Viewing page 7 of 41

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

224     THE CONVENTION TEACHER

which otherwise we could not have known. It shows us what is amiss and will be dangerous; it directs us in our work and way. A dark place indeed the world would be without it. It is a lamp which we may set up by us, and take into our hands for our own particular use. It is kept burning with the oil of the Spirit; it is like the lamps of the Sanctuary, and the pillar of fire to Israel. What use should we make of it? It must be not only a light to our eyes, to gratify them, but a light for our feet, to direct our way and to instruct us in the ordering of our conversations. We are truly sensible of God's goodness to us in giving us such a lamp and] light when we make it a guide to our feet and our path. 

II. GOD'S WORD GIVES ETERNAL LIFE. (VV. 30-31.) (30) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: John tells us that there were many mighty miracles performed by Jesus before the eyes of His disciples which would convince them of His eternal reality. Of these there were no written records. They were such as were necessary to the disciples only and therefore not revealed to mankind at large. We must recognize this fact, that there was nothing in the whole revelation of God but what is for special purpose, and there is nothing left out that could have been of any real use. 

(31) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. What is recorded gives a full proof of the divinity of Christ, that He is the promised Messiah, that He really suffered and rose from the dead, and that through His every believer might have eternal life. He was the Word. His record is true, He gave His life to redeem us. Eternal life comes through our belief in His record. It was necessary that many things about Jesus should be known and remembered, thus a careful record was kept and handed down to us. This record was made by God-filled men who wrote for our eternal salvation and welfare. 

III. GOD'S WORD PROFITABLE FOR INSTRUCTION. (VV. 16-17.) (16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine. for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: What is the excellency of the Scripture? It is given by inspiration of God, and therefore is His Word. It is a divine revelation which we may depend upon as infallibly true. The same Spirit that breathed reason into us breathed revelation among us. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men spake as they were moved. The prophets and apostles did not speak for themselves, but what they received of the Lord they delivered unto the people. That the Scriptures were given by inspiration of God appears by the majesty of its style, from the truth, purity and sublimity of the doctrine contained in it; from the harmony of its several parts; for its power and efficacy on the minds of multitudes that converse with it; from the accomplishment of many prophecies relating to things beyond all human foresight; and "from the uncontrollable miracles that were wrought in proof of its divine origin." It is valuable to us for all the purposes of the Christian life, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. It answers all the ends of divine revelation. 

(17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. That which furnished a man of God in this world is the Scripture. By it we are thoroughly furnished for every good work. There is that in it which suits every case. Whatever duty we have to do, whatever service is required of us, we may find enough in the Scripture to furnish us for it. It is a perfect rule of faith and practice and was designed for the man of God. If we consult the Scripture and follow its directions, we will be thoroughly prepared to meet all of life's hazards. Oh, that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! Then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us. 

QUESTIONS ON THE LESSON

1. What is the mission of the Bible? 
2. How is the Bible a library? 
3. How did God's Word serve David?
4. How is the Bible divided?
5. What did the Bible mean to Israel? 

[[end page]]
[[start page]]

THE CONVENTION TEACHER      225

Lights on the Lesson 
BY REV. BERNARD O. BYRD

Light No. 1. Despite the fact that Scripture is taken from only three books, the complete Religious Library for Christians contains sixty-six books. These books have but one Author, yet many secretaries. The Holy Spirit is the author using such men as Moses, David, Isaiah, Matthew, Paul, Peter, and John to write down the things He wants the world to know. All the books are written to the same subject, that being "THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD." The villain is Satan and his henchmen is Death. The girl for which they strive is the church. The plot involves tragedy, drama, comedy, extreme mystery, and portrayals are made in both wisdom and simplicity. Some parts are poetic in their presentation, while others are prosaic. One finds fact and fiction, history and prophecy. 

Light No. 2. The Psalmist who found his path bedecked with darkness and irregularity, discovered in the word of God and guidance which led him through the many dangers of life. 

Light No. 3. Since an individual's salvation depends upon his belief in Christ, the sections of the library often referred to as the New Testament, were written to establish and secure one's acceptance of Jeasus as the Christ. 

Light No. 4. Paul who perhaps was the most highly trained of the early Christians, had in his studies discovered that each book in the library was produced in heaven and recorded on earth for the benefits of men. He mentions these facts in advising Timothy, a young preacher. 

Editorial Reflections
BY REV. S. A. PLEASANTS, D. D. 

The truly regenerated one loves the law of God as truly as he or she loves the Lord. The proof of this love is seen in meditating upon it day and night. It is this meditation that keeps them looking like Jesus Christ. The enemies of the children of God are ignorant of God's wisdom. If they were not they could not be enemies of God and His people. 

Christ Jesus set the example for His people and they follow on. The testimonies of God, meditated upon as commanded by Him, make one wiser than all his teachers, who do not do so. To keep the precept of the Lord gives an understanding better than the aged. All who do as commanded by our Lord each day, refrain from every evil way that they might do all the Word of God says. 

Christ Jesus was taught as a man by His Father, all that He was to believe, be and do, and hence He never departed from any of His Father's teaching. We, who are Christ Jesus' must be taught only by Him as He gives out His teaching by the Holy Spirit through all He has sent to be used by Him.

The words of God to a righteous soul are sweeter to that soul than honey to the mouth. It is this sweet word that is the joy of every one, who has tasted it to say to all men, Come! and taste of the good word of God. No one knows of this sweet word of our Father, but the one, the Holy Spirit creates it into Spirit and life because he believes it. 

It is from God that all understanding comes. And he gladly gives it to all whom He sends out to do service for Him. All who understand our Father hate every false way. Because every false way is from the devil. The devil is the embodiment of falsehood. Never has he been anything else, and never will be anything else. All who hate false things hate him.

The Word of God lights the way to all that are of God. No one can lose his way, who follows the greatest light in the universe. There is no place known to man where the Word does not light if for him. There is not anything nor any being that God's children must come in contact with where the Word is not known to give him or her the light. 

All the things Jesus did for men of His day and the on-coming days of man, He made known in His Word by the Holy Spirit through holy men; because He wanted them to believe and be saved. Those that He did not bring forth through men, He did them for the men of His day only. He has enough on record to save the soul of all who will believe them and have life in His name. 

All Scripture, that God has given to us through the men, the Holy Spirit inspired to write, is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. The one who uses it for the purpose for which the Holy Spirit revealed it, is perfect and furnished completely for every good work.