"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" Psalm 119:105		"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" John 15:3

 

Bible Study Guides

(Part A) 0

by William. H. Grotheer -- BIBLE STUDY SERIES - July 17, 1985 --

p 1 -- INTRODUCTION -- In the study of the Bible, you are approaching Truth in its most sublime form. The Bible is truly the BOOK of books. It is the written revelation of God's will and purposes for man;      "for prophecy came not in the old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21)         In the study of such a divinely inspired book, before we read a single verse, we should ask God for the guidance of the same Spirit that inspired the men to write the book. Only as we are thus led by the Spirit of God can we understand the truth contained in the Scriptures. So before the study of any lesson, may I suggest that you bow your head in prayer asking God to guide your mind in the search for Truth through the Spirit of truth.

MEMORY WORK -- One thing essential in mastering the use of the Bible so that you can find a text of Scripture with ease and confidence is to learn the books of the Bible in order. This will not be difficult; and you will find that the time thus spent will be amply rewarded as you continue daily in the study of the Word of God. If after mastering this first memory work, you keep in mind certain divisions of the Bible itself, your skill in the use of the Bible will be further enhanced. Here are the divisions:

1)   The middle of your Bible (textual part only) is the book of Psalms. 
2)   The last fourth of your Bible contains the New Testament.

In your own Bible, you will need to note the amount of space in the back, which is often listed as "Bible Helps," and with this section excluded, you can remember that a text in a book before Psalms will be found in the first half of your Bible. A text in the New Testament will always be found in the last one-fourth of the Book. (See Appendix A)

LESSON PLAN -- Each lesson - there are only fourteen - will be arranged with the key texts underscored and the key words of each text written, so that you will be able to note them as you look up the reference in your own Bible. The notes will contain either illustrations, explanations, or other Bible texts which will help you better understand the key text. However, be sure to look up in your Bible every reference given. At the close of each lesson you will find a brief quiz by which to check yourself to see how well you have understood the lesson. (There is one Quiz for Lessons 8 & 9)

Lessons 11 & 13 have Supplements which give opportunity for a detailed study of questions which might come to mind as general truths are noted in the lesson itself. Lessons 8, 9, & 10 have charts which diagram aspects of the study presented. All of this is done to make the study of these lessons more interesting and understandable. TOP

Lesson #1 -- HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE -- Section #1 - THE SCRIPTURES

p 2 -- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 -- All Scripture ... is profitable ... that the man of God may be perfect.

Ephesians 2:19-20 -- The household of God ... built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ ... the corner stone.

Note - While there were prophets in New Testament times, we think primarily of the prophets as the human instruments in the writing of the Old Testament, and the apostles as the inspired penmen of the New Testament. Now to illustrate:       Say we plan to build a square building, and place a foundation on the north and east sides only - one half a foundation! On what would the building rest? Nothing, but it would pivot on the edges of the two open ends. The household of God to rest firmly must have a full foundation - the Old and New Testaments meeting in the central corner stone - Jesus Christ.

Luke 24:27 -- Beginning at Moses and all the prophets ...

Note - Jesus Christ after His resurrection, when presenting the proofs of His divine Messiahship, directed the disciples to the Scriptures "beginning at Moses." Where then did He begin? At the very beginning of the Old Testament for Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible.

2 Peter 1:20 -- Knowing this first ... no ... private interpretation.

Note - In the study of the Bible, it is not what I think, or what you think. No text of the Scripture is of a private interpretation. How then are we to arrive at a true meaning of a verse in the Bible? Let us illustrate:     Suppose you wrote a book which became a "best seller." I, on the other hand, was a member of a literary club which wanted to have your book reviewed, and to know the purpose you had in writing the book. Who would be the best one to review the book for the literary club? Only one answer - you, the author! So only the Author of the Bible can correctly interpret the Book.

2 Peter 1:21 -- Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Section #2 -- METHODS USED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

I Corinthians 2:13 -- The Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Note - This method of Bible study could be called the "comparison" method. In this method one or more texts are used to enlarge the meaning of another text. Here is a Bible example of how this method works:

• Luke 21:5-7 -- Who are the "they" that ask Jesus the question?
• Matthew 24:3-4 -- The "they" were His disciples. But which ones?
• Mark 13:3-4 -- Peter. James, John, and Andrew ask the question.

p 3 -- Thus by comparing one text with another, the full details and meaning of one verse or a section of Scripture can be made clearer and more understandable.

Isaiah 28:9-10 -- Whom shall He make to understand doctrine? ... Line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little.

Note - The method by which we are to understand doctrine could be called the "addition" method. It has also been dubbed "the proof-text method." It is very similar to the method used to formulate scientific truth. All the related references on a given subject are gathered together, and then a conclusion is formulated. A Bible example of this method is found in Romans 3:9 -18. There Paul reiterates the doctrine - all are under sin - and then for further proof of this position, quotes from eight verses in six different chapters from three different books of the Old Testament. By using the margin in your Bible, you can find these Old Testament references.

2 Timothy 2:15 -- Study ... rightly dividing the word of truth.

Note - This method, which we find Jesus used, could be called the "divison" method. In Luke 4:16-21, Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61:1-2. By checking the verses in Isaiah, we note that Jesus stopped in the middle of the second verse, and closed the book. Then He declared - "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." If Jesus had read the rest of the verse, which speaks of the day of vengeance of God, He could not have made the statement. His first coming was to be a day of acceptance, not a day of wrath. Jesus was very careful to rightly divide the Scriptures. So we, too, must be.

Section 3 -- OUR ATTITUDE IN BIBLE STUDY

Note - We may master all the methods of Bible study perfectly, and not err in our application of the texts of Scripture, but this will do us very little good unless we receive a spiritual blessing from the study of the Bible. So the question is -   How can these methods indicated in the Bible itself bring the blessing one needs individually from the study of the Holy Scriptures?

John 7:17 -- If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine. TOP

Note - The Bible becomes a living book, if we are willing to do that which it asks us to do. Only then can one really know the doctrine, because he or she will experience in the life its truthfulness. Up to that point the truths of the Bible will remain only a theory.

Psalm 119:18 -- Open Thou mine eyes.

Note - Only as we pray for the understanding that God alone can give, will we be successful in the study of the Bible. Our eyes must be open to see; and our hearts responsive to do.

p 4 -- Lesson #1 -- QUIZ SHEET TOP

I. -- Select the correct answer and place the number of that answer in the brackets at the right of the page.

1. The middle book of the Bible is -   (1)   Job;  (2)  Proverbs;  (3)  Psalms. [___]

2. The New Testament is the last  (1)  one-third;  (2)  one-fourth;  (3)  one-half of the Bible. [___]

3. In studying the doctrines of the Bible, we must use  (1)  only the New Testament;  (2)  just the parts of the Bible which agree with the teachings of the church;  (3)  all the Scriptures. [___]

4. Christ in seeking to reveal Himself as the fulfillment of all that the prophets had written began with  (1)  Isaiah;  (2)  Moses;  (3)  Daniel. [___] TOP

II. -- Indicate which of the following statements are True and which are False. If any part of the statement is false, mark it False.

1.   If I am willing to do what the Bible says, then I will come to its truthfulness ... ... . . T F

2.   The study of the Bible enables me to have a proud spirit, because I am able to win any argument about the Bible ... ... . . T F

3.   If I really study the Bible, I will know all there is to know in a very short period of time ... ... ... . T F

4.   As I ask God in prayer to open my eyes to understand the Bible, the Holy Spirit will come near to guide me into all truth ... ... . . T F

5.   I will learn what the Bible teaches faster if I seek to prove something to someone else who doesn't believe the way I do ... ... . . T F

6.   I must study the Bible with a teachable spirit ... ... . T F TOP

CONCEPTS FOR IN DEPTH STUDY

p 5 -- Doctrine -- But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18 NKJV)

The Apostles believed that in giving the Gospel as commissioned, there was involved a "form of doctrine" which spelled deliverance from the bondage of sin. Paul admonished Timothy -        " Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." (I Timothy 4:16)        Doctrine based in the Word of God has power because it is truth. The truth makes one free. (John 8:32) It sanctifies. (John 17:17) Received into the mind, it is Jesus abiding in the life, the hope of glory. (John 14:6; Col. 1:27) The notion that doctrine need not be emphasized is a deception of the devil.         "He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 9)        This is life eternal. (John 17:3) TOP

Method of Interpretation -- How shall we interpret the Scriptures? Shall we consider them as a whole book, or as sixty-six separate books. If as a whole inspired by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:21), then the interpretation which best fits this concept is what is known as the analogy of scripture, or what has been dubbed "the proof-text" method. It means simply gathering from all the Bible, related concepts, and based on this finding arrive at a conclusion called a doctrine. (Isaiah 28:9-10) This is what our spiritual forefathers did to arrive at truth. In doing this, they were but following the method of the Apostolic Church as they proclaimed Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. This method they were taught by the resurrected Jesus. (Luke 24:27, 44) Concerning the belief and zeal of that early Church, we read:

To the first Christians, who were Jews, the Law and the Prophets were already sacred. Their national sacred writings were to them the oracles of God. Though they could no longer be regarded as containing the whole truth of God. The coming of the Messiah had revealed God with a completeness that could not be discovered in the Old Testament.

