Sunday, August 24, 2008

BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.45 -- THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

Chapter 45.
The Gift of Prophecy
1. How did God communicate with man in Eden?
"And the Lord God __________________________, Where art thou?" Gen. 3:9.
2. Since the fall, by what means has God generally made known His will to man?
"I have also spoken ________________, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, ________________________." Hosea 12:10.
3. What things belong to God, and what to us?
"__________________ belong unto the Lord our God; but ________________ belong unto us and to our children forever." Deut. 29:29.
4. How fully and to whom does God reveal His purposes?
"Surely the Lord God will do ____________, but _____________________." Amos 3:7.
5. Can the wise men of the world foretell the future?
"Daniel answered before the king, and said, ________________________, show unto the king." Dan.2:27, R.V. See notes on question 6. of chapter 47 of this book.
6. Who did Daniel say could reveal secrets?
"But _____________________ and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days." Verse 28.
7. How did the prophet Daniel acknowledge the insufficiency of human wisdom?
"____________________________________, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart." Verse 30.
8. After revealing and interpreting the dream, what did Daniel say?
"The great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass __________." Verse 45.
9. How does God show His foreknowledge?
"Behold, the former things are come to pass, and ___________________________." Isa. 42:9.
10. How does the Lord reveal Himself to His prophets?
"If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a ____________, and will speak unto him in a ___________." Num. 12:6.
11. Under what influence did the prophets of old speak?
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake _________________________." 2 Peter 1:21. See 2 Sam. 23:2.
12. How are both the origin of prophecy and the means of communicating it still further shown?
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, ________________, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and __________________________________." Rev. 1:1.
13. What angel revealed to Daniel his visions and dreams?
"Whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man ____________, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And _____________________________, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding." Dan. 9:21,22. See also chapter 10, and Rev. 22:9,10.
14. What Spirit was in the prophets inditing their utterances?
"O which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time ________________________ did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." 1 Peter 1:10,11.
15. How were the Lord's words to the prophets preserved?
"Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then _______________, and told the sum of the matters." Dan. 7:1. See Jer. 51:60; Rev. 1:10,11.
16. By whom has God spoken to us in these last days?
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us ___________." Heb. 1:1,2.
17. What was one of the offices to be filled by the Messiah?
"The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee ____________ from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall harken." Deut. 18:15.
18. What was foretold through the prophet Joel?
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and ____________________________________________________." Joel 2:28.
19. When did this prediction begin to be fulfilled?
"But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in ______________, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." Acts 2:16,17.
20. What were some of the gifts Christ gave to His church?
"When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. . . . And He gave some, ______________; and some, __________; and some, ________________; and some, __________ and __________." Eph. 4:8-11.
21. By what means did God deliver and preserve Israel?
"______________ the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and _______________ was he preserved." Hosea 12:13.
22. When Moses complained of his slowness of speech, what did God say Aaron should be to him?
"And he shall be thy ______________ unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of _____________, and thou shalt be to him instead of God." Ex. 4:16.
23. What did God afterward call Aaron?
"And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be ____________." Ex. 7:1.
24. What is one test by which to detect false prophets?
"When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, __________________________, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him." Deut. 18:22.
25. What other test should be applied in determining the validity of the claims of a prophet?
"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, __________________, which thou hast not known, and _______________; thou shalt not harken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. _______________________________________, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him." Deut. 13:1-4.
NOTE.-From these scriptures it will be seen that, in the first place, if a prophet's words do not prove to be true, it is evidence that God has not sent that prophet. On the other hand, even though the thing predicted comes to pass, if the pretended prophet seeks to lead others to break God's commandments, this, regardless of all signs, should be positive evidence that he is not a true prophet.
26. What rule did Christ give for distinguishing between true and false prophets?
"______________ ye shall know them." Matt. 7:20.
27. What general rule is laid down for testing all prophets?
"____________________: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
28. How did God's prophets anciently use the words of former prophets in exhorting the people to obedience?
"__________________________, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity?" Zech. 7:7.
29. What is the promised result of believing God's prophets?
"Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; ____________________." 2 Chron. 20:20.
30. What admonition is given regarding the gift of prophecy?
"________________________. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thess. 5:20,21.
31. What will characterize the last, or remnant, church?
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, ______________________________________________." Rev. 12:17.
32. What is the "testimony of Jesus"?
"The testimony of Jesus is _________________________." Rev. 19:10. See Rev. 1:9.
33. What results when this gift is absent?
"Where there is no vision, ____________________: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Prov. 29:18. See also Ps. 74:9.
________________________________________
What poor, despised company
Of travelers are these,
Who walk in yonder narrow way,
Along the rugged maze?
Ah! these are of a royal line,
All children of a King,
Heirs of immortal crowns divine;
And lo! for joy they sing.
Why do they, then, appear so mean,
And why so much despised?
Because of their rich robes unseen
The world is not apprized.
But why keep they that narrow road,-
That rugged, thorny maze?
Why, that's the way their Leader trod,
They love and keep His ways.
Why do they shun the pleasing path
That worldlings love so well?
Because that is the road to death,
The open road to hell.
What! is there then no other road
To Salem's happy ground?
Christ is the only way to God,
No other can be found.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.

BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.44 -- GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

Chapter 44.
Gifts of the Spirit
1. CONCERNING what subject ought we to be informed?
"Now ___________________________, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." 1 Cor. 12:1.
2. When Christ ascended, what did He give to men?
"Wherefore He saith, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [margin, a multitude of captives], and _________________________." Eph. 4:8.
3. What were these gifts that Christ gave to men?
"And He gave some, ___________; and some, ______________; and some, _______________; and some, __________________." Verse 11.
4. How are these gifts elsewhere spoken of?
"And God hath set some in the church, first __________, secondarily __________, thirdly ___________, after that ________________, then _____________________." 1 Cor. 12:28.
5. For what purpose were these gifts bestowed upon the church?
"____________________________________________________: . . . that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ," Eph. 4:12-15.
6. What result is to be obtained by the exercise of the gifts in the church?
"___________________ [into, margin] ______________________, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, _______________, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Verse 13.
7. How is unity preserved in the diversities of gifts?
"Now there are diversities of gifts, but _______________." 1 Cor. 12:4,
8. For what purpose is the manifestation of this one Spirit given?
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man ________________. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of _____________; to another the word of ______________ by the same Spirit; to another __________ by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of _____________ by the same Spirit; to another the ___________; to another _____________; to another ___________________; to another ______________________; to another the _______________________." Verses 7-10.
9. Who controls the distribution of the gifts of the Spirit?
"But all these worketh that one and ___________________, dividing to every man severally _______________." Verse 11.
10. Was it God's design that all should possess the same gifts?
"______________________________________________________?" Verses 29,30.
11. Were the gifts of the Spirit to continue forever?
"Whether there be prophecies, ___________________; whether there be tongues, they _____________; whether there be knowledge, ___________________." 1 Cor. 13:8, R.V.
12. When will the gifts of the Spirit be no longer needed?
"____________________________, then that which is in part shall be done away." Verse 10.
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www.preparingforeternity.com
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BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.43 -- FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Chapter 43.
Fruit of the Spirit
1. WHAT is the fruit of the Spirit?
"The fruit of the Spirit is ____________________________________________." Gal. 5:22,23.
2. What are the works of the flesh?
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; ____________________ ______________________________.” Verses 19-21.
NOTE.-The evils here mentioned are a close parallel to the lists found in Matt. 15:18,19; Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:29-31; and 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
3. How may the works of the flesh be avoided?
"___________________, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Gal. 5:16.
4. By what is the love of God shed abroad in the heart?
"The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts _____________________ which is given unto us." Rom. 5:5.
5. What is love declared to be?
"And above all these things put on love, which is ______________________." Col. 3:14, R.V.
6. By what does genuine faith work?
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but ___________________." Gal. 5:6.
7. What does love do?
"Hatred stirreth up strifes: but ____________________________." Prov. 10:12. "Have fervent charity among yourselves: for ______________________." 1 Peter 4:8.
8. Of what does the kingdom of God consist?
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but _______________________ in the Holy Ghost." Rom. 14:17.
NOTE.-It is the Christian's privilege to have righteousness, peace, and joy,-a righteousness which is of God by faith (Rom. 3:21,22); a peace that passeth understanding (Phil. 4:7), which the world can neither give nor take away; and a joy that rejoices evermore (1 Thess. 5:16; Phil. 4:4).
9. In what way does love manifest itself?
"Love ________________________; love ___________; love _______________, is not _____________, does not _________________, seeketh ____________, is not ___________, taketh not _____________." 1 Cor. 13:4,5, R.V.
10. What does God's gentleness do for us?
"Thy gentleness hath ________________." Ps. 18:35.
11. What spirit should we show toward others?
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but ___________________." 2 Tim. 2:24.
12. What does the goodness of God do?
"Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that _______________________________?" Rom. 2:4.
13. How should we treat those who have wronged us?
"Dearly beloved, _______________, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore __________________; _________________________________________." Rom. 12:19,20.
14. How does faith determine our standing with God?
"But ____________________________: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6.
15. How does God regard the meek and quiet spirit?
"Whose adorning. . . let it be the hidden man of the heart, . . . even the ornament of a ___________________________________________________." 1 Peter 3:3,4.
16. In our Christian growth and experience, what is to accompany faith, courage, and knowledge?
"Add to your faith virtue [courage]; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge ________________." 2 Peter 1:5,6.
NOTE.-One of the briefest and best definitions of temperance is self-control. The word in the text means much more than mere abstinence from intoxicating drinks,-the limited sense now frequently given to it. It means control, strength, power, or ascendency over exciting and evil passions of all kinds. It denotes the self-ru1e which the over-comer or converted man has over the evil propensities of his nature. Commenting on this passage, Dr. Albert Barnes says: "The influences of the Holy Spirit on the heart make a man moderate in all indulgences; teach him to restrain his passions, and to govern himself."
17. How highly is he commended who controls his spirit?
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and _____________________." Prov. 16:32.
18. What is said of all these different virtues?
"Against such _____________." Gal. 5:23, last clause.
NOTE.-The law condemns sin. But all these things, being virtues, are in harmony with the law. They are produced by the Spirit; and the law, which is spiritual, cannot, therefore, condemn them.
19. From what condemnation does Spirit-leading save us?
"But if ye be led of the Spirit, _______________." Verse 18.
20. To what unity are Christians exhorted?
"Endeavoring to keep _______________ in the bond of peace." Eph. 4:3.
________________________________________
Spirit of life, and light, and love,
Thy heavenly influence give;
Quicken our souls, our guilt remove,
That we in Christ may live.
His love within us shed abroad,
Life's ever-springing well;
Till God in us, and we in God,
In love eternal dwell.
THOMAS HAWEIS.
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www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.

BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.42 -- THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS WORK

Chapter 42.
The Holy Spirit and His Work
1. WHAT precious promise did Jesus make to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion?
"I will pray the Father, and _________________________, that He may abide with you forever." John 14:16.
2. Who is the Comforter, and what was He to do?
"But the Comforter, even __________________, whom the Father will send in My name, ___________________, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you." Verse 26, R.V.
3. Why cannot the world receive Him?
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, ___________________." Verse 17.
4. How intimate is His union with believers?
"But ye know Him; for _______________, and shall be __________." Same verse.
5. Whose presence does the Holy Spirit bring to the believers?
"I will not leave you comfortless: _____________________." Verse 18.
6. What promise is thus fulfilled?
"Lo, ___________________, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28:20. See also John 14:21-23.
7. What threefold union is thus established?
"At that day ye shall know that _____________________________." Verse 20.
NOTE.-Rom. 8:9 shows the Spirit of each of the three persons of the Godhead to be one and the same Spirit.
8. How does Jesus, through the Spirit, seek an entrance to every heart?
"Behold, ______________________: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20.
9. Why was it necessary for Christ to go away?
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for _________________________________________; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." John 16:7.
10. What was the Comforter to do when He came?
"And when He is come, He will _______________ [margin, convince] the world of _________________, arid of ________________, and of ______________." Verse 8.
11. By what other title is the Comforter designated?
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even _______________, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." John 15:26.
12. What did Jesus say the Spirit of truth would do?
"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, _______________________: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and _______________________________________________." John 16:13.
NOTE.-The Spirit speaks (1 Tim. 4:1); teaches (1 Cor. 2:3); bears witness (Rom. 8:16); makes intercession (Rom. 8:26); distributes the gifts (1 Cor. 12:11); and invites the sinner (Rev. 22:17).
13. Whom did Christ say the Holy Spirit would glorify?
"He shall glorify _______________: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." Verse 14.
NOTE.-It is plain from these scriptures that the Holy Spirit is the personal representative of Christ upon the earth, abiding in the church by dwelling in the hearts of the believers. It follows that any attempt to make a man the vicegerent of Christ in the place of the third person of the Godhead is an attempt to put man in the place of God. Thus does the fundamental principle of the Papacy set aside the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
14. How has God revealed to US the hidden things of the kingdom?
"But God hath revealed them unto us ___________________: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Cor. 2:10.
15. Who moved upon the prophets to give their messages?
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by _____________________________." 2 Peter 1:21.
16. After Pentecost, how was the gospel preached?
"With the _______________________________." I Peter 1:12.
17. How are believers sealed?
"In whom also after that ye believed, ye were ________________________." Eph. 1:13.
18. What warning is therefore given?
"________________________, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30.
19. Is there a limit to the strivings of God's Spirit?
"And the Lord said, ____________________________ with man." Gen. 6:3.
NOTE.-The limit is determined by the creature rather than by the Creator. It is when there is an utter abandonment to evil, and further appeals would be without avail. God foreknowing all things, may designate a definite period of probation for man, as in the case of the one hundred and twenty years before the flood (Gen. 6:3); but His Spirit never ceases to strive with man as long as there is hope of his salvation.
20. For what did David pray?
"Cast me not away from Thy presence; and _____________________." Ps. 51:11.
21. How willing is God to give to us the Holy Spirit?
"If ye then, ____________________________________________?" Luke 1:13.
________________________________________
O for that flame of living fire,
Which shone so bright in saints of old;
Which bade their souls to heaven aspire,
Calm in distress, in danger bold!
Remember, Lord, the ancient days;
Renew Thy work, Thy grace restore;
And while to Thee our hearts we raise,
On us Thy Holy Spirit pour.
WM. H. BATHURST.
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www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.

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