College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Isaiah 53 - Introduction
EXAMINATION
Chapter S FORTY-NINE THROUGH FIFTY-THREE
DEFINITION
(Define the following words or phrases as they were discussed in the comments.)
1.
Israel
7.
cup of staggering
2.
acceptable time
8.
sprinkle man nations
3.
Sinim
9.
griefs and sorrows
4.
graven on palms
10.
wounded
5.
face like flint
11.
pleased, pleasure
6.
monster
12.
bruised
MEMORIZATION
Surely he hath _____ our griefs, and carried our _____; yet we did esteem him _____, smitten of God, an _____ But he was _____ for our transgressions, he was _____ for our iniquities; the chastisement of our _____ was upon him; and with his stripes we are _____. All we like sheep have gone _____; we have turned every one to his own _____; and Jehovah hath laid on him the _____ of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)
EXPLANATION
1.
Explain the prediction that the Messiah would experience frustration.
2.
Explain how the Messiah was to become a covenant.
3.
Explain why the Servant (Messiah) was to be as one who was taught.
4.
Explain how O.T. people could have God's law on their heart.
5.
Explain how the cup of staggering was taken out of Jerusalem's hand.
6.
Explain how Christ bore our griefs and sorrows in His death.
7.
Explain why Isaiah 53 does not teach divine healing for today.
8.
Explain why the Messiah would be satisfied with the travail of His soul.
9.
Explain why the majority of the Jews did not accept Jesus as the Servant.
APPLICATION
(In its context every scripture has one meaningthe author's intended meaning. How may the following be applied in the believer's life?)
1.
Is there an application for overcoming frustration in our own human experience from the Messiah's overcoming?
2.
How may we apply the proofs we have that God bared His holy arm in Jesus Christ?
3.
Does the humiliating entrance and exit of the Messiah in history apply to modern man's relation to God?
4.
Does the personal refusal of Christ to defend Himself at His illegal trial and death mean Christians must never defend themselves? Why?
5.
How can modern men accept and apply the death of a Jewish man (Jesus) nearly 2000 years ago for the atonement of their personal sins?
6.
Are there any definitive manifestations of God's love in this section that may contradict the allegation that the God of the O.T. is only a God of wrath?
7.
Are there any teachings in this section which may be applied to the idea that there is salvation for the world only in Jesus Christ?
SPECIAL STUDY
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD
AS MANIFESTED BY THE PROPHETS
by John Butterman
INTRODUCTION
I.
God is Righteous in Judging His People
1.
God is the judge over all the earth
a.
From the beginning in the Hebrew community the judges were acting on behalf of God (Deuteronomy 1:17)
b.
It was unthinkable that he would act unfairly (Genesis 18:25)
2.
God is the fountain of justice
a.
Everything he does may be relied upon as just (Deuteronomy 32:4; Zephaniah 3:5)
b.
God's equity as judge will be seen most clearly in the day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2:5)
c.
Man's righteousness is defined in terms of God's judgment
3.
God is impartial in his dealings
a.
The prophet Amos called for a similar righteousness in men (Amos 5:15; Amos 5:24)
b.
Inflicting retribution is an element of the righteousness of God (Isaiah 61:2)
c.
If in a world of unrighteousness, righteousness is to be established, God himself must become the indicator and protector of the oppressed.
d.
God's righteousness is manifested in his defense of those who have no helper (Psalms 10:14; Psalms 72:12)
II.
God is Righteous in Protecting His People
1.
In his rescue of them from Egypt
a.
The victories which accomplished this are described as the righteous acts of God (Judges 5:11; 1 Samuel 12:7)
b.
The pharaoh himself acknowledged that the ten plagues were evidence of God's righteousness (Exodus 9:27)
2.
In his redemption of his people from exile
a.
God showed his righteousness by this deliverance
b.
This righteousness is closely associated with salvation (Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 51:5-6)
3.
In his redemption of his people from sin
a.
The messianic king is just and having salvation (Zechariah 9:9)
b.
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes; in it is revealed the righteousness of God
MAIN THOUGHTS
I.
The Prophets Revealed the Righteousness of God
1.
Man has no righteousness of his own
a.
It hurts to be told that man's righteousness is but a filthy rag in God's sight
b.
How futile to try to establish our own righteousness by our own works (Isaiah 64:4)
c.
The human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) and therefore cannot produce righteousness acceptable to God
d.
The garment of our own self-righteousness is our pride (Isaiah 64:9)
e.
Man must turn from his own self-righteousness to Christ who was made unto us righteousness (Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 45:24; Isaiah 46:12-13; Isaiah 54:17)
2.
God provided for man what he could not do for himself
a.
