Month: March 2010

THE PRESERVATION OF THE SCRIPTURES–LESSON 2

Art Davison BIBLE DOCTRINE 0 Comment
THE PRESERVATION OF THE SCRIPTURES
LESSON 2

Memory Verse: Isa.40:8, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

In our last lesson we found that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, without any error, and infallible.
In this lesson we are studying the providential preservation of this Word of God, so that we can say that the King James Version is God’s Holy Word!! Read: Matt. 5:17,18.

I. THE DIVINE PRESERVATION OF THE SCRIPTURES IS NOT A NEW DOCTRINE.

A. Historic Confessions Of Faith Confirm It.
1. The Westminister Confession of Faith was adopted by the Presbyterians in 1646. It said: “The Old Testament in Hebrew, and the New Testament in Greek, being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical, so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them.” “Counterfeit or Genuine” by David Otis Fuller, p. 214.
2. The Swiss Declaration of 1675 said: “God saw it that His word, which is with power unto salvation to everyone who believes, was entrusted to writing not only through Moses the prophets and apostles but also He has stood guard and watched over it with fatherly concern to the present time that it not be destroyed by the cunning of Satan or by any other human deceit.” “Counterfeit or Genuine”, p. 181
3. The Second London Confession of Faith was issued by the Baptists in 1677 and it said: “The Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek….being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and Providence kept pure in all Ages…. “Baptist Concessions of Faith”, by Lumpkin.
B. Historic Bible Teachers Declare It.
1. John Calvin (1509-1564) said: “But since we are not favored with daily oracles from heaven, and since it is only in the Scriptures that the Lord hath been pleased to preserve his truth in perpetual remembrance; it obtains the same complete credit and authority with believers, when they are satisfied of its Divine origin, as if they heard the very words pronounced by God himself.” “Counterfeit or Genuine”, by David Otis Fuller, p. 178.
2. John Owen (Puritan) said: “The providence of God hath manifested itself as no less concerned in the preservation of the writings, than of the doctrine contained in them. . . ” “The Divine Original”, Trinitarian Bible Society, cover.
3. John Burgon (1813-1888) said: “There exists no reason for supposing that the Divine Agent, who in the first instance thus gave to mankind the Scriptures of truth, straightway abdicated His office; took no further care of His work; abandoned those precious writings to their fate.”Counterfeit or Genuine” by David Otis Fuller, p. 178.
II. DIVINE PRESERVATION IS TAUGHT BY THE SCRIPTURES.
A. The Bible Warns Of Attempts To Corrupt It.
1. Satan said: “Yea, hath God said?” Gen. 3:1
2. “…. we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God…. ” 2 Cor. 2:17
3. The Old Testament warns about adding to or taking from the Word of God. Deut. 4:2
4. The NT contains a similar warning. Rev. 22:18-19
B. The Bible Infers Preservation Of The Scriptures.
1. Peter says that we have a “more sure word of prophecy. . .” 2 Pet. 1:19-21. Part of the prophecies were over 1500 years old, but still “sure”. Why? God preserved.
2. Every word of God is pure. Prov. 30:5-6. Parts of the Bible were over 500 years old when this was written.
3. Other Scriptures declare the same. 2 Psa. 19:7-11; John 5:45-47
4. It is inferred in the Great Commission and in other places. Matt. 28:18-20. Notice that the message of the church shall remain the same to the end of the world.
C. The Bible Declares The Preservation Of The Scriptures.
1. God’s Word is settled forever. Psa. 119:89
2. The Word of God shall stand forever. Isa. 40:8
3. Not one letter to pass away. Matt. 5:17-18. The Law was then 1500 years old.
4. The Scripture cannot be broken. John 10:35
5. The Word of God is incorruptible. 1 Pet. 1:23-25
6. The words will not pass away. Matt. 24:35. See also: Luke 4:4; 16:17; 21:33; and John 16:12-13.
III. WHICH BIBLE IN ENGLISH IS THE WORD OF GOD?
There are only two streams of Bibles that have come down to us today. One is the pure stream, the other is corrupt.
A. The KJV Is Of The Pure Stream And Is Based On The Right Texts.
1. We know that 85% to 95% of all Greek manuscripts are of the same type that the KJV was translated from.
2. This text type was the Bible of the Greek and Byzantine churches.
3. This was the text type of the Italic churches (not Roman); of the Gallic churches of Southern France; and of the Celtic churches of Great Britain.
4. This was the text of the Waldensian churches (Baptist) going back to the First Century. (See pages 194-215 of “Which Bible?” by David Otis Fuller, 5th edition)
5. It was the text of the Reformers. Luther, Calvin, etc.
6. It was the text of Tyndale and other English versions.
7. It was the Bible used by the revivalists, fundamentalists and church builders of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries.
B. The Stream Of Corrupt Bibles.
1. Origen and a few others corrupted some manuscripts.
2. The two leading survivors of this corrupt stream.
a. Vatican (Codex B) became available in the 1860’s to scholars. Catholics claim to have had it for over 500 years. It was supposedly made in the 4th Century.
b. Codex Sinaiticus (Aleph) was found by Tischendorf in a waste basket that was about to be burned in the convent of St. Catherine near Mt. Sinai. (Both of these are a part of the 5% to 15% of manuscripts that do not agree with the 85% to 95%. They also do not agree among themselves).
3. The Latin Vulgate was based on these types.
4. The Jesuit Bible of 1582 and latter Roman Catholic Bibles agree with these.
5. The New Word Translation produced by the Jehovah’s Witnesses agrees with these.
6. All of the modern versions are based on these, including the Westcott & Hort Revised Version of 1881; the American Standard of 1901; the Revised Version of 1952; the New English Version; The Living Bible; the Good News Bible; the New International Version; and the New American Standard Version.

