6:63John 6:63

It is the Spirit who gives spiritual and eternal life while unaided human nature and the flesh by itself profit nothing, and Christ's words are living bread that nourish the soul unto eternal life.GW 252.3–4+2 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood is not literal physical eating but spiritually receiving Christ Himself as personal Saviour by faith into living union in which the believer dwells in Him and He in the believer.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+2 His words become spirit and life when received through the Holy Spirit, who impresses living truth on heart and mind and makes Scripture living bread rather than mere study as of other books.Lt 9, 1894, par. 8+2 This receiving must be continual and daily by studying, meditating on, remembering, believing and obeying His words until they are assimilated into character and practice.Lt 82, 1895, par. 18+2 Those who so receive Him obtain eternal life, partake of the divine nature, grow to full stature in Christ, and will be raised at the last day.4RED 96.2+2

The Spirit alone imparts spiritual and eternal life, while flesh and unaided human nature by themselves yield no profit, and Christ's words are spirit and life that nourish the soul as living bread leading to eternal life.GW 252.3–4+4 His teaching, example, life and death are heavenly food that strengthens the soul, and eternal life comes through faith in His words and in the power of His sacrifice for the world.4RED 96.2+2 To eat this bread is to receive Christ Himself, believe in Him, and become one with Him by receiving His Word and obeying its truths, gaining spiritual strength, health, growth and soundness unto resurrection at the last day.Lt 150, 1903, par. 22–27+2 That living union makes believers partakers of the divine nature and supplies everything the soul needs as physical food supplies the body, so that His principles are revealed in the life, unlike the manna the fathers ate and died.Lt 150, 1903, par. 22–27+2 Understanding these words brings the elements of eternal life into ministry, presenting gospel truths with fresh clarity and power so hearers susceptible to the Holy Spirit are energized with new life and quickened to discern the beauty and majesty of truth.GW 252.3–4

Eating His flesh and drinking His blood is spiritual and figurative, not literal physical eating, and must be understood spiritually because flesh by itself has no power to give life.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+4 The soul needs spiritual food and drink supplied in the words of Christ, which are spirit and life, to be discerned by faith and spiritual perception rather than taken as fleshly and literal.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+2 To eat and drink is to receive Christ as personal Saviour, look constantly to Him, and be united with Him through daily hourly faith working by love and purifying the soul, receiving His Word, believing His teachings and practicing His principles.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+1 This feeding gives the soul the divine element needed for healthy development of all spiritual powers, nourishment sufficient for every need, growth to full stature in Christ, forgiveness, sanctification unto eternal life, with sanctified strength, wisdom, integrity and moral power brought into experience.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+1 Therefore the divine Word, not words of worldly wisdom nor maxims and theories of men, is to be made the essence of education in all schools, and those with no greater depth than the disciples who forsook Him fail to receive that life.Ms 41a, 1896, par. 26–28+1

He spoke in parable under the similitude of heavenly bread as a figure for true earnest belief, deliberately leaving the symbol unsoftened so seekers must trace its truth about His person and office.Lt 208, 1906, par. 17–27+2 Through His words He communicates the life of God to humanity, and in giving His flesh and blood for the life of the world He gives eternal life to all who receive Him in faith.Lt 192, 1906, par. 9+2 All who truly receive His Word never hunger, and all who believe in Him never thirst for higher or more satisfying food.Lt 208, 1906, par. 17–27 To eat and drink is for each person individually to receive His words in faith and obedience for himself, since no one can be nourished by food another eats, becoming one in spiritual life with Christ and partaker of the divine nature as truly as the body is built up by food.ST Jul 15, 1897 By receiving His teachings believers possess the character He lived out in human flesh, for bodily flesh gives no benefit while His teachings impart spiritual power and living reality unto eternal life.Lt 192, 1906, par. 9+1