The word of the Lord was authoritative as even Moses and the prophets were not. Yet since all the hopes of the Old Testament seemed to these Jewish Christians to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, they more than ever were convinced that their national sacred books were divinely inspired. From this source they draw, if not the articles of their creed, at least proofs and supports of their doctrines. Christ died and arose again, according to the scriptures.

All the writings of the Old Testament spoke of Christ to them. Legal enactments, prophetic utterance, simple historic record, and more emotional psalm, - all alike could be covered by the phrase, "the scripture says," all were treated as of one piece, and by diligent use of type and allegory single passages torn from any context could be used as proof-texts to commend or defend belief in Christ. (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 3, p. 499, col. 2; 1958. Edition)

(See Appendix B) TOP

Lesson #2 -- Section 1 -- WHAT IS GOD LIKE?

p 6 -- Introduction -- In the first lesson, we observed that Jesus in explaining the Scriptures concerning Himself, began with "Moses." (Luke 24:27) Moses was the human instrument used by God to pen the first five books of the Bible. Let us, therefore, in this second lesson begin where Christ began. To Whom are we introduced?

Genesis 1:1 -- In the beginning GOD created ...

Note - As we open our Bibles, we come face to face with Him Who is the Author of all life and being. What is God like? Is He one being, or is the Godhead composed of more than one Person?

Genesis 1:26-27 -- Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: ... So God created man in His own image.

Note - The words, "us" - "our", suggest at least a minimum of two Beings. The word for God (Elohim) in Genesis 1:1 is in the plural form.

Proverbs 8:22-30 -- The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way ... I was by Him as one brought up with Him.

Note - Under the figure of "wisdom" it is believed that Christ's pre-existence is here portrayed as One co-existent with the Eternal. In the New Testament, Christ is declared to be "the wisdom of God." (I Corinthians 1:24)

Zechariah 6:12-13 -- The counsel of peace shall be between them both. TOP

Note - The concept in the Old Testament of two Beings sharing the prerogatives of God is further strengthened by Zechariah 13:7, clearly a Messianic prophecy. Here the Saviour is portrayed as "the Man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts." In Isaiah, the Messianic King of Israel is quoted as saying - "Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and His redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." (Isa. 44:6) The word for God is the same as in Genesis 1:1, in the plural form.

Matthew 3:16-17 -- And Jesus ... the Spirit descending ... a Voice from heaven.

Note - Matthew in recording the baptism of Jesus, notes three Persons working in close association with Each other. The New Testament emphasizes three distinct Persons. What is the relationship between them?

Philippians 2:5-6 -- Christ Jesus ... in the form of God ... equal with God.

Note - - Since Jesus Christ is as truly God as the Father is God, we can worship Him and not violate the commandment which declares - "Thou shalt have no others gods before Me." The next lesson will increase our understanding of Jesus Christ.

Acts 5:3-4 -- The Holy Spirit ... thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. TOP

p 7 -- Note - - In this experience a man and his wife had sold a piece of land, and bringing the money to the apostles represented it as the full price of the land. Peter declared that in so doing, it was lying to the Holy Spirit. It was not falsifying before a man [a creature] but was lying to God. The Holy Spirit is set forth as of the essence and level as God. TOP

Section 2 -- GOD THE FATHER

John 1: 18   AND I Timothy 6:15-16 -- No man hath seen God at anytime. Dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see.

Note - Both John and Paul indicate that the member of the Godhead we call our Father, cannot be seen by man. How then can we know what He is like?

Genesis 1:26 -- In OUR image after Our likeness.

Note - In the beginning the Father and the Son made one man, and declared him to be in their likeness. Only one earthly illustration conveys such a picture, that of identical twins. The picture of one looks like the resemblance of the other.

Hebrews 1:3 -- The express image of His person.

Note - The Father and the Son are identical in likeness. By beholding Jesus, we see the Father's likeness and character. As stated in John 1:18, the Son who was in the bosom of the Father "hath declared Him."

James 1:17 -- The Father ... with whom there is no variableness. TOP

Note - In these uncertain times, how assuring to know that above all the confusion, strife and turmoil, there is a God to Whom we come as a Father, who does not vary nor change. We may grow old; our circumstances in life may alter, but our God does not change. He is ever and always a God of love.

Section 3 -- WHAT GOD REQUIRES

Note - All that we can study of God is incomplete. Job asks - "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto, perfection?" The answer is - No. We see now as through a smoked glass, but dimly; but we can know of a certainty what God does require of us.

Hebrews 11:6 -- Must believe that He is ... a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Note - First, even though I cannot see Him. I must believe that God IS, and that if I diligently seek for Him, I will find Him, and He will reward me. However, this seeking after God must be with singleness of purpose.

Luke 4:8 -- Him ONLY shalt thou serve. TOP

Note - God requires undivided service and worship. Not our wives, nor our husbands, nor our children should come between us and God. Our jobs, our social status, our pleasures are all to be secondary. Him only shalt thou serve!

p 8 -- John 4:24 -- Must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Note - This is a compound must. Not only must there be worship in spirit such as prayer, singing of hymns, and testimonies; but this worship must be done according to truth. Jesus defines truth as   " Thy word [God's word] is truth." John 17:17. Our worship of God must, therefore, conform to His revealed will in the Bible, the Word of Truth.

Genesis 4:3-7 -- If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.

Note - Here is an illustration of acceptable and unacceptable worship. Both Cain and Abel came to worship before the same God. Both brought offerings. Cain brought what he desired rather than what God indicated. See Genesis 3:21. God recognized only that worship which was in accordance with truth - His word. This is the same God with Whom we have to do today, for    "with Him is no variableness neither shadow of turning."   We, too, must worship Him in truth as well as in spirit if our worship is to be acceptable in His sight. TOP

John 14:6 -- I am the way ... no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.

Note - Jesus Christ is the way to God. He is the truth and the life. So in the next lesson, we will study - "Jesus Christ, Who Is He?"

Lesson #2 Quiz -- (Fill in the blanks)

1. -- The term - God applies equally to the ___ and the ___ and the ___ ___.

2. -- Jesus Christ was in the ___ of God, and was ___ to the Father.

3. -- We know that the Father has form and substance because Jesus Christ is declared to be the ___ image of His ___. Text:___.

4. -- The first thing in my relationship to God is that I must believe that He ___.

5. -- I must not serve ___ or ___ more than God.

6. -- The worship that God requires must not only be in ___ but also in ___.

7. -- To worship in truth means that I must worship according to the ___. TOP

8. -- Cain and Abel both worshiped the same God. But God did not accept Cain's
offering of the ___ of the ___ because it was not in harmony with His ___. Abel on the other hand brought a ___ as an ___ to God. This, God did accept. We must come before the ___ God in worship today. Our ___ of Him, must therefore be in ___.

9. The Holy Spirit does not belong to the order of ___, but to the order
of Beings we call ___. Text:___.

p 9 -- CONCEPTS FOR IN DEPTH STUDY -- Relationship Between Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

Between the Testaments
1) -- The Old Testament portrays "the Spirit of God" as the active agent in Creation. (Gen. 1:2)

The New Testament, states that through "Jesus Christ" all things were created. (Eph. 3:9)

2) -- The New Testament indicates that "the Holy Spirit" was the source of all prophetic utterances. (II Peter 1:21) Also called "the Spirit of Christ." (I Peter 1:11)

The Old Testament indicates that Michael holds this prerogative, shared with Gabriel. (Dan. 10:21) TOP

In the New Testament

1) -- Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as "another" Comforter. (John 14:16) The word is allos, not heteros.

