Truth Magazine

By Bruce Edwards, Jr.

There is no question that we do not study the Bible as much as we should and such reasons as “lack of time” or “difficulty in understanding” are sometimes offered. For many, however, the underlying reason is often that they do not find the Bible “interesting enough” to beckon, command and maintain their attention. This is a serious charge and one that we must look at critically. It is not enough to brush aside this observation with a pious, “Anyone who doesn’t think that the Bible is interesting just doesn’t love the Lord” kind of statement because it is apparent that many sincere Christians who really do love the Lord at times find the Scriptures a less-than-interesting volume. It would be worthwhile then for us to spend a few moments considering some contributing factors to the idea that the Bible is uninteresting and then offer some concrete suggestions for making Bible study the valuable and interesting endeavor that it ought to be for every Christian.

Stumbling Blocks to Interesting Bible Study

1. Low Expectation. This is a somewhat complex problem owing to several factors, but suffice it to say that many have made up their minds beforehand that they will be bored to death when they attempt Bible study; and sure enough, such people often find just what they expected to be the case! This low expectation may be accounted for by several reasons. First, the potential Bible student may have had an , earlier unsatisfying experience with Bible study in the past that blocks his perspective. When in younger years, a person rarely has a long attention span with much of anything; add to this a boring Bible class teacher who rarely made any relevant application of the Bible material to the student’s life and it is easy to see why some might be discouraged from independent study. Furthermore, there is the generally unfriendly propaganda set forth by irreligious peers and acquaintances who call the relevancy of the Scriptures into question whenever the opportunity presents itself. Consequently, this “low expectation” can account for some disinterest on the part of some who find the Bible boring.

2. An Unrealistic Approach to Study. Many are simply too impatient to gain very much from Bible study. Sensing its importance, some expect too much too soon and as a result are sadly discouraged when instant understanding is not forthcoming. On the other hand, many have such an exaggerated view of the difficulty of Bible study and of what it consists, that they resign themselves ahead of time that most of the Bible is “too hard” for them anyway. Thus they are content to leave such study to the “experts.” Either of these two impressions, one characterized by impatience and the other by a false view of the difficulty of Bible study, are unrealistic, foolish hindrances to profitable study. In the first place, why should we be any less patient with the Scriptures than we are with secular fields of study? Surely we did not know, nor expect to know, everything about Mathematics, Science or History the moment we opened a textbook; why do we demand such .an unrealistic measure of accomplishment in a short time with God’s word? Secondly, why would anyone think that God would communicate unto His saints in a manner which was intentionally difficult for them to comprehend? If we believe in a wise and benevolent heavenly Father, we must also believe that He has given us a revelation which the “common man” and his family can read and understand. Bible study cannot be relegated to a realm of “secret knowledge” which only “professional experts” can decode.

3. Outmoded Translations. We realize that this is a “touchy” area of discussion, but all must admit that some of the most popular of the older translations communicate in ways and with words that we no longer use. No one we know speaks in Elizabethan English; why should we sentence ourselves to the use of a linguistically outmoded version which tends to hide the power of God’s word to many readers? We can talk about “beauty of expression” and “reverential grandeur.” but what really counts is whether the message is communicated in a clear and concise manner. We are not calling for an abandonment of anyone’s “favorite translation,” but for a simple recognition that many need a more direct and forceful rendering than some older version can provide. Thus, an outmoded translation that appears stale and obsolete can become a stumbling block to those looking for a vibrant, relevant application to their lives. But it goes without saying that along with contemporaneity, we need faithfulness to the original text, something which some currently popular “versions” (notably Good News For Modern Man and the Living Bible) are woefully lacking. Two of the more outstanding versions of late are the New American Standard Bible and the New International Version (New Testament only at this time). These translations have their weaknesses as well, but they combine the best of both worlds-faithfulness to the original and a modern way of communication.

Helpful Suggestions Toward Interesting Bible Study

1. Having the Proper Respect for the Word. This of course must always come first. Let the student be aware that the Book he holds in his hand is a revelation from the Creator of the universe! He should ever be aware of its power. The same word which created and upholds the world (Heb. 11:3) is present within the pages of the Bible (Heb. 4:12). Paul called it the “dynamite” of God (Rom. 1:16, 17).