THE SHEKINAH OR GLORY OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT–Psalm 29:1-4

Art Davison OLD TESTAMENT 0 Comment
THE SHEKINAH OR GLORY OF GOD
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Psalm 29:1-4
Introduction:
The word “Shekinah” does not appear in the Scriptures, but is a Hebrew word that is the nearest Jewish equivalent to the Holy Spirit. It became with other OT derivatives such as Word, Wisdom, Spirit, etc., a bridge between man’s bodily substance and God’s excellence.

All in all it refers to God’s glory.

I. GOD MANIFESTED HIS PRESENCE, vs. 3-4

A. Upon Mount Sinai to Moses and the people of Israel, Exodus 19:16, “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.”

1. There were “thunders and lightnings, Exodus 20:18, “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.”
2. Even in Heaven God’s glory is manifested in the same way, Revelation 4:5, “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”

B. At times God’s glory was not so dramatic as in the case of Elijah, 1 Kings 19:12-13,“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13- And it was so , when Elijah heard it , that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?”

II. GOD DWELLS AMONG HIS PEOPLE

A. God manifested His presence to guide His people in the wilderness, Exodus 13:21, “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.”

B. He manifested His presence in the Tabernacle and the Temple, Exodus 25:8, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”

1. It was a visible manifestation, Exodus 40:34-35, “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”
2. When God was not pleased with His people the cloud was taken away, Numbers 12:10, “And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.”

C. God manifested His glory in the visions of the prophets, Ezekiel 43:1-3, Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: 2- And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. 3- And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.”

III. THE SHEKINAH GLORY OF GOD MANIFESTED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

A. At the Birth of Christ, Luke 2:8-9, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”
1. The Angels of God declared His glory, Luke 2:13-14, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
2. Steven saw the glory of God, Acts 7:55, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,”

B. At the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus, Matthew 17:5, “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

1. Peter, James and John were witnesses of His majesty, 2 Peter 1:16-18, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17- For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18- And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.”
2. Jesus, equal with God, but took on the form of a servant, Philippians 2:6-7, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7- But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

THE SOCIETY OF THE GLORIFIED SAINTS–PHILIPPIANS 1:21

Art Davison HEAVEN 0 Comment
THE SOCIETY OF THE GLORIFIED SAINTS
PHILIPPIANS 1:21
Introduction:
This is the second message based on Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” While the message dealt with living for Christ here and at the death of the believer there is great gain, this message deals with part of what he will experience in Heaven.
I. THE DELIGHT OF FREEDOM

A. Freedom from sinful corruption that scars us here such as…
1. Pride, Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22- Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23- All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
2. Envy, James 3:16, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion [Gr., tumult, unquietness] and every evil work.”
3. Censoriousness [to blame or condemn others], II Corinthians 12:20, “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:”

B. Freedom to know and understand as we are known and understood,

1. To know the love of Christ perfectly, Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
2. To know the Lord Jesus face to face, 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
3. To know Jesus face to face, 1 John 3:2, “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.”

II. THE DELIGHT OF THE RECOGNITION OF OTHERS

A. Peter knew Moses and Elias {Elijah], Matthew 17:3-4, And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4- Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”
B. We will fellowship with the saints of all ages, Matthew 8:11, “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”

III. THE DELIGHT OF PERFECT HOLINESS

A. We will receive the redemption of our body, Romans 8:23, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

1. Christ was the firstfruits of the dead, I Corinthians 15:20, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
2. We will follow at His coming, 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23- But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”

B. Our body will be fashioned like His glorified body, Philippians 3:21, “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.”
C. There we find endless comfort.

