Contents

ASSEMBLY TESTIMONY BIBLE CLASS
by J. Riddle

TRAITS OF THE TRIBES
by I. McKee

A DECLARATION OF THOSE THINGS
by D. Williamson

GLIMPSES OF CHRIST
by D. Strahan

MEN WHO KNEW GOD
by J.A. Davidson

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN 1CORINTHIANS
by K. Wilkins

NOTES ON LAZARUS OF BETHANY

COMFORT FOR CHRISTIANS IN A CHANGING WORLD
by R. Reynolds

GOOD TIDINGS FROM HEAVEN

QUOTES

A Proverb to Ponder — Pro 14.12; 16.25

Consider Him — Rom 9.33; 10.11

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Assembly Testimony Bible Class

by J. Riddle

THE FIRST BOOK OF PSALMS

No.62: PSALM 35 (Part 3)

We have considered David’s enemies and their relentless persecution, vv.1-10. In this paper we will look at their false accusation, vv.11-18, and their evil satisfaction, vv.19-28.

THEIR FALSE ACCUSATION – vv.11-18

As noted in the introduction, this section also commences with prayer, vv.11-17, and ends with praise, v.18.

Prayer – vv.11-17

The pattern noted in vv.1-8 is repeated here: first, David’s circumstances, vv.11-16; second, David’s cry, v.17.

David’s Circumstances – vv.11-16

These are summarised as follows: “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul” vv.11,12. As J.M. Flanigan observes, “But David is not alone in the matter of false accusations. Men did the same to Jeremiah, Jer.18.18ff, to Stephen, Acts 6.13, and to the Saviour Himself, Mk.14.56.” He continues: “What perhaps made the injustice even harder to bear was that David had been kind to these men who were now his adversaries. In time past he had been their friend, but the kindness which he had shown and the good which he had done was now being repaid by evil.”¹ We might add that Paul knew all about false witnesses. See, for example, Rom.3.8: “as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say”. Like David (“they laid to my charge things that I knew not”) Paul was accused of things of which he knew nothing.

¹ Flanigan, J. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock.

The words “They rewarded me evil for good” are expanded in the words that follow:

The Good

“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother” vv.13,14.

These verses should give us cause for reflection. The “good” that marked David should mark us as well. It should be noted that while David is not referring here to close friends or bosom companions (which, in contrast, he does in Ps.41.9; 55.12-14), he treated the people concerned as though they were ‘friends and brothers’. James, Jms.2.15,16, and John, 1Jn.3.16-18, have some salutary things to say in connection with our concern for fellow-believers, but David was concerned for people further removed from him, reminding us that “as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” Gal.6.10. The sorrow and suffering in the world around rightly cause righteous indignation, but this is not always matched by deep sorrow. The words “my prayer returned into mine own bosom” v.13, are not easily understood, but it appears that David is saying that his prayers profoundly affected him. He felt them deeply. He did not pray mechanically.

It must also be said that the Lord Jesus displayed the spirit of David here to perfection. If David was deeply concerned over the sorrow and suffering of others, then the Lord Jesus was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” Isa.53.3. He exemplified the injunction “weep with them that weep” Rom.12.15.

The Evil

“But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects [‘base ones’ J.N.D. margin] gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me [referring to the wounds of slander²], and ceased not: with hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth” vv.15,16.

The “evil” that David received affected him deeply. He did not shrug it off nonchalantly: “They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul” v.12. This is not the word employed in v.10 (“him that spoileth him”). Its force is conveyed by the rendering “the bereavement of my soul” J.N.D., leading J.M. Flanigan to say, “David feels a sad loneliness, the desolation of one bereaved. He has been cruelly deprived of those he once befriended”.¹

¹ Flanigan, J. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock.

We must learn from the animosity of David’s enemies. They rejoiced over his adversity, v.15, and took a malicious delight in his apparent downfall. In the Old Testament, the Lord’s people were not to rejoice in the downfall of their enemies: “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him” Prov.24.17,18. How much more, therefore, in the adversity of their own people! We must not forget the New Testament injunction: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put  away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” Eph.4.31,32. David’s enemies certainly displayed “bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking”: “they did tear me, and ceased not: with hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth” vv.15,16.

The words “hypocritical mockers in feasts” v.16, convey a vivid picture. According to Harold St. John, it is “literally ‘jesters (for the sake of) cakes’ viz: court fools and parasites who make merry at Saul’s table for the sake of crumbs that fall from the table”³. J.M. Flanigan enlarges: “They showed their teeth in a malicious grinning as they danced around the table, and, if one was present who was not particularly liked by the king, they would make sport of him, embarrassing him with sarcastic witticisms. This, the adversaries were doing to David, and it will be remembered that the Saviour Himself was similarly treated as priests and soldiers joined together and mocked Him prior to His crucifixion.”¹ We must make sure that we do not ever resort to mockery.

³ St. John, H. “The Collected Writings of Harold St. John”. Gospel Tract Publications, Glasgow.

¹ Flanigan, J. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock.

David’s Cry – v.17

“Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.” J.M. Flanigan captures David’s spirit here: “‘How long?’, he asks, almost wearily. How long would Jehovah look on without intervening? When would He come to rescue His servant from them?”¹ The expression “my darling” does not refer to his wife(!), but to his life. It means, literally, ‘my only one’, and refers, as noted, to his “precious life”². Compare Ps.22.20, where the Lord Jesus cries, “Deliver My soul from the sword; My darling from the power of the dog.” The “lions” are the Psalmist’s “savage persecutors (Psalm 57.4)”².

¹ Flanigan, J. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock.

² Kirkpatrick, A.F. “The Book of Psalms”. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Praise – v.18

“I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise Thee amongst much people.” Although hunted and harried, David anticipated the day of his deliverance and exaltation. Once again, we are reminded of the Lord Jesus Who, having described His suffering and rejection, went on to say, “He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from Him; but when He cried unto Him, He heard. My praise shall be of Thee in the great congregation …” Ps.22.24,25, or, in New Testament language, “I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee” Heb.2.12.

THEIR EVIL SATISFACTION – vv.19-28

As noted in the introduction, this section, like the first two, commences with prayer, vv.19-26, and ends with praise, vv.27,28.

Prayer – vv.19-26

David’s Circumstances – vv.19-21

Their evil satisfaction is immediately apparent: “Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause” v.19. Once again, David asserts his innocence. His accusers are “enemies wrongfully” who hated him “without a cause”. Paul was able to say, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” Acts 24.16; “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward” 2Cor.1.12. The expression “wink with the eye” describes “malicious signals of satisfaction at his misfortune”². C.H. Spurgeon describes it as “the low-bred sign of congratulation at the ruin of their victim” and continues: “it may also have been one of their scornful gestures as they gazed upon him whom they despised”⁴. Compare Prov.6.12,13: “A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers”.

