crowds and had been made conscious of their deep need. What He Saw. Sheep without a shep- herd (Num. 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17). The Jewish leaders had neglected the peo- Matt. 9:35-10, 1-15, 40-42. Golden Text—Matt. 10:8. Outline: (1) Spiritual Vision (2) Solemn Admonition (3) Separating His Servants ...35-36 .37-38
ple, the teachers had ignored them. Physical distress was evidenced every- where, many were diseased and demon- possessed. Traditions had been substi- tuted for God's Word and so their souls neglected. The masses were unshep- herded, untaught, unsaved (Isa. 56:9- 11; Jer. 50:6). What He Felt. The conditions moved Him to compassion (Heb. 4:15). This word compassion is said to be one of the strongest in the Greek language and suggests the stirring of the inmost soul with yearning. Compassion as thus used has reference to the human element in the Lord Jesus. Compassion is an ster- nal principle in God. He saw the need of body and of soul and His own body and soul responded to the cry (HeB. 5:2). This is the picture of humanity that the church needs to view with the spiritual eyes of the Master. It needs to look out upon a lost world and see the havoc that sin has wrought, and the soul of the church needs to be stirred with divine compassion. Men are lost (Rom. 3:23); like scattered sheep they are driven about by winds of doctrine (Eph. 4:14) and traditions of men (Col. 2:8). They need the Christ who is the power of God and wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24), and there must be men and women who will be as Paul was to a lost world (1 Cor. 9: 19-22). (2) SOLEMN ADMONITION. " P r ay ye therefore." With that picture of distressing need before Him He said, " The harvest is great," there are so few to labor. Why did He not follow it with " Go y e " ? Because it is not His order. Before He called the twelve He prayed all night (Luke 6:12-13), now He bids them pray. He did in like manner be- fore sending them forth (Luke 10:2). The door to wisdom and work is prayer. All problems of the believer are solved by prayer. If the church would pray, Christ would perform. Schools and colleges, gifts of money, getting men and women pledged to go, are essential, but the most important of all is prayer, for all the other things are compassed the moment prayer be- gins. Prayer enables God to open eyes to see the need (Eph. 1:18). Prayer prepares the heart to respond to God's call to service (Acts 13:1-4). Prayer moves the soul with com- passion and opens the purse (2 Cor. 9:1-2).
the deep thoughts of God and the defi- nite things in practical service. The commission is direct and includes five things: Preach, " t h e kingdom of heaven is at h a n d" (Matt. 3:2, 4:17); heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons. A mis- sion and message to both soul and body. He had abundantly blessed them; they were to bountifully bestow the blessing upon others. Without money and with- out price He had ministered to them of His fullness and now they were to go forth in His name—in the power of His spirit—to do mighty deeds. The Scope of Their Ministry, verses 5-15. To the house of Israel. The King was sending them out to His subjects, therefore they were not to make pro- vision for themselves but to depend upon the people (Luke 10:7). After- wards when they were sent among the Gentiles they were commanded to do so (Luke 22:35-36). Invitations and warnings were to go hand in hand. If they were received the blessing of the King was to come on the house, and if rejected, barrenness followed. Respon- sibility would attend their mission and the day of Judgment would reveal the character of the people who accepted or rejected the message. There was to be no charge for healing the sick. It was a spiritual operation. The thought of consideration for healing in the name of the Lord Jesus is very repulsive (Acts 8:18-23). Suffering for Christ (Acts 16:23). Suffering, persecution and hatred await- ed them and will await their brethren who carry out the commission in an- other age. Security (Acts 16:24-33). They were dear to the Master, therefore they would be preserved to the end. The Sword That Severa (Aets 16:34- 39). There would be division in the families, and among friends. The mes- sage would be a separating one, and the messengers, if allied to the King, would be alienated from His enemies. Sweets of Reward (vs. 40-42). The King would keep account of service and rewards would be rendered for faithfulness. The very personality of the messengers was so identified with that of the Master Himself that receiv- ing or rejecting them was the equivalent to receiving or rejecting him. This truth is tremendous if properly assimi- lated and should solemnize many hearts (2 Cor. 5:20; Gal. 4:14).
