May, 1945
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YOUNG PEOPLE'S TOPICS JUNE 3, 1945 HOW THE BIBLE CAME TO BE 2 P eter 1:19-21 By Earl S. Kalland The Mohammedans say that their sacred book, the Koran, was let down from heaven on a table. The Book of Mormon is supposed to have been found by Joseph Smith and inscribed in queer oriental characters on “golden plates” which were translated iner- rantly by means of a mechanical “Urim and Thummim.” Does our Bible claim to have come in any such ludicrous manner? By no means! The Scripture portion for to day’s study tells us of an altogether wise method of impartation of the divine Word to us. The Apostle Peter, as he is moved by the Holy Spirit, asserts that the gospel narrative is true and makes mention of the source and method of its transmission. Here is “how the Bible came to be.” For Those Who Have Topics I. NOT THE FABRICATION OF MAN. The Apostle Peter declares that he and his fellow disciples did not follow "cunningly devised fables” when they told of the “power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” that is, the gospel of our Lord’s first coming to die for us on the cross and of His second com ing to complete the work of redemption OLk. 21:28; Rom. 8:23). This claim to truthfulness is based upon the Apostle’s experience. He says, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty. . . when we were with him in the holy mount” (vs. 16, 18). Peter refers to the experience on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 16:28-17:9; Mk. 9:1-9; Lk. 9:27-36) when the three disciples of the inner circle saw the "power and coming” of our Lord. Luke tells us in verse 31 of chapter 9 that Moses and Elijah “spake of his de cease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” Peter chooses this ex perience on the Mount as a focal illustration of the historical authen ticity of the gospel. The Lord Jesus
THE WRITERS Earl S. Kalland, member of f a c u l t y of Los Angeles Baptist Theological Sem inary. Charles Mayes, p a s t o r of Fremont Brethren C h u r c h , South Pasadena. John W. Kopp, Naval Chap lain, located at present in A laska. H. Gordon Hyde, pastor of Baptist Church at Prescott, Arizona. Idea 1. In keeping with the Bible topics in June and as a Society project, make a survey of the hospitals and other im stitutions in your community, find those who may not have Bibles and supply that need. Idea 2. Make a large frame and a cover that would re semble a l a r g e Bible. As the B i b l e stories are read, have the b o o k opened and present from its pages, as it were, a living pantomime of the story being read. T h i s might be worked out with the members of your Junior So ciety acting'as characters, or members of your Young Peo ple’s group could serve. Idea 3. To advertise th e “Freedom Meetings” for June 17 and 24, secure pictures of “the four freedoms” as put out by the Government and add a poster of your own (a large c e n t r a l one) on the theme, “Freedom in Christ.” See John 8:32. IT’S AN IDEA By Carlton C. Buck
and His saving work is the theme of the Word of God. This gospel is not the fabrication of men. II. GOD’S REVELATION THROUGH MAN. God uses man in the impartation of the Word. “No prophecy of the Scrip ture is of any private interpretation.” It is neither the product of the mental power of the prophet alone, nor can its true interpretation be known by the unaided power of the reader. Men spake from God (vs. 20, 21). Man’s powers were used by God to present His revelation. Men were moved by the Holy Spirit to produce the Bible. Therefore we rightfully speak of the writings of Moses, David, the pro phets, and the apostles. Each man has his own style, characteristics, and mannerisms. Our Saviour said on one occasion, “he [Mojesl wrote of me” (John 5:46). God gave us the Bible through man. III. THE CREATION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. The men who gave us the Bible did not construct it by their own unaided reason. The source of the Bible is. not in man. In verse 21 of this passage we read, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man.” It came by the will of the Holy Spirit; “but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The Greek participle, pheromenoi, trans lated “moved” means to bear or carry. The Holy Spirit “carried along” the minds of the prophets so that they thought exactly what He wanted them to think, spoke e jf a c 11y what He wanted them to speak, and wrote exactly what He wanted them to write. The writers consistently declare, “Thus saith the Lord,” “The Lord spake by me,” etc. New Testament quotations fcom the Old Testament are prefaced by such statements as, “Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith” (Heb. 3:7). The Bible is the product of the activity of the Holy Spirit moving up on chosen men. Thus the Bible came to be!
Idea 4. J u n e is a g o o d time to give a C. E. Banquet honoring t h o s e graduating from High School and College. Those graduating into H i g h School may also be included.
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