² Kirkpatrick, A.F. “The Book of Psalms”. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

⁴ Spurgeon, C.H. “The Treasury of David”.

It is salutary to note that people like this are ‘disturbers of the peace’: “For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land” v.20. People who propagate lies and rumours cause nothing but disquiet. An illustration of their “deceitful matters” follows: “Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, ‘Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.’” v.21. This could mean either that they had seen “the fall of the man whose rise excited [their] envy”², or “a cruel, subtle insinuation that they had seen something wrong in David”¹. They said, in effect, ‘Oh yes, we know that we’re right, we saw it all!’

David’s Cry – vv.22-26

“This Thou hast seen, O Lord: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. Stir up Thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God [Elohim] and my Lord [Adonai]” vv.22,23. As Derek Kidner observes, the words “Thou hast seen” are a perfect foil to the enemy’s cry, “our eye hath seen it”. He continues: “This, rather than stout denials, is the realistic answer to the triumphing of the wicked.”⁵ David calls upon the Lord to vindicate him: “Judge me, O Lord my God, according to Thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, ‘Ah, so would we have it [‘it is as we would have it’]:’ Let them not say, ‘We have swallowed him up.’ Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me” vv.24-26. In the words of Peter, “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” 1Pet.4.19.

⁵ Kidner, D. “Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72”. Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester.

Praise – vv.27,28

The Psalm concludes with praise from David’s friends and supporters, v.27, and from David himself, v.28.

Praise from David’s Supporters – v.27

“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, ‘Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity [shalom, meaning peace and completeness] of His servant.’” As J.M. Flanigan observes, “It must have been a comfort to David that there were always those who believed in his righteousness and supported him and his cause. They would believe in his eventual vindication, and in such confidence they should shout for joy and be glad.”¹

¹ Flanigan, J. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., Kilmarnock.

Praise from David Himself – v.28

“And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long.” The word “speak” (hagah) is translated “meditate” in Josh.1.8 (“thou shalt meditate therein day and night”) and Ps.1.2 (“in His law doth he meditate day and night”). One authority, quoted by A.F. Kirkpatrick, explains it as follows: “shall speak musingly, in the low manner of one entranced by a sweet thought”².

² Kirkpatrick, A.F. “The Book of Psalms”. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

We might add, ‘Selah!’

To be continued (D.V.)

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Traits of the Tribes

by Ian McKee (N. Ireland)

Paper 50

We now draw these considerations of the tribes of Israel to a conclusion.

Benjamin – in the Prophets

Hosea, who prophesied prior to the Assyrian conquest of the northern tribes (“Israel”) makes one reference to Benjamin: “Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Beth-aven, after thee, O Benjamin” Hos.5.8. Hosea yearns for watchmen on the heights to sound an alarm and to hear the battle cry of an aroused nation: “after thee, O Benjamin”. Even in the divided kingdom Benjamin is recognised as the warrior tribe, foremost in the fight.

Obadiah prophesied future judgment upon Edom and Israel re-established in the land in the latter days, when “Benjamin shall possess Gilead” Obad.19, territory to the east of Jordan formerly possessed by Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh.

It was in the tribal area of Benjamin that Jeremiah was born. His Prophecy opens with “The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin” Jer.1.1.

Jeremiah had a lonely ministry, unappreciated by the religious and civil leaders of Judah, yet for over forty years he served God faithfully. He brought unwelcome warnings from God and was hated for his forthrightness: “O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem…”  Jer.6.1. However, his warnings about Babylonian invaders, and about Judah’s blatant disregard of God’s word, went unheeded. Jeremiah’s appeal to cease commercialism on the sabbath was accompanied by a conditional promise of blessing and national preservation: “then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David … and this city shall remain for ever. And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin … bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the Lord” Jer.17.25,26. Again, God’s warnings and promises were disregarded.

When Jeremiah announced God’s determination of judgment, “Pashur the son of Immer the priest … smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord” Jer.20.1,2. Jeremiah displays features seen fully in One of Whom it is said, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief”, Who “came unto His own, and His own received Him not” Isa.53.3; Jn.1.11.

Before Jerusalem is finally captured and destroyed by the Babylonians, the Lord instructs Jeremiah to purchase land in Benjamite territory: “So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said unto me, ‘Buy my field … that is in Anathoth … in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine … buy it for thyself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord” Jer.32.8. Jeremiah then purchases this field for seventeen shekels of silver. The legal transaction is then ‘signed, sealed and witnessed’, with all documentation placed securely in an earthen vessel. Witnesses and any onlookers may have queried the wisdom of Jeremiah paying good money for land already seized by the Babylonian army! But Jeremiah’s purchase is the Divine guarantee that the nation will again occupy the land: “Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin … for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the Lord” Jer.32.44. Jeremiah’s circumstances were extremely difficult and discouraging. However, God is encouraging His faithful servant through this land transfer that, while his ministry is rejected, there is a future which is guaranteed. When still imprisoned the Lord revealed to Jeremiah that “in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem … shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the Lord” Jer.33.13.

Some years later, during an interlude in the Babylonian blockade, “Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people. And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward … took Jeremiah … and brought him to the princes. Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison” Jer.37.12-15. The words of a son of Benjamin many years later could equally apply to Jeremiah: “approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours …” 2Cor.6.4,5; also: “in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent …” 2Cor.11.23.

A contrast is seen when King Zedekiah was “sitting in the gate of Benjamin”, while Jeremiah was in the dungeon, Jer.38.7. However, Zedekiah’s end was tragic, 2Kgs.25.7, but God delivered Jeremiah, who has a Scripturally-authenticated title to land in Benjamite territory, which will be activated in the Millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel informs us that Benjamin will have a portion immediately to the south of the Millennial city, Ezek.48.22-24. Historical loyalty to the Divine centre will be acknowledged by Levi’s central position in the Millennial settlement, flanked by Judah to the north and Benjamin to the south. The two sons of Rachel, Joseph and Benjamin, are together commemorated by named gates on the east of the city, Ezek.48.32, “and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘The Lord is there.’” Ezek.48.35.

Zechariah, in detailing the topographical changes to Israel following the Lord’s return, indicates that “Benjamin’s Gate” will be a reference point in the resettlement of the land, Zech.14.10.