Prayer prepares the hearts of men and women for the message (Acts 10: 4-6). What men pray for, they work for; it is impossible to make a genuine prayer for the spread of the gospel without putting ourselves at the Lord's disposal for the answer to the prayer (2 Cor. 8:5). When we make a real prayer that the Gospel may be given to Africa, we will mean that what we have and are, are at God's command for that work. So He said, " P r a y ye the Lord of the harvest,'' and they did. (3) SEPARATING HIS SERVANTS. ' 'He called His twelve disciples.'' Their prayers are answered. They are to have the joy of service in the whitened fields. Twelve of the most noted men in all the history of the world are these twelve obscure, un- lettered, uncultured men. They were without large means, without social standing—some were despised. They were not leaders amongst the Jews, but He made them that day mighty. The Apostles' Band. They are to rule over the twelve tribes of Israel in a regenerate earth and their names are to be blazoned upon the foundations of the heavenly city (Rev. 21:14). God's ways are not man's ways (Isa. 5-5:9), His choice is not the world's choice (1 Cor. 1:27). This is the first ordination service in the new dispensation. We have their names in couples, for so were they sent forth. Twq by two (Luke 10:1). Two are better than one (Eeci. 4:9-10), but the two must be agreed, else how can they walk together (Amos 3:3) t Bit- terness and strife in service can only be avoided by agreement in the Spirit (Eph. 5:2). Their deficiencies drove them to dependence upon Divine power. Even Paul the scholar stripped himself of all his fleshly-furnished equipment (1 Cor. 2:1-4) when he undertook the task of teaching the truth. The Lord compensated their human insufficiency by fitting them with a fur- nishing impossible to the schools (Acts 1:8). If Christ be not Divine, what sacrilege is this:—in selecting, ordain- ing and giving a message to men in- volving eternal destinies. (4) SENDING FORTH SHEPHERDS. "Go to the Lost Sheep." Theory and practice ¡are beautifully combined in our Lord's training school. He taught, He trained, He instructed in word and initiated in work. They had
POINTS PRACTICAL. (1) The condition of the masses moved the man Christ with compassion. (2) We need spiritual sight in order to see the sin-sick, sorrow-stricken world, suffering in both soul and body. (3) We need spirit-filled souls if we are to minister as messengers of mercy to the perishing multitudes. (4) Prayer will provide both men and means for the world-wide harvest. (5) When the Lord sends forth His servants He supplies their needs. (6) He graciously gives good gifts to His servants and commands them to bestow with bounteous hands, blessings upon others. Lesson No. 3—April 17. THE QUESTION OP JOHN THE BAPTIST. Matt. 11:1-19. Golden Text—Jno. 5:36. Theme: The Witness of the Word and Works of Jesus. Outline: (1) A Crucial Question—Regarding the Deity of Christ 1- 3 (2) A Conclusive Reply—Removing Doubts ; 4- 6 (3) A Clear-Cut Commendation — Relating to the Dispensational Position of John the Baptist....7-19 . Following the sending forth of the twelve, Jesus resumed His ministry of preaching and teaching in the cities. No doubt He had other disciples who faithfully followed Him in this tour. (1) A CRUCIAL QUESTION. " A rt thou He that cometh?" In chronological order our lesson of today antedates the sending forth of the twelve some six months. John had been cast into prison by Herod, through the machinations of Herodias, his wife (Matt. 14:3-5; Mark 6:17-20; Luke 3: 19-20). His place of confinement was a prison in a desolate region about nine miles east of the north end of the Dead Sea and about a hundred miles from where Jesus was engaged in His Gali- lean ministry. He had been confined for about a year. Many of his disciples remained steadfast to him and brought reports of the work of Jesus. The Messiah was drawing men to Him. He was meek and lowly. He had not used the ax nor started the fire (Acts 3:10- 12). Confined in prison when the prophecy declared the Messiah was to set the captive free (Isa. 61:1), John