1. The Believer leaves a wilderness to enter into paradise, the garden of the Lord, Genesis 2:8, “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.”
2. The Believer changes his complaint into thanksgiving, Psalm 100:4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
3. The Believer leaves his sorrows behind and enters into the joy of the Lord, Jude 24, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”

a. Without fault, Revelation 14:4-5, “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5- And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
b. With exceeding joy, 1 Peter 4:13, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

THE FREENESS OF SALVATION–MEMORY VERSE: 1 PET. 1:2

Art Davison GREAT BIBLE WORDS 0 Comment
THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
Memory Verse: I Pet. 1:2
I. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION DECLARED
A. The Freeness Of Salvation and God’s Electing Grace.

Election is probably one of the most misunderstood doctrines of the Word of God. It has been misrepresented by its friends and foes. Many who fear this doctrine are afraid that it will exclude some from going to heaven and will be the cause of some going to hell. Election will cause no one to go to hell, but it will be the cause of all those who go to heaven. Election means to choose, or pick out. It is used of:

(1) Christ being chosen of God;
(2) of elect angels; and
(3) of believing Jews and Gentiles. The word, choose or chosen, is sometimes translated from the same Greek word as elect or election. All people should go to hell, and all would go if it were not for God’s electing grace!!!

1. The saved are called the elect. (a)-1 I Thess. 1:4; (a)-2 Col. 3:12; (a)-4 Titus 1:1

2. God’s foreknowledge and election.(a)-3 I Pet. 1:2; (a)-5 Rom. 8:29-30. Some people have the mistaken notion that God only knows what will happen in the future, and then predestinates or chooses to let it happen. This would destroy the meaning of election and predestination. It should be obvious to all that God did predestinate something he foreknow, not something that He had no knowledge of at all. See Acts 2:23.
3. God’s order in election seems to be foreknowledge, election (choosing), predestination, etc. Salvation is entirely of Grace and not because of something good that God saw in us.(a)-3 I Pet. 1:2; (a)-5 Rom. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:4-14
4. God does the electing or choosing. John 15:16
B. The Freeness Of Salvation And The Invitation.
God’s election does not restrict our preaching or our invitation to all sinners.
1. The heavy laden may come. (b)-1 Matt.11:28
2. The thirsty may come. (b)-2 Isa.55:1; Rev. 22:17
3. The poor, with nothing to pay may come. (b)-2 Isa. 55:1
4. Whosoever will may come. (b)-2 Rev.22:17
5. All those who believe and call by faith, may come. Rom. 10:9-17. Read all of John 6:37.

C. The Freeness Of Salvation & and The Call For Repentance And Faith.

1. All men are commanded to repent.Acts 17:30
2. Repentance declared to be essential.Isa. 55:6,7, Acts 2:38: 3:19
3. Repentance and faith go together.Acts 20:21

II. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION DECLINED.

A. The Freeness Of Salvation & Man’s Depravity.

1. It is not God that restrains sinners from salvation. See all Scriptures under (d).
2. It is man’s depravity and his rejection of salvation through Christ that prevents his salvation. (d)-6 John 5:40
B. While Salvation Is Free, Man’s Rejection Of Christ Leaves Him Condemned And Lost. (e)-1 John 3:18; (e)-2 John 3:36

TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY–EPHESIANS 1:5-6

Art Davison GREAT BIBLE WORDS 0 Comment
TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY

Ephesians 1:5-6
Introduction:
Theologians of great ability and unquestioned sincerity have argued the meaning of predestination for centuries. Since the question involves the eternal, inscrutable counsels of the infinite Creator, it is evidently impossible for finite humans to comprehend its full meaning. But we don’t have to understand it before we can rejoice in its truth.
I. TO THE PRAISE OF THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE
A. Who first trusted in Christ, v. 12, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”
1. Chosen through belief of the truth, II Thessalonians 2:13, “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. In whom you trusted after hearing the truth, Ephesians 1:13, “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,”
B. He has made us accepted in the beloved, v. 6.
1. To make known the riches of His grace, Romans 9:23-24, “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24- Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”
2. To show forth His praises, 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
C. We should live in such a manner that his rich grace might be magnified, and appear glorious to those about us, Ephesians 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
1. The design of His choice was that we should be holy, Ephesians 1:4, “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:”
2. It is God that MAKES us holy and not we ourselves, Ephesians 5:27, “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.”
3. We are presented as BLAMELESS before the Lord by His grace, Philippians 2:15, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”
D. By Faith in Christ God has chosen us to be His adopted sons, v. 5.
1. We have an inheritance as sons, v. 11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”
2. We are full-fledged sons, Galatians 4:4-7, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5- To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6- And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7- Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”