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are to be trusted, as is indicated by the word “ faith.” The facts o f Scripture are to be learned, and then the meaning or in terpretation o f those facts is to be accept ed by faith and evidenced in experience (v. IS). The Scriptures have a fourfold purpose (vs. 16, 17). First, they are for doctrine, or teaching. T o be taught by the Word requires constant reference to the Scrip tures in order to maintain proper balance of truth and proper obedience to truth. Second, they are for reproof. This is the word we use in speaking of a plumb-line set against a wall to reveal where the wall needs to be straightened and strengthened. Third, they are for correction; that is, when the Word of God reveals where cor rection is needed, it will also bring about that correction in the measure in which the Scripture is allowed to operate in the life. Fourth, they are fo r instruction in right eousness. The passage has the thought of “discipline”—not merely the discipline o f the mind, but also o f the whole life, the thinking, the volition, and the action. There must be continual correction of the thoughts, the desires, and the actions, and these needful changes are brought about as the individual applies them to the life day by day. The believer thus subject to the opera tion o f the Scriptures, will become “thor oughly furnished [“perfected,” margin] unto all good works.” The Scriptures will equip us, as Christians, for the service o f the Lord, and will send us forth to per form those “good” works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (cf. Eph. 2:10). III. T he C laims of S cripture (2 Tim. 3:16). The Scriptures themselves carry the claim of divine, inspiration. They are “ God-breathed” ; therefore they cannot be improved by any addition or omission. Dr. James M. Gray once used this illustration : A man purchased a bill of goods in New York and offered a note in payment. The seller wished some reference as to the man’s reliability. The merchant was told to send a telegram to Chicago, asking whether this man could be relied upon for the amount o f the note. The reply came back: “Note good for any amount.” Just one letter had been added. The telegram should have read: "N ot good for any amount.” One added letter cost the seller the amount of the note. The Scriptures, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, are God-breathed; and the record is complete, not to be altered. W e need not be exercised overmuch as to the method o f the inspiration o f the Scriptures. It is sufficient for us to know and to believe that “holy men o f God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet. 1:21). Inasmuch as the Holy Ghost is the “ Spirit of truth,” these holy men o f God, moved by the Spirit, spake truth. Points and Problems The American Revised translation of 2 Timothy 3 :16 has disturbed many de vout students o f the Word. Therefore I shall devote my space to a brief discus sion o f the problem. 1. The Authorized Version translates it: “ All Scripture is given by inspiration o f God, and is profitable . . .” The Re vised Version makes it read : “ Every scripture inspired o f God is also profit able . . .” The first is a direct assertion of the “ inspiration” o f “all Scripture” The second, seems to suggest that some
Christ, we immediately think of the day when He shall return to earth to call forth from the grave the bodies o f those who have accepted Him while they lived, and to take from the earth the Christians who have not yet died. Some people are fool ish enough to think that, when He comes, Christ will not know those who have ac cepted Him, and they think that they may be taken, too, although they are not Christians. If eight boys will come to the platform, we will show you how easily the white hearts can be picked out from among the black ones, without even seeing them. Each o f you boys put one o f the squares undern€ath the left side o f your coat while my back is turned. Now if you are ready, I will look in this tube, and tell you which ones have the white hearts, although I can not see with my eye the color o f each. You four boys have white hearts, and the rest are black. When Jesus comes, there will be some people from all the races o f earth who will have white hearts, having accepted Him as Saviour, and they will be taken to be with Him. righteous altogether. Truth and righteous ness are found in their perfection in the written and the Living Word. Scripture reveals the moral character o f the Lord, and this character is described on the printed page so that all may not only read but may also understand. The Scriptures are a delight (v. 10). Compared with outward good, they are more to be desired than gold, the finest gold. Gold is good for time, but the Scrip tures have value for time and for eternity. From the standpoint of the nourishment o f the spirit o f man, the Scriptures are as food. They are like honey—the sweetest part o f honey—having a sweetness that never cloys, that brings satisfaction with out satiety. Finally, the Scriptures are a defense (v. 11). They warn one against erroneous teachings which would lead astray. And in keeping these commandments, statutes, and judgments, there is great reward. Note carefully that the reward is in, not for, keeping them; that is, in the very do ing o f the will of God, the reward is found. II. T h e U se o f t h e S c r iptu r e s (2 Tim. 3:14-17). The Scriptures are for continuance (v. 14) ; that is, we are to “abide” (R .V .) in them, being assured o f their value and power. They are for the purpose of im parting knowledge, as the word “ learned” implies. Their contents are to become in creasingly known to the mind and they BLACKBOARD LESSON
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tison WHEEL CHAIRS MODELS FOR EVERT NEED W rite desertbin/ ailment and recente D E F IN IT E RECO M M EN DATIO N I N I C O I L O N C O M M N T 347 Cod«« im u firn*. Ohi* • b n C»f l *3
with white hearts stand for the people who have accepted Him and have been cleansed from sin. When thinking of the resurrection of
APR IL 28, 193S THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
D e u t e r o n o m y 6:4-9; J o s h u a 1:8, 9; 2 K in g s 2 2 :8-20; N e h e m ia h 8:1-8; P s a l m 19: 7-14; L u k e 24:25-32; A c ts 17:10-12;«2 T im o t h y 3:14-17; H e b r e w s 1:1-4 Lesson T ext: Psa. 19:7-14; 2 Tim. 3: 14-17.
Golden T ext: “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psa. 119: 97). Outline and Exposition I. T h e C h a r a c t e r of t h e S c r ip tu r e s (Psa. 19:7-14). I n t h e s e verses, we have a sevenfold description of the Scriptures (vs. 7-9). First, they are the “ law” of the Lord, which is perfect. That law cannot be im proved, either by adding anything to it or by taking anything from it. The Word of God is perfect and complete, a record of God’s holiness and justice. Second, the Scriptures “convert” the soul, bringing it back to proper desires and ambitions when it goes astray. The word “converting” is better rendered in the Revised Version as “ restoring.” Third, the Scriptures are the “testimony” o f the Lord which is sure. The Bible contains the facts which God has been pleased to reveal to us. Those individuals who are “ simple” enough to bow before the truths thus revealed will be made wise above the wisdom of this world. And when we remember that even the wisdom o f this world is foolishness with God (1 Cor. 1), we gain some idea o f the value of the wisdom of God. Fourth, the Scriptures are the “statutes” ( “ precepts,” R.V.) o f the Lord, which re joice the heart. Whatever the experience or circumstance may be, it is always pos sible for the saints to have rejoicing hearts when they follow the precepts contained in the Word. Fifth, the Scriptures are the “ commandment” o f the Lord, which is pure. The sun shining in its brightness in the heavens is but a faint illustration of the purity and splendor of the Scriptures. T o see the perfect radiance o f God’s com mandment and to feel its penetrating rays, all that is required of man is an obedient spirit. Sixth, the Scriptures are a revela tion o f “the fear of the Lord . . . , endur ing for ever.” Seventh, the Scriptures are the. “judgments” o f the Lord, true and
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