may have begun to doubt whether Christ was the real Messiah, or as some of the teachers taught, that there would be two Messiahs: One to set up the Kingdom and the other to suffer death. Borne think that John did not doubt, but that his disciples did and that the message was for their benefit. John had testified that Jesus was the Comin" One (Jno. 1:6-8, 33-36, 3:26, 5:32-33. He had seen the Spirit descending like a dove and had declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God. In the midst of misery and pain faith often fails. There is an ebb and flow in many a life and strong men are sometimes strangely weak. Whatever the cause, John did the right thing in sending to Jesus for evidence to break down the doubt. If you are in doubt about the eDity of Christ or about His power or willing- ness to heal or help, go to Him for proof and He will dissolve your doubts and satisfy your soul (Psa. 107:9). John, like most of us, needed to know more of Jesus. (2) A CONCLUSIVE REPLY. "Go and show J ohn ." "There was no verbal reply to John's- questions, but there was a veritable an- swer: The credentials of Christ. The messengers were commanded to show John the proof of His Messiahship, His words and work were the weighty wit- nesses. He cited cases of fulfilled prophecy to prove that He was the Promised One (Isa. 29:18, 35:5-6). The Coming One was to show signs such as had never been seen in Israel and this Christ did, and they said "We never saw it on this fashion" (Mark 2:12). The proof of His Messiahship was in His power over the elements, disease and death, together with that other strange sight—the poor were having the Gospel preached to them. The Scribes courted the rich and treated the poor with contempt. Jesus had the heart of sympathy for them (Luke 4:18). Commendatory Faith. "Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me ." John's viewpoint was narrow and needed enlarging. John thought only of judgment; he forgot merey. Jesus mingled with publicans and sin- ners and this was a strong proof of His Divinity. He offended the Scribes and Pharisees by His denunciations of" their formality and hypocrisy (Luke 11:44). At Nazareth He offended By His broad Gospel and deep truth (Luke 4:25-28). The Jews stumbled at the Cross and the Greeks stumbled at the
story of a crucified Jew. The Cross is an offence always. It means a mee"k and lowly spirit—it means a separated life—it means a surrendered will. The best of all answers to the quibbles con- cerning the Christ is the superb, reeord of splendid achievements of His church. (3) A CLEAN-CUT COMMENDATION. "Jesus began to say, concerning J ohn ." John's disciples go on their way re- joicing and Jesus seeks to correct any misapprehension that may have arisen concerning John. He was not a reed, hollow and pliant, which is a symbol of levity and inconsistency (Isa. 36:6); neither was he a polished courtier, effeminate and fearful, a lover of ease. John was an oak, strong and sturdy; a child of the desert domiciled in a duli- geon for the Truth's sake. John was subjected to tremendous pressure upon his faith; but he was no weakling. He had faithfully confessed Christ before men (Mark 1:7; John 3:28-30), and now his Lord confessed John as one of the greatest of earth's great men (vs. 11). He was a man of convictions. He did not permit the Pharisees and Sad- ducees to be baptized (Matt. 3:7-8). A man of courage. He told the king that it was unlawful for him to have Herodias as his wife (Matt. 14:4). He was a modest man. He confessed his anworthiness to bear the Messiah's shoes (Matt. 2:11). A separated man. He lived a life of self-renunciation. He was a prophet (vs. 9). He was himself the subject of prophecy (Mai. 3:1) and with him the line of prophets ceased. He lived to see the day when the great prophecies concerning the first coming of the Messiah were fulfilled, lived to look into His face and announce the King at the door. But great as was his privilege, he did not enter into the Kingdom. The Kingdom was not set up, but postponed. The privileges of one who enters the Kingdom will be far beyond that enjoyed by John. He was the friend of the Bridegroom (John 3:39), but the bride has a different place from the friend who acted as an inter- mediary in the plans for the wedding. John had great joy in being the fore- runner and did not hesitate to declare that he must decrease—his light must wane as the light of the Lord Jesus shone forth. Divine Conclusions. Jesus closed His commendation of John with a parable in which Hei condemns the critical Jews.