"Allos and heteros have a difference in meaning, which despite a tendency to be lost, is to be observed in numerous passages. Allos expresses a numerical difference and denotes another of the same sort. Christ promised to send 'another Comforter' (allos, another like Himself, not heteros) ... In Luke 23:32 heteroi is used of the two malefactors crucified with Christ." (A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Original Greek Words with Their Precise Meaning for English Readers. p. 62)

While two distinct Persons, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are so much alike that Jesus could say - though He would depart to the heavens, there to remain "until the times of restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21) "I will not leave you orphans, I will come unto you." (John 14:18, margin) TOP

2) -- Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth as "He." (John 16:13) The word is ekeinos - masculine - while the word for Spirit - pneuma - is in the neuter.

3) -- The book of Revelation is directed to the Seven Churches. (Rev. 1:11) In each of the messages given, Jesus Christ is revealed at the introduction of each with the words - "These things saith He," and a description given, or as in the case of Thyatira, it is specifically stated - "These things saith the Son of God. " (Rev. 2:18) At the close of each message is to be found these words - "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches."

4) -- In the symbolism of Revelation, Jesus is pictured as "a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." (Rev. 5:6) This could symbolize complete power and authority, and fullness of perception. (See Matt. 28:18, 20). TOP

Lesson #3 -- JESUS CHRIST - WHO IS HE?

p 10 -- Introduction -- In Lesson #2, we discovered that the Council of God is composed of three Beings, namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these Three carry the full authority and nature of God. In this lesson we shall study the relationship of Jesus Christ to the Council of God, and His identification with humanity.

John 1:1-2, 14 -- In the beginning WAS the word ... the same WAS in the beginning with God ... The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Note - No matter at what point in the remote past I accept as the point of beginning, the Word WAS. Not only this, but He was in the beginning with God. In other words, one can conclude there never was a time when the Word, which became flesh, was not. The preexistent Christ has always been!

Hebrews 1:8 -- Unto the Son ... Thy throne, 0 God. TOP

Note - Here is language that cannot be mistaken. The Father asserts the Son's position in the Council of God. The Son too, is God.

John 8:57-58 -- Before Abraham was, I AM.

Note - In this discussion with the Jewish leaders, Jesus declares plainly His preexistence; not merely the fact that He existed before Abraham, but that in that preexistence, He was the I am - the self-existent One; and the I AM, - the ever-existent One. The question then arises - If Jesus Christ existed in the beginning with God as the I AM, how then is He the SON of God?

Psalm 2:7 -- 1 will declare the decree ... Thou art my Son. TOP

Note - To assume that this text applies to Jesus Christ in regard to the question of His Sonship, would be to place a private interpretation on this verse. But by comparing Scripture with Scripture, we find its meaning.

Hebrews 1:5 -- This day have I begotten Thee ... I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to Me a Son.

Note - Here Psalm 2:7 is quoted and applied to Jesus Christ in contrast to the angels. Further, the promise made by God to David (II Samuel 7:14) concerning His relationship to Solomon is noted to describe the Heavenly Father-Son relationship. Also in Hebrews, Christ's position as a Son is associated with His position as priest after the Order of Melchisedec - a "called" position. (Hebrews 5:5-6, 10) All of this was done so that we might understand the privilege of sonship to which we have been called. (Hebrews 2:10-11) TOP

Section 2 -- THE REDEEMER

Philippians 2:5-8 -- Equal with God ... made Himself of no reputation ... became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

p 11 -- Note - The Possessor of Life voluntarily laid it aside and accepted death. As one beholds the price of his redemption, he sees that the purchase was made by no inferior Being, but by One equal with God. It was the sacrifice of Deity that was made on Calvary! Jesus Christ stooped low in becoming man's Substitute. What a sacrifice this is. How little we give up, when asked to surrender all for this Gift!

Hebrews 2:14-17 -- As the children ... He took part of the same ... behoved Him in all things to be made like unto His brethren.

I Timothy 3:16 -- Great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.

Note - God came all the way to meet man in his need. He who was in the form of God, accepted our likeness and nature after four thousand years of sin. He took our flesh, and our blood. Yea, in ALL THINGS He was made like unto us, except in this experience, He did not sin. How this could be is called a mystery. Another, and perhaps a greater mystery, is why man, in the light of such a redemption, should stubbornly cling to his own way. TOP

Section 3 -- THE CREATOR

John 1:1-3 -- All things were made by Him.

Ephesians 3:9 -- God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:14-16 -- By Him were all things created ... visible and invisible.

Note - From the invisible atom to the mightiest star, all is the handiwork of man's Redeemer. The hand that spaced the heavens, and formed from the dust of the earth, man in His own likeness, is the same hand that was nailed to the cross of Calvary for man's redemption. TOP

Section 4 -- THE LAWGIVER

Nehemiah 9:12-15 -- Thou camest down also upon Mount Sinai.

Note - Who is this - "THOU"? Who is the One that led the children of Israel from Egypt to the promised land? Who is the One who appeared to Moses in Mount Sinai? Again, we must use the Bible method of interpretation as outlined by the Holy Spirit - comparing one Scripture with another.

I Corinthians 10:1-4 -- That Rock was Christ.

Note - It was Jesus Christ Himself, who amid the glory and flame of Sinai, proclaimed the Law of the Council of God - even the Ten Commandments. Thus Jesus is OUR Creator, Lawgiver, and Redeemer. In future lessons we shall note Him as our High Priest, and Coming King. The Bible from beginning to end is the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the one and only true way to the Father.

Section 5 -- OUR RELATIONSHIP TO JESUS

p 12 -- John 14:15 If ye love Me, keep my commandments. TOP

Note - His commandments are the Father's, and the Father's are His - even the Ten Commandments. In keeping them we show our love to Him. How can we do less when He has done so much for us? In another lesson we shall study the provision made so that we can keep the commandments.

Lesson #3 -- QUIZ -- (Fill in the blanks)

1. -- "In the beginning ___ the Word, and the Word ___ with God, and the Word ___ God. The same ___ in the beginning with God." Text: ___.

2. -- Jesus told the Jewish leaders that before Abraham was, ___. This statement made by Jesus certified His claim to be the self- ___ One, and the ever- ___ One.

3. -- Jesus Christ is the Son of God by ___ and not by ordinary generation as far as His preexistent relationship to God is concerned. He was ___ to be a Son even as He was also ___ to be a High Priest.

4. -- In becoming our Redeemer, Jesus Christ took upon Himself our ___ and blood, becoming in ___ ___ like unto His brethren.

5. -- At the creation of man, the "US" in the desire, "Let US make man in our image," was God the Father and ___ ___.

6. -- The "THOU" that came down on Mount Sinai and spoke the Ten Commandments is confirmed by Paul to be ___ ___. Give two texts: ____ ___.

7. -- When we think of Jesus in relationship to the dust of the ground, we think of Him as our ___ ; when we think of Him in relationship to the Cross, we think of Him as our ___; and when we think of Him at Mount Sinai, we recognize Him as our ____. TOP

CONCEPTS FOR IN DEPTH STUDY

p 13 -- THE INCARNATION -- The term, Incarnation, is used to denote the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ. What this means in truth hinges on two concepts:

1) Who was He that came in the flesh having existed in some previous form?
2) What was the nature of the flesh He assumed?

The answer to the first question is given by Jesus Christ himself. He said without equivocation - "Before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:58)   1

Paul answers the second question. He wrote - "God [sent] His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh." (Rom. 8:3)  2

From these two basic questions arise other questions, to which, answers can be found. Did the "I AM" come as fully God and fully man? This question can be quickly answered in the negative. If Jesus came as fully man, then He came as sinner, for man is a sinner. But Jesus "did no sin." (I Peter 2:22) If Jesus came as fully God, He could not have given His life, for God cannot die. But Jesus did die.   3      (I Corinthians 15:3) This leaves the alternate concept - Jesus was truly God and truly man. What does this mean, and what is involved in this formulation of truth?

We come now to that mysterious reality which we cannot define, and only describe in various word symbols. How does one define himself? What is the real basic self identification? You can say - a person who is alive. But how do you differentiate between live persons? How can you distinguish one individual from all others? We end up with only a name, and when we hear that name, we perceive in our mind a person, we cannot in reality define. We give characteristics. TOP

Does the Reality - Individuality - that was the preexistent I AM, require that this Reality be synonymous with immortality, or did He exist in an immortal form? The Bible states - "God is spirit." (John 4:24 Greek)    4    Is "spirit" equivalent to immortality? The angels are called "ministering spirits" (Heb. 1:14), yet this does not make them immortal.

