(Concluded from page 49.)

THE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

The men chosen by the Lord to bring His mind and truth to us, as Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul and others were "holy men of God"-men of like passions as ourselves, truly, but fitted by God for this holy service, they were also moved by the Holy Spirit, so that what they communicated was "God-breathed;" thus the marvelous accuracy of their communications was secured. Begun through Moses, carried on through centuries by means of others, and completed by John 1500 years after Moses- each contributed to the perfect whole as the Divine Hand guided each.

The historical facts revealed through Moses took place thousands of years before his birth, reaching back even to the dawn of creation; whilst John's prospective outlook in Revelation views the successive stages of the Church's history, in chapters 2 and 3; then on through the period or day of trouble (chaps. 6-19); then the Millennial period (chap. 20), the coming day of God and the eternal state (chap. 21:1-9). What other book or books give us such a revelation? And who but men raised up by God and fitted by the Holy Spirit for such a task could write thus?

There are also records of scenes and actions in heaven which among men could possibly know unless revealed directly from God. Who could furnish us with the detailed account recorded in chapter 3 of Genesis, and give it to Moses 25 centuries after, but God Himself? Or who but God could make known to us those scenes in heaven where Satan the accuser of God's people has still
access, and God's very words to Satan, and the limitation of his power, as in Job chaps. 1 and 2 ? And what a wonderful scene in heaven is recorded in 1 Kings 22:19-22!

THE CLAIMS OF SCRIPTURE

Let us now examine the claims of the sacred Word. The apostle Paul who was raised up to communicate a large part of the New Testament says:"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things freely given unto us of God" (1 Cor. 2:12). And as we think of the vast stores of truth thus communicated, such marvelous revelations, well may we pause and ask ourselves, Do we have real heart appreciation for such a precious heritage?-all so freely given to us, to the whole Church, to each individual saint of our day. Into what darkness would this poor world be plunged if this book were absent!

Again, the Apostle says:"Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but [words] which the Holy Spirit teacheth" (1 Cor. 2:13). Both the negative and the positive sides are thus given. The Holy Scriptures did not emanate from men; they are not human compositions, but divine knowledge is communicated to us in expressions given by the Holy Spirit.

In the days of the apostle rival schools of Greek philosophy existed:Plato, Aristotle, Socrates and others of less note, had given out their thoughts, and volumes had come from their pen. They have expressed their ideas, often lofty, with culture, polish and skill, but being mere children of fallen Adam, ignorant of new birth, they 'thought and spake as natural men, who neither know nor receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are only spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14).So what they

communicated was according to what man's wisdom teacheth. But not so with the apostle. His teaching was both by the power of, and by the means, or words, which the Holy Spirit gave to express His mind. It sweeps away the idea that the Bible is the product of even the best of human composition-apostles and prophets included:

These are the claims of the Book for itself-nothing short of plenary and verbal inspiration. It is indeed Theopneustos (God-breathed). The mind and will of God are indeed conveyed to us through human channels, and in the language of men, yet perfectly guarded by the Holy Spirit. Thus we possess a book perfect as to its Source, and in continuity of purpose (though written by many instruments according to God's will, and through many centuries and various dispensations) spanning the whole course of time from the beginning in Genesis to the end of time, with a glimpse into eternity in Revelation.

Let me insert here the testimony of a beloved servant of Christ whose ministry has been blessed of God to a multitude. He wrote,

"How blessed to know that we have in our possession a Book so divinely perfect that not a sentence, not a word can be added to it. We speak not of course of translations or versions, but of the Scriptures as originally given of God-His own perfect revelation. To this not a touch can be given; as well might a human finger have dared to touch the creation of God on the morning when all the sons of God sang together, as to add a jot or tittle to the inspired Word of God.

"And to take away a jot or tittle from it is to say that the Holy Ghost has penned what is unnecessary. Thus the whole volume is divinely guarded at both ends."- (C. H. M.).

The Word of God stands on the throne as the Judge of men:it is light and blessing to the earnest seeker, but the inflexible judge of the caviler and profane. Because God in grace suspends the judgment for a while, not willing that any should come under its withering blast, skeptic Modernists make bold to assail and contradict it. But soon this day of marvelous grace will close, and one of stern inflexible righteousness will follow, when men shall be judged by the Word they now make light of, or trample under foot. (See John 12:48.)

Here let me ask, What Government or father with parental affection would leave a family without distinct and careful instruction in order to avoid a fatal end? How inconceivable therefore that God should leave a world, with billions of human beings, without such communications! But He has very fully provided it in His own precious Word. Happy are all they who give heed to it, but woe to every presumptuous caviler!

We have seen how God has given us His Word through His chosen instruments, but the pride of the natural man must be brought low to receive it' and to understand it. Be he educated or not, "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." Therefore he must be born again (Jno. 3:3). Spiritual truth addresses itself to the heart and conscience of man; it speaks with authority and demands subjection. It is the Holy Spirit who enables those born of God to take in its meaning; even God's "little children" have received the Spirit who is the Unction by which they are given capacity to understand all things given them of God whilst men of intellect and education, if unconverted, are in the darkness as to the things of God (1 Jno. 2:18-21).

O child of God, how precious a gift is God's book- our Holy Bible! No wonder that the arch-enemy uses all his power, and gathers his trained instruments to oppose it, discredit it, and contradict it. But to us who have tasted the preciousness of Him whom it reveals as our Redeemer and Lord, it continually turns us to Him with worship, thanksgiving, and praise.

"Word of the ever-living God!
Will of His glorious Son!
Without thee how could earth be trod,
Or heaven itself be known?

Bread of our souls, whereon we feed!
True manna from on high!
Our guide and chart wherein we read
Of realms beyond the sky!"

A. E. Booth
"I THOUGHT UPON HIS NAME"