He likens the Scribes and Pharisees to children, whose comrades have sought to play with them. They have played that it was a funeral, but thé others would not play again; they played that it was a wedding, but still they sulked; they wouldn't play. John came de- manding repentance. He lived f aa aus- tere life and spoke of judgment. They said he was too austere—he. had a demon. Jesus came, mingling with men. He made but little of the ex- actions required by the Pharisees and they said He was a glutton and wine bibber. They would not receive the message of John, neither would they receive the message of Jesus. They would not play, but sulked and grum- bled. The publicans and sinners went out and were baptized of John, and when Jesus came with His message of light and love they believed and followed Him. Thus they set their seal to the truth and by their acts condemned the Pharisees and Scribes. Following this parable comes the solemn note of im- pending judgment for those who had trifled with the truth. POINTS PRACTICAL. (1) A prophet in prison is not proof against the power of doubt. (2) Distrust as to the Deity of Christ will be dispelled by a knowledge of His Word. (3) The witness to the worth of Christ is best discovered in the believer and the Book. (4) John made much of Judgment and overlooked mercy. Men now makè mueh of mercy and overlook judg- ment. • (5) The Gospel is designed foT all, de- manded by all, and should be de- livered to all. (6) The wisdom of those Jews who be- lieved in Jesus as the Messiah was justified by His works. Lesson 4—April 24. WARNING AND INVITATION. Matt. 11:20-30. Golden Text—Matt. 11:28. Theme: Condemning and Calling. Outline: (1) Invective Against Impenitence..20-24 (2) Invocation to the Father.... 25-26 (3) Infinite Power of Son 27 (4) Invitation to the Needy 28-30 The lesson for today follows immedi- ately atfer the testimony concerning John the Bfiptist. The final words in
because the testimony had been ac- cepted by a few humble ones. He calls them babes. The babe lives by draw- ing its sustenance from another. Worldly wisdom is not an organ of per- ception of spiritual things, but rather a barrier. The key to this invocation is thanks for the childlikeness of some. No intellectual training or develop- ment can fit one for a revelation from God. The heart, not the head, is the avenue for God's approach. A child has no wisdom; it is simple in its igno- rance; it is teachable. The child looks up and calls God Father, and from His inexhaustible source, of supply finds all sufficiency for its needs. The disciples of Christ were unlearned and ignorant men (Acts 4:13). Contact with the Christ made them wise. The highest truths are learned by the humblest stu- dents. The history of the church shows that the early converts are always from among the lowly classes. Pride of intellect, of wealth, of good- ness, of position are the things which keep men and women out of heaven. A man who feels that he is on his way to hell is the best possible subject for the Gospel of grace, and the man who feels his own sufficiency, the hardest to reach. The Lord thanks His Father that some little ones have been brought to see the truth. The Kingdom was not to become the prize to intellect. Man must take his place in God's sight as utterly help- less as a babe, before God can bestow the blessing upon his soul. The atti- tude of the Son in this prayer is the essential attitude of soul for the recep- tion of Bivine wisdom and blessing. "Even so Father," without a surren- dered will, there can be no measure of grace given by God. The Lord is look- ing for men small enough to be used. Where will He be likely to find them? (3) INFINITE POWER. "All things ! are delivered unto Me." This is a profound statement and is to be accepted in the most comprehen- sive sense. All things,, both celestial and terrestrial (Phil. 2:10). All things are in His hands (Jno. 3:35). All power committed to Him (Matt. 28:18). All judgment (Jno. 5:22). All enemies under His feet (1 Cor. 15:25; Eph. 1: 22; Heb. 2:8). Angels, authorities and powers are subject to Him (1 Pet. 3:22). Coupled with the- assertion of His power the. Lord Jesus sets forever His seal to a great truth. The Father can only be known through the Son (Luke 10:22J\ He has manifested Him (Jno. 1:18) and
that lesson had reference to the wisdom of those who accepted the testimony of the truth. He now turns to the stub- born Jews and voices words of warn- ing. (1) INVECTIVE. ''Woe unto thee." The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were favored places. The latter was known as the Lord's own city. He spent much time and did many mighty works in the midst of these places. They had His personal presence (Matt 4:13; Mark 8:22), His teaching (Jno. 6:59; Matt. 9:35, 11:1), they saw His works (Mark 2:3; Luke 7:2), yet these cities were impenitent. They had closed their eyes to the tes- timony, they had shut their hearts against the teaching; they were with- out excuse. Every bit of teaching, every new work of grace added to their responsibility. The larger the truth given, the greater the debt. There is a tremendous law of retribution opera- tive in God's economy to which ojir best judgment must give assent/ The cities of the plain had been destroyed by fire 2000 years before this because there were not ten righteous persons to be found. Tyre and Sidom had grown rich, lawless and ilodatrous, and had been denounced by the prophets for their luxury (Amos 1:9-10; Ezek. 28: 2-6, 15, 