What Do I Learn From Scripture?

I learn from the Scriptures that there is one living God,1
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“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
“For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10)
fully revealed to us in Christ,2
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“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18)
and known through Him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,3
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Matt. 3:16‑17; 28:19; Eph. 2:18.
in the unity of the Godhead,4
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John 5:19; 1 Cor. 12:6.
but revealed as distinctively willing,5
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John 6:38‑40; 5:21; 1 Cor. 12:11.
acting,6
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John 5:17; 1 Cor. 12:11.
sending, sent,7
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John 14:26; 15:26; 5:24,37; 1 Peter 1:12; 1 John 4:14.
coming,8
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John 15:26; 16:7‑8,13.
distributing,9
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“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:11)
and other actings, or, as habitually expressed among Christians, three persons in one God, or Trinity in Unity. God is the Creator of all things, but the act of creating is personally attributed to the Word and the Son, and the operation of the Spirit of God.10
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“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1‑2)
“By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.” (Job 26:13)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3)
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)
“Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” (Hebrews 1:2)
I learn that the Word, who was with God and was God, was made flesh and dwelt among us,11
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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1‑2)
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
the Father sending the Son to be the Savior of the world12
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John 4:14.
—that He, as the Christ, was born of a woman,13
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Gal. 4:4.
by the power of the Holy Spirit coming on the virgin Mary,14
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Luke 1:35.
true man,15
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Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14,17; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 7.
without sin,16
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Luke 1:35; 1 John 3:5.
in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,17
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Col. 2:9.
the promised seed of David according to the flesh,18
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Rom. 1:3; Acts 2:30; 13:23; 2 Tim. 2:8.
the Son of Man19
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“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matthew 16:13)
and Son of God,20
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“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18)
“And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34)
determined to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead,21
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“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:4)
one blessed Person, God and man,22
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Phil. 2:6‑10; 2 Cor. 5:19‑21; Heb. 1‑2; 1 John 2:23‑3:3; 5:20; Rev. 22:12‑13; John 1:1,14; 8:58, and many others.
the man Christ Jesus,23
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1 Tim. 2:5.
the anointed man,24
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Acts 10:38.
Jehovah the Savior.25
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Matt. 1:21. The word Christ or Messiah means ”anointed,” and Jesus or Joshua, ”Jehovah” or ”Jah the Savior.”
I learn that He died for our sins according to the Scriptures,26
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1 Cor. 15:3.
having appeared once in the consummation of ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself,27
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Heb. 9:26.
that He has borne our sins in His own body on the tree, suffering for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God,28
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1 Peter 2:24; 3:18.
and that He is our righteousness before God.29
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1 Cor. 1:30; Heb. 9:24.
I learn that He is risen from the dead,30
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1 Cor. 15:20; Matt. 28:6, and many others.
raised by God, by Himself, by the glory of the Father,31
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Acts 3:15; John 2:19; Rom. 6:4; Eph. 1:20.
and ascended up on high,32
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Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Eph. 4:8‑10, and others.
having by Himself purged our sins, and sits at the right hand of God.33
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Heb. 1:3; 10:12; Eph. 1:20‑21, and others.
I learn that after Christ’s ascension the Holy Spirit has been sent down to dwell in His people individually and collectively, so that in both ways they are the temple of God.34
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John 16:7; 7:39; Rom. 8:9; the Father sends, John 14:26; Christ sends from the Father, John 14:16‑17,26; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:19; 3:16; Eph. 2:22; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:30; 1:23.
We are sealed35
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Eph. 1:13; 2 Cor. 1:22.
and anointed with this Spirit,36
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2 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 2:20,27.
the love of God being shed abroad in our hearts;37
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Rom. 5:5.
