STUDIES IN BIBLE FUNDAMENTALS Prepared For Beginners and For Classes
ASSURANCE This word occurs six times in th e Bible. The original words for “assu r ance” mean “ full confidence.” Isa. 32:17 gives us a good statem en t of this doctrine : “ A n d t h e wo rk o f rig h t e ou sn e ss sh a ll b e pe ac e; a n d th e effect o f r ig ht e o us ne ss quie tne ss a n d c o n f i d e n c e for e v er .” Assurance is therefo re th e full confi dence which a believer has, th a t he is in possession of a salvation in which he will be forever kep t by th e power of God, and th a t confidence is based upon his acceptance of the finished work of Jesus Christ. W ith w hat is th is assurance linked in Heb. 10:22? “ I.et us d ra w nea r w it h a true he art i n f u l l ass urance o f f a it h .” bel iev ed , a n d a m . p er s u ad ed t h a t h e i s able t o k eep t ha t which I have com m itt ed un to h im a g a in s t t h a t d a y .” W ith w h at is assurance linked in Col. 2 :2 ? “ T h at the ir hear ts ma y b e e o m fo rt ed , being k n i t t og e t h e r in lov e, a n d un to a ll riehes o f th e f u l l as surance o f u n d e r st and ing , to th é ac knowledgm ent o f the m y st e r y o f G o d , a n d o f th e Fa the r, a n d o f C h r i s t .” We cannot have assurance unless th ere are some known facts on which th a t assurance can be based. Why were the Scriptures w ritten ? (Jn. 20: 31) “ Bu t t h e se are w r it te n, t h a t y e might bel ie ve t h a t J e su s i s th e C h r i s t, t h e S o n o f G o d ; a n d t h a t be lie vi ng y e m ig h t have li f e through hi s n a m e. ” W hat fact gives us a basis for assur- If faith in a bank in which we deposit our money, gives us assurance, will not tru e faith in th e words and works of Jesus. Christ bring us assurance of sal vation in Him? (2 Tim. 1 :1 2 ). (Note: The words “ keep th a t which I have com m itted ” may be rendered “ gu ard my deposits.” )' “ For I kn ow w h o m I have
ance, as stated in Heb. 9 : 26( 1. c.) and 1 P et. 3:18?
“ Bu t now o n ce in th e e n d o f th e h ath he a p p ea re d t o p u t aw ay si n sa crifice o f him se lf.” “ Because C h r i s t a ls o hath o n ce for sin s, th e J u s t for th e un just, m igh t br ing us t o G o d .” If Christ y His sacrifice really pu t away sin, in what position does th is place all who receive Him as th e ir sub stitu te ? (Acts 13:38, 3 9 )' « Known unto you therefore, men and brethren, th at through this m an is preached unto you the fo rgiven ess o f sin s; A n d b y h im a l l t ha t be lieve are j from a l l th in g s, fr om which y e co b e ju stified b y the la w o f M o s e s . ” A re no t th e definite prom ises of Jesus H imself a good basis for assurance? F o r instance (Jn . 10:28, 29) . . J u l " I g i v e un to th em et ernal l i t h e y sh a ll n ev er peri sh , n either s »•?< * th em out o f my h a n d . M y Fa th e r , which g a v e them h a n a ll ! a n d n o m a n l s able (Jn 1 0 my F at he r’ s h a n If one tru ly tru sts in th is promise of Jesus, of what may he be assured? (Phil, 1:6) “ Be ing c o n f i d e n t o f t h is very thi h e which h ath be g u n a g oo d wor k w i l l p e r fo r m i t unt il t h e d a y o f C h r i s t . ” “W h ere fo re h e i s ab le a ls o to sa v t th e utte rm ost t ha t c o m e u nt o h im , s e e in g he eve r l iv e t h t o ma k ce ss io n for th em .” If Christ really represents us in heaven, can any charge against us have weight? (Rom. 8:33, 34) 4‘W h o s h a l l l a y any t h in g t o th e o f G o d ’s el ec t? I t is G o d t h a t justifl W h o i s h e t h a t co n d e m n e th . It i s t ha t d i e d , yea, rath er t h a t i s ris en wh o i s even a t th e r ig h t h a n d o f G a ls o ma ket h in te rc es sio n for u s. ” If a Christian should sin, is th e re any assurance left for him? (1 Jn. 2:1-2.) “ A n d i f any m a n s in , w e have an c at e w it h th e Fa the r. J e su s C h r rig hte ous . A n d h e ls the pr opitiation fo r o u Is th e fact th a t Christ lives as In ter cessor in heaven for all who believe on Him, a ground for any assurance? (Heb 7:26)
SCHOLARSHIP. (See Page 141)
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