This brings us a fundamental question - What makes God, God? This is not theoretical nor abstract. Is God, love, truth, righteous, merciful and gracious? (I John 4:8; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 119:137; Exodus 34:5-6) Is God omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, immortal? Do the latter produce the former; or do the latter flow from the former? Who would want to live in a universe where omnipotence, omniscience, existed eternally in one who was hateful, a liar, unrighteous, and full of vengeance?

What was the purpose of the Incarnation besides providing a means of redemption for man? Was it not to show the character of God - His real Self - as a God of love, truth, and righteousness. Was the issue at stake whether He was all-powerful, or whether His character could remain untarnished in a fallen human nature? If the latter, then that which would be truly God would be manifest in the flesh. And it was! (John 1:14) He emptied Himself of "the form of God." (Philippians 2:7 RV)   5    Divesting Himself of omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and immortality, the I AM became flesh and blood. (Heb. 2:14)

p 14 -- Now what kind of flesh did He assume, or take upon Himself - that mysterious preexistent Identity? Since He was not a sinner, He did not take a flesh that had sinned, but a flesh like unto sinful flesh - a flesh with a potential that could sin. All the forces and imbalances that reside in human nature because of sin, and which in us lead to sin, He accepted. But in that very nature, the preexistent I AM sinned not. Herein is the glorious victory of the Incarnation. (Romans 1:1,3; 8:3-4; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:14-17) TOP                                         ~~~~

1. -- There is light and glory in the truth that Christ was one with the Father before the foundations of the world were laid. This is the light shining in a dark place, making it resplendent with divine, original glory. This truth, infinitely mysterious in itself, explains other mysterious and otherwise unexplainable truths, while it is enshrined in light, unapproachable and incomprehensible." (Review, April 5, 1906)

2. -- The phrase "in the likeness of sinful flesh" is literally in the Greek - "in likeness of a flesh of sin." The part of the phrase - "in likeness" (en 'omoiomati) is also used by Paul in Philippians 2:7 - "in the likeness of men." Was Jesus a real man? Yes, but fully men? - No. This applies equally to Romans 8:3. Did Jesus take the real flesh of sin - man's fallen nature? Yes, but was it a flesh that had sinned in Him? - No. It was truly a fallen flesh with all the potential that could lead to sin, even as Jesus was truly man having divested Himself of "the form of God." TOP

"The great work of redemption could be carried out only by the Redeemer taking the place of fallen man. ...

"When Adam was assailed by the tempter he was without the taint of sin. He stood before God in the strength of perfect manhood, all the organs and faculties of his being fully developed and harmoniously balanced; and he was surrounded with things of beauty, and conversed daily with holy angels. What a contrast to this perfect being did the second Adam present, as He entered the desolate wilderness to cope with Satan, single-handed. For four thousand years the race had been decreasing in size and physical strength, and deteriorating in moral worth; and, in order to elevate fallen man, Christ must reach him where he stood. He assumed human nature, bearing the infirmities and degeneracy of the race." (Spirit of Prophecy, Vol., 2, p. 88)

3. -- Jesus Christ laid off His royal robe, His kingly crown, and clothed His divinity with humanity, in order to become a substitute and surety for humanity, that dying in humanity He might by His death destroy him that had the power of death. He could not have done this as God, but by coming as a man Christ could die." ( Bible Commentary, Vol., 7, p. 925)

4. -- "Think of Christ's humiliation. He took upon Himself fallen, suffering human nature, degraded and defiled by sin. He took our sorrows, bearing our grief and shame. He endured all the temptations wherewith man is beset. He united humanity with divinity: a divine spirit dwelt in a temple of flesh. He united Himself with the temple." ( Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 1147)

5. -- "The Scriptures teach us, that He who was with God before the creation, from love to men put on flesh, and took the form of a servant, not all the while having on Him the whole fulness of His divine nature, but having really and actually emptied Himself of this fulness and glory, so that there was not only a hiding, but an absolute kenosis, a putting off of it. Therefore His subsequent exaltation must be conceived of as belonging, not to His Humanity only, but to the entire undivided Person of Christ, now resuming the fulness and glory of the Godhead (John xvii.5). and in addition to this having taken into the Godhead the Manhood, now glorified by His obedience, atonement, and victory." (Henry Alford, The Greek New Testament, Vol. IV, p. 13: Moody Press Edition)  TOP

Lesson #4 -- THE SABBATH OF THE LORD THY GOD

p 15 -- Introduction - In the three preceding lessons, we have studied concepts of truth which will enable us to better understand this lesson. First, we noted how to establish a doctrine. Precept must be upon precept, and line upon line. (Isa. 28:9-10) Secondly, we observed that God requires not only worship in spirit, but also according to truth. (John 4:24) Our worship of the Lord, even the day we observe, must be in harmony with the truth as found in the Word for such worship to be acceptable in His sight. Thirdly, we studied the place of Jesus in the plan of the ages. We noted His stately movings in the Old Testament as our Creator and Lawgiver. These facts are important as we study this lesson.

Genesis 2:2-3 -- God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested.

Note - Without Christ was not anything made that was made. (John 1:3) He as our Creator, made the first Sabbath day by blessing and sanctifying that day above all the other six through the act of resting thereon Himself.

Exodus 20:8-11 -- The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.

Note - When one understands that Jesus is the Lawgiver, and equally God with the Father, this commandment takes on a new importance. The seventh day is not the sabbath of the Jews, but it is the Sabbath of the Lord God of Heaven. When we recognize Him as our God, then we happily accept the day He designated for His worship. TOP

Isaiah 56:3, 6 -- The sons of the stranger that join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him. ... everyone that keepeth the Sabbath.

Note - Even In Old Testament times, when one who was not a Jew, turned from idolatry and paganism to serve the true God, he was not to count himself as separate from the people whom God had chosen, but was to take hold of the covenant, and keep the Sabbath. The Sabbath was the holy day of those who chose the Lord God.

Ezekiel 20:12, 20 -- I gave them MY Sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them.

Note - This sign was for two purposes:  (1)   "That they might know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify them," and   (2)   "That ye may know that I am the Lord your God." The Sabbath is meaningful from God's viewpoint. It is His sign to us. TOP

Section # 2 -- The Sabbath in the Gospels

Luke 4:16 -- He (Jesus) came to Nazareth where He had been brought up: and as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.

Note - Jesus in His humanity is our Example. We are to follow in His steps (I Peter 2:21-22). We are to walk even as He walked (I John 2:6). He who made the Sabbath in the beginning, observed when upon earth. It was His custom to gather with others for worship on the Sabbath, and to participate in the service of worship.

p 16 -- Mark 2:27-28 -- The Sabbath was made for man ... The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.

Matthew 12:12 -- It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.

Note - In these verses we find the Lord of the Sabbath teaching the true meaning of the Sabbath. It was made for all mankind; a day in which he was to do good, and thus draw into close fellowship with Him who went about doing good. "It is a time when the spent spirit may catch its breath, and man may look into the face of God and be refreshed." The Sabbath is a day of liberty from the cares of life, enabling man to do the activities of the service of love. It is in such holy service that we see the face of God. Only thus can we worship our God in spirit and in truth. TOP

Section #3 -- Which Day Is the Seventh Day?

Luke 23:50 - 24:3 -- This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down ... and laid it in a sepulchre.. .That day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on.

The women ... which came with Him from Galilee ... returned and prepared spices ... and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.

Now upon the first day of the week ... they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

Note - Here in the gospel of Luke are three days marked out in succession:   (1)   The day of the crucifixion, commonly called Good Friday;   (2)   The following day noted as "the sabbath day according to the commandment:" and   (3)   The day of the resurrection, now called Easter Sunday. The only day between Friday and Sunday is Saturday, the seventh day. This then is the Sabbath of the Lord our God.

Section #4 -- Apostolic Practice and Teaching

Acts 13:14; 42-44 -- The Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath day ... And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

Note - Ten years had passed since Paul had seen Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was now on his first missionary journey. Here was a remarkable opportunity for Paul to tell his Gentile listeners that a new day of worship had been appointed for them, if such had been done. When they, therefore, asked that the gospel be preached to them, Paul could have told them to come back on the morrow; but no, they waited a whole week till the next Sabbath day to hear the words of truth.