we are led by Him,38
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“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
and He is the earnest of our inheritance;39
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“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:14)
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1:22)
“Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 5:5)
we cry, Abba, Father, knowing we are sons.40
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“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6)
I learn that Christ will come again to receive us to Himself,41
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“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)
raising those that are His, or changing them if living, fashioning their bodies like His glorious body, according to the power by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself,42
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“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17)
“But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.” (1 Corinthians 15:23)
“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51‑52)
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Philippians 3:20‑21)
and that those of them who die meanwhile will depart and be with Him.43
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“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59)
I learn that God has appointed a day in which He will judge this habitable world in righteousness by that Man whom He has ordained, whereof He has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead,44
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“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31)
and that at the end He will sit on the great white throne and judge the dead, small and great.45
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“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:11‑12)
I learn that every one of us shall give an account of himself to God46
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“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
and receive the things done in the body, whether they be good or evil,47
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“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
and as the righteous inherit eternal life,48
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“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:22‑23)
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46)
so the wicked shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, will go into everlasting punishment, be cast into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels, and that whosoever is not found in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire.49
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2 Thess. 1:7‑9; Matt. 25:46; Rev. 20:15.
I learn that this blessed one, the Lord Jesus Christ, died for all, has given Himself a ransom for all, testified in due time,50
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2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Tim. 2:6; 1 John 2:2.
that He has made propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the whole world.
I learn that He has thereby obtained an eternal redemption,51
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Heb. 9:12.
and that by one offering of Himself once for all the sins of all that believe on Him are purged,52
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Heb. 1:3; 9:22; 10:2.
and that by faith in Him their consciences are also purged,53
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Heb. 9:14; 10:2.
and God remembers their sins and iniquities no more54
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Heb. 10:17.
—that being called of God, they receive the promise of an eternal inheritance,55
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Heb. 9:15.
being perfected forever, so that we have boldness to enter into the holiest by His blood, by the new and living way He has consecrated for us.56
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“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.” (Hebrews 10:19‑20)
I learn that to enter into the kingdom of God we must be born of water and the Spirit, born again,57
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“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
being naturally dead in sins, and by nature children of wrath.58
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“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1)
“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:3)
“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
That which God employs in order to our being born again is His Word.59
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“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18)
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23)
Hence it is by faith that we become His children.60
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“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)
I learn that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life,61
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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
but that to this end, God being a righteous and holy God, the Son of Man had to be lifted up upon the cross62
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“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14‑15)
—that there He bore our sins in His own body on the tree63
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“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
and was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.64
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“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
I learn that He loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.65
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“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25‑27)
I learn that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we might be holy and without blame before Him in love.66
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“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4)
I learn that those who believe are sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the earnest of our inheritance till the redemption of the purchased possession;67
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“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13‑14)
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1:22)
that by Him the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts;68
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“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5)
that we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father;69
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“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6)
“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20)
that they who have received this Spirit not only cry, Abba, Father, but know that they are in Christ, and Christ in them; that thus not only He appears in the presence of God for them, but they are in Him who is sitting at the right hand of God, expecting till His enemies be made His footstool;70
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“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” (Hebrews 9:24)
“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.” (Hebrews 10:12‑13)
that they are dead to sin in God’s sight, and to reckon themselves so; having put off the old man, and put on the new; alive to God through Jesus Christ (Christ is their new life); crucified to the world, and dead to the law.71
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“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3‑4)
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” (Colossians 3:9‑10)
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6:6)
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:11)
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14)
I learn thus that if they are in Christ, Christ is in them, and they are called upon to manifest the life of Jesus in their mortal flesh72
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John 14:20; Rom. 8:10; 2 Cor. 4:10.
and to walk as He walked,73
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1 John 2:6.
God having set them in the world as the epistles of Christ,74
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2 Cor. 3:3.
whose grace is sufficient for them, and whose strength is made perfect in their weakness.75
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2 Cor. 12:9.
I learn that they are converted to wait for God’s Son from heaven76
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1 Thess. 1:10; Titus 2:12‑13; Luke 12:35‑37.
and are taught to do so, and that they have the promise that they shall never perish, nor shall any man pluck them out of Christ’s hand,77
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John 10:28.
but that God will confirm them to the end, that they may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.78
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1 Cor. 1:7‑9.