2. Read the Bible as if for the First Time. This is a tall order, but if attempted it will reap one many benefits. Imagine yourself the recipient of the letters written to Timothy or that the local church of which you are a member had been sent the letter written to Corinth. You will be amazed at the fresh insights you will gain by putting yourself personally into the Scriptures, which is of course what God intended for you to do. Become involved with each character: stand with Peter on the day of Pentecost as he preaches that momentous sermon; identify yourself with the Jews who here first heard the news that the crucified Jesus had been resurrected! Fill your soul with the exciting teaching and activity of the Lord Jesus during His earthly sojourn! Imagine reading this for the very first time! It is important to let our children know that these are real characters who actually lived, not abstract truth in a philosophical religion preached only from pulpits. Only when we become personally involved with the Scriptures can they be the relevant force in our lives that they were designed to be!

3. Have a Definite Objective in Mind. Bible study must always have as its aim an answer to this question: “What does this Scripture mean in my life?” Bible study for its own sake will spark no one to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. We must always be looking in our Bible study for a personal application in our own individual lives; left in the abstract, these facts will only take their place alongside other “nice” information that has been collecting dust in the corridors of our minds for years. The new Christian should select the books that will help him the most-those that are relevant to his new life in Christ. The gospels are a good place to begin, for in them we learn of the grand character of our Lord and Savior whose coming was the theme of the Scriptures from the beginning. The epistles teach us what godly living is all about and lead us to further faith and growth in Him. After a firm foundation in these concepts, it is good to examine then the Old Testament and discover its place in God’s plan of redemption. From this base, one can then continue on to the “meatier” and more challenging books in the Bible.

4. Consider Difficult Passages a Challenge. All Bible students will encounter passages, entire chapters (and perhaps even whole books!) which are somewhat perplexing. God’s purpose or meaning may not always be readily apparent for these sections of the Bible. Let the student not be discouraged, but consider such a challenge to be eventually overcome with conscientious study and contemplative prayer. Hard passages are not “unlocked” overnight. It is right and proper to seek help from other faithful Christians well-grounded in the word arid to supplement one’s personal study with good study helps like Bible dictionaries, word studies and appropriate commentaries. The latter should not be a replacement for personal “digging” into the word but rather as a helpful “mind-provoker” to different avenues of thought.

5. Recognize the Scriptures For What They Are: God’s Seeking After Man. God loved us before we loved Him. The story of redemption is not man’s search for God, but God’s search for man. After Adam sinned, it was not he who called out “Where are you, Lord” but the Lord calling, “Where are you, Adam?” (Gen. 3:9). Let us put the emphasis right where it belongs-upon the amazing grace and love of God! He was not content with anything less than the giving of Himself on the cross for our redemption. Such a realization cannot but provoke us to diligently search the Scriptures daily in hopes of pleasing Him who sought us when we were astray.

Conclusion

These suggestions are offered in hopes of stimulating Christians toward an exciting journey into the word of God. Because we are weak, we will no doubt go “excuse-hunting” for reasons not to study the Bible, but when these occasions come, let us have the presence of mind to look back to the cross. There are perhaps other ways of making the Bible more interesting and appealing, but none can be more motivating than the simple realization that Peter so well expressed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68) and those word are our possession in the book we call the Bible.

Truth Magazine XIX: 40, pp. 630-631
August 21, 1975

By Cecil Willis

In view of the fact that in the title of our lesson we are asserting that the Holy Spirit produces faith, one readily can see that there is going to have to be a harmonization of this statement with the conclusion of our former lessons, and especially the one last week in which we concluded that men are made believers by hearing the word of God. This conclusion was adequately supported by such passages as Matt. 13:3-9; Acts 11:14; Jn. 17:20, 21; Jn. 20:30, 31 and Romans 10:13-17. One passage would have been sufficient to establish our thesis. Paul said, “So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). To those who regard the word of truth as authoritative, this statement is enough.

And yet on the other hand, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit makes men believers, but there is no contradiction in these statements if one will only take into consideration the Bible teaching regarding the work of the Holy Spirit. Many people have become so saturated with the doctrines of error that they have come to think that the only way that the Holy Spirit can operate is directly. They think that if the Holy Spirit should operate through some medium or instrumentality, then it would not be the Holy Spirit at all.