Benjamin – in the New Testament

Tribal traits are personified in Benjamin’s best-known descendant, Saul of Tarsus, later known as the apostle Paul. Writing to the Philippian assembly he listed his natural advantages: “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” Phil.3.5,6. Pride in his tribe was most likely due to the fact that of all the tribal progenitors only Benjamin was born in the Land, Gen.35.16-18. Paul acknowledged his persecuting zeal in his pre-conversion days, exhibiting the tribal trait identified in Jacob’s deathbed prophecy, “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil” Gen.49.27.

We are introduced to this Benjamite at the martyrdom of Stephen, where “the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul” Acts 7.58. The events of that day had all the features of a killing by an out-of-control mob, by which the Sanhedrin in effect restated their rejection of their Messiah, as expressed in the words of the citizens in the ‘Parable of the Pounds’: “We will not have this man to reign over us” Lk.19.14; and “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him” Jn.19.15. In murdering Stephen, the nation sinned against the Holy Spirit and became apostate.

Indeed, this summary execution of Stephen may have pricked Saul’s conscience and prepared the way for his later conversion even though, at that time, “Saul was consenting unto his death” Acts 8.1. Saul then ravaged the Jerusalem assembly, acting as a wild beast with a brutal and sadistic cruelty. “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison” Acts 8.3. His persecuting zeal drove him to make house-to-house searches for believers, who were dragged forcibly to prison. Women now, for the first time in the Christian era, were equally included in the persecution. He also sought and secured his victims’ death: “yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter” Acts 9.1. The expression “breathing” suggests that murderous and bestial threatening were as necessary to Saul as the air that we breathe. He later confessed that he “persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women” Acts 22.4; also: “Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them” Acts 26.10. Saul, the ravening wolf, had much blood on his hands.

As he set out on the road to Damascus “yet breathing …” Acts 9.1, does the word “yet” suggest that his continuing attitude was in spite of something? Had the testimony and martyrdom of Stephen caused a sense of disquiet in his soul, which was being actively resisted with an excessive display of Jewish religious fervour?

The detail of Saul’s conversion is not our subject presently. However, while there are exceptional elements (the light, the audible voice, the blinding, etc.), in every other respect his conversion is consistent with that of all others: there was conviction of sin, repentance, faith in and a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. The man who commenced the journey as a Benjamite wolf entered Damascus as meek as a lamb! He who intended to lead believers out of Damascus as captives was “led … by the hand” into the city as a believer, Acts 9.8.

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus was a significant event for himself; and for the subsequent spread of the gospel and his written ministry. This Benjamite was a singular person for many reasons; indeed “a chosen vessel” Acts 9.15. His intelligence was of the highest level, and he had a comprehensive knowledge of the Old Testament and of Jewish thought. Coming from Tarsus in Cilicia, Acts 21.39, he was immersed in Greek culture and fluent in that language. He was also a Roman citizen, Acts 22.25. As such he was an ‘international man’ both in his own time and in ours. The vital significance of his conversion is underscored by the seven references to it: historically, Acts 9.1-9; rehearsed to a Jewish audience, Acts 22.1-21; and to a mixed Roman and Jewish audience, Acts 26.4-23. It is also referred to in 1Cor.15.8; Gal.1.11-17; Phil.3.4-11; and 1Tim.1.12-16.

As well as the reference “of the tribe of Benjamin” earlier considered, Phil.3.5, Paul made another such reference when preaching in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia: “And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin …” Acts 13.21. Did Paul view his earlier antagonism to the Lord Jesus Christ and His followers as a parallel to King Saul’s antagonism to David and his adherents? It is fascinating to compare and contrast the most illustrious Benjamite in the Old Testament with that in the New Testament. Each shared natural tribal temperaments, but only one was altered in response to grace. That Benjamite could say in truth, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” 2Tim.4.7.

Paul also used his tribal heritage when posing a rhetorical question regarding his kinsmen after the flesh: “Hath God cast away His people?” He gives personal testimony to that impossibility: “God forbid, for I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin” Rom.11.1.

In a future day Benjamin will contribute twelve thousand to the one hundred and forty-four thousand servants of God who will be sealed, Rev.7.8.

BENJAMIN – THE NEW TESTAMENT APPLICATION

We now, for the final time, turn to James’ writing to first-generation Christians from a Jewish background. We have earlier considered Benjamin’s tribal allegiance being transferred from King Saul to David in the Old Testament. We have considered a personal conversion of a Benjamite in the New Testament. Can we do any better than cite the final words of James’ Epistle? “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” Jms.5.19,20. Truly, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” Ps.32.1.

IN CONCLUSION

We have ranged far across the scope of Scripture, following the words and actions of these twelve deeply flawed men and their descendants. We have been appalled by their failures, yet are amazed by the grace and government of God in respect of their history and are confident about their future. Said the Saviour in reply to Peter, “Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” Matt.19.28. The story continues; and we shall see it unfold!

Let the final words be from Jacob and Moses relative to the tribal prophecies and blessings respectively: “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them” Gen.49.28. Jacob then gave directions as to his burial: “And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people” Gen.49.33.

Moses blessed the tribes prior to his decease, and what an oration! “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, ‘Destroy them.’ Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also His heavens shall drop down dew. Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord” Deut.33.27-29.

Concluded

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“A declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us” Luke 1.1

by Dennis Williamson (N. Ireland)

Paper 16

‘WHAT IS YOUR WORLDVIEW?’

The question may be asked in many different contexts and circumstances. It may be discussed in the debating chamber. Those involved in studying history, philosophy, geo-political norms, social anthropology etc., etc., will undoubtedly be challenged in this way. A tutor may request a written dissertation on the subject to tease out both the attitudes and the assumptions of the writer. A follow-up question might easily arise: ‘What made you arrive at this view you have espoused?’ Basic yet developing concrete lines may be advanced by way of evidence, all crystallising in conviction about your particular view and how it relates to your lifestyle.

It is true that, purely from an innate desire to keep oneself informed, there is a certain value in such self-analysis in relation to world order. For the Christian however (I mean the true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ) these questions are answered within the framework of the Word of God, the Bible. Infallible content is therefore the ground for a developing and developed worldview. This, of course, lifts the subject to a whole new plane, bringing with it challenge but also certainty. The Word of God being that which critically analyses the thoughts and intents of our hearts, Heb.4.12, it is imperative that we gladly subject ourselves to its findings in this regard.

Prefacing our remarks in this way, helps us focus upon what is valuable to God, and the particular worldview that is in keeping with His mind and will for believers. Let us then try, as far as this paper allows, to examine some of the norms of Scripture which must inform and help us formulate our worldview.