Acts 16:12-13 -- And on the Sabbath, we went out of the city by a river side where prayer was wont to be made.

Note - Even in cities where there was no synagogue available for Sabbath worship,Paul sought a place of prayer and study outside of the city. Consistently under all circumstances, Paul who was the Apostle to the Gentiles faithfully observed the Sabbath of the Lord his God. TOP

Acts 17:2 -- Paul as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.

p 17 -- Acts 18:4 -- And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath.

Hebrews 4:4, 9-10 -- And God did rest the seventh day ... There remaineth therefore a rest [margin - a keeping of a sabbath] to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, AS GOD DID FROM HIS.

Note - When one accepts the rest that Jesus offers in the invitation - "Come unto Me and I will give you rest " (Matt. 11 :28), he gives up his own works, and accepts the merits of the Saviour. As a memorial of the surrender to the recreative power of Jesus Christ, he ceases from his own works as God did from His in the first creation. "And God did rest the seventh day." It is interesting to note in passing that a translation of the Aramaic text of the New Testament renders Hebrews 4:9 thus - "It is therefore the duty of the people of God to keep the Sabbath." (Lamsa)

Section # 5 -- The Sabbath in the New Earth

Isaiah 66:22-23 -- The new heavens and the new earth ... it shall come to pass that ... from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord.

Note - The Sabbath of the Lord our God will not cease, but in the new earth state, all beings will come and worship before the Lord on that day. Would it not be well now, to be in harmony with the worship of the world to come? TOP

Section #6 -- The Time and Observance of the Sabbath

Leviticus 23:32 -- From even unto even shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.
Mark 1:32 -- At even when the sun did set.

Note - God's division of time is from sunset to sunset. The days of creation began with the evening. "And the evening and the morning were the first day." (Gen. 1:5) So the holy Sabbath day begins on Friday evening at sunset, and continues till Saturday evening at sunset. The first hour on Friday night is just as sacred as the hour of worship in the middle of the day. Every hour of the Sabbath is God's time, and is to be reserved sacredly unto Him.

Isaiah 58:13-14 -- If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath ... and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.

Note - Here is a divine comment on the proper observance of the fourth commandment. Mere ceasing from work on the holy hours of the Sabbath is not necessarily keeping the Sabbath. An attitude of mind is involved. We must consider it a delight to thus honor the Lord, by laying aside the ordinary duties of life. In so doing, we seek His interests, not our pleasures; we study His words, not our thoughts: we follow His ways, not our paths. In this, the true essence of Sabbath observance is to be found - we delight ourselves in the Lord.

Revelation 22:14 -- Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. TOP

p 18 -- Lesson #4 -- Quiz (Fill in the blanks)

1. -- In formulating a doctrine, we must use all the ___, and bring together all the related texts, ___ upon ___, and ___ upon ___ before drawing a conclusion.

2. -- In the Ten Commandments it is definitely stated that instead of being Jewish,
the seventh day is the ___ of the ___ thy ___.

3. -- Jesus declared that He is ___ of the Sabbath. Text:___.

4. -- Jesus was crucified on the day we commonly call Good ___. His followers rested the next day, or ___, the Sabbath day ___ to the ___. On the first day of the week, designated as Easter ___ Jesus arose.

5. -- The Sabbath begins on ___ evening at ___, and continues until ___ evening at the same time. Every ___ of the day is just as ___ as the hour of worship on the Sabbath.

6. -- In keeping the Sabbath, we cease from the ordinary ___ of life, and call the Sabbath day a ___. By not doing our own ___ nor finding our own ___, nor speaking our own ___, we delight ourselves in the ___.