A way to return to Zion
(1)
He will come and save you (Isaiah 35:4)
(2)
There shall be streams in the desert (Isaiah 35:6)
(3)
The highway shall be called the Holy Way (Isaiah 35:8)
(4)
The ransomed of the Lord shall return (Isaiah 35:10)
b.
A river shall flow from the sanctuary
(1)
Everything will live where the river goes (Ezekiel 47:9)
(2)
This river will enable trees to grow with fruit for food and leaves for healing (Ezekiel 47:12)
c.
A fountain shall be opened
(1)
To cleanse the inhabitants from sin (Ezekiel 13:1)
(2)
To cleanse them from all uncleanness
d.
A well of salvation will be opened
(1)
To draw the water of life from
(2)
To proclaim that his name is exalted
3.
The prophets revealed the righteous One
a.
His revealed birth
(1)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)
(2)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given (Isaiah 9:6)
b.
His revealed ministry
(1)
Beyond Jordan, in Galilee. the light shined (Isaiah 9:1-2)
(2)
The Lord shall suddenly come to his temple (Malachi 3:1)
(3)
Sent to the lost sheep of Israel (Ezekiel 37:11; Jeremiah 50:6)
(4)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (Isaiah 61:1)
(5)
The eyes of the blind shall be opened (Isaiah 42:7)
c.
His revealed death
(1)
They weighed my price thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12)
(2)
He opened not his mouth (Isaiah 53:7)
(3)
They shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod (Micah 5:1)
(4)
He was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5)
(5)
He was numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:9)
(6)
He made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12)
(7)
They shall look upon me whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10)
(8)
It shall come to pass on that day, that I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth on a clear day (Amos 8:9)
(9)
He would make his grave with the rich (Isaiah 53:9)
(10)
He gave his back to smiters (Isaiah 50:6)
(11)
He poured out his soul unto death (Isaiah 53:12)
d.
His revealed resurrection
(1)
Thy dead men shall live together. they shall arise (Ezekiel 37:7-10)
(2)
Those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake (Daniel 12:2)
(3)
In the third day he shall raise us up, and we shall live in his sight (Hosea 6:2)
(4)
I will ransom them from the power of the grave (Hosea 13:14)
II.
The Christ Brought the Righteousness of God
1.
Unrighteous man is totally incapable of making himself righteous enough to be accepted by God
2.
Jesus brought righteousness to man
a.
By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many (Isaiah 53:11)
b.
The righteousness is of me, saith the Lord (Isaiah 54:17)
c.
Unto the Son, God said. a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom (Hebrews 1:8)
d.
To declare his righteousness. that he might be just (right) and the justifier (the one who puts right) of him which believeth in Jesus (Romans 3:25-26)
e.
He (Jesus) is righteous (1 John 2:29)
3.
Jesus was qualified to become our righteousness
a.
Because he was just and right in all his ways and witness, ever obedient to his righteous Father
b.
Because he was never crooked in his dealings with others
c.
Because his life was never out of the least fraction from the plumbline of truth and morality
4.
Jesus brought the justice of God
a.
Of the increase of his government and peace. upon the throne of David. to establish it. with justice (Isaiah 9:7)
b.
Behold thy king comes. he is just (Zechariah 9:9)
c.
I judge and my judgment is just (John 5:30)
d.
Peter claims him to be just:
(1)
You denied the Holy One and the Just (Acts 3:14)
(2)
Christ. the just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18)
III.
The Believers are Constituted the Righteousness of God
1.
The sinner through believing is constituted the righteousness of God
a.
The devil cannot call in question the fact that God is just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus (Zechariah 3:2)
b.
So we can rest secure and serene in the confidence that
(1)
Christ is our peacewho can disturb it?
(2)
Christ is our hopewho can destroy it?
(3)
Christ is our righteousnesswho can tarnish it?
2.
Man's righteousness came by someone not something
a.
Even him who possessed Lordship (Mark 12:36-37)
b.
Righteousness is not earned, it is imputed to man
c.
Daniel speaks of the wise turning many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3), which means they are brought to God who alone can justify them
d.
Such righteousness is said to be reckoned or imputed, and put to the account of a guilty sinner accepting God's terms of salvation, Isaiah 55:1 ff.
e.
It is reckoned unto man on the ground of Christ's finished work
3.
Divine righteousness can only become ours by faith in Christ
a.
By his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11)
b.
In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: The Lord is our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:7)
c.
The righteousness of God by faith (Romans 3:26; Romans 4:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
CONCLUSION
I.
God's Righteousness is Shown in His Saving of His People
1.
The prophets revealed it
2.
In Christ he is now doing it
3.
His people are no longer a restricted race but include all who believe (Romans 2:28-29)
4.