Perusing the sixty-six different Books contained in the Bible, written over a period of approximately fifteen hundred years by about forty different writers under the inspiration of God, we are invited to consider different cultures, races, identities, circumstances, kingdoms and values, all of which are reliably ordered for our intelligent understanding of this world, past, present and future. The compass embraced in the Word of God is therefore by far the greatest of any literature ever written. Such is therefore the confident platform upon which we test our case for a competent and correct worldview for the Christian.

Under seven headings we are going to suggest certainties which should keep our minds focused and at the same time influence our worldview:

• Creatorial Intervention
• Satanic Influence
• Moral Instruction
• Divine Incarnation
• Evangelical Invitation
• Cosmic Interruption
• Spiritual Implication

CREATORIAL INTERVENTION

The Bible opens with beautiful yet understandable words as to the origin of creation: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” Gen.1.1. The uncreated Godhead moved to create a world to display the glory of God, Psalm 19. Additional information is explained as to formation and design of the same, culminating in the creation of mankind as the glory of His creation. Many and varied have been the questions and challenges of subsequent humanity as to the veracity of this Word of God. However, the child of God is never disturbed by these views, as he or she rests upon the infallibility of God and His Word. The history of mankind has been an attempt to discover what God has already set in order. Centuries of time have not fully satisfied these attempts. This frustration has caused mankind to doubt the record of the Word of God and dismiss from its thinking the truth of an original creator. The development of this position has produced the result that created man has “changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever” Rom.1.25. The believer chooses his correct worldview first of all by worshipping the God Who made the worlds: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God” Heb.11.3. No one but God was there at the time, so we are confined to His own record on these matters.

SATANIC INFLUENCE

Receiving the Word of God as we do, we find that one of God’s created beings, through being lifted up with pride, challenged Him as to the matter of Truth. This resulted in Satan’s judgment and downfall and the subsequent blight on creature and creation, as recorded in Genesis chapter 3. This foundational truth cannot be disregarded or overlooked in any Christian worldview. Failure at the source has polluted the stream of humanity: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” Rom.5.12. Adherence to God’s revelation has therefore a bearing upon how we view, and the importance or otherwise we attach to, ideas, philosophies, thoughts and reasonings promulgated in this world and advanced as truth. To be governed by God’s truth is essential then to a proper Christian worldview, especially as ideas and ideals contrary to the Word of God must result in a distorted view, as their source is the Arch-enemy, who yet goes about with a lying strategy seeking whom he may devour. “We know that we are of God and the whole world lieth in wickedness [‘the Wicked One’ (Newberry margin)]” 1Jn.5.19.

MORAL INSTRUCTION

This defines our ethics. It is seen fully displayed in the life of the Lord Jesus. Flowing from this is the fact that whatever worldview is discussed, the Christian must have a worldview which embraces Christ and His principles. No wonder the Lord Himself said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” Jn.17.14. Thus, whatever our view, it must not be contaminated by the corruption in this world. What must the challenged mind do if faced with principles contrary to the Word of God? The litmus test for each believer is “Be ye angry, and sin not” Eph.4.26. Conformity to this world is contrary to the will of God, Rom.12.2,3. The renewing of the mind is essential for the child of God. He must not be “spoil[ed] … through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” Col.2.8. No secondary person or principle must be allowed to come between the believer and the fulness which he has in Christ, “for in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him” vv.9,10. Intelligent understanding demands that my worldview must be linked with His. What a standard! A worldview therefore to be termed Christian must of necessity uphold the moral features of Christ. When in past history people committed themselves to honouring such principles the commensurate result was seen by all in the life of the nation. A Christian worldview must therefore be in keeping with moral values.

DIVINE INCARNATION

A miraculous change to world order happened when the Son of God came into the world. While the occasion was a relatively quiet one, the ramifications are still being felt globally today. The arrival of One of Whom it is said prophetically, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end” Lk.1.32,33, and Who is destined to rule the world in righteousness, Isa.32.1, must dramatically impact the Christian’s worldview. Every Christian is inseparably and eternally linked with the Son of God, Who was totally rejected by this world, nailed to a cross and buried in a tomb, from which He rose in triumph from the dead and sits exalted in heaven, Heb.1.3. In spite of this world’s assessment, this One, the Son of God, is coming back to reign in this world as “King of kings, and Lord of lords” Rev.19.16. Every feature of His blessed Person must be in some way included in our worldview as believers. Consideration of Him and fellowship with Him must inform the mindset of each believer as he or she is challenged as to his or her correct worldview. Against the background of the present, passing glory of human values, let us never be ashamed to state that our worldview is vitally related to Him and His ways. World opinion is transient at its best and fickle at its worst, so let us grasp with mind and heart the things which “cannot be shaken” Heb.12.27, and glorify God while in this world.

EVANGELICAL INVITATION

At the very heart of our worldview must be a deep consideration of the potential results of being wrongly informed. With this in mind it is incumbent upon us to know that whatever our view was before salvation, it cannot be the same afterwards. The spiritual consciousness produced in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit causes renewal of the mind. Information now has an added and vitally important source. Thought processes change by “comparing spiritual things with spiritual”. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world” 1Cor.2.12,13. This came from our acceptance of Christ in response to the glorious invitation of the gospel. How we viewed this world changed radically. The Divine revelation from God in His Word opened up a completely new vista to our souls. This spiritual dimension must have an impact on our worldview and the aim of this article is that we might give due weight to this consideration. The change salvation wrought in our lives is clearly stated in Titus 2.11-13: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”. Surely such a transformation must alter our worldview, preventing us from contamination by its evil controller, 2Cor.4.4, and leading us instead to an honest and accurate assessment in keeping with God’s mind. Only by spiritual discernment can we hope to ‘use and not abuse’ this world for His glory, 1Cor.7.31.

COSMIC INTERRUPTION

Leading world authorities in their respective fields keep repeating the phrase ‘This world cannot continue as it is; something must give’. Granted they are, in the main, speaking and deliberating purely from a materialistic standpoint. Nevertheless, what they are saying is true, and God has indicated in His Word that the world was never intended to continue as it is ad infinitum. Speaking about this the writer to the Hebrews says, in 1.10-12, “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands: they shall perish; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.” God has placed His own time limit on material things and when they have served their purpose, He will see to their disposal.

Not all agree, and there are mockers, says Peter in chapter 3 of his Second Epistle. Their ignorance is palpable in that they have not considered undeniable historic changes which have already taken place, 2Pet.3.3-5. These indicate the intervention of God as He wills, and the writer goes on to tell us of God’s intention to intervene again, this time by fire, vv.7-10. “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation [‘behaviour’] and godliness” v.11. Surely this should have a bearing on our worldview! We are not here to stay, and if this means anything it means we are to view present things in light of eternal realities! Unlike the worldview of men, which is at best transient, for the believer in Christ the focus should embrace a greater, higher, nobler world: the home of the redeemed and the Eternal.

