THE WORD OF GOD, A SUFFICIENT GROUND OF CONFIDENCE.
By B. F. Robbins
FAITH, or confidence in the word of God, is of great importance to us in this age, in view of the many conflicting theories which at present exist, and all of them professing to be based upon the written word of God. Our Saviour declares, 'Thy word is truth.' This should answer the perplexed inquirer while he inquires, 'What is truth?' The responsibility of the professed religious teacher is great beyond expression. If faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God, then teaching should be in strict accordance with the word of God. Here doubtless all will give their assent; but a question will arise as to the mode of interpretation. Many insist that much of the Bible is to be understood in a spiritual or mystical sense, and not in its plain, literal meaning. I am aware that many of the most popular doctrines of this time can be sustained in no other way, because in direct opposition to the plain, literal reading of the Bible. But suppose we admit that a part of God's word is to be understood in a spiritual sense, then the question is, What part? Here all are silent, because all disagree, and because none have any established rules of spiritual interpretation. Hence all are left to their own judgment or sectarian bias, and hence the reason why there is so much confusion among the sects. If there is no established mode of spiritual interpretation, then I may make up my mind to consider the testimony concerning Christ to be interpreted spiritually, and hence I reason that Jesus was born spiritually, of a spiritual origin, in spiritual Bethlehem. That he lived a spiritual life, performed spiritual works, had spiritual disciples to follow him spiritually. That Jesus was condemned spiritually by a spiritual Pilate, was crucified spiritually between two spiritual thieves, died a spiritual death, had a spiritual resurrection and ascension and has spiritually come again. Such an interpretation makes nonsense of the word of God, and destroys the confidence of the hearers in it. But what is the word of God as the foundation of faith? Paul says, 2 Tim. iii, 15, 16, 17: 'And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' Here we learn, that all scripture is given by inspiration of God. God by his Spirit inspired and directed the writers who penned them. Hence the Scriptures are the word of God, and are all that inspired, not a part. All scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and for instruction in righteousness. They are able to make wise unto salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. The Scriptures alone can make perfect, and thoroughly furnish the man of God unto all good works. Hence the religious teacher is to be instructed himself in the word of God, in order to safely lead in faith, his hearers. It is not the theological knowledge as taught in the popular institutions of the age, but it is the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone that can thoroughly furnish the man of God for his work. For faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, or the Scriptures. But again, 2 Pet. i, 19-21: 'We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take need, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' Here we learn that the Scriptures are a more sure word of prophecy than what? 'For,' said Peter before, '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. For he received from God the Father honor 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. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy.' Why are the Scriptures more sure as a ground of confidence than even the glory of Christ as seen by the apostles on the mount? Because the written predictions of the prophets concerning the glory of Christ in his coming and kingdom are recorded in the Scriptures, and are a sure word of prophecy, while what Peter saw of his glory upon the mount, passed away. Hence we are to take heed to them as unto a light shining in a dark place, as the only light amid the darkness and confusion by which we are surrounded. And why? Because no prophecy of the Scriptures is of any private interpretation. They mean as they read, and not according to the fancied interpretations of men. Hence they are a sure foundation for confidence; for the predictions of the ancient holy men who spake as they were moved to speak by the Holy Ghost fulfilled in the past have had a literal fulfillment, so will be those predictions which yet remain to be fulfilled. But what are the Scriptures which as the word of God are to be the foundation of our faith, or evidence? 'Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' What then is the word of God? This question is settled by the highest authority, the testimony of Jesus. Luke xxiv, 25-27: 'Then said he unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.' Verse 44. 'And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures.' Here the question is settled. The writings of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms are the Scriptures, the word of God, given by inspiration of God, spoken by holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; and what they spake concerning Jesus had a literal fulfillment. But another question arises, Are we sure that the New Testament is the word of God? Were the apostles who wrote it inspired men? John xv, 26, 27: 'But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. And ye shall also bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.' Hence the writings of the evangelists in the four gospels are an inspired history of the life and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, because the Spirit of truth from God in them testified of him, and they wrote his testimony. But consider again: John xvi, 13, 14: 'Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come.' Hence the writers of the epistles of the New Testament in their instructions and doctrines with their prophetic predictions of things to come, are a part of the Scriptures and the word of God, because written under the guidance and inspiration of the Spirit of truth. Paul testifies [Gal. i, 11, 12], 'But I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man; for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.' Eph. iii, 3: 'How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote afore in few words.' 1 Pet. i, 25: 'But the word of the Lord endureth forever; and this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.' Rom. x, 6-8: 'Say not in thy heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? that is, to bring down Christ from above, or who shall descend into the deep? that is, to bring up Christ from the dead; but what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart, the word of faith which we preach.' Here we learn from these testimonies that what Paul and Peter and the other apostles wrote and preached was by revelation, and their gospel is the ever-abiding word of the Lord. Hence the Bible, all of it, both the Old and New Testaments, is the word of God and a sure foundation for faith. But let us notice the stability of the Bible, the word, as a ground of faith or confidence. 'But the word of102the Lord endureth forever.' Our confidence in the word depends upon our appreciation of the truth and faithfulness of God to his word. This the Scriptures abundantly attest. 1 Thess. v, 24: "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." 1 Cor. i, 9: "God is faithful, by whom ye are called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." 2 Thess. iii, 3: "But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil." Titus i, 2: "In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began." How clearly shines forth the truth and faithfulness of God in the fulfillment of his prophetic word, and in the experience of his people in all ages. Hence his word can be depended upon as sure ground of confidence. But another thing essential to confidence in God and his word is, not only assurance of his truth and faithfulness, but also an assurance that he has promised. Heb. vi, 13, 16-19: "For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater he sware by himself. For men verily swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us." Here we learn that our confidence in the word of God rests upon the immutable foundation of his oath and promise. He is faithful, and he has promised. Here is double security for the fulfillment of his word, his immutability and oath. Hence the strong ground of confidence which God in mercy to the weakness of men has condescended to give, as the confirmation of his promise, was not merely designed for Abraham, but for all the heirs of promise, all who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us. What then is unbelief in God's word? The most unreasonable, the darkest of sins; the most God-insulting, the most damning of sins. Why? Because it charges God with falsehood; it believes not his true and faithful promises; but it trifles with the most solemn assurances of God, even his oath, made in infinite condescension to our weakness. Upon what does the unbelief of so many rest as a foundation? It has no foundation at all except it be willful ignorance, which can have no excuse. But humble believer, what a ground for confidence have we! "The word of the Lord endureth forever." The precious Bible is that word, all of it. It is God speaking to us, in its reproofs and corrections, its instructions in righteousness, its promises and predictions of events to come, as really as he spoke to Abraham or the assembly of Israel around mount Sinai. B. F. ROBBINS.
Friendship, N. Y.