As many as call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:38-39)
II.
God's Righteousness Declares Righteous Those Who Believe in Jesus
1.
God justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:22)
2.
It is the righteousness of God that is imparted to man, not man's own self-righteousness that he is to seek after (Philippians 3:9)
III.
God's Righteousness of His People is Based on Redemption Brought by Christ
1.
Men are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption (Romans 3:24)
2.
It is a righteousness through forgiveness, based on the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7; 1 John 1:9)
3.
God put Christ forward as an expiation by his blood to be received by faith (Romans 3:25)
4.
This was to show God's passing over sins aforetime (Romans 3:24)
5.
It was to prove in the present time that He himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26)
IV.
God's Righteousness Provides Manifold Blessings
1.
The righteous are blessed with prosperity: Say you to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doing (Isaiah 3:10)
2.
The righteous are surrounded by divine favor: For thou, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor will thou compass him as with a shield (Psalms 5:12)
3.
The righteous experience deliverance from affliction: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all (Psalms 34:19)
4.
The righteous enjoy peace, quietness, and assurance: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever (Isaiah 32:17)
V.
God's Righteousness Provides Hope in His Glory.
1.
The time is coming when the heavens will delcare his righteousness.
2.
When the Sun of Righteousness appears with healing in his wings (Malachi 4:2) accompanied by all the heavenly saints, what a glorious consummation that will be of his work on our behalf.
3.
The ultimate blessing of righteousness by faith is eternity with Him who is our righteousness. This is the glad hope of the righteous (Malachi 3:17-18).
4.
Hope of righteousness is the sight of the righteous One himself, who promised to return for his own (John 14:3).
SPECIAL STUDY
PEOPLE OF THE PROPHETIC PROMISES
by Fred Long
I.
Pre-Assyrian Prophets
A.
Obadiah
1.
Obadiah 1:15-21 The Kingdom shall be Jehovah'S
a.
Who: House of Jacob means God's covenant people (Acts 15:13-18; Acts 13:29-37).
b.
When: Christian age, when Gentiles were added to kingdom (Acts 15:13-18).
c.
Where: Mt. Zion is the Church (Hebrews 12:18-29).
B.
Joel
1.
Joel 2:28-32 Promise of Holy Spirit
a.
Who: Twelve Apostles (Acts 2:14-21)
b.
When: Day of PentecostChristian age (Luke 1:68-75)
c.
Where: In Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22)
2.
Joel 2:30 to Joel 3:3 Great and Terrible Day of the Lord
a.
Who: Children of promise (Romans 9:6)
b.
When: Second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:29)
c.
Where: Valley of Jehoshaphatsymbolic of Last Judgment
3.
Joel 3:17-21 Jerusalem shall be holy
a.
Who: Jerusalemsymbol of Church, Christians
b.
When: Messianic age (Hebrews 6:17-20)
c.
Where: Zion, Jerusalem is the Church (covenant people)
C.
Jonah
1.
Jonah 1:17 Jonahsymbol of Christ's death (Luke 11:30)
a.
Who: Christ (Matthew 12:40-41, Matthew 16:4)
b.
When: Messianic age
c.
Where: Jerusalem (literal), Nineveh is type of Gentiles
D.
Amos
1.
Amos 9:11-15 Raise up the Booth of David
a.
Who: Gentiles (Acts 15:14-18)
b.
When: Messianic age
c.
Where: Church
E.
Hosea
1.
Hosea 1:10-11 Great shall be Day of Jezreel
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 9:24-26; 1 Peter 2:9-10)
b.
When: Messianic age (John 10)
2.
Hosea 2:21-23 Pity on Not Pitied
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 9:25-26)
b.
When: Messianic age
3.
Hosea 3:4-5 Israel shall return and seek Lord
a.
Who: IsraelChurch (Hebrews 12:22)
b.
When: In latter days (Messianic)
II.
Assyrian Prophets
A.
Isaiah
1.
Isaiah 2:1-4 Mt. of the house of the Lord established as highest
a.
Who: Covenant people (Luke 24:47)
b.
When: Messianic age (Hebrews 12:22-23; Colossians 1:23)
c.
Where: Jerusalem (Church) (Romans 10:18)
2.
Isaiah 6:9-10 Jews reject the Gospel
a.
Who: Jews (Matthew 13:14-15; Mark 4:12)
b.
When: Jesus-' ministry (parables) (Luke 8:10; John 12:40) (Romans 11:8)
3.
Isaiah 9:1-2 Gentiles of Zebulun and Naphtali see Great Light
a.
Who: Gentiles (Matthew 4:13-17)
b.
When: Jesus traveled to Zebulun and Naphtali (Luke 1:32)
4.