7. -- In the earth made new all ___ will worship before the Lord on the ___ ___. Text: ___. TOP

~~~

ITEMS FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN ADDITION TO THIS STUDY -- Sixty Bible Facts Concerning the Seventh Day

p 1 --Why keep the Sabbath day? What is the object of the Sabbath? Who made it? When was it made, and for whom? Which day is the true Sabbath? Many keep the first day of the week, or Sunday. What Bible authority have they for this? Some keep the seventh day, or Saturday. What Scripture have they for that? Here are the facts about both days, as plainly stated in the Word of God:

1. -- After working the first six days of the week in creating this earth, the great God rested on the seventh day. (Genesis 2:1-3.)
2. -- This stamped that day as God's rest day, or Sabbath day, as Sabbath day means rest day. To illustrate: When a person is born on a certain day, that day thus becomes his birthday. So when God rested upon the seventh day, that day became His rest, or Sabbath, day.
3. -- Therefore the seventh day must always be God's Sabbath day. Can you change your birthday from the day on which you were born to one on which you were not born? No. Neither can you change God's rest day to a day on which He did not rest. Hence the seventh day is still God's Sabbath day.
4. -- The Creator blessed the seventh day. (Genesis 2:3.)
5. -- He sanctified the seventh day. (Exodus 20: 11.)
6. -- He made it the Sabbath day in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:1-3.)
7. -- It was made before the fall; hence it is not a type; for types were not introduced till after the fall.
8. -- Jesus says it was made for man (Mark 2:27), that is, for the race, as the word man is here unlimited; hence, for the Gentile as well as for the Jew.
9. --It is a memorial of creation. (Exodus 20:11; 31:17.) Every time we rest upon the seventh day, as God did at creation, we commemorate that grand event.
10. --It was given to Adam, the head of the human race. (Mark 2:27; Genesis 2:1-3.)
11. -- Hence through him, as our representative, to all nations. (Acts 17:26.) TOP
12. -- It is not a Jewish institution, for it was made 2,300 years before ever there was a Jew.
13. -- The Bible never calls it the Jewish

p 2 -- Sabbath, but always "the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Men should be cautious how they stigmatize God's holy rest day.
14. -- Evident reference is made to the Sabbath and the seven-day week all through the patriarchal age. (Genesis 2:1-3; 8:10, 12; 29:27, 28, etc.)
15. -- It was a part of God's law before Sinai. (Exodus 16:4, 27-29.)
16. -- Then God placed it in the heart of His moral law. (Exodus 20:1-17.) Why did He place it there if it was not like the other nine precepts, which all admit to be immutable?

p 19 -- 17. -- The seventh-day Sabbath was commanded by the voice of the living God. (Deuteronomy 4:12, 13.)
18. -- Then He wrote the commandment with His own finger. (Exodus 31:18.)
19. -- He engraved it in the enduring stone, indicating its imperishable nature. (Deuteronomy 5:22.)
20. -- It was sacredly preserved in the ark in the holy of holies. (Deuteronomy 10:1-5.)
21. -- God forbade work upon the Sabbath, even in the most hurrying times. (Exodus 34:21.)
22. -- God destroyed the Israelites in the wilderness because they profaned the Sabbath. (Ezekiel 20:12, 13.)
23. -- It is the sign of the true God, by which we are to know Him from false gods. (Ezekiel 20:20.)
24. -- God promised that Jerusalem should stand forever if the Jews would keep the Sabbath. (Jeremiah 17:24, 25.)
25. -- He sent them into the Babylonish captivity for breaking it. (Nehemiah 13:18.)
26. -- He destroyed Jerusalem for its violation. (Jeremiah 17:27.)
27. -- God has pronounced a special blessing on all the Gentiles who will keep it. (Isaiah 56:6, 7.)
28. -- This is in the prophecy which refers wholly to the Christian dispensation. (See Isaiah 56.)
29. -- God has promised to bless all who keep the Sabbath. (Isaiah 56:2.)
30. -- The Lord requires us to call it "honourable." (Isaiah 58:13.) Beware, ye who take delight in calling it the "old Jewish Sabbath," "a yoke of bondage," etc.
31. -- After the holy Sabbath has been trodden down "many generations," it is to be restored in the last days. (Isaiah 58:12, 13.) TOP
32. -- All the holy prophets kept the seventh day.
33. -- When the Son of God came, He kept the seventh day all His life. (Luke 4:16; John 15:10.) Thus He followed His Father's example at creation. Shall we not be safe in following the example of both the Father and the Son?
34. -- The seventh day is the Lord's day. (See Revelation 1: 14; Mark 2:28; Isaiah 5 8:13; Exodus 20: 10.)
35. -- Jesus was Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28), that is, to love and protect it, as the husband is the lord of the wife, to love and cherish her (1 Peter 3:6).
36. -- He vindicated the Sabbath as a merciful institution designed for man's good. (Mark 2:23-28.)
37. -- Instead of abolishing the Sabbath, He carefully taught how it should be observed. (Matthew 12:1-13.)
38. -- He taught His disciples that they should do nothing upon the Sabbath day but what was "lawful." (Matthew 12:12.)
39. -- He instructed His apostles that the Sabbath should be prayerfully regarded forty years after His resurrection. (Matthew 24:20.)
40. -- The pious women who had been with Jesus carefully kept the seventh day after His death. (Luke 23:56.)
41. -- Thirty years after Christ's resurrection, the Holy Spirit expressly calls it "the sabbath day." (Acts 13:14.)
42. -- Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, called it the "sabbath day" in A.D. 45. (Acts 13:27.) Did not Paul know? Or shall we believe modem teachers, who affirm that it ceased to be the Sabbath at the resurrection of Christ?
43. -- Luke, the inspired Christian historian, writing as late as A.D. 62, calls it the "sabbath day." (Acts 13:44.)
44. -- The Gentile converts called it the Sabbath. (Acts 13:42.)
45. -- In the great Christian council, A.D. 49, in the presence of the apostles and

p 3 -- thousands of disciples, James calls it the "sabbath day." (Acts 15:21.)
46. -- It was customary to hold prayer meetings upon that day. (Acts 16:13.)
47. -- Paul read the Scriptures in public meetings on that day. (Acts 17:2, 3.)
48. -- It was his custom to preach upon that day. (Acts 17:2, 3.)
49. -- The Book of Acts alone gives a record of his holding eighty-four meetings upon that day. (See Acts 13:14, 44; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4, 11.) TOP
50. -- There was never any dispute between the Christians and the Jews about the Sabbath day. This is proof that the Christians still observed the same day that the Jews did.
51. -- In all their accusations against Paul, they never charged him with disregarding the Sabbath day. Why did they not, if he did not keep it?
52. -- But Paul himself expressly declared that he had kept the law. "Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all." (Acts 25:8). How could this be true if he had not kept the Sabbath?
53. -- The Sabbath is mentioned in the New Testament fifty-nine times, and always with respect, bearing the same title it had in the Old Testament, "the sabbath day."
54. -- Not a word is said anywhere in the New Testament about the Sabbath's being abolished, done away, changed, or anything of the kind.
55. -- God has never given permission to any man to work upon it. Reader, by what authority do you use the seventh day for common labor?
56. -- No Christian of the New Testament, either before or after the resurrection, ever did ordinary work upon the seventh day. Find one case of that kind, and we will yield the question. Why should modem Christians do differently from Bible Christians?
57. -- There is no record that God has ever removed His blessing or sanctification from the seventh day.
58. -- As the Sabbath was kept in Eden before the fall, so it will be observed eternally in the new earth after the restitution. (Isaiah 66:22, 23.)
59. -- The seventh-day Sabbath was an important part of the law of God, as it came from His own mouth, and was written by His own finger upon stone at Sinai. (See Exodus 20.) When Jesus began His work, He expressly declared that He had not come to destroy the law. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets." Matthew 5:17.
60. -- Jesus severely condemned the Pharisees as hypocrites for pretending to love God, while at the same time they made void one of the Ten Commandments by their tradition. The keeping of Sunday is only a tradition of men. TOP

Three points to consider after going through this study:

1. The Sabbath has been from eternity in heaven; God gave it to us at creation, he reaffirmed it through all the patriarchs and prophets through the Old Testament and to his chosen people. He reaffirmed it with his own Son Jesus Christ and through the Apostles all through the New Testament and, as we have already read in the Study from Isaiah, it will be continued in heaven at the end of time and for eternity. So, with all this evidence through thousands of years of history and the fact that we can find no biblical proof of a change, the question is - Why would any person believe God would change the day of worship for this short period of time only?
2. In the study of astronomy we are shown reasons for the existence of a Day, a Month, the four Seasons and a Year but there is no scientific reason for the existence of a Week -- EXCEPT THAT GOD INSTITUTED IT.
3. People say, "How can we tell which day is the Sabbath with all the calendar changes that have been made over the years." In looking at these calendar changes, such as the change from the Gregorian Calendar to the Julian Calendar, the numbering of the days has been changed, however, the weekly cycle has never been altered. TOP
   

Lesson #5 -- THE FIRST DAY TEXTS IN THE BIBLE

p 20 -- Introduction - In our previous study, we noted the doctrine of the Sabbath, and by following the Bible method for understanding doctrine - "line upon line and precept upon precept" - we brought together the outstanding verses in the Bible on that subject. Now in all fairness, because so many people observe the first day of the week in honor of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, making it a Sabbath for worship, we need to note all the verses in the Bible which mention the first day of the week. As we study these verses, we should ask ourselves a question. Do these texts give me a command to observe the first day of the week in place of the seventh day?

Genesis 1:5 -- And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Note - This is the only verse in the entire Old Testament which mentions the first day of the week. It is referring to the first day of Creation on which God brought into existence the mass of the earth, and set it in motion, thus along with the creation of light, established day and night. TOP

Section #2 -- THE FIRST DAY IN THE GOSPELS

Note - In the Now Testament, there are eight references to the first day of the week, six of which are to be found in the Gospels and apply to the same first day, namely, the day on which Christ arose from the dead. Lot us examine these.

Mark 16:1-2 -- And when the Sabbath was past ... very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came to the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

Note - This text merely tells us that when the women came to the sepulchre on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus' body, the Sabbath was post.

Mark 16:9 -- Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week.

Matthew 28:1 -- In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.