SPIRITUAL IMPLICATION

The believer in our Lord Jesus Christ is, by virtue of the indwelling Holy Spirit, fully capable of discerning things which are different. Things which have or are given undue importance in this world are assessed in light of eternity. The Bible encourages us not only to think clearly, but honestly. Much that is digested today as far as the media is concerned lacks such clarity, and because of its insidious nature and influence, it prevents us from having a wholesome worldview. To arrive therefore at what may be deemed normal for the believer in this regard, constant attention to the Word of God must be given, so that the mind of the Lord may be ascertained, lest we find ourselves befriending a world which is His enemy. For “whosever therefore will be [‘is determined to be’] a friend of the world is the enemy of God” Jms.4.4. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy, Jms.3.17.

To be continued (D.V.)

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GLIMPSES OF CHRIST

by D. Strahan

Paper 9

The Rock (Part 1)

The manna provided for Israel by God, well over a thousand years before Christ, so beautifully spoke of Him Who is “the true Bread from heaven” Jn.6.32. In the wilderness there was not only an abundant supply of bread but also of water. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, speaks of this water: “and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them”, before he affirms “and that Rock was Christ” 1Cor.10.4.

There are many references throughout Scripture that provide glimpses of Christ as the Rock. In this article we consider a few of these instances that show what the Lord means to His people as the Rock.

THE SMITING OF THE ROCK – HIS PROVISION

As the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin and pitched at Rephidim there was no water for the people to drink. The land was dry and the people were parched. God said, “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink” Ex.17.6. Moses did as God had commanded and there gushed out of the smitten rock water that was so vital to sustain life in that barren wilderness.

In the New Testament the Lord spoke of “living water” to the woman clutching her waterpot at the well, Jn.4.10. Later in the same Gospel it is recorded, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’” Jn.7.37,38.

The human condition is one of thirst. The world, or the things of the world, can never satisfy that thirst. The “wells of salvation” Isa.12.3, bring real satisfaction and sustenance. Every saint can affirm in his or her heart the truth of the hymn:

I tried the broken cisterns, Lord,

But ah! the waters failed!

E’en as I stooped to drink they fled,

And mocked me as I wailed.

Now none but Christ can satisfy,

None other name for me;

There’s love, and life, and lasting joy,

Lord Jesus, found in Thee!

                                         (Frances Bevan)

The striking of the rock points to One Who was stricken for our transgressions, Isa.53.4,5. Our salvation depends on a smitten Christ. Like the water that gushed forth from the smitten rock in the wilderness, there is found in Christ a free and plentiful provision to satisfy. Through the ages of time countless thirsty souls have stooped to drink of that life-giving stream and proved that “none but Christ can satisfy”.

THE SUPPORT OF THE ROCK – HIS PRESERVATION

David testifies of the rock that he found for his feet: “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings” Ps.40.2. The sides of the pit around him spoke of a place of deep, dark despair, with no prospect of escape. Underneath his feet was “miry clay”. The ground was constantly moving, slippery, and it was impossible to find firm footing. Any effort to extricate himself from the pit resulted in sinking further into the mire.

David’s rescue from the horrible pit is attributed entirely to Jehovah, Who “inclined unto me, and heard my cry” Ps.40.1. He changed his words, for He gave him a “new song” Ps.40.3. He transformed his walk, for He “set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings” Ps.40.2. His release from the pit, together with the firm foundation for his feet (upon a rock), allowed the Psalmist to make progress.

The standing every believer has in Christ provides a firm foundation for his or her Christian walk. He provides stability and security in a changing world. To lives that were aimless He has provided direction and progress.

In loving kindness Jesus came,

My soul in mercy to reclaim,

And from the depths of sin and shame

Through grace He lifted me.

 

From sinking sand He lifted me;

With tender hand He lifted me;

From shades of night to plains of light,

O, praise His name, He lifted me!

                                 (Charles H. Gabriel)

THE SHELTER OF THE ROCK – HIS PROTECTION

The prophet Isaiah references the rock on a number of occasions, perhaps most beautifully in chapter 32 verse 2: “And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” In this verse Isaiah links:

• Refuge: “hiding place from the wind”
• Retreat: “and a covert from the tempest”
• Refreshment: “as rivers of water in a dry place”
• Relief: “as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land”

Over 250 years ago Augustus M. Toplady was travelling in Burrington Combe, now part of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Somerset, England, when he was unexpectedly caught in a fierce storm. Seeing no habitation nearby to which he could flee, he took shelter between two large columns that formed a natural cleft in the limestone rock. There he was safely sheltered from the storm that raged around him, and this was the inspiration for his well-known and much-loved hymn:

Rock of ages cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee!

Let the water and the blood

From Thy wounded side which flowed

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from its guilt and power.

The opening words of Toplady’s hymn are taken from “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is a rock of ages” Isa.26.4 (R.V. margin). Other translations have rendered the term “rock of ages” as “everlasting strength”, which conveys God’s eternal and unchanging character. Jehovah can be trusted continuously, and in every circumstance, because the strength, stability and protection He affords as Rock of Ages never diminish, and will never fail.

In Christ all believers have found refuge for their souls, but in Him they also have refreshment. John Nelson Darby wrote the words:

This world is a wilderness wide;

I have nothing to seek or to choose,

I’ve no thought in the waste to abide,

I’ve nought to regret or to lose.

As Darby notes, the pathway for believers is a “wilderness”, or, in the words of Isaiah, “a weary land” Isa.32.2. Many have experienced the weariness of poor health or the frailty and weakness of advancing years. In days of old the unrelenting rays of the sun beating down upon the stricken traveller in the wilderness made it a “weary land”. The sight of a “great rock” that would provide shade and relief from the intense heat of the sun cheered many souls as they journeyed.

Christ is “the shadow of a great rock in a weary land” Isa.32.2. He bears the uninterrupted rays of the sun and shields the weary pilgrim in His shadow. The Psalmist understood that “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” Ps.91.1. How often weary pilgrims have sheltered in the knowledge that He is a sympathetic and faithful great High Priest, and One upon Whom all care can be cast, “for He careth for you” 1Pet.5.7. Isaiah describes the Rock as “great”. There is no care or problem so great that the “great rock” cannot overshadow. It is our privilege to rest and shelter in Him.