I learn that they have part in these privileges through faith in Christ Jesus, in virtue of which righteousness is imputed to them;79
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Rom. 5:1‑2; Gal. 3:24‑26; 3:11,14; Rom. 4:16; Eph. 2:8; 2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 2:20; Heb. 11:4; Acts 13:39; Gal. 3:6,9; Rom. 4:24‑25, and many others.
that Christ, who has obeyed even unto death and wrought a perfect work upon the cross for them,80
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“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” (John 17:4)
“Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” (Hebrews 7:27)
“Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:25‑28)
“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12)
“Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (Hebrews 10:18)
is now their righteousness, made such of God to them,81
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“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)
and that we are made the righteousness of God in Him;82
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“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
that as His precious blood cleanses us from all sin, so we are personally accepted in the Beloved,83
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“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6)
that as by one man’s disobedience many were constituted sinners, so by the obedience of One many shall be constituted righteous.84
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“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19)
I learn that we are sanctified, or set apart to God, by God the Father, through the offering of Jesus Christ once for all, and by the operation and power of the Holy Spirit through the truth, so that all Christians are saints,85
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“Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.” (Jude 1)
“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)
“And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:19)
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” (1 Peter 1:22)
“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7)
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2)
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 1:1)
and that in our practical state we have to follow after holiness86
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“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:14)
and grow up to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, being changed into His image, to whom we are to be perfectly conformed in glory.87
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“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2‑3)
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” (Ephesians 4:1)
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10)
“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
I learn that the Lord has left two rites, or ordinances, both significative of His death; one initiatory, the other of continual observance in the church of God—baptism and the Lord’s supper.88
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Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12,16,36; 9:18; Eph. 4:5; 1 Cor. 1:17; 1 Peter 3:21; Rom. 6:3; Col. 2:12; Matt. 26:26‑28; Mark 14:22‑23; Luke 22:19‑20; 1 Cor. 11:23‑26; 10:3‑4.
I learn that, when Christ ascended up on high, He received gifts for men, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, and that from Christ the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, makes increase of the body, to the edifying of itself in love.89
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Eph. 4:6‑13; Acts 2:33; 1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:6; 1 Peter 4:10‑11; Matt. 25:14; Luke 19:13.
I learn that, as the grace and sovereign love of God is the source and origin of all the blessing,90
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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3:27)
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12)
“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
“That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:7‑10)
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” (Titus 2:11)
so continual and diligent dependence on that grace is that by which we can walk after Him and to His glory, who has left us an example that we should follow His steps.91
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“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12‑13)
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1)
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness. And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” (2 Peter 1:5‑10)
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:19‑20)
“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.” (Romans 14:7‑8)
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:6)
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 2:2)
I learn from the example and authority of the Lord and His apostles that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are inspired of God, and are to be received as the Word of God, having His authority attached to it, and which works effectually in those that believe,92
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Matt. 4:4,7,10; Luke 24:25‑27,44‑46; John 5:39; 10:35; Matt. 5:17‑18; John 20:9; Matt. 1:23, and a multitude of passages. Matt. 26:54; 2 Peter 1:20‑21; Gal. 3:8; 2 Tim. 3:14‑17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:2‑3; 2:13; 14:36‑37; Rom. 16:26, where it is not ”the scriptures of the prophets,” that is, at any rate scriptures, but New Testament, not Old; 2 Peter 3:16.
and that the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple, discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart, being understood, not by the wisdom of man, but by the teaching of God, being spiritually discerned; they are revealed, communicated and discerned by the Spirit.93
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“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7)
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:12‑13)
“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)
“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10)
“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” (1 John 2:20)
“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27)
“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6:45)
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:12‑14)
I learn that, while God alone is immortal in and by Himself,94
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“Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16)
the angels are not subject to death,95
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“Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:36)
and that the death of a man does not affect the life of his soul, be he wicked or renewed, but that all live still as to God, though dead,96
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“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” (Luke 12:4‑5)
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” (Luke 16:23)
“For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.” (Luke 20:38)
and that the wicked will be raised again as well as the just.97
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“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28‑29)
“And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” (Acts 24:15)
I learn that every assembly of God is bound by the exercise of discipline, according to the Word, to keep itself pure in doctrine and godly walk.98
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“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” (Hebrews 12:15‑17)
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)
“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject. Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” (Titus 3:10‑11)
“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)
“But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” (1 Corinthians 5:13)
J. N. Darby