Note - This is merely stating the same thing we found in Mark 16. Jesus arose on the first day of
the week, and certain women came after the Sabbath to the tomb in the early hours of Sunday
morning. Weymouth translates this verse thus - 'After the Sabbath, in the early dawn of the first
day of the week."

Luke 24:1 -- Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre.

Note - We noted this verse carefully in our previous lesson, and found that it was one of a series which outlines the days connected with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the previous chapter, it is clearly stated that the day before the first day is "the Sabbath day according to the commandment." (Luke 23:56) In this verse, there is no intimation that the command had been changed. TOP

p 21 -- John 20:1 -- The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdaline earl unto the sepulcher.

Note - This verse says nothing more than the other verses noting the activities of Christ's followers on the resurrection morning.

John 20:19 -- Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, ... the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus ... and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Note - This is the first appearance of Jesus to His disciples- as a group after His resurrection. Mary had seen Him. (John 20:11-18) He had appeared to two disciples as they walked home to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-32) It appears that Simon Peter also saw Him. (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5). However, all of this testimony had not convinced the group that Jesus had indeed risen. Thus their gathering together was not to celebrate the resurrection, but "for fear of the Jews." Jesus' appearance was to quiet their fears and to convict their hearts. (Mark 16:12-14) The time of this meeting would correspond to our Sunday night. This is the last text in the Gospels which mentions the first day of the week.TOP

Section #3 -- PAUL AND THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

Acts 20:7 -- And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech till mid-night.

Note - This is the only recorded religious service in the New Testament to be held on the first day of the week. It was a night meeting, corresponding to our Saturday night. (Bible reckoning of time places the first day of the week from sundown Saturday till sundown Sunday.) A careful study of the context of this verse reveals some very interesting facts:

(1)   Paul was on his way to Jerusalem. (verse 16) He stayed in Troas seven days. (Verse 6)

(2)   The group of men Paul had with him left by boat that night for Assos, and planned to pick Paul up the next day. (Verse 13)

(3)   Paul's service was interrupted, by the accident of Eutychus, who, because of Paul's long preaching, had fallen asleep while sitting in a window. (Verse 9)

(4)   After this incident, Paul broke bread with them, and preached till the break of day. (Verse 11)

These verses are merely recording a farewell meeting Paul had with the believers at Troas. However, it is also an incident of humor found in the Bible. You will observe that prior to this recorded experience, the narrative is in the first Person plural - "we" - and resumes with verse 13. The experience itself is told in the third person - "Paul." Naturally as Paul again joins his traveling companions, they ask him about the meeting the night before. He told them about the traumatic experience with Eutychus. But they asked Paul as to why this should have happened. He had to confess it was because he was a long-winded preacher. No doubt on other occasions they had chided him about going "over-time." Luke could not pass up this opportunity of telling about it. TOP

I Corinthians 16:2 -- Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Note - Paul had placed a burden upon the individual members of the churches to have an offering ready for the poor believers in Jerusalem (I Cor. 16:1, 3) This verse is not a command for a collection to be received at a church service, but asking that each one from his own funds, set aside a gift each week, and let it accumulate at home, so that the sum might be placed in the hands of

p 22 -- representatives when Paul would come by on his way to Jerusalem. Two other translations of this verse will aid in our understanding of it. Weymouth reads: - "On the first day of the week, let each of you put up and keep any profit he may have made: so that there may be no collections made after I come." Lamsa, basing his translation on the Eastern Text, renders the verse thus - "Upon the first day of the week, let each of you put aside and keep in his house whatever he can afford, so that there may be no collections when I come."

Section #4 -- ANOTHER TEXT

Note - With I Cor. 16:2. we have surveyed all the verses in the entire Bible which mention the first day of the week. In none of them do we find an express command authorizing the observance of the first day in honor of the resurrection of Jesus: nor do we find the least suggestion that the first day was to replace the Sabbath of the Law of God as given at Mt. Sinai. There is, however, another text which is sometimes used to suggest this idea. We shall note it also. TOP

Revelation 1:10 -- I was in the spirit on the Lord's day.

Note - Which day is the Lord's day? Using the analogy of Scripture - the comparing of spiritual things with spiritual - we can find our answer in Mark 2:28, where Jesus declared - "Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." So instead of this verse applying to the first day of the week, it in reality refers to the Sabbath as the true Lord's day.

Section #5 -- HOW DID SUNDAY WORSHIP BEGIN?

Acts 20:29-30 -- For I know this, that after my departing ... of your own-selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things.

Note - Paul states that after his death, men would arise in the Church itself speaking perverse, that is,. erroneous things, which would be contrary to what he himself had taught. This is what has occurred. The Roman Catholic church, professing to be the true successor to the apostles, has altered the day of worship, and boasts about it. (See Insert - next page.)

Matthew 15:9 -- In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. TOP

Note - We love Jesus because He has done so much for us. Because of this, we do not desire to offer before Him a vain worship. But He stated plainly that if our worship is according to the doctrines of men, it is vain worship. Thus we are presented with a choice of worship, that which is of men, or that which is in spirit and in truth, according to the Word of God. We must keep in mind that God cannot accept from us worship contrary to His word, any more than He would accept the worship of Cain.

(Webmaster Note: See also Hebrews chapter 4 - Here Paul is talking specifically about the Sabbath; note especially verse 8-11. Also see Facts of Faith, by C. Edwardson) TOP

p 23 -

(Webmaster note: Interesting to note in this letter is the date of 1905 and the amount offered ($1,000). In today's money that would maybe be close to $1 Million offered by a Catholic Priest for Protestants to prove from the Bible only where they are obligated to God to keep Sunday holy, which Father Enright here shows is a sign of the Roman Catholic's power to think to alter God's law. As he states, he offered this amount over and over again, and nobody stepped forward to prove it.) TOP

p 23 -- Lesson #5 -- Quiz

1. -- There are ____ texts in the Bible which mention the first day of the week. Of these, ____ are found in the New Testament, ____ and of them refer to the same first day, namely, the day of the ____.

2. -- In studying these texts which mention the first day, we should ask ourselves a question. Do any of these verses ____ us to keep the first day of the week as the Sabbath in place of the ____ day of the week?

3. -- When Jesus met with His disciples as a group after His resurrection, they were assembled in the upper room "for ____ of the ____". The reason they could not have been meeting in honor of the resurrection was because they did not ____ the reports of those who had seen Him alive earlier that day.

4. -- The only religious gathering recorded in the Bible which occurred on the first day of the week is recorded in _____: ____. The record states that Paul ____ until ____ and was ready to ____ on the morrow to meet those who had started ahead by boat. This meeting was a ____ meeting Paul had with the believers in Troas on his way to ____.

5. -- Paul after he left Troas visited with the elders of the church at Ephesus. He warned them that ____ he should die, men would arise in their own ____ and speak ____ things to draw disciples after themselves. TOP

6. -- Jesus stated that in ____ men worship Him who follow the ____ of men. Give text - ____:____.

ADDITIONAL CONCEPTS FOR STUDY

The Lord's Day of Revelation 1:10 -- In 1982, the book The Sabbath in Scripture and History , was edited by Dr. Kenneth A. Strand, and has a distinguished group of contributors. One section - "Sunday in the New Testament" - discusses the Lord's day of Revelation 1:10. (pp. 125-127) What Dr. Walter F. Specht wrote on this verse needs to be carefully noted.

The designation - kuriake' hemera (first e has long sound) (Lord's day) - is to be found in no other place in the New Testament. Kuriake' by itself became the designation for Sunday in later Greek, and so is today. The Latin equivalent - Dominica dies, found in the Vulgate of Rev. 1:10, became the name for Sunday in ecclesiastical Latin. This is the basis for the assumption that Sunday is "the Lord's day" of Rev. 1:10. But it must be asked - Was this the usage of the word at the time that John wrote the book of Revelation? It is conceded that John wrote his Gospel

p 24 -- after the book of Revelation; and in the Gospel, he refers to the day we designate as Sunday, simply as "the first day of the week."

Some commentators have interpreted "the Lord's day" of Rev. 1:10 as equivalent to the Old Testament - "Day of the Lord" - conjecturing that John was transported in vision into the scenes encompassed by the coming Day of the Lord. This hardly conforms to the context. The first thing John sees is Jesus in the midst of the Lampstands ministering to His church in this present age. (Rev. 1:11-13, 20) Further, John is specific as to the place he was - "on the island called Patmos." Then why not also the time, since he appears to be giving the time and place of the vision. TOP

Another explanation of the expression - "Lord's day" - is that this refers to an annual celebration of Christ's resurrection, which was later called Easter. On this Specht wrote:

A basis for such an annual celebration might well be seen in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, where the Lordship of Christ is especially emphasized. Was Paul suggesting such a celebration when he wrote "For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival" (1 Cor. 5:7. 8)? The fact that Christ arose on the day when the offering of first fruits was presented by the Jews seems to form the background of a later statement: "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (chap. 15:20).

Then the final suggested interpretation of kuriake' hemera (first e has long sound) is that this is the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. On this position, Specht wrote:

