422
July 1927
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
through the Blood of Sacrifice, by associating ideas with it which the Scriptures do riot teach. The connected thought throughout the Old Testament, in regard to atonement through the blood of sacrifice, is made manifest by its pointing back to the Fall and the need for restoring man to harmony with the will of God, and also by its pointing forward to the coming Redeemer. For it was plainly revealed to kings and to prophets that even the sacrifices appointed by God were not in them selves efficacious.' Their outlook was forward; for it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. This is stated in the language of strong contrast in Psalms 51:16-19 and 40:6-8. The final result in obedience to God and conformity to His will is thus kept steadily in view; showing that man’s conduct cannot be pleasing to God until reconciliation through atonement has first been accomplished. B lood S a c r if ic e ’ N o t P r im it iv e I d ea From the first intimation of this in the approval given to the sacrifice of Abel, there is no inconsistency to be found. When the great law-giver and the representative of the prophets, Moses and Elijah, meet with Christ at His transfiguration, their topic is : “His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.”- The special training in sacrifice given to the Israelites, is the basis of New Testa ment teaching on the same lines; in the Epistles of Peter, John and Paul, and in Hebrews; where the full light breaks forth after the Supreme Sacrifice has been offered. In the closing book of the Bible, the saints in heaven praise the Lamb, saying: “Thou art worthy; for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood.” No writer throughout Scripture explains away this doc trine, or treats it as' a primitive idea to be outgrown when the intelligence of man develops further. This consistent treatment of the vital question of for giveness and reconciliation to God leads to the conclusion
that we have here a divine revelation portrayed in the sacrifices, culminating in the Offering of Christ, and ex plained by the Holy Spirit in the Epistles and Revelation. This consistency throughout the Bible is a manifest fact. gte ate Is th e T itle R igh tfu lly Yours? "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." —Acts 11:26. - I T seems quite certain that the name “Christian” orig inated with the Gentiles. Many believe it was a title given in mockery ( “Christ-ones” ) and some even believe that “saints” is the only proper and Scriptural title for a believer. However, we find that Peter takes up the name, “Christian” (1 Pet. 4:16) and exhorts all believers to “glorify God in this name.” . If the devil was responsible for the name, he evidently, as so often he does, overstepped himself. The Spirit of God, through Peter, has put His seal to it. It is a fitting title for a true believer but a misnomer for one who is a mere professor of religion. Our creed is in our name. It is not based upon the human name “Jesus” (meaning a Saviour). We are not called “Jesuits” in Scripture (fellow saviours) but “Christ-ones.” The name “Christ” means “the anointed one,” the divine one. The very name “Christ-one” intimates the obligation of all who bear it to worship Him as the divine Son of God and to obey Him as the Anointed of God. It also suggests that His followers share in His anointing, being “bom of the Spirit.” What hypocrisy for one to take the name “Christian” who denies the Deity of Christ and who knows nothing himself of the divine anointing that comes through a real acceptance of the Divine One!
Looking Unto the H ills-By R - “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills.”—Psa. 121:1.
F-Pechey
I. When in sadness I look on the shuddering world, Where the bolts of the wrath of the Lord are hurl’d, By strife and dissension torn; Then I pray for the coming of peace and goodwill, And I lift up mine eyes unto Bethlehem’s hill, Where the Prince of Peace was born.
II. When I move among men in the world’s vast space, And perceive that the loveliness of His face Is as yet from their sight concealed; Then I think how His beauty the heart can thrill, And I lift up mine eyes unto Hermon’s hill, Where His Godhead was revealed. III.
When I fear to come short of the heavenly land, For I know I have broken the Lord’s command, And my sins—they are magnified p . Then I think how His mercy extends to me still, And I lift up mine eyes unto Calvary’s hill, Where the Saviour was crucified.
When I think of the millions who grope in the night, Never lit by the beams of the world’s true Light, And it seems that He died in vain; Then I think how His glory the earth shall fill, And I lift up mine eyes unto Olivet’s hill, Where the Lord shall return to reign.
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