The saying belongs to the Bread of Life teaching given after the feeding of the multitude with loaves and fishes and the walking on the water, when Jesus presented Himself as the bread of life and explained the miracle the people had not understood.FE 458.2–459.2+3 It was given after feeding the five thousand when He refused to be made king and popularity waned, appearing as a man among men without distinct Messianic or royal claims.DA 383.1+1 He devoted Himself to instructing disciples far from perfect in knowledge, laying out in clear decided lines the truths concerning Himself against the prejudice leavening the nation and the open hostility of the Pharisees.Ms 9, 1898, par. 31–32 Nearing separation His teaching became more significant and mysterious as He clearly defined His kingdom as spiritual and discouraged the idea of a temporal reign, calling for surrender of ambitions for an earthly kingdom.Ms 9, 1898, par. 31–32+1 Receiving that teaching means more than seeking miracles or earthly rewards; it tests faith and gives spiritual life to those who accept His self-sacrificing way, become meek and lowly, share His nature and are shaped to His character, while those wanting only earthly benefits reject the spiritual kingdom His words reveal.DA 383.1+1

In its setting in the synagogue He declared Himself the bread come down from heaven, and the saying offended murmuring disciples as a hard saying.Ms 78, 1898, par. 6–7+1 He answered by pointing to the Son of man ascending where He was before, knew from the beginning who did not believe and who would betray Him, and declared that no one can come to Him unless given by the Father.Ms 78, 1898, par. 6–7 He spoke this truth about His work to test and prove claimants before He left them, so their apostasy would not surprise true disciples nor prove too severe, and so His future work would be kept safe from being swayed into wrong paths.7MR 185.4 Many disciples went back and walked no more with Him, He asked the twelve if they would also go away, and drew Peter's answer that He has the words of eternal life.Ms 78, 1898, par. 6–7 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood means truly converted people draw vitality from Christ as a branch from the vine, dwelling in Him and living by Him unto eternal life and resurrection at the last day, unlike the fathers who ate manna and died.Ms 78, 1898, par. 6–7

It was spoken before His death when the disciples could not understand many things connected with His work and were perplexed by His words and by moral darkness.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16+2 Its life would be understood after crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, when the Holy Spirit would bring the words to remembrance and quicken perceptive faculties to grasp them.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16 Those words sustained them after He was no longer with them, and the same eating and drinking by faith takes place when believers celebrate the ordinance keeping His crucifixion before their minds.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16+1 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood is eating the words of Christ by believing and obeying them, becoming in obedience a partaker of His divine nature and one in spiritual life with Christ as the body is made of food eaten, with each eating for himself since none can be nourished by food another eats.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16

The sixth chapter as a whole presents Christ as the Bread of Life, the mystery of godliness and the conditions of eternal life, and must be carefully studied.Ms 54, 1898, par. 1–2+4 Its truths are to be studied, meditated on and committed to memory as the bread of life to be received and lived by, with understanding and living by its lessons associated with a life that measures with the life of God.Ms 54, 1898, par. 1–2+2 Partaking means receiving Christ's life and sharing the divine nature, with His promise to raise partakers at the last day and give eternal life.Ms 144, 1906, par. 11–14 Fully understood, received and lived, it distinguishes true from false in perilous days, gives more instruction for reaching people now than volumes of ancient lore, and forms the foundation for missionaries and for Seventh-day Adventists whose standing would have advanced by full obedience.Ms 54, 1898, par. 1–2+2 The truths of the chapter need to be understood by receiving and assimilating the words of Christ, because life comes through the Spirit while flesh gives nothing.Lt 59, 1904, par. 10

God has revealed in His Word what is necessary to be lived for salvation rather than human suppositions, though not everything because people could not bear a fuller revelation.CH 400.4–401.1+1 His spoken lessons and the spirit revealed in them give life and are the bread of life, the flesh and blood of the Son, precious truth to be presented in native force though contested by evil.16MR 160.1–2+1 To eat the Word is to hold to its precepts, bring its truths into daily life, keep its precepts and make Christ's words part of oneself by receiving and assimilating them until they become part of the person.CH 400.4–401.1+1 The disciples' offense came partly from taking the words literally, as though He asked them to violate the ritual law against tasting blood, rather than understanding them as spirit and life with no spiritual benefit from flesh by itself.DA 390.1–2 The verse is a teaching to study rather than to use in criticizing and condemning one another, for the Spirit gives life while flesh has no profit.Lt 208, 1902, par. 50