Finally, if one interprets the phrase "the Lord's day" according to the analogy of Scripture, a case can be made for regarding it as a reference to the seventh-day Sabbath. The Sabbath was set apart for sacred use at Creation (Gen. 2:2.3). The intermediate agent in that creation, according to several New Testament passages, was the Lord Jesus Christ. The fourth of the famous Ten Words describes the seventh day "as a sabbath to the Lord your God" (Ex. 20:10ff.). In the book of Isaiah God calls it "'my holy day'" and "'the holy day of the Lord'" (Isa. 58:13). All three of the Synoptic Gospels quote Jesus saying, "'The Son of man is lord even of the sabbath'" (Mark 2:28; cf. Matt.12:8; Luke 6:5)

But if John means the Sabbath in Revelation 1:10, why should he refer to it as "the Lord's day"? The book of Revelation has as its background the conflict between the "Lord Caesar" and the "Lord Christ." Christians were facing persecution and the threat of martyrdom because of their refusal to recognize Caesar as lord. For them there was but one Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 8:5. 6). Deissmann has shown that there were special days devoted to the Roman emperor. Would It not be appropriate under such circumstances to exalt Jesus Christ as "the ruler of the kings on earth" (Rev. 1:5). and to refer to the Sabbath as the real "Lord's day"? TOP

The final paragraph of this section reads:

In conclusion, one may say that there is not sufficient data given in the book of Revelation to be certain of the correct interpretation of the phrase "the Lord's day" in Revelation 1:10. The popular attempt to equate it with Sunday does not rest on evidence supplied by Scripture but upon postapostolic usage of the phrase, long after John's time. The view that the phrase refers to the eschatological day of judgment is doubtful. More attention should be given to the possibility that the phrase refers to an annual resurrection celebration. And study could well be given to the idea that what is meant is in reality the seventh-day Sabbath.

This paragraph leaves the whole question in an unsettled state which in turn presents some major problems. Two concepts are set forth for study:

(1) kuriake' hemera (first e has long sound) refers to an annual celebration of Easter, or
(2) it refers to the seventh day of the week.

If number 1, then there is only a single step from an annual celebration to a weekly commemoration of the same event. TOP

Lesson #6 -- THE TWO LAWS

p 25 -- Introduction -- Whenever the question of the Sabbath is studied, a question is raised concerning the Law of God. Certain texts are cited (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14-17) with the suggestion that the Law of God has been revoked, and is therefore no longer binding on Christians. This teaching is the result of failing to distinguish between several groups of laws that are set forth in the Bible. We, in this study, will confine ourselves to two laws mentioned in the New Testament.

Romans 7:12 -- The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just and good. Hebrews 7:14-18 The law of a carnal commandment ... weakness and unprofitableness thereof. Hebrews 10:1 The law having a shadow of good things to come ... can never with those sacrifices which they offered.

Note - By comparing these verses it is evident that one law cannot be holy and carnal. A holy law being good in itself would not be a shadow of "good things to come." By illustration, one cannot have a fully ripe apple and a "green" apple all in one apple. It requires two. So also in the matter concerning the law. Two laws are required to meet the description of these texts. TOP

Section #2 --THE HOLY LAW

Romans 7:7, 12 -- I had not known sin, but by the, law, the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Wherefore the law is holy.

Note - The law that contains the commandment - "Thou shalt not covet" - is the Ten Commandment law. This law Paul declares to be holy.

Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 32:16 -- And the Lord said ... I will give thee ... a law, and commandments which I have written. And He gave to Moses ... two ... tables of stone, written with the finger of God. And the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

Exodus 25:16, 21 -- And thou shalt put into the ark, the testimony which I shall give thee ... in the ark thou shalt put the testimony.

Note - Twice repeated was the injunction to put the law in the ark, the most sacred object of the Hebrew sanctuary. Of no other portion of the entire Bible, did God manifest such care for an accurate transmission, and preservation as the Ten Commandments. He wrote them with His own finger upon stone, spoke them with His own lips from Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1). and had it placed in the most holy object on earth, which in turn was housed in what was designated as "the most holy place, " the center of His earthly dwelling. (Exodus 25:8-9) TOP

Exodus 20:1-17 -- The Ten Commandments

Note - This law forbids, idolatry, profanation, stealing, killing, lying, adultery, and covetousness. It requires respect of children for their parents, and sets for the seventh day of every week

p 26 -- as the "sabbath of the Lord thy God."

Section #3 -- THE CODE OF MOSES

Exodus 20:22 -- The Lord said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say . . .

Exodus 24:3-4 -- And Moses wrote all the words.

Deuteronomy 31: 24-26 -- Moses commanded ... Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark ... for a witness.

Note - In the giving, writing, and disposition of this book of the law of Moses, the contrast is clear and distinct between it and the Ten Commandments. Let us note some of the regulations this lesser code contained.

Exodus 23:14, 17 -- Three times thou Shalt keep a feast unto Me in a year. Three times in a year all thy males shall appear before the Lord God. Leviticus 23:6, 14 (Observe the eating regulations connected with the time of the annual feasts.) Leviticus 23:24, 32 In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath. It shall be unto you a Sabbath of rest ... in the ninth day of the month.

Note - The Mosaic code regulated aspects of worship involved in the special feast days, as to time, and what could and what could not be eaten at those times. Some of these appointed days were called sabbaths. These were, however, the Sabbaths of the people in contrast with the seventh day which was the Sabbath of the Lord. The summary of the contrast is given by Moses in Leviticus 23:37, 38. Note carefully the words - "These are the feasts of the Lord ... everything upon his day: beside the Sabbaths of the Lord." TOP

Section #4 -- THE CONTRAST

Nehemiah 9:12-14 -- Thou camest down ... upon Mt. Sinai ... and gavest them ... Thy holy Sabbath, and commandest them laws, by the hand of Moses.

Note - Nehemiah in reporting this priestly chant classifies the sabbath of the Lord with the law given by God directly, and not with the code of Moses.

II Kings 21:8 -- All that I have commanded ... and all that my servant Moses commanded.

Deuteronomy 4:12-14 -- The Lord spake unto you, and He declared unto you ... ten commandments. And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes ... that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.

Note - The Mosaic code was a statute of limitations to be done only in the land of their possessions, while the Ten commandments as given by God were not limited to any locality, but were worldwide in application.

p 27 -- Summary - The laws and ordinances which Paul stated were nailed to the cross were the codes given to Israel to be done only in the land of Canaan. In Christ, the gospel message would go to all the world, and the center of worship would no longer be a tent or a temple built by men's hands, but the most holy place would be a man's heart surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ. Note carefully Hebrews 10:16-17. TOP

Lesson #6 -- QUIZ -- (Fill in the blanks)

1. -- Paul declares the law which says - "Thou shalt not covet" to be ____.

2. -- This holy Law is also known as the ___ ____.

3. -- The Ten ____ were spoken by the ____ of God from Mt. ____, and were _____ with the ____ of God upon two tablets of stone.

4. -- God Himself commanded that this Law be placed in the ____, which was the single article of furniture in the most ____ place of the ____.

5. -- There is also another law in the Old Testament, written by ____, and was commanded by ____, to be placed in the side of the ark for a ____ - ____.

6. -- This Mosaic code was a statute of limitations, because it was to be observed only in the ____ of ____. Deuteronomy ____:____.

7. -- The Mosaic code of laws contained days of worship called ____, but these were the Sabbaths of the ____ in contrast to the seventh-day Sabbath, which was the Sabbath of the ____.

8. -- Under the New Covenant, the Law of God would be placed in the ____ and ___ of man, instead of the ark in a sanctuary. TOP

CONCEPTS FOR FURTHER STUDY

THE COVENANTS

The Old Covenant -- developed out of the experience at Mount Sinai:

1. -- God through Moses made Israel a special promise. (Ex. 19:3-6) [19:5 reads in the Hebrew - "If ye will surely listen to My voice, ... "]

2. -- After hearing the voice of God from the midst of the display of awful grandeur, Israel requested not to hear that voice again. (Ex. 20:18-19)

3. -- God then spoke to them through Moses. (Ex. 20:22)

p 28 --

4. -- What was said (Ex. 20:23 - 23:33) was written in a book. (Ex. 24:4)

5. -- This book was read in the hearing of all the people, and a covenant ratified in blood was entered into directly with the people. (Ex. 24:5-8)

6. -- This coven ant provided no means for forgiveness if broken. (Ex. 23:20-21)

7. -- Within 40 days, while Moses was in the Mount, it was broken. (Ex. 24:18;32:1-6) TOP

Observations:

a. -- The Ten Commandments as spoken on Mt. Sinai were never made a part of this Old Covenant. Moses did not receive the Law in writing till he was in the mount during the 40 days. (Ex. 24:18; 31:18)

b. -- The Sanctuary and its services were received by Moses while in the Mount. (Ex. 24:18; 25:8-9)

The "Type" Covenant -- Developed out of the apostasy at Sinai:

1. -- The gravity of the situation was at once perceived by Moses. (Ex. 32:17-20)

2. -- A temporary tabernacle that served Israel was removed from the camp. (Ex. 33:7)

3. -- Moses entered into mediation with God. (Ex. 32:30-32; 33:11-23)

4. -- A covenant was entered into between God and Moses standing for the people. (Ex. 34:10, 27) It was not ratified by blood, except through the sanctuary services. The knowledge, benefits, and blessings of this covenant were always through a mediator. (Ex. 34:29-35)

5. -- This was a type covenant, even as the sanctuary and the priesthood were types. (Heb. 8:13; 9:1)

6. -- The Sabbath and the sanctuary were placed together in commands to Israel. (Ex. 35:1-5, 21) TOP

The New Covenant -- Developed out of the Apostasy of Eden:

1. -- God gave to Adam and Eve a commanded covenant with no revealed plan for forgiveness. (Gen. 2:16-17) This was broken. (Hosea 6:7 margin) Adam hearkened unto another voice, thus with Eve accepting another god. (Gen. 3:17, 1)

2. -- There was an intervention. (Gen. 3:15; Rev. 13:8; Gen. 3:21)

3. -- The prophecy of Christ's role in this Covenant is connected with the experience at Mt. Sinai. (Deut. 18:15-19)

4. -- Though veiled in flesh - a human voice - nevertheless the voice of God. That Voice speaks from the glory of the Cross. (I Cor. 1:18; 22-24) It is no more acceptable today than was the voice of God from the glory of Sinai to Israel.

5. -- The understanding of these covenants is basic to one's understanding of the analogies used in the book of Hebrews: - the Two Houses (Heb. 3); the Two Sanctuaries (Heb. 9); and the Two Priesthoods (Heb. 8).

For Diagram see Appendix C.

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2002