To be continued (D.V.)

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MEN WHO KNEW GOD

by J. Alan Davidson (N. Ireland)

Paper 3

Noah (Part 1)

“Noah walked with God” Genesis 6.9

The earth was filled with violence, corruption and moral degeneracy and quickly heading for utter destruction. This is not a statement about conditions in the modern world, but it is a summary of the “days” in this world more than four thousand years ago. The Lord said, “As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man” Lk.17.26. The ancient “days of Noe” and the present “days” before the Lord’s coming again are just the same. What should we, as believers, do in such “days”? Should we try to improve or circumvent the conditions? Should our voices be heard in world forums for change? Should we vote for those who claim to seek global betterment? Should we try to stir a sense of urgency in an apathetic society with ‘left behind’ films? What did Noah do? He was a righteous man who witnessed for God in dark “days”. He lived in separation from the unrighteousness, violence and corruption of his generation. “Noah walked with God” Gen.6.9.

“The days of Noah” were characterised by several features. We will consider three in this paper, and will conclude in the following one, in the will of the Lord.

THE WILL OF GOD WAS DEFIED.

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth’” Gen.1.27,28.

“The Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth’” Gen.6.7.

Creation, springing from God’s hand, was perfect. Eden’s garden needed no improvement. Our first parents were pure in innocence, the unsullied reflection of God’s own image. “Yea, hath God said …?” Gen.3.1. The devil attacked; sin entered into the world, into the heart of man and into that first family. Jealousy, envy, malice and rage filled the heart of Cain. The blow is aimed and Abel is murdered, bringing violence, sorrow, curse and death upon the earth. The Book of Genesis is about two seeds and two families. The first, descended from Cain, developed in violence and corruption until God brought it to an end in the Flood of waters. “And God said unto Noah, ‘The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.’” Gen.6.13. God does not ‘repent’ of His purposes. God’s first thoughts are God’s final thoughts. God changed His method of dealing with mankind. Noah and his family were placed on a new earth in a new covenant. “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.’” Gen.9.1. The changes of God’s ways during the seven ages of time are for His glory in His all-wise programme with mankind.

THE WORK OF GOD WAS CORRUPTED.

“And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good” Gen.1.31.

“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth” Gen.6.11,12.

The wisdom, love and power of God, manifest in the magnificence of a full working Creation, brought satisfaction and glory to God Himself. The brilliance of light unclouded, the beauty of that Paradise unblemished, the fragrance and fulness of its verdant pastures were to be the scene of communion between God and His creature. But then Eden’s sun was eclipsed. Darkness descended upon the brightness. The flowers of the garden became distant memories as man was driven out. The thorns and thistles, sorrow and sweat, distance and death have marked the generations of Adam since sin entered into this world. In the days of Noah, evil had come to a head as the population increased. Man’s corruption before God and his violence to his fellow man had reached a zenith, so that judgment had become necessary. “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” Gen.6.5. Currently the media, through modern communications, fill the mind, thoughts and imaginations of mankind. Life has become a soap opera. Man’s imagination is focused upon actors, film stars, amusement and sport. On the screen is fiction, but on the streets of cities on earth, violence and murder are realities in a brainwashed society. Lies, deception, horror and moral corruption blind the minds of those who believe not. Much of global humanity, without shame as manslayers and whoremongers, has become beastly and “fierce” 2Tim.3.3. The violence of “the beast”, the falsehood of “the false prophet”, Revelation chapters 13-20, and the corruption of the ‘scarlet woman’ Revelation chapter 17, will bring the wrath of God upon this earth, not by flood but by fire, Revelation chapters 18,19. What did Noah do in his day? “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations” Gen.6.9.

THE WARNINGS FROM GOD WERE IN VAIN.

“The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” Gen.1.2.

“And the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.’” Gen.6.3.

When earth was formless and void the Spirit of God moved to bring form and fulness to the firmament. “By His Spirit He hath garnished the heavens” Job 26.13. God communed with His creation in the cool breeze in the evening of the day.

When God’s sabbath of rest was disturbed by sin, He graciously covered the shameful state of Adam and Eve with coats of skin. A widening span developed between the holiness of God and rebellious man. Yet, God provided a way back, as by Abel’s offering of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. The generations increased in wickedness and defiance. The Spirit strove with man before the Flood. God gave loud testimony; He raised up witnesses to send forth the thrilling note of truth. He sent preachers to warn and call to repentance. In the seventh generation, Enoch’s ‘trumpet’ did not give an uncertain sound. Such was the burden of God’s servant that even the name he gave to his son, Methuselah, warned that judgment was coming to the old world. “His days shall be an hundred and twenty years” Gen.6.3. This is respite. Here is space to repent, to turn, to pray for forgiveness. Like Nineveh, had they repented, the judgment might at least have been delayed. What did Noah do?

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” Heb.11.7. This verse begins and ends with the word “faith”. “Faith is … the evidence of things not seen” Heb.11.1. Faith believes the word and warnings of God. “Faith cometh by hearing” Rom.10.17. In the days of Noah, no rain had ever been seen. No evidence was given other than God’s word. Concerning “fear”, we read that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” Prov.1.7. The ark was proof of Noah’s faith, as he “prepared”; each nail, each plank was a witness and condemnation to the world. Noah was marked by fear, faith, work, labour, patience and preaching: “Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness” 2Pet.2.5. The people did not hear an invitation to enter into the ark. Large though it was, it is ridiculous to preach that there was room in the ark for the whole population of the earth. The people were “disobedient” 1Pet.3.20, occupied with pleasure and social things; they had no interest. They heard a call from the preacher of righteousness to repent of their evil ways. Noah was 500 years old when God first spoke to him, Gen.5.32. He was 600 years old when the flood came, Gen.7.6. The ark was “a preparing” 1Pet.3.20, for one hundred years. Noah witnessed and worked in the power of the Spirit yet at the end only eight souls were saved. The rest perished in the Flood and are presently in the prison of perishing spirits, in hell, 1Pet.3.19.

There are two voices in the world today. One is the lives of God’s people and the other is the lips that preach repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 20.21. The only power holding back the evil at the end of the Day of grace is that of the Holy Spirit: “He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way” 2Thess.2.7, and the presence of believers: “what withholdeth” 2Thess.2.6. God is longsuffering. We are still in this world to be shining as lights in the darkness, our lives to be as salt amid corruption.

To be continued (D.V.)