It is the Spirit, the Comforter, who quickens and transforms, and the flesh profits nothing so no one is to trust in men or make flesh his arm.Lt 139, 1903, par. 3–4 He takes rough stones from the quarry of the world and by trial, warning and admonition squares and polishes them, removing rough edges to fashion character after the similitude of a palace and prepare a place in God's temple, and Christ's words are spirit and life to those who receive them.Lt 139, 1903, par. 3–4 The Holy Spirit alone can quicken the heart into activity, giving life as God gives life to the dead.Lt 124, 1901, par. 2–4+1 The Spirit who gives life is the Holy Spirit of God, the life of the world and the soul of the church, needed in every church, home and heart, and when received by the church He blesses it and makes it a light to the world.Lt 294, 1906, par. 11+1 The helpless soul must hang upon its Mediator, and in and through Him alone can come to God, with the Holy Spirit as its hope.4MR 330.4

The Spirit of God gives life to the soul's lifeless faculties, awakening them to understand and value heavenly things and drawing affections toward God and truth.RH Aug 10, 1911+1 Religious service without Jesus in the heart becomes lifeless formalism, while Christ within sustains communion with God and guides thought and action toward God's glory.RH Aug 10, 1911 Through the Holy Spirit Christ leads and impresses the heart, His words give life and guide those who seek wisdom from Him, and spiritual union with Him brings new life and growing fellowship.Ms 133, 1907, par. 3–5 Christ is discerned spiritually and not by natural sight, for the Spirit unfolds Jesus and glorifies Him, revealing His beauty and character.Lt 49, 1892, par. 4–5 When Jesus is thus lifted up people are led to repentance and conversion, for spiritual things are spiritually discerned and believers must trust Him and follow in His footsteps.Lt 49, 1892, par. 4–5+1

The life is given by virtue of Christ's divine person and character, so the words that are spirit and life refer to Christ Himself and not merely to His doctrine.RH Apr 5, 1906 Human wisdom and unaided effort cannot know God or impart life.RH Apr 5, 1906 As the body needs vitalizing air at all times, so the soul needs a vital connection with God, and Christ's words are spirit and life to give that life.Ms 12, 1897, par. 18–20 The truth which the Spirit teaches in the Word of God should be mingled with all that is done and should control all actions, with the Holy Spirit as witness and guide in all business relations.Ms 12, 1897, par. 18–20 Spiritual strength, power, wisdom and guidance come from God alone and not from any human being, and depending on human beings brings bondage and spiritual weakness.Ms 78, 1902, par. 5–7

Every person depends on Christ by creation and by redemption, the Word of the living God is the guide, and looking to Jesus as the light of the world and the true light, following Him and receiving Him by faith gives the light of life and makes Him sanctification, righteousness and exceeding great reward.Ms 78, 1902, par. 5–7 Walking in this light makes strong in the Lord, and eating daily of the bread of life is required instead of making man a trust.Ms 78, 1902, par. 5–7 Spiritual life and understanding come from the Spirit, while human nature by itself has no power to produce them.Lt 124, 1896, par. 8–11 Human nature and unsanctified human ability cannot accomplish Christ's work, and workers must receive and live by His word, search it diligently, and be converted and consecrated before serving, so that efforts glorify God rather than display self and hinder the work.Ms 158, 1902, par. 43 Christ's words give spiritual life through the Holy Spirit's teaching, unlike human wisdom and knowledge which cannot take the Spirit's place, and reliance on human beings or merely human wisdom cannot give life.Ms 75, 1899, par. 7+1

Those guided by Scripture can distinguish truth from error and sin from righteousness.Ms 43, 1907, par. 20–21 Christ does not overlook physical needs, and by creative power He provides temporal food and still imparts knowledge whereby His people are provided with food, with care that nothing be wasted.Lt 9, 1902, par. 1–7 Yet fleshly meat perishes and profits nothing for eternal life, and the chief labor is not to be for perishable bread but with far greater anxiety to believe on Him whom God has sent and to secure the spiritual food He provides.Lt 9, 1902, par. 1–7 That true bread from heaven God Himself gives through Christ and no human agent can supply, and coming to Him and believing on Him takes away hunger and thirst forever.Lt 9, 1902, par. 1–7 The hungry multitude eagerly followed Him to hear His words of life, and He cared for their physical need for food.17MR 252.1 Feeding on Christ means believing in Him and receiving His word, studying His words, applying them to experience and feeding the mind on Christ, which gives life, strength, comfort, joy, hope and assurance, not relying on merely physical or human things for life.RH Aug 13, 1901