Isaiah 10:21-23 Only remnant of Jacob will return
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 9:27-28)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Church
5.
Isaiah 11:1-6 Shoot from the Stump of Jesse
a.
Who: Christ (Acts 13:23)
b.
When: Messianic age (Romans 15:12; Romans 12:12)
6.
Isaiah 29:13; Isaiah 29:18-19 Deaf shall hear, Blind shall see
a.
Who: Hypocrisy of Jews (Matthew 11:5; Matthew 15:8-9)
b.
When: Jesus-' ministry (Mark 7:22)
7.
Isaiah 35:8-10 Highway called the Holy Way
a.
Who: Covenant people (Matthew 13:14)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Zionsymbol of Church
8.
Isaiah 42:1-4 My Servant Brings Justice to the Nations
a.
Who: Gentiles (Matthew 11:4-5; Matthew 12:18-20; Matthew 3:16-17)
b.
When: Jesus-' ministry (Matthew 17:5)
9.
49:6 Light to the Nations
a.
Who: Gentiles (Luke 2:32)
b.
When: Christian age (Acts 13:47; Acts 26:23)
c.
Where: Ends of the earth
10.
Isaiah 54:1; Isaiah 54:13 Children of the desolate
a.
Who: Gentiles (Galatians 4:27)
b.
When: Christian age (John 6:45)
11.
Isaiah 55:3 Everlasting Covenant
a.
Who: Covenant People (Christians) (Romans 10:5; Acts 13:34)
b.
When: Christian age (Luke 22:37)
12.
Isaiah 56:8 I will gather others
a.
Who: Gentiles (John 10:16)
b.
When: Jesus-' ministry
13.
Isaiah 61:1-2 Day of Vengeance
a.
Who: Jesus (Luke 4:18; Matthew 5:4)
b.
When: Jesus-' ministry (read in synagogue) (Mark 4:17-21; Luke 21:21-28)
c.
Where: Nazareth
14.
Isaiah 65:1-2 Jews rebellious
a.
Who: Jews (Romans 10:20-21)
b.
When: Messianic age
B.
Micah
1. Isaiah 4:1-6 Mountain of the House of the Lord (Isaiah 2:2-4)
a.
Who: Covenant people (Luke 24:47)
b.
When: Messianic age (Hebrews 12:22; Colossians 1:23)
c.
Where: Jerusalem (Church) (Romans 10:18; Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15)
C.
Nahum
III.
Chaldean Prophets
A.
Zephaniah
1.
Zephaniah 2:7 Seacoast shall become possession of remnant of the house of Judah (Luke 1:68)
a.
Who: Covenant people (remnant of Judah)
b.
When: Birth of Christ
c.
Where: Bethlehem
B.
Habakkuk
1.
Habakkuk 1:5 Unbelief of Jews
a.
Who: Jews (Acts 13:41)
b.
When: Christian Age
2.
Habakkuk 2:4 Righteous shall live by Faith
a.
Who: Gentiles (Hebrews 10:38-39)
b.
When: Christian age (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11)
C.
Jeremiah (and Lamentations)
1.
Jeremiah 3:14-18 Jerusalem called Throne of the Lord
a.
Who: All nations
b.
When: Christian age (Acts 20:28)
c.
Where: Jerusalem and Zionsymbol of Church
2.
Jeremiah 6:10 Jews reject the Gospel
a.
Who: Jews (Acts 7:51)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Jerusalem
3.
Jeremiah 9:25 Punishment of uncircumcised in heart
a.
Who: Jews (outwardly) (Romans 2:8-9; Romans 2:28)
b.
When: Christian age
4.
Jeremiah 17:25 Jerusalem inhabited forever
a.
Who: Covenant people (Christians) (Luke 1:32)
b.
When: Christian age (Hebrews 12:22)
c.
Where: The heavenly Jerusalem (Church)
5.
Jeremiah 31:1 All Israel will be saved
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 11:26-28)
b.
When: Christian age
6.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Promise of a New Covenant
a.
Who: Covenant people (Gentiles) (John 6:45)
b.
When: Christian age (Hebrews 8:8-12; Romans 11:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:9)
7.
Jeremiah 33:16-18 Judah will be saved
a.
Who: Covenant people (Hebrews 13:15; Philippians 3:9)
b.
When: Christian age (Luke 1:32-33)
IV.
Exilic Prophets
A.
Ezekiel
1.
Ezekiel 39:29 Promise of Holy Spirit
a.
When: Pentecost (Acts 2:17)
2.
Ezekiel 47:21-23 Aliens shall be allotted an inheritance
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 10:12)
b.
When: Christian age (Ephesians 2:12-14; Ephesians 3:6)
c.