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GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN 1CORINTHIANS CHAPTERS 12 TO 14

by Ken Wilkins (England)

Paper 3

1CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 12 (continued)

Details of Gifts within Group 2 (continued) – v.9

Gifts of Healing

Healings were performed by the Lord Jesus during His public ministry, exercising His own power as the Son of God. These miracles were spectacular in that they were done instantaneously and completely. Our Lord Jesus completed every work of power that He performed, and all who were healed were made symptom-free, totally healed: again and again we read in the Gospels that they were made, not just ‘well’, but “whole”. This was also the case when healing miracles were performed in the early, apostolic days of the Church, when the spiritual gift of healing was still present.

We must also remember that when the dead were raised, at the same time, all diseases and injuries that were the medical causes of their deaths were healed when they were raised. For example, after the Lord Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter to life, He “commanded that something should be given her to eat” Mk.5.48, proving that she was alive and healthy. Or, in Acts 20.7-12, when Eutychus fell to his death from the third loft, and, by the power of God through Paul, was raised to life, the Troas assembly, at the time of the subsequent meal and at Paul’s subsequent departure, “brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted”: a double negative expression to emphasise that they were greatly comforted. How could they have been greatly comforted if the young man still suffered injuries from his fall? Of course, all who were resurrected still had mortal bodies, prone to sin and illness, and they would have physically died again. Christ is the only One Who has risen from the dead never to die again. We, too, anticipate our spiritual, changed bodies: “Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming” 1Cor.15.22.

It is important to notice that, generally speaking, our Lord’s healing miracles were performed on Jews. On the occasion when the Canaanite woman (a Gentile) asked Him to heal her demon-possessed daughter, Matt.15.22-25, He made it clear that “it is not meet to take the children’s [Jews] bread, and to cast it to dogs [Gentiles]” v.26. She had no national privilege to claim the help of Christ as the Son of David. Yet the Lord Jesus graciously answered her, when she stepped down and humbled herself as a ‘Gentile dog’ (literally, a little puppy dog), v.27. Only then did the Lord commend her great faith and cast out the devil (demon) from her daughter, v.28.

Why, then, did the Lord Jesus (and the apostles, in the Gospels, and by the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of our Lord Jesus, over a wider area geographically, in the book of Acts) perform spectacular healing miracles, even to the extent of raising the dead? And why was it done for the benefit of the Jewish nation? Remember that “the Jews require a sign” 1Cor.1.22; that was the reason. Also in the Acts, when healing miracles were performed on Gentiles it was for the reason that there were Jews nearby who witnessed the healings. That is what is meant in Heb.6.5, referring to Jews who “have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come”. As a nation they only tasted the (spoken) word of the Lord Jesus and the apostles; they did not believe, receive, and make it their own. Neither did they believe the healing miracles as the blessing of the powers of that world to come, when the Lord Jesus will reign over His coming Kingdom, but rather, they committed that unforgiveable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, by attributing His miracles to the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the devils (Satan himself), Matt.12.31,32. Hence there is a gradual ‘winding down’ of the use of these spiritual gifts of healing when we come to the Book of Acts. When we come to the Epistles, these gifts of healing are even less frequent; in fact, they are only mentioned in James and here in 1Corinthians, which were both written very early in the Church age. In later Epistles of Paul the apostle he mentions Epaphroditus, who “was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him” Phil.2.27. Paul had no part in this man’s healing. Paul also wrote, “Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick” 2Tim.4.20. He did not heal him. To Timothy, Paul wrote, “Use a little wine [medicinally] for thy stomach’s sake, and thine often infirmities” 1Tim.5.23. He did not heal him. The genuine gift of healing which was done in the apostolic days of the Church was prophesied and authenticated by the Lord Jesus: “they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” Mk.16.18, and “In My name shall they cast out devils [evil spirits]” Mk.16.17. Thus, “God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them” Acts 19.11,12. Also, on the island of Melita (Malta) after the shipwreck we read concerning the father of Publius, who had a fever, that “Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him” Acts 28.8. A number of Jews, including Paul, had been saved from the shipwreck, so the healing miracles Paul performed on that island were signs to those Jews primarily, even though some of the islanders received healing of their diseases. Or, take, for example, the apostle John, who, along with Peter, performed that spectacular healing miracle in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, where the lame man who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple begging, was immediately made to walk, and leap, and praise God, Acts chapters 3,4; yet John, in his later life, writes these words to his friend Gaius: “Beloved, I wish [this word “wish” is from the Greek word euchomai, which can also be translated as “pray”] above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” 3Jn.2. John did not become involved in healing Gaius, but he prayerfully expressed his wish to God that Gaius would be healed by Him.

We should still pray for the sick, and if God’s will for them is that they be healed, He does it. Healing or non-healing, therefore, is not a matter of a person having, or not having, enough faith. Much damage is being done, in robbing people of assurance of salvation, by so-called ‘faith healers’ telling them that they do not have enough faith to be healed. Beware of these spectacular ‘faith healers’, who are just money-making conmen. Their so-called ‘healing’ does not stand the test of Scripture, and when examined it is seen to follow the mind-over-matter technique, insisting that people claim, in an imaginative way, that they are healed, but in reality they are not; and if those poor, diseased, deceived victims dare to challenge the validity of these charlatans, they are told they did not have enough faith to be healed: what shameful practices these are! The present writer has seen a number of Godly believers, with great faith, who have been a personal help to him in his Christian pathway, suffering pain and illness, and who were not healed, but their testimony for Christ shone through in their days of suffering, as they clearly looked forward to being “with Christ; which is far better” Phil.1.23. How do these ‘faith healers’ of today compare with the way the Lord Jesus and the apostles healed people? There is absolutely no comparison between them. We must remember too that Satan does his counterfeit miracles: note Simon the sorcerer, Acts 8.9-24, and the False Prophet who will deceive during the Tribulation, 2Thess.2.9. However, the genuine miraculous faith healing will return to the Earth when the Lord Jesus comes back to reign. Then will be the complete fulfilment of those words of prophecy in Ps.103.3: “Who healeth all thy diseases”, and the fulfilment of Rev.22.2: “The leaves of the tree [of life] were for the healing of the nations”. What a great day that will be!

We continue our consideration of the gifts within Group 2 in the next paper.

To be continued (D.V.)

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NOTES ON LAZARUS OF BETHANY

by a young brother

Lazarus was low – Jn.11.1

There are times when we as believers can become ‘low’: discouraged, down, sick, disheartened. Many believers go through great trials in life, just like Lazarus was experiencing a trial.

Lazarus was left – Jn.11.6

Sometimes the believer can feel isolated, lonely, or ‘left’. In the midst of our trials, we wonder when the Lord will step in and intervene. We ask ‘Why?’ or ‘How long?’, and sometimes it seems as if He is silent. The Lord left Lazarus and waited, but it was for a purpose. His ways are higher than our ways.