Eating His flesh and drinking His blood means taking His words into life and living by them, and merely seeking physical or temporal benefits does not give this life.Lt 268, 1903, par. 21–24 His words come from God and speak with heaven's authority, carrying ennobling, saving truth that no human ambition or investigation can equal.CT 439.1 They offer hope and relief through the salvation He brings by His righteousness, communicate saving truth, and give essential instruction for salvation leading people to believe and do God's words.CT 439.1+1 His teaching gives the truth needed for the way to heaven, unlike human tradition and literature that merely resemble truth.STE 10.1 His teaching comes from God and carries God's authority, every sentence presents truth without anything nonessential, and it conveys divine truth and life unlike human instruction and traditions which cannot provide reliable wisdom or grounds for salvation.FE 407.1–2

Christ is the great Teacher whose words carry authority and reveal divine truth, freeing people from error and human traditions, and His invitation to learn from Him makes His teaching the superior source of instruction, to be received through spiritual understanding.FE 183.1–2 The words Christ speaks are spirit and life, spoken with divine authority, contained in the Scriptures which He gave as the rule of life and which hold His teaching and deserve the closest study.ST Dec 22, 1898 It is God's plan for old and young to study His Word because that study is necessary for intellectual and spiritual growth, and when eyes are opened to see wonderful things in God's Word, Christ's words come as a new revelation though they are not new.ST Dec 22, 1898 His words are spirit and life, the true nourishment of the soul, unlike human ideas that people are urged to accept as conditions of salvation.Lt 15a, 1890, par. 6–8 They are not like the words of men, for they express what man never spoke and convey what man never conceived.Lt 43, 1897, par. 5–7

Unlike words that are the fruit of a conceited mind puffed up unto vanity and self-esteem, Christ's words when they abide within renew the mind, the thoughts and the words, and make the heart meek, lowly and contrite.Lt 43, 1897, par. 5–7 His words are pure words of life, and accepting their truth by faith in the Son of God means life, while deceptive theories tempt people to discard that truth, and receiving and obeying them leads to eternal life.Lt 263, 1903, par. 27–28 Their truth when cherished in the heart vivifies the soul and shapes character in Christ's likeness, presenting not a cold dead letter but a life-giving influence working within the believer, to be received and partaken of daily.Ms 130, 1897, par. 30–31 Life comes through the Spirit while the flesh has no power to give it, His teachings are to be taken into the heart and lived out in character so that speaking them carries life-giving power, and they guide those who follow Him.Ms 115, 1906, par. 6–7 Truth received into the heart becomes a life-giving power beyond what human teaching can provide.Lt 1, 1895, par. 19

Argument and human cleverness cannot give spiritual life, and the words of Christ rather than controversy are to nourish and deepen Christian experience.Lt 26, 1891, par. 3–9 The truths of God's Word are precious and full of power, spirit and life.Lt 16a, 1876, par. 2 The Holy Spirit is in the Word of God which holds the living undying element, because God's Word is verity and truth, spirit and life.21MR 131.3–4 Eternal life is receiving the living elements in the Scriptures and doing the will of God, and this is eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God.Lt 132, 1900, par. 38–39+1 All who believe in Jesus Christ as personal Saviour have the privilege of feeding on the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit's influence makes the Bible an immortal truth that gives the prayerful searcher spiritual sinew and muscle.21MR 131.3–4

Studying and meditating on the Word brings a solid valuable experience, for the Holy Spirit is the living undying element in it and the Word is truth.9MR 113.1–2 The Holy Spirit works through God's Word making Scripture a living life-giving truth, while the flesh by itself gives no profit.Lt 132, 1900, par. 36–37 Treasured in the heart and put into practice, the Word becomes the means through which the Holy Spirit gives inner life and quickening power.Lt 9, 1894, par. 8 Those who have the Word written on their hearts by the Spirit are witnesses whose speech can reveal Christ's likeness and present truth.Lt 9, 1894, par. 8 Received in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, truth sanctifies the soul, leads people to hate and shun sin, and brings eternal life, while Bible knowledge that does not change habits and conduct has not been allowed to work as sanctifying truth.STA 81.1