Notice how the Bible describes just what part the Holy Spirit has in making men believers. Upon this one thing we should all agree. Paul says “faith cometh by hearing,” and if words mean anything at all, there is not one person in the world who can fail to understand so plain a statement. It is not a matter of understanding it; but it becomes a matter of believing it.

The Holy Spirit and the Apostles

Let us note this point first. The word spoken by the apostles was the word of the Holy Spirit, and for one to be converted by the word of the apostles was to be converted by the Holy Spirit. One cannot separate the Holy Spirit from His work.

As the inspired evangelists went on their preaching missions, they did not draw their message out of the clear blue sky, but it was delivered unto them of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit delivered unto them their message, then the Holy Spirit was teaching men through the apostles, and if the word of the apostles made men believers, and this is what Paul affirmed, then it was the word of the Holy Spirit that made men believers. Therefore the Holy Spirit produced faith in the heart of men. It was not in a direct manner, but through the instrument of the word of the apostles. This is what I affirm and believe, but that matters little unless this is what the Bible teaches.

Paul declared of his preaching, “For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11, 12). Further he said, “Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth; but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words” (1 Cor. 2:13). Paul said that the things that he declared from place to place were not things that he had conjectured in his own mind and clothed in his own words, but these things were delivered unto him by revelation from God, and even clothed in the words of the Spirit.

God had made plans for the revelation of His will to man. He had sent His only begotten Son into the world that He might instruct man. Christ selected certain men that were to aid him in the bearing of the revelation into the whole world. These men were called his apostles. As Christ instructed them, He intended that they relay this instruction on to their fellow-men, but a problem arose. How were they going to be able accurately to relate all that they had been taught? This would be a human impossibility; so the Holy Spirit was given. The accounts of Christ’s teaching were written down thirty or forty years after Christ had spoken them. The apostles could not possibly relate accurately all that Christ had told them without the assistance of divine guidance. Accordingly, Christ told us the purpose of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the apostles: “But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said unto you” (Jn. 14:26). Again Christ said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come” (Jn. 16:13).

Thus we see that as the Apostles spoke, it was God speaking through the apostles as they were guided in what they should say by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Christ encouraged his disciples and told them not to worry about what they would say when they were delivered up, for “it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh” (Matt. 10:20). Consequently, to be converted by the Apostle’s words was to be converted by God, since they spoke the word of God. To be converted by the Apostles was to be converted by the Holy Spirit, since they spoke as directed by the Holy Spirit.

The Operation of the Holy Spirit

We have the principle of the operation of the Holy Spirit very plainly taught in several examples in the New Testament. In Acts 8, we find a man returning from the city of Jerusalem, where he had been to worship. This man was honestly seeking to know the will of God. He had traveled a great distance in a chariot in order that he might render worship to God. About thirty-five miles North of him was an evangelist preaching Christ in the city of Samaria. One might ask, “How is it that God is going to instruct this Ethiopian eunuch who had been to Jerusalem to worship?” The modern theory is that God would just appear to him in some inexplicable manner and would, by some marvelous action, produce faith in the heart of the man in order that he might be saved. But just what did God do in this instance? He sent an angel unto Philip and told him: “Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza” (Acts 8:26). God was going to produce faith in this man’s heart. How did He do it? He sent an angel to a preacher and told him to go preach to the man. So Philip arose, and went, and he found the Ethiopian sitting in his chariot and reading from the prophet Isaiah. Notice the scripture now: “And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (Acts 8:29). Thus Philip began from the passage in Isaiah where the man was reading and preached unto him Jesus, and he was immediately baptized. This man became a believer. How was it accomplished? By the Holy Spirit; but all the Holy Spirit did was to send a preacher to him.

In the tenth chapter of Acts we have a similar circumstance. There was a man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, who had never become a believer in Jesus Christ. The Bible describes this man as an excellent moral man, but unsaved. An angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him where he could contact Peter, who would tell him words whereby he could be saved. Notice, the Lord did not send the Holy Spirit to give him faith, but He sent an angel to tell him where to get a preacher. Then, as the messengers of Cornelius inquired regarding Peter, “the Spirit said, Behold, three men seek thee” (Acts 10:19). And Peter went and told the man words whereby he could be saved.