Lazarus was loved – Jn.11.3,5,36

Just because Lazarus was sick and the Lord did not come immediately did not mean that the Lord did not care for him. Sometimes perhaps we feel unloved, because the Lord has not answered prayer in the way we have wanted. But John chapter 11 makes clear that He loves us, despite the difficulty. In fact, He proves His love to us through the difficulty. His love is an everlasting love, and periods of difficulty or darkness are when we feel His love the strongest and warmest.

Lazarus was laid – Jn.11.14

Lazarus died. His life came to an end and he was laid in a tomb. Many believers pass away and they, too, are buried. But this is not the end of the story for the Christian, just like it was not the end of the story for Lazarus.

Lazarus was loosed – Jn.11.43,44

The Lord speaks the word and tells Lazarus to “come forth”. He relieves and looses him from his graveclothes and the bonds of death. It is so, too, for the believer: one day we will hear His word “Come”; He will loose us from the ties of earth, death and sin, and we will go to meet Him.

Lazarus was leaning – Jn.12.2

Here we see Lazarus sitting at the table with the Lord Jesus. The word for “sit at table” means to recline, or to lean. I see here a picture of us leaning on Christ in restful repose in our future, resurrected state. As believers we look forward to a day of resurrection, after which we will enjoy an eternity ‘leaning’ on the Saviour and enjoying His presence. We will also delight in the marriage supper of the Lamb, and then ‘feast’ on Him for ever and ever.

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Comfort for Christians in a Changing World

by Roy Reynolds (N. Ireland)

“The Master is come, and calleth for thee” John 11.28

The individuality of Jesus’ love for His own is emphasised in John’s Gospel. “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus” Jn.11.5. The writer of the Gospel is explicitly referred to more than once as “that disciple whom Jesus loved” Jn.21.7; see also Jn.13.23; 19.26; 20.2; 21.20.

The fellowship of like-minded believers is precious, and their love and care are greatly valued, but in times of trial there is nothing more meaningful and comforting than the knowledge that the Master Himself is deeply interested in our personal circumstances. It would not have meant as much to Mary if her sister had said, ‘Peter is come, and calleth for thee’ or if she had said, ‘The Master is come, and calleth for us’. Christ was personally interested in Mary, her sorrow, her distress, and He understood that the time was right for Him to express His love, sympathy and care to her individually.

Sometimes when trials last longer than we had hoped, even the Christians can become forgetful; phone calls become scarcer, texts arrive less regularly and enquiries as to how we are begin to wane in frequency. But He never changes; Oh how He loves!

Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on Thee;

Leave, ah! leave me not alone; still support and comfort me.

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Good Tidings from Heaven

Impact Statement

An impact statement provides a victim or relatives of the victim with the opportunity to let others, particularly the judge and jury, know to what extent they have been affected by the crime that has been committed against them or a loved one. It may have impacted on them physically, psychologically, emotionally or financially with far-reaching and life-changing results, and emotive language is used to try to elicit sympathy and support from those who read or listen to the impact statement. They wish to make it abundantly clear that life will never be the same again.

I often reflect on the question posed to Eve in the Garden of Eden after she and her husband had disobeyed God and partaken of the fruit which God had expressly commanded them not to eat: “What is this that thou hast done?” Genesis 3.13. It was tantamount to God saying to her, ‘Do you realise what you have done?’ As God looked down through the centuries and millennia that would follow He saw the devastation that would be wrought by that act of disobedience: the sin, the sickness, the sorrow, the separation from Himself, the death that would affect every human being, to name but a few of the catastrophic results of the sin which would lead to Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden. At that moment God knew about the disastrous consequences of that one act that introduced sin into the world and that would affect every soul without exception: the tears that would be shed, the hospitals that would have to be built, the graves that would be dug, the funerals which would take place and, worst of all, the souls who would perish and be in Hell and the Lake of Fire forever.

Throughout the Scriptures there are ‘impact statements’ which highlight the seriousness of sin in the sight of God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear” Isaiah 59.2. “For the wages of sin is death …” Romans 6.23. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” Romans 5.12. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment …” Matthew 25.46. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” Revelation 20.15.

So great is the problem of sin and so serious the consequences of it that only God could provide the solution and He, in wondrous love, undertook to provide the cure for the disease, the cleansing from the defilement and to make the cancellation of the debt a possibility. The plan of salvation involved God sending “His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” 1John 4.9. The cost to Christ was astronomical in terms of the sufferings He had to endure upon the cross of Calvary when He sustained the wrath of God against our sins and paid in full the price of our eternal salvation. In mighty triumph He exclaimed just before He died, “It is finished [done, completed, paid in full]” John 19.30. It only remains for you to trust Christ and depend upon the work He accomplished by His death; the moment you do so, Christ will assume the full responsibility of saving you eternally and ensuring that you will escape Hell and be in Heaven forever. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life …” John.3.36.

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QUOTES

A Proverb to Ponder

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” Proverbs 14.12; 16.25

Many lessons could be drawn from this twice-quoted proverb. Here are two: first, people express their opinions as if they were facts, on all sorts of subjects, for example, on whether God, or heaven, or hell, exist; on morality; on the future of the world. But all they are doing is stating what seems right to them, and we must not be swayed by their stridency, but rather remember that every manmade idea ends in the same place: death. Second, Paul may well have had this verse in mind when he wrote to the saints in Rome, “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now … ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” Rom.6.21,22. Let us ever pursue holiness, and not follow the shameful ideas of men!

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Consider Him

“Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed” Romans 9.33; 10.11

How we love those Scriptures that speak of the great blessings promised to “whosoever believeth on/in Him”. Two of them are glorious positives: “whosoever believeth in Him” shall “have eternal/everlasting life” Jn.3.15,16, and shall “receive remission of sins” Acts 10.43, while two are glorious negatives: “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish” Jn.3.15,16, and “shall not be ashamed” Rom.9.33; 10.11. This last one, quoted from Isa.28.16, is perhaps less used in gospel preaching than the other three, but it is also very precious. The rendering of “shall not be ashamed” in the Amplified Bible: “will not be disappointed [in his expectations]”, is more a commentary than a translation, but it likely grasps Paul’s main thought: not one who puts his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will ever have cause to feel let down. He fully keeps His promises to all who trust in Him.

He is not a disappointment! Jesus is far more to me
Than in all my glowing daydreams I had fancied He could be;
And the more I get to know Him, so the more I find Him true,
And the more I long that others should be led to know Him too.
                                                                              (H. Green)