16), yet they heeded not and were brought to the dust by the in- vasion of Babylon. These cities of Gali- lee, so specially favored and to whom Jesus appealed, were for their indiffer- ence utterly destroyed and their loca- tion cannot be positively placed. The people of Tyre, Sidom, Sodom and Ca- pernaum are yet to stand before this same Jesus to be judged, and they have «already been damned for four thousand years and are yet to receive their final doom. There will be a classification of character at the judgment. The lustful will be classed with Sodomites, the proud with Tyre and Sidon, the rebel- lious and obstinately wicked with Ca- pernaum; punishment will be in propor- tion to guilt. In that day where will the favored nations like our own stand? Sin cannot be covered, guilt cannot be condoned; the retribution will be awful. How solemn is the responsibility of the teacher who faces a class with this lesson and realizes that indifferenec to truth is a more heinous sin than sodomy. (2) INVOCATION. " I thank thee O Father." The Lord lifts His heart in thanks- giving to His Father as the Sovereign
none can come to the Father save by the Son (.Tno. 14:6, 17:23). He is the door to heaven, He has the keys. What will become of those who deny the Son of God? Of what value all earthly wis- dom if it avails not to reveal God as Father? Of what use all education if the Son is rejected who alone can re- veal the one truth worth knowing? If He be not God manifest in flesh, what blasphemous words are those He speaks, and if He be indeed God what blas- phemy to couple His name with other names and to fail to bow at His feet and give Him place in heart and life. (4) INVITATION. " Come unto Me." From the awful judgment pronounced upon the cities of Galilee, He turns now to give a personal invitation to the sons of men. He knows the hearts of men. This is but the echo of the call given to Israel (Isa. 14:3, 28:12). To those who find the world a weary place He now gives His gracious invitation. This is the turning point in the life of our Lord. He is not only the King of Israel, but He is the Son of God. The Call to Comfort. Come to me. Surely no one but God can give rest. Men need rest of conscience from sense of sin.and guilt, rest of soul in contem- plation of eternity. The world caftnot give it, the church cannot give it. Mary the mother of Jesus never said come to her. Mrs. Eddy cannot give it. Philoso- phers never pretended to give it. There is but One who ever offered it and He gives it. It is a world-wide invitation to all men in all ages. This voices the heart cry of the Son of God, He wept over Jerusalem because they would not come. He longs for the people of the cities of Galilee, for Pharisee and Scribe, for publican and sinner. The one universal panacea for all earth's ills is to. be found in Him as He says, "Come.'-' No works are to be wrought, no promises made, no prayers offered, just come. Come in your guilt and sin, come with your broken hearts, come law- burdened Jew and merit-seeking Gen- tile, come from your self-righteousness, come just as you are. Only One who had been touched with a feeling of our infirmities (Heb. 4:15), and who was acquainted with our griefs could give sufeh a call. Take My Yoke. By nature we are yoked to Satan and his service and that is what makes life such a burden. God's yoke is easy and His burden light; not easy or light for Him, but for us who wear it with Him. His yoke of fellow-
ship is lined with love. When the head is bowed, the heart surrendered, the will yielded and we enter into the sweets of fellowship with the rejected Son of God, our souls are refreshed. We know His peace, His comfort, His strength and life; our service with Him is humble, restful, joyful. Come to Him, poor, tired pilgrim; come and fine rest for your sin-sick soul. PRACTICAL POINTS. (1) See four views of Christ: Judge, Supplicant, Sovereign, Saviour. (2) See three looks of the Son: To- ward Judgment, Father, needy world. (3) To the Jews John was too ascetic and Jesus too accessible. In judg- ment men's guilt will be measured by the privileges and opportunities accorded. (4) Words of warning in the Word are signposts to the passing pilgrim. (5) The childlike are chosen; from the worldly wise, light is withheld. (6) All power is placed in His hands; He proclaims punishment to the wicked and promises peace to the weary. TRUTH FOR YOU. Previous to the Torrey meetings the Institute issued an edition of 50,000 copies of a little booklet entitled " T r u th For You.'? It was compiled by our esteemed president, Mr. Lyman Stewart. A copy was placed in almost every home in Los Angeles. At Mr. Stewart's request, Mr. J. H. Sammis, of the Institute faculty, has spent a good deal of time in revising the publication and it has just come from the press. Competent judges have declared that this vest-pocket edition is the best compilation of the kind ever printed. All of the great doctrines and truths essential are gathered under appropri- ate heads, so that at a moment's glance the scripture is at hand. It is carefully indexed under different subdivisions. The pages on Eddyism, Seventh Day Adventism, Spiritualism, Millinial- dawnism, Mormonism, and Roman Cath- olicism are worth more than the price of the book. We want the young people to have this booklet. One Sunday school teacher with a large class of young women has ordetred a hundred for his class. The price is 10 cents for a single copy, three copies for 25 cents, or $6.00 per hundred.