The question then arises, “Did the Holy Spirit produce faith in the hearts of these two men?” The answer is yes; but He did it through the preaching of the word of God through Holy Spirit inspired evangelists. They did not have the written word as we have it today, and thus the Holy Spirit guided the preachers directly. Today, since we have the words of the Holy Spirit written in the Bible, the Holy Spirit guides us and teaches us through His Word. This is exactly the same way that the Holy Spirit produces faith in our hearts. The Holy Spirit does it through the Word of God, the Bible.

In Revelation the first chapter, we have a perfect diagram of all that we are trying to say regarding this matter: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw” (Rev. 1:1-3). An analysis of this passage shows the pattern which we are discussing. John says that the revelation began with God. It was God’s eternal purpose and intention. This revelation, originating with God, was given unto Christ. Jesus stated this: “When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things” (Jn. 8:28). “And I know that his commandment is life eternal; the things therefore which I speak, even .as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak” (Jn. 12:50). Jesus said that He spoke exactly the things that were given Him of God. John further said that Jesus sent and signified these things by his angel. The angel is just a messenger. This angel delivered the message unto John, which he in turn proclaimed unto men.

By this combination of God, Jesus Christ, the Messenger, and John, the revelation was to be made known. The particular revelation, about which John was speaking at the time, was what we know today as the Book of Revelation. This same pattern-principle of revealing is just as true of all the other Biblical books though. When an apostle spoke, God spoke. What was said by an apostle was said by God, by Christ, by the Holy Spirit, and so to be converted by the apostle’s words was to be converted by the Holy Spirit.

In Rev. 22:17 John said, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him come. And he that is athirst, let him come; he that will, let him take the water of life freely.” The Spirit was extending an invitation unto the whole world to come and partake of the water of life, but the extension of the Spirit’s invitation was being done through the revelation of Jesus Christ by John. John was relaying the word of the Messenger and the Messenger was relaying the word of the Spirit.

But whether the angel be the Holy Spirit or not, John said that the Holy Spirit was speaking through him. Whatever he said, being directed by the Holy Spirit, was the Holy Spirit speaking. Notice this expression from John’s epistle: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches” (Rev. 3:22). This particular expression occurs no less than seven times in the first three chapters of the book .of Revelation. John said, if one has ears he may hear what the Spirit has said. : At that particular time, John was writing to the seven churches in Asia and the message that he was delivering to these churches is recorded in the Book of Revelation. John says that-this message was what the Spirit was saying and was not merely what the man, John, had to say about these issues. In other words, when with one’s ears, he listens to what John was saying, in reality it was the Holy Spirit speaking, since John was only speaking those things directed by- the Holy Spirit.

Thus it is that Paul says that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. And yet this expression harmonizes perfectly with the statement that the Holy Spirit produces faith. It is all a discussion of how the Holy Spirit produces faith. Denominationalists would have us believe that He does it directly, independently of the Word of God. The truth about the matter is that the Holy Spirit does produce faith, but He does it through the word of God spoken by the inspired apostles.

Conclusion

One reads in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” The gospel is God’s power unto salvation. The religious world of today would have us believe that the Holy Spirit exerts a completely different power of salvation-that of the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. God, Christ and the Holy Spirit all save in the same way. It is through the gospel of Christ. Thus, dear friend, we are pleading with each one of you to accept the gospel of Christ and obey it. You can believe it by hearing the word of the Holy Spirit spoken by the Apostles. You can be saved by this gospel by repenting, confessing your faith in Christ, and by being baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins. We plead with you to obey this saving gospel without delay.

Truth Magazine XIX: 40, pp. 627-629
August 21, 1975

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From South Carolina: “What day of the week was Jesus crucified? According to Mt. 26:17; Mk. 14:12; and Lk. 22:7, Christ ate the Passover and was crucified the next day which would be the day after the Passover. However, John’s record (19:14) states that Christ was crucified the day before the Passover. All this, of course is conditional upon my clear understanding of the Scriptures involved. “On what day of the week was the Passover that year?”

Reply:

Jesus was crucified on Friday as the following Scriptures clearly show. “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate” (Matt. 27:62). “And now when even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath” (Mk. 15:42). “And that day (the day Jesus was buried-LRH) was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on” (Lk. 23:54). “There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand” (Jn. 19:42). The preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, was the day on which Jesus was crucified and buried. The day before the Sabbath is Friday, hence, Jesus was crucified on Friday.

