The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1896-02-14
How to Read tho Bible.

So many people when asked il they
yead the bible, reply that they do not, be-
scause they do not see any sense IN 1t.
They say that it is too mysterious ~ be
understood.
Now, any thinking person will know
that just God would not have given To
sAis people plan of salvation-a law TO
.obe, and then have made it so myster-
.ious that they could not understand it.
So et US discard the idea ut m!stery
ithat tradition has thrown around the IN bic
sa,sa view il sincerely just as We would
any other other book, only with more rev.
sence.
rhe bible naturally divides its-lf into
two parts. The Did and New Testament
These are each divided into three princi-
pal parts. history, law aud prophecy.
The Old Testament was intended for
zone nation. the Jews. (Gen. II: 1-l3 The
New Testament is intended for all nations
4and all ages, Matt. is: 20.) The ola
covenant was made with two classes of
people, Il those who were born IN Abra
ham 5 house; ~ those who were bou ght
with his money.
The New Testament is given to two
classes or people. a. sinners, (2) Christ
aans.
The old law passed away, or was done
away with when the new law came in
force just us IN our government a new
law takes the pace of the old one relating
to the same things. HE taketh away
the first that he may establish the
second" (Ileb. lo:9)
Ne see, then. that il we would know
0ur lut, to God. we must look in the New
Te-tamen.. tor the terms OF salvation to
aS are foLud only in the New Testament.
As | have sa q. this contains three princi-
pal parts. history, law and prophecy. But
part Is Tor the sinner and part for the
Gnri>tian
Every city has set OF municipal laws.
Now II y necessary for the mayor to be
acquantedi with the laws which relate to
abe duties OF the aldermen. So it is nee
essary for the aldermen to be acquainted
with the laws that relate TO The duties of the
mayor. But II would he folly in the mayor To
try To apply to himself the laws relating To
ihe lties of the aldermen. or for the alder
amen sto Try To apply TO themselves the laws
relating 10 the duties OF the mayor.
- IL - worse than folly 10 apply to sinners
the law intended for christians or To christ
JAMS the law Intended for sinners. knowing
our condition then, let us see what part APP
plies To us
Ii one is sinner-an unbelievable should
read the four eyangelists. Matthew. Marx.
Luke and John. These tell us mat 10 believe
about Christ. II Is profitable TO read them IN
connection with the prophecies III the Old
Testament references to many OF which will
De iound in the margin.
III one IL IA believer and desires to learn how
20 become n christian. he should read Acts OF
the Apostles. for here alone can this be learn.
ed. Every conversion to christianity found
Ia the bible. is contained in this book
These two divisions embrace the history oi
the life. miracles. teachings. death aud resul.
rection OF Jesus Christ. and the history of the
establishment OF the first christian churches
The rest OF the new testament. with the ex
ception OF Timothy, Titus aud Revelation
consists of letters to christians, giving direc
lions aud rules tor leading n christian life
These do not apply To sinners at ALT Timothy
and Titus are rules or laws included in letters
70 the preachers. aud by which they are to bt
governed.
Revelation is the New Testament prophec,
ana gives us u glimpse OF the New Jerusalem
Toward which We are Fastening X.