p. 14 | International S. S. Lessons

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 25, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 46.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON II.—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1893.

REDEMPTION IN CHRIST.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Rom. 3:19-26.

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God;
Because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.
But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;
For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
Whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, by his blood, to show his righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God.
For the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.

Golden Text: "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom. 3:24.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

To whom does the law speak? Verse 19.
What is the effect of this speaking?
What is the extent of the law's jurisdiction? Note 1.
How many are condemned by it?
What comes through the law? Verse 20, last part.
What cannot the work of the law do? Verse 20, first part.
What has been manifested apart from the law? Verse 21.
What witnesses to the genuineness of this righteousness? Verse 21.
In whom is this righteousness manifest? Verse 22.
How does the law witness to the righteousness of Christ? Note 2.
Unto whom does God manifest the righteousness of Christ? Verse 22.
Upon what condition is it imputed? Verse 22; Rom. 4:23, 24.
What has the whole race done? Verse 23.
Do both Jew and Gentile then need the righteousness that comes by faith? Verse 22, last part; verse 9.
How only can justification be obtained? Verse 24.
For what has Christ been set forth? Verse 25.
In what sense is Christ a propitiation for sin? Note 3.
Through what does the propitiation come? Verse 25.
Why does God declare his righteousness? Verse 26.

NOTE.

1. Under the Law.—The expression "under the law," occurring in several places in Paul's writings, generally means "under the condemnation of the law," as in Rom. 6:14. Here, however, the Greek expression is different. In Rom. 6:14 it is hupo nomon, "under law." In Rom. 3:19 it is en tō nomō, "subject to law," under obligations to obey it. The law speaks to all who are subject to the law, but as sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4; Rom. 7:7), and the law finds all mankind guilty (Rom. 3:23, 10), it is therefore of worldwide obligation. 2. Witnessed by the Law.—The law witnesses to the righteousness of Christ in that it testifies that in his life there was no sin. The law is a reflex of God's character. It condemns all that is contrary to perfect righteousness. In Christ was manifest the same perfect righteousness as the law proclaims. While the law can point out sin in every heart, in Christ Jesus it can find only perfect holiness. Hence the law instead of witnessing to Christ's sin, witnesses to his perfect righteousness. By faith that righteousness, the perfect righteousness of God in Christ, becomes ours, and that law testifies to the genuineness of that righteousness, because it is in harmony with the law. Christ kept the law (Ps. 40:7, 8; John 15:10), and therefore his righteousness imputed to us must be in harmony with the true witness of the law. He whose heart is not in harmony with God's law is yet carnal. Rom. 8:7. 3. A Propitiation.—To propitiate is to appease, to satisfy, to reconcile, to gain. Christ appeased and satisfied the demands of the law. The law demanded the death of every man; Christ was made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21), and in suffering death for every man, he satisfied the demands of the law for everyone, and thus satisfaction, or propitiation, will be effectual for everyone who will accept him as their substitute. Those for whom his death is thus efficacious are gained and reconciled to God.