Timely Topics for Young People's Meetings THE HOLT SPIRIT. Lesson 14.
(4) Leads into the abounding life (Rom. 8:14). (5) Bears witness to our Sonship (Rom. 8:16). (6) Develops the life of Christ in us so that we bring forth fruit (Gal. 5: 22-23). (7) He guides into all truth (Jno. 16: 13, 14, 26). (8) He gives power for testimony (1 Cor. 2:1-5; 1 Thess. 1:5; Acts 1:8). (9) He prays through us (Jude 20; Eph. 6:18). (10) Sets apart men for service in soul winning (Acts 13:2-4). (11) Guides the believer in his daily duties (Acts 8:27-29, 16:6-7; Jas. 1:5-7). (12) He will quicken the bodies of be- lievers and fashions them like the glorious body of their Lord (Rom. 8:11-23). PRAYER. What Is Prayer? Prayer is in its simplest analysis talk- ing -with God. In worship we are occu- pied with God. In praise and thanks- giving—with our blessings—in prayer with our needs—all real prayer must have for its basis a definite need. Prayer should be made to the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:23-24). Prayer can be made to the Lord Jesus (Acts 7:59; 2 Cor. 12:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Cor. 1:2). There is no recorded prayer to the Holy Spirit, yet He dwells within ns and we can commune with him. Who Can Pray? Only believers can pray. " N o man cometh unto the Father but by Me'? (Jno. 14:6). Faith the essential in coming. How eoul{l an unbeliever come to the Father without faith in the Lord Jesus (Heb. 11:6)? Tl»e moment there is faith in the Lord Jesus the unbe- liever becomes a 'believer (Jno. 3:36- 6:47). Only those whose hearts are right can pray. " I f I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear m e " (Psa. 66:18). Unconfessed sin will act as a barrier and hinder our access to God. Lesson 15.
In the previous lesson we found that the Holy Spirit was a Person and a Divine Person. In this short lesson we will study about His work. In the old dispensation the Holy Spirit came upon men (Judges 14:6-19). In this dispensation He abides in be- lievers (Jno. 14:16). The work of the Spirit among men in the world is three- fold: To convict of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jno. 16:8-11). Sin is not believing on Jesus. This is the greatest of all sins. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus as the Lord Christ (Jno. 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32). This revelation is both to and through be- lievers; when He is revealed to sinners it puts them under condemnation (Acts 2:36-37). Righteousness because He has ascend- ed to the Father (Acts 2:33). Jesus at the. right hand of God (Acts 7:55) is the proof that His atoning work has been accepted and we are accepted in Him (Eph. 1:6). God can impart His righteousness to men through the Holy Spirit because Jesus Christ has fulfilled all righteousness and cancelled all obli- gations (Rom. 3:21-24). Judgment because the Prince of the world is judged. Satan is the prince of the world (Jno. 14:30) and god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4). Satan is a usurper a n d' has been condemned to eternal punishment. Jesus has author- ity and power to put him into the prison house. In His crucifixion He destroyed him who had power over death (Heb. 2:14). In His resurrection Jesus broke the power of Satan and robbed death of its sting (1 Cor. 15:55-57). The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is many fold: (1) He imparts the life of God (Jno. 6:63) and takes up His abode in him (Eph. 2 : l j 1 Cor.- 3:16). He does this by quickening the Seed of the Word (2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 4: 15). (2) He frees from law of sin (Rom. 8:2). (3) Strengthens him in the-inward man (Eph. 3:16).
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