Where: In the Church (Colossians 3:11)
B.
Daniel
1.
Daniel 2:44-45 God's Kingdom set upnever be destroyed
a.
Who: Christians (1 Corinthians 15:24)
b.
When: During Roman Empire (Iron Kingdom)
c.
Where: Heavenly Kingdom
2.
Daniel 9:24-27 Promise of Coming Kingdom
a.
Who: Covenant people (Christians) (Matthew 9:12; Luke 19:43)
b.
When: After seventy weeks of yearsChristian age
c.
Where: Jerusalem (heavenly)Church (Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20)
V.
Post-Exilic Prophets
A.
Haggai
1.
Haggai 2:6-7 I will shake the heavens and the earth
a.
Who: New Covenant people (Hebrews 12:26)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Heavenly KingdomChurch
B.
Zechariah
1.
Zechariah 13:1 Fountain opened for the House of David
a.
Who: Covenant people (Hebrews 9:14)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Jerusalem (heavenly)Church
C.
Malachi
1.
Malachi 4:5-6 Return of Elijah the Prophet
a.
Who: John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14)
b.
When: Before Jesus-' ministry (Mark 9:11)
c.
Where: Israel (literal) (Luke 1:17)
VI.
New Testament scriptures that show the Gentiles taking part in prophetic promises:
SPECIAL STUDY
THE WORD OF GOD, THE ILLUMINATING AGENCY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONVERSION
by Paul T. Butler
INTRODUCTION
I.
QUALIFICATIONS
A.
We believe the Scriptures plainly teach that the spoken and written Word of God (the Bible) is the only illuminating agency of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of sinners.
B.
This is contrary to the creeds of most major Protestant religious bodies today. They say, in essence:
1.
Man, the sinner, has a mind biased and prejudiced by sin and he cannot, therefore, understand the spiritual truths of the Bible until.
2.
The Holy Spirit acts, directly, irresistibly and apart from the written or spoken Word of God, regenerating man's mind in order that man can understand the written truths in the Bible. only then will man be able to believe in Christ and become a Christian.
3.
This is individually and subjectively experienced and one cannot be assured of his salvation until he is able to relate such an experience.
4.
Those who have never had such an experience, so far as we are able to tell now, are not elected to salvation.
C.
By our statement in A. above we do not intend to exclude the providential actions of the Holy Spirit.
1.
The Holy Spirit may act in providence to bring a Christian and non-Christian together for the purpose of allowing the non-Christian to hear the message of Christ (e.g., Philip and the Ethopian eunuch; Peter and Cornelius, etc.)
2.
But in the final analysis, it is the written or spoken Word of God into the sinner's mind and upon his heart that converts and leads him to become a Christian.
II.
WHAT WE ARE NOT DISCUSSING IN THIS STUDY
A.
We do not wish to discuss here, to any length, at least, the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the miraculous way the apostles were immersed in the Holy Spirit.
B.
We do not wish to discuss here the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit by which certain people spoke in tongues, prophesied, healed, etc.
C.
We do not wish to discuss whether or not people have had particular religious experiences.
1.
That people have had subjective religious experiences is difficult to disproveat least to the one who claims such an experience.
2.
But whether or not we are to follow what we think those subjective experiences teach, in order to the assurance of salvation, is quite another thing and is contrary to Biblical teaching.
III.
ASSUMPTIONS WE MAKE
A.
That the Bible is the infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God and the ultimate and final authority in matters of faith and practice.
B.
That we learn all we need to learn on this particular subject from the New Testament.
DISCUSSION
I.
JESUS TAUGHT THAT THE WORD OF GOD
(WRITTEN AND SPOKEN) ILLUMINATES THE MIND OF MAN UNTO CONVERSION
A.
Matthew 11:25-30. only the Son can reveal the Father. we must take the Son's yoke upon us and learn of Him.
B.
Matthew 7:24-27. the wise man is the one who hears the words of Christ and does them.
C.
Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-15. the seed of the kingdom is the word of God sown on the hearts of men. This word must be held fast in honest and good hearts to bear fruit.
D.
Matthew 4:4. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
E.
Matthew 28:18-20. the great commission is to teach, baptize and teach all that Jesus commanded the 12 disciples.
F.
Luke 10:21-28. Jesus told a lawyer to do what he read in the Law in order to inherit eternal life.
G.
Luke 10:38-42. Mary chose the good portion for she sat at Jesus-' feet and listened to His teaching.
H.
Luke 11:27-28. Jesus said, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.
I.
Luke 16:19-31. the rich man in Hades was told it would do no good for him to go back from the dead and warn his brothers. They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.
J.
