The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1941-07-24

GOLDEN TEXT-AL scripture is given
by inspiration of God and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for in
struction in righteousness.-II Timothy 3:16.
Letters are usually interesting,
frequently very important, and al
ways revealing as to the character
and interests of the writer. That
is generally true of ordinary daily
mail, but how very true it is of the
letters of Scripture, the epistles of
Peter, Paul, Jude, and John. For
in them "holy men of God spake
as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost" (II Pet. 1:2D.
l. The Gospel (Gal. Ill, IL; I
Thess. 2:13).
The good news (for that is the
meaning of "gospep') of salvation
by grace through faith in Jesus
Christ as Saviour has from the very
beginning of its proclamation been
subject to attack. Men are not con-
tent to receive Gods way of saliva
ton, but want to add something to
it, adjust its requirements to meet
new situations, to tinker and twist.
l. A Divine Revelation (Gal. l:
II, 12).
Paul was not presenting some
thing which he or some other man
had worked up" but message
that he had prayed down" Paul
was only delivering that which he
had received from God (see Cor.
15:1-4). He was careful that it
should not be confused with or by
the teachings of men, so he ICON
ferred not with flesh and blood (see
Gal. Ills, 16).
We too are privileged to proclaim
a divine revelation which has come
to us in the inspired Word of God
How delightfully."- sweet and tremen-
dously powerful is the message
which we may thus bring forth. 1t
has no human frailty and weakness,
no human error, and no misleading
philosophers. 1t does not need to
be revised every year or two. 1t is
Gods eternal message of redemp-
ton.
2. A Message of Salvation Il
Thess. 2:13).
It works in those who believe.
Yes, it does-blessed be the name of
God! Gods Book says so, and the
experience of hundreds of thou
sands of men and women over a
period Of almost 1000 years agrees.
Note, however, that to work, the
message must not only be ere
ceived," but also accepted" as
the Word of God. The message of
the Bible may be received as a
matter of fact, but for salvation it
must be accepted and believed as
a matter of faith.
II. The Bible I'll Tim. 314-17; II
Pet. 3:14-16).
Near the end of a life given in
utter sacrifice to Gods cause, Paul
is ready to be used of the Holy
Spirit to speak concerning the writ
ten Word.
l. 1t Is God-Inspired III Tim. 3:
14-l7).
Be sure to read this passage in
the Authorized Version. The Re-
vised has taken liberties with this
verse which the finest scholarship
does not countenance. 1t properly
reads, "All scripture is given by in
spiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine (teaching), for reproof,
for correction, for instruction." etc.
Other books may claim some kind
or measure of human inspiration
this Book is inspired of God. If
there were space, proof of the truth
of that statement could easily be
given. 1t is available for all who
want to believe it.
2. 1t Is Not to Be Wrested III
Pet. 3:14-16).
If permitted to do so, Gods Word
will bring peace of heart, make a
man spotless and blameless ". 14).
But its salvation w. 15) is not for
those who ignorantly, or because of
their ignorance, or because they are
not steadfast in their lives, wrest it's
truth. Let us receive the Word with
gladness, not twist it or distort it's
meaning to our own destruction.
Ill. The Faith dude 81.
l. 1t Was Delivered Once for
AL"
1t is a final revelation from God.
There is no other gospel, and there
never will be another. What assur-
ance that gives us both in believing
it and proclaiming it! But the world
hates this gospel, and attacks on it
are to be expected. Therefore
2. 1t Is to Be Earnestly Contend
ed For.
No matter how peaceable we
may be, how loving and tender
hearted, if and when attack is
made upon the Lordship of Christ,
when men make light of sin, and so
seem to minimize the vital i'm
portance of holiness of life-then,
however unpleasant contention and
controversy may be to US, it is time
we cast our self-regard aside and
contend earnestly for the faith once
for all delivered to the saints" q.
D. Jones).