Faith must rest on God's word where God's Spirit is present, the Holy Spirit illuminates the words to the believer's mind, those who accept them receive a special blessing, and the believer feeds on Christ the Bread of Life as truth shines in a new light and the soul rejoices in Christ's presence.ST Oct 10, 1895 Through the Holy Spirit Scripture's living truths are impressed on the heart and bring spiritual life, and eternal life comes by receiving those truths and doing God's will, which is eating Christ's flesh and drinking His blood or partaking of heaven's bread through studying the word.RH Oct 1, 1901 Christ's words are spirit and life when received through the Holy Spirit, and the disciples gained a saving understanding of His words as they were united with Him, pictured as eating His flesh and drinking His blood.12MR 257.1–258.2 Scripture is not received as living bread merely by studying it as other books, but the Holy Spirit must join with human understanding so its words enter mind and heart as life.12MR 257.1–258.2 God's Word abiding in the heart quickens the spiritual faculties.Lt 60, 1894, par. 16–18

Christ's words are spirit and life, giving life and lifting those who receive them to higher thought and action, clearer understanding of heavenly things, deeper knowledge of God, and a purer stronger Christian life, while the flesh profits nothing in contrast with this life-giving spiritual instruction.Ms 101, 1907, par. 9–11 They quicken the hearer, lift people to a higher plane of thought and action and deepen knowledge of God and Christian life, not as merely human instruction, and merely physical understanding has no power to give this life.FE 518.1–2 Feeding on them enlarges and expands knowledge of God.Lt 47, 1898, par. 8–11 Words spoken under the power of the Holy Spirit are spirit and life, carrying the Spirit's power to soften and subdue the heart.Lt 352, 1908, par. 11+1 Their effect is made evident in lives shaped by the practical and eternal principles of truth put into practice.Lt 352, 1908, par. 11+1

The divine Spirit and not human ability gives Christ's word power to quicken the soul and renew it unto eternal life.COL 63.3 Preachers can sow and proclaim the word, but only God's Spirit can make it living and effective, producing righteousness and praise.COL 63.3 His words carry God's power to save everyone who believes, and Christ makes His words life-giving to those struggling to overcome.Lt 38, 1893, par. 22–24 God alone by the quickening vivifying influence of His Holy Spirit enables men to distinguish between the sacred and the common, to understand that working on regular lines has led to irregular practices, and to have their minds made as they should be.20MR 142.4–143.2 Feeding on the Word of God which is Spirit and life also cleanses the soul from unjust suspicion.Lt 97, 1896, par. 27–33 The Holy Spirit uses Scripture to present truth in simple language that people of every age and level of learning can understand.Lt 75, 1900, par. 6–7

Eating His flesh and drinking His blood means receiving Christ Himself as personal Saviour, believing in Him, looking constantly to Him, and remaining united with Him through daily, hourly faith that works by love and purifies the soul.Ms 11, 1901, par. 21–22+4 This union is one in which the believer dwells in Him and He in the believer, abiding as a branch in the vine, becoming a partaker of the divine nature supplied with everything the soul needs as physical food supplies the body.Lt 150, 1903, par. 22–27+3 Such nourishment brings forgiveness of sins, sanctifies unto eternal life, gives spiritual strength, health, growth and soundness, and raises up at the last day, unlike the manna the fathers ate and died, for this bread gives life forever.Ms 11, 1901, par. 21–22+3 The eating is spiritual, not physical or literal, for the flesh profits nothing while the Spirit gives life through Christ's words which themselves are spirit and life.Ms 12a, 1901, par. 1–2+4

To eat and drink is to receive Christ and His words by faith, believing them, taking them into soul and heart, taking hold of Christ, living in union with Him, absorbing His Spirit and mind, and abiding in Him.ST Aug 29, 1895+4 It is coming to Him and believing on Him as the vital principle by which spiritual health and strength and righteousness are imparted to the life to be revealed in daily practice, like water springing up into everlasting life and the branch abiding in the vine to bear fruit.ST Aug 29, 1895 His words, believed and received, become part of spiritual life, bringing light, peace, hope, joy and strength to the soul as food strengthens the body, and receiving them is essential to having life in Him.Ms 73, 1899, par. 9–10+3 This receiving nourishes the soul and is connected with eternal life, for spiritual life comes from the Spirit through His words, not by the flesh which has no power to give it.ST Aug 29, 1895+3