Luke 24:13-35. Jesus took special time and effort beginning with Moses and all the prophets. interpreting, for some despondent disciples all the scriptures said concerning Himself.
K.
John 1:1-18. Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, exegeted God to man; exegesato is the Greek word in John 1:18, from which we get exegesis, but it is translated declared.
L.
John 5:24. whoever hears the word of Christ and believes God, who sent Him, has eternal life.
M.
John 5:25. whoever hears the voice of the Son of God, will live.
N.
John 6:63. except men eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood they have no life in them. THIS IS TO BE DONE BY HEARING AND DOING THE WORDS JESUS SPOKE, FOR His words are spirit and life.
O.
John 6:44-45. No one comes unto Christ. unless they learn from the Father.
P.
John 6:69. Peter declared that Jesus has the words of eternal life.
Q.
John 8:31-32. only those who continue in His word are His disciples and in doing so they will be made free for it is the truth that makes free. and only by continuing in His word do we know the truth!
R.
John 10. the sheep follow the good Shepherd only because they know the difference between His voice (word) and the voice of the hireling.
S.
John 11. the spoken word of Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
T.
John 12:44-50. the words Jesus spoke will judge men at the last day, and the commandment which the Father gave Him to speak is eternal life.
U.
John 13:12-17. Jesus gave the disciples an example of humble and loving service to one another and then said If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
V.
John 14:23. Jesus made the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit specifically conditioned upon keeping His commandments. It must, therefore, be possible for a sinner to come to believe in, and begin to obey Christ before the Holy Spirit abides in him. in other words the sinner is converted by knowing, believing and obeying the Word, which is the agency of the Holy Spirit in the sinner's conversion.
W.
John 15:3. the disciples were cleansed by the word which Christ had already spoken unto them.
X.
John 15:1-11. our abiding in Him and His abiding in us is conditioned upon our abiding in His word. it is not irresistible.
Y.
John 16:1-15. the Holy Spirit was sent to guide the apostles into all truth, etc., and thus, through their preaching to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.
Z.
John 17:1-26. eternal life is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ. this the disciples had because they accepted the words which Jesus was commissioned to give them from the Father. through His words spoken they had joy. They were sanctified in His word which is truth. Jesus even prayed for all who should subsequently believe in Him through the preached word of the apostles (John 17:20). AA. John 18:37. Jesus said. I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. BB. John 20:30-31. the gospels were written that men might believe and have eternal life.
II.
THE ACTS TEACH THAT THE WORD OF GOD (WRITTEN AND SPOKEN) ILLUMINATES THE MIND OF MAN UNTO CONVERSION
A.
Acts 2:37-38. when the multitude heard the preaching of Jesus they were convinced and obeyed. there is no notice that the Holy Spirit illumined their hearts apart from the preaching of the inspired word.
B.
Acts 4:4. many who heard the preaching of Peter in Acts 3, believed and became Christians.
C.
Acts 5:32. the Holy Spirit is given only to those who obey Christ. how can one obey Christ unless he has heard the commandment of Christ and understood the commandment?
D.
Acts 8:34-40. Philip preached unto the eunuch Jesus and then the man obeyed.
E.
Acts 10:22. Cornelius was directed by an angel of the Lord to send for Peter so that Peter might preach to him the gospel in order that Cornelius might hear and believe. cf. Acts 10:33; Acts 11:14.
F.
Acts 17:29-31. Paul said men should understand that God is going to judge the world and that He wants them to repent simply from knowing the fact that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
G.
Acts 20:18-35. Paul charged the elders of Ephesus to feed the flock of God on the word of God as he himself had done. and Paul commended them to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
H.
Acts 26:24-29. Paul presented the facts concerning Jesus and appealed to the writings of the prophets in hope that Agrippa might become a Christian.
I.
Acts 28:23-28. Paul expounded the facts concerning Jesus all day to a group of Jews, trying to convince them about the kingdom of God, etc. some were convinced, some were not.
III.
THE EPISTLES TEACH THAT THE WORD OF GOD (WRITTEN AND SPOKEN) ILLUMINES THE MIND OF MAN UNTO CONVERSION
A.
Romans 1:16-17. the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
B.
Romans 6:17-18. men are set free from sin by obedience from the heart to the standard of teaching of the apostles.
C.
Romans 8:6. to set the mind on the Spirit. is life. the Spirit is revealed in the Word.
D.
Romans 8:13-14. it is by the Spirit that we put to death the deeds of the body and it is by the Spirit we are led. the Spirit only does that by revealing His will to us in the Scriptures.
E.
Romans 10:8-17. the word of faith which is in their hearts is the word which the apostles preached. all who call upon the Lord will be saved, BUT THEY CANNOT CALL UPON HIM IF THEY HAVE NOT HEARD HIS WORD, BECAUSE FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD OF GOD!!!