Part of the confusion and misunderstanding over John 19:14 is perhaps due to the lack of familiarity on the part of the common reader. That is a nice way of saying that because we are often ignorant of references to Jewish events, we may reach an erroneous conclusion. John 19:14 is a good example. “And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!” The “preparation of the Passover” does not refer to the preparation of the Passover such as the disciples tended to for Christ (Matt. 26:17-19). The term “Passover” in John 19:14 refers to the entire paschal festival. The preparation of the Passover signifies “the day before the sabbath” (Mk. 15:42), which fell during the week of the Passover. It is the Friday, the preparation day, which occurred within the celebration and commemoration of the Passover. Catholics speak of “Easter Friday.” By this they do not indicate that their Easter is on Friday but that it is the Friday of their Easter activities. So, the parallel runs in John 19:14-the preparation of the Passover simply refers to the preparation of the Sabbath that transpired the week of the Passover festivities. If our querist sees the point, his problem and difficulty is rectified and clarified.

The Passover-What Day?

The passover, like our July 4th, did not fall on the same day of the week every year. It was to be observed on the 14th day of the first month (Ex. 12). Nisan, the first Jewish month, corresponds to April. So, Jesus ate the Passover on what we would call Thursday night. The next day, Friday, was the day of preparation, the day before Saturday, the Sabbath. Jesus was slain and placed in the sepulchre on the day of preparation. The Sabbath, Saturday, found the disciples resting “according to the commandment” (Lk. 23:56). Jesus’ body remained entombed during this day. However, the following day, the first day of the week, Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead (Mk. 16:9; Lk. 24:1, 13, 21).

Truth Magazine XIX: 40, p. 626
August 21, 1975

By A. C. Grider

Recently I started a sermon with this paragraph: “As you know, I am given to some levity in the pulpit. It is a matter of judgment if this is advisable or not. I think some of it is all right or I would not engage in it. One thing is certain, you remember that part of my sermon! At the same time, you may not recall the seriousness of my message. If I preach on the death of Christ, the audience may go to sleep. If I kindly act the fool, all will stay awake and all will remember the things said. If I expound on a material thing, everyone will become especially interested. If I deal with a spiritual matter, many times it is sloughed off as something relatively unimportant.”

Perhaps I was a bit hasty in judgment on saying those things. Perhaps I exaggerated the matter a little. Maybe, with some people, it is the other way around. Some may despise the levity and retain the serious portion of my sermon. But there is, indeed, a lot of “misplaced emphasis” or “misplaced values” as I have headed this piece.

What is your reaction to the subject of eternity? Do you really seriously consider the implications in the scriptures relative to this important subject. The Bible says some shall “go away into everlasting punishment” (Matt. 25:46). Does that word “everlasting” strike you as a very serious thing? Perhaps one of the saddest things recorded in the New Testament is Abraham’s statement to the rich man to the effect that a gulf was fixed and that there could never be any crossing over to the other side. Jesus declared that the hour was coming in which “all that are in the graves shall come forth.” Some to resurrection of life and some to resurrection of damnation. In any case the thing under consideration dealt with eternity. Let us put proper emphasis on eternity and strive to be ready when it begins for us.

Take the subject of sin. Do we consider it seriously enough? Remember, the Bible says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek. 18:20)! Paul tells us that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 2:23). Sin will separate us from God so that he will not hear us (Isa. 59:1-2). We had better not treat the subject of sin too lightly. It is a deadly serious subject. We had better give more time to this matter than we do to material things which are for time only.

What about the terrible cost of redemption? Because he loved us, God was willing to “give his only begotten son” for us (John 3:16). Christ was willing to “taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9). Christ shed his blood that we might have “remission” of our sins (Heb. 9:22). How seriously do we consider this love of God and this sacrifice of Christ? Do we give these matters the kind of attention they deserve? Do we place the right value on this demonstration of love?

I pray that we may all re-evaluate our blessings. I hope we continue to enjoy many material blessings as well as spiritual ones. But may we not get our values mixed. Let us not misplace values. It is better to consider now than to regret later.

Truth Magazine XIX: 39, p. 618
August 7, 1975