Eating and drinking means receiving, assimilating and living by His words and the Scriptures through faith, obedience and practice, bringing truths into practical life, into mind and character and daily life until they become motive power.FE 455.3–456.1+3 It means keeping God's Word and truth continually before the mind, studying and practicing them, looking to Jesus, living by faith in the Word rather than by sight, enlarging the mind with saving knowledge unto practice and sharing of the Word.Lt 85a, 1899, par. 12–14+2 So received, the truths change followers into His likeness so His spirit and work are reflected, give lasting life and spiritual nourishment pictured by the bread of life, and give an education that endures through time and eternity.FE 455.3–456.1+2 Christ is the great center of the believer's life in this experience, which is grounded in His words that must be brought into practical life for spiritual understanding and life.FE 455.3–456.1+1

Receiving Him means taking in His character and living in Him, as shown by keeping His commandments and abiding through the Spirit in perfect unity with His Spirit in perfect obedience to His Word.Ms 77, 1906, par. 1–5+3 It means being doers of the Word of God, appropriating its truths by faith as bread and water of life, hearing and searching His Word and then giving the Word entrance into life and character, working the works of God by first believing on Him whom God has sent and next working.Ms 72, 1895, par. 13–15+3 Doing His words and constantly eating the Word and practicing its teaching gives eternal life and forms union between soul and Christ, revealed in conversation and character as branches abide in the vine, while instruction heard but not mixed with faith does not profit and pretension to faith without caring to obey is good for nothing.Ms 72, 1895, par. 13–15+2 Trying to take oneself in hand by fretting, worrying, accusing and faultfinding when perplexed gives no life and brings more trouble, unlike dwelling in union like a branch connected to its stock.Lt 191, 1900, par. 3–5+1

His teaching, example, life, death and sacrifice on the cross for the world's salvation are heavenly food that strengthens the soul, and eternal life comes through faith in His words and in the power of His sacrifice for the world.4RED 96.2+2 Eating and drinking signify believing in Him as personal Saviour, receiving His Word, believing His teachings and practicing His principles, with His instruction nourishing the soul and sustaining living union shown by seeking and doing His will and learning His meekness and lowliness.Lt 75, 1900, par. 8–10 Partaking means receiving life from the crucified Lord, with daily learning from the heavenly Teacher leading to eternal life, and applying the merits of His sacrifice personally as the atonement received for oneself.Ms 106, 1904, par. 18–20+2 Life comes not from His human flesh considered apart from its saving work as something physically eaten, but through faith in the saving power of His sacrifice.4RED 96.2+1

Partaking means through living faith laying hold of Christ's power and promises and seeking the Holy Spirit, receiving the life of the crucified Christ unto eternal life.Ms 77, 1902, par. 11+1 Truly converted people so draw vitality from Christ as a branch draws sustenance and nourishment from the vine, dwelling in Him and living by Him as He lives by the Father unto eternal life and resurrection at the last day.Ms 43, 1890, par. 8–12+2 It is being connected as a worthless stalk grafted into the living vine receives nourishment from the parent stalk and bears rich fruit, taking His Word into the nature, living by every word from God's mouth, partaking of the divine nature with knowledge, power and grace to escape worldly corruption and serve Christ.Ms 19, 1888, par. 17+1 Living by His life enables doing His works, uniting with Him, testifying to His crucifixion, resurrection and intercession, passing from death unto life without condemnation to be raised at the last day.Ms 43, 1890, par. 8–12+1

Through the word Christ abides in followers in the same vital union represented by eating His flesh and drinking His blood, receiving the life of the Vine and living by every word from God's mouth so the life of Christ produces fruit after His similitude.MYP 161.1+3 Believers become branches of the living vine receiving nourishment and a vital life-giving current through living connection as the branch receives from the parent stalk, strengthened in spiritual nature as temporal food strengthens the physical system.Ms 48, 1895, par. 5 Christ dwells in people through the word of truth, so self no longer rules and Christ lives within, and by looking to Jesus and feeding on His Word they reflect His image and reveal Christ in character with power for duty.MYP 161.1+2 When His words of instruction are received and take possession of the heart, Jesus becomes an abiding presence controlling thoughts and actions, His Spirit and character coloring everything as warp and woof, the very texture of the entire being, so thought cannot center on self.STMW9 77.1+2

Receiving the Word makes believers one with Christ, abiding in Him with Him in them, entering into His life, partaking of the divine nature and receiving His life, Spirit, mind and character.Ms 103, 1902, par. 1–3+4 Those who practice His words become one with Him, and their lives show the Word's pure principles in simplicity and meekness with power for duty, appreciating His sacrifice for sinners through fellowship of the Spirit.Lt 350, 1907, par. 18–19+1 Bringing God's Word into the inner life gives eternal life and the daily life of the Son, for as the body is strengthened or weakened by food eaten, spirituality takes the character of the mind's food, and appropriating known truth into life-service brings much good while resisting deception.Ms 14, 1903, par. 18–19+1 Where the Word is truly appreciated it will be obeyed, and through obedience to God's living Word eternal life may be obtained.Ms 58, 1903, par. 14–15+1

To eat and drink is for each person individually to receive His words in faith and obedience for himself by believing and obeying them, becoming a partaker of the divine nature and one in spiritual life with Christ as the body is made of food eaten, since no one can be nourished by food another eats.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16+1 Mere outward connection with any church will not save, but personal faith in a personal Saviour brings the soul into spiritual union with Christ.16MR 277.1 Christ deliberately leaves the symbol unsoftened so seekers must trace out its truth about His person and office, communicating through His words the life of God to all who receive Him in faith.ST Jul 15, 1897 The same eating and drinking takes place by faith in the ordinance that keeps His crucifixion before the mind, whose life would be understood after crucifixion, resurrection and ascension when the Spirit would bring the words to remembrance and quicken perception to grasp them.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16

Eating and drinking is an actual spiritual experience of receiving Him and tasting graciousness, belonging with new birth and conversion and with desiring the Word as nourishment for growth.Lt 38, 1896, par. 2–3+2 His words are living bread to be received continually for sustenance, not merely agreed with or understood carnally and literally, but received by those serving with pure loving hearts who accept in faith His flesh and blood given for the life of the world unto eternal life.Lt 38, 1896, par. 2–3+1 Receiving them with wholehearted faith brings light and assurance, so by faith Christ dwells in the believer and the believer in Christ.Lt 38, 1896, par. 2–3 Eating means receiving and practicing His Word by which heaven is brought into the home, the Word becoming eternal life to the receiver as a real active part of Christ in the family circle.Ms 32, 1901, par. 7 As its lessons soften and subdue human elements, Christ's love fills the mind with gratitude expressed in thanksgiving and praise, the soul receives immeasurable peace and grace, the heart is filled with the Holy Spirit, and influence diffuses through household to neighborhood revealing Christ in loving sympathy in word and action.Ms 32, 1901, par. 7

When received His words dwell within and make Jesus an abiding presence shaping thoughts, ideas and actions, with His Spirit and character permeating the whole life so Christ lives within and is reflected to others.Ms 4, 1888, par. 14+2 They bring a living Saviour into everyday practical life, imbuing believers with the greatest Teacher's instruction that gives character to views of life and daily duty with a sense of accountability and influence.Ms 4, 1888, par. 14+1 Jesus Christ becomes first, last and best in everything, His Spirit and character coloring everything as warp and woof, self dead but Christ living as Saviour and hope of glory, His image reflected by continuing to look to Him while He dwells in the heart by the word of truth.Lt 40, 1896, par. 3–6 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood means taking the words of Scripture into life to guide every action, with His words as life so faith rests on God's Word rather than changing feelings.Lt 12, 1907, par. 8–9

His words must be received continually and daily, not merely tasted occasionally or agreed with, by studying, meditating, keeping them before the mind and committing them to memory.Lt 82, 1895, par. 18+4 Daily eating of this living bread gives sustaining power for duty, infuses immortal vigor, perfects experience, brings abiding joy, renews mental and physical powers in dependence on Him, and gives vitality to religious experience while turning attention from bodily appetite to food from heaven.Ms 50, 1901, par. 14–16+2 Searching the Scriptures where His words are found feeds the believer with comfort, hope and encouragement, gives eternal life, brings mutual indwelling of the believer in Christ and Christ in the believer, and health and vitality of soul depend on this nourishment through study and continual communion.Lt 42, 1896, par. 3+2

Each person must receive the Word personally rather than rely on another's understanding, making truth part of life through voluntary appropriation, constant meditation, digestion and practical assimilation.Ms 10, 1891, par. 23–25+3 Bringing truth into daily experience, growing continually in grace, praying for daily bread and every blessing, and being taught daily in Christ's school is eating His flesh and drinking His blood, which is God's wisdom and power for salvation.Lt 93, 1901, par. 11+1 Sanctified obedience to all Scripture preserves Christlike character, and the Word overcomes hereditary and cultivated tendencies when allowed to bear the victory and tell what to do.IRCUP 13.3+2

The Word must do more than receive casual reading: like bread it must be taken into the mind, understood and practiced, with studying and obeying exercising the whole life.Ms 63, 1890, par. 5–7+2 Where the Word is truly appreciated it will be obeyed, for abiding in Christ with Christ abiding in the believer is eating and drinking while literal flesh profits nothing.Ms 27, 1897, par. 13–15+2 Studying, searching, meditating on and daily partaking of Scripture is like eating and digesting food; it nourishes, strengthens, quickens understanding and sustains spiritual life, while neglect leaves the soul starving.Lt 4, 1902, par. 6+3 As physical bodies are built from what is eaten and drunk, spiritual experience depends on what the mind takes in and assimilates, and dwelling on others' faults is harmful nourishment.Lt 4, 1902, par. 6+1 His words carry far more value than casual reading reveals and deserve closest study, coming with divine authority as new revelation when eyes are opened, quickening understanding as they are eaten and leading diligent searchers as for hidden treasure from dawn obscurity to noonday radiance in the worth of His grace, righteousness and teaching.17MR 249.1–4+2

His words are to be eaten as bread from heaven by dwelling upon Christ, meditating upon Him, drawing near in prayer, guarding the heart as a sentinel against pride and vain and common thoughts, and feeding only on what molds the mind.Ms 39, 1901, par. 12+2 Then the Spirit molds the mind to recognize Him in His true character as the Lamb given as propitiation for the sins of the world, with His love manifested in life, while feeding on Christ by thinking of Him and obeying builds spiritual life and growth in grace and knowledge.Ms 46, 1898, par. 5–9+1 Eating the Scriptures means diligent study, digging deep as for hidden treasure and applying it in faith with prayer, stillness to know God, praise, forgetting self, helping others and thanking God for promises, spared life and His death.Ms 129, 1901, par. 5–6+3 He will receive those who praise Him because He lives so they may live, and new workers are promised truth will open in new aspects as they put brain, bone and muscle into digging for precious ore.Ms 35, 1901, par. 21–22+2 Receiving the Word in this way cleanses, keeps oneness with Christ, creates hunger for heaven's bread, imparts His Spirit and love, reveals His spirit, loses identity in Him, gives knowledge of salvation's plan, sets apart for His works, changes the heart, inspires faith working by love, and purifies the soul.Ms 129, 1901, par. 5–6+1

To eat is to be diligent students taking divine principles into life until they sanctify the whole person, including studying His life and receiving its life-giving truth.Lt 18, 1894, par. 12–14+2 Instruction heard but not mixed with faith does not profit, but hearing and searching the Word and giving it entrance by doing appropriates its truths by faith as bread and water of life until Christ's life becomes the believer's life as branch is one with vine by sap from stock.Lt 18, 1894, par. 12–14+1 His flesh is food indeed and drink indeed when received inwardly; to eat and drink is to have the Word abiding within, thinking and talking of Christ, meditating, obeying and living it daily, reflecting His image and partaking of the divine nature.Ms 13, 1888, par. 1–9+1 Merely expounding or reading without inward reception and burden for souls profits nothing, for the Word must be practiced, lived and brought into daily practical life as heaven's bread giving life and power to all who eat.Ms 13, 1888, par. 1–9+1 Eating and drinking is taking the precious promises as spoken to oneself; when a repentant sinner confesses and believes the pledged word to forgive and cleanse, faith gives experimental knowledge and felt pardon.Lt 85