F.
Romans 12:1-2. we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind in order that we may prove what is the acceptable will of God.
G.
Romans 15:18. Paul would win obedience to Christ from the Gentiles by preaching to them the word of Christ.
H.
Romans 16:25-27. Paul said that the preaching of Jesus Christ was. to bring about the obedience of faith.
I.
1 Corinthians 2:1-14. Paul said that the Spirit of Christ had been given to the apostles. and this Spirit was imparted to the Corinthians in words.
J.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2. the preached gospel was what the Corinthians received, that in which they stood fast, that by which they were saved.
K.
2 Corinthians 1:20. all the promises of God find their Yea in Jesus Christ objectively revealed. not subjectively.
L.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5. the preaching of the word of God has divine power and is able to destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and bring every thought into captivity unto Christ!!!
M.
Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:2; Galatians 3:26-27. The Spirit of Christ lives in men and is put on by men through the hearing of faith. and faith comes by hearing!
N.
Ephesians 3:17. Christ dwells in us through faith, and faith comes by hearing.
O.
Ephesians 1:9-14. those who have heard the word of truth, the gospel, have made known to them the mystery of His will and have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.
P.
Ephesians 3:8-19. Paul was made a minister to the Gentiles to preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ and make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God. that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known.
Q.
Ephesians 4:11-16. the various offices of ministry (including evangelists) were given to the church to edify the church and bring the church to a mature knowledge of Christ.
R.
Ephesians 5:17-18. Paul connects being filled with the Spirit directly to first understanding what the will of the Lord is.
S.
Philippians 4:8-9. Paul said that true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious things were revealed to Christians by the preaching and Christian living of the apostles.
T.
Colossians 1:27-28. Paul proclaimed and taught Christ to every man in all wisdom so that Christ might dwell in men and they might have the hope of glory.
U.
Colossians 3:16. Christians are to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly.
V.
1 Thessalonians 2:13. Paul said the Christians there received their preaching as the word of God and that this word was at work in them.
W.
2 Thessalonians 1:8. Paul said God would bring vengeance upon all who do not obey the gospel ... an objective standard!
X.
2 Thessalonians 2:14. Paul said that men were called by God through the preaching of the gospel.
Y.
1 Timothy 4:11-16. Paul told Timothy that by holding to that which he had been taught he would save both himself and his hearers.
Z.
2 Timothy 2:9. Paul speaks of the word of God as not being able to be fettered.
AA.
2 Timothy 3:16. The scripture is able to completely equip the man of God for every good work.
BB.
Titus 1:1-3. Paul said the faith of the elect was furthered by the preaching of the word.
CC.
Titus 2:11-15. Paul said the grace of God. trains us. and we should thus declare it.
DD.
Hebrews 4:12-13. the word of God is living and active. pierces even to the division of the soul and spirit. and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.
EE.
James 1:18. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth ... Here the word of truth is specifically said to be the agent of the Holy Spirit in the new birth.
FF.
1 Peter 1:22-25. You have been born anew ... through the living and abiding word of God. that word is the good news which was preached to you. This they did by obedience to the truth: IT CANNOT BE ANY PLAINER THAN THIS THAT THE SPIRIT WORKS THROUGH THE WORD IN REGENERATION.
GG.
2 Peter 1:3-4. it is through a knowledge of Jesus Christ and through His precious and exceeding great promises that we become partakers of the divine nature.
HH.
1 John 2:3-6. we are sure we are in Him only when we know and keep His commandments.
II.
1 John 3:24. we abide in Him and He abides in us when we keep His commandments.
JJ. 1 John 4:1-6. whoever knows the Spirit of God listens to apostolic teachings and this is the only way man may know the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
KK.
2 John 1:9-10. anyone who does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. he who abides in this doctrine has both the Father and the Son.
IV.
LOGIC TEACHES THAT WE MUST DEPEND UPON THE SPIRIT TO BRING US TO CONVERSION THROUGH OUR RESPONSE TO HIS OBJECTIVE REVELATION OF HIMSELF IN HIS WORD!
A.
Alexander Campbell, in The Christian System moral facts are those which either exhibit, develop, or form moral character. all the works and words of God are moral facts and truths.
1.
The work of redemption is a system of works or deeds on the part of God and Christ which constitutes the most splendid series of moral facts which man or angel ever saw.
2.
When these moral facts are brought into immediate contact with the mind of man, they delineate the image of God upon the human soul.
3.
Testimony is but the channel through which these facts draw the image of God on the heart and character of man.
4.
The love of God in the death of Jesus never drew a tear of gratitude or joy from any eye, or excited a grateful emotion in any heart among the nations of our race to whom the testimony never came. No TESTIMONY, NO FAITH!
5.
The quality or value of faith is found in the quality or value of the testimony. If the testimony be valid, OBJECTIVE, and authoritative, our faith is strong and operative. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater.
6.
The power of faith is also found in the power or moral meaning of the testimony, or of the facts which the testimony represents. If by faith I am filled with joy, or sorrow, that joy or sorrow is in the facts contained in the testimony. or in the relation of those facts to me. And, if faith purifies the heart. this power is in the facts believed.
7.
It is neither the faculty of perception, nor the manner of perception, but the things perceived, that excited us to action. It is not the exercise of reflection, but the thing reflected upon, It is not reason itself, nor the exercise of reason, but the thing reasoned upon which affords pleasure or painwhich excites to actionwhich cheers, allures, consoles us.
8.
Even in our volition this is true. It is not choosing, nor refusing; hating, loving, fearing, desiring, nor hoping; IT IS NOT THE NATURE OF ANY POWER, FACULTY, OR CAPACITY OF OUR BEING, NOR THE SIMPLE EXERCISE OF THEM, BUT THE object or things UPON WHICH THEY ARE EXERCISED, WHICH INDUCE US TO ACTION, OR INFLUENCE OUR BEHAVIOR!
9.
AND SO MY FRIEND WE ARE PURIFIED BY OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE OBJECTIVE TRUTH. THE REVEALED, WRITTEN AND SPOKEN TESTIMONY ABOUT THE PERSON AND PROMISES OF JESUS CHRIST BECOME THE OBJECTIVE AGENT WHICH MOVES US. WITHOUT AN OBJECT (JESUS) AND AN OBJECTIVE REVELATION OF HIM WE WOULD BE LEFT ONLY TO LISTEN AND FOLLOW THE DECEITFUL WHISPERINGS OF OUR WICKED HEARTSSEE POINT #V ON PAGE 254.
B.
In the religious world today we have many groups, teaching about as many contradictory dogmas, most claiming to be led now or having been led in the past by special direct revelations of the Holy Spirit apart from the received Bible. IF THE HOLY SPIRIT OPERATES ON THE MINDS OF MEN APART FROM AN OBJECTIVE STANDARD (THE WORD), HOW DO WE KNOW WHICH IS CORRECT?
1.
We appeal to such scriptures as Galatians 1:8-9; 1 John 4:1-6 and assert that there is only one leading of the Holy Spirit today and that is in the infallible, inerrant, objective standard called the Bible, and that only!
2.
Don DeWelt says in his book, The Power of the Holy Spirit, Vol. I, pg. 31, commenting on Romans 8:16. the Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.. The Bible does not say that the Holy Spirit bears witness to our spirit, thus making it a subjective experience within the Christian. The text does say the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit, thus making it an objective experience without or apart from the Christian. The witness of the Holy Spirit is the New Testament. This is His testimony as to how to become a Christian or child of God, and also how to remain faithful as God's child. We know within ourselves if we have done what the Spirit has said to do in order to become a child of God. We then become a child of God, our spirits have agreed with the testimony of the Holy Spirit. when we have done what we are commanded to do in the New Testament. (cf. John 20:30-31; 1 John 5:13).
V.
THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US THAT WE WILL BE DECEIVED BY LISTENING TO THE SUBJECTIVE WHISPERINGS OF OUR HEART.
A.
Proverbs 16:2. all the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. (cf. also Isaiah 21:2)
B.
Jeremiah 17:9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? I the Lord search the mind and try the heart.
C.
Hebrews 3:13. warns that Christians must continually exhort one another (from the written word) lest their hearts be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
D.
Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14); quote scripture (Matthew 4:5-6); perform lying wonders (Revelation 13:11-18); and he is able to enter the mind of man by the power of thought. he is a spirit of disobedience, etc.
E.
Some examples of people who thought they were doing God's service when following the subjective feelings of their hearts:
1.
The disciples, led by Judas, thought that Mary wasted the ointment by pouring it upon Jesus and it could have been sold and given to the poor (Matthew 26:9; Mark 14:5; John 12:5). THEY HAD TO HAVE AN OBJECTIVE REVEALED TO THEM IN THE WORDS OF JESUS TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THEIR CROOKED SUBJECTIVE THINKING.
2.
Peter thought that defending the life of Jesus against His enemies was the proper thing to do, but it was Satan whispering to Peter (Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 8:32-33).
3.
Paul said, I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. even to the persecution and killing of Christians (Acts 22:4; Acts 26:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:13). he lived in all good conscience in so doing. IT TOOK AN OBJECTIVE REVELATION TO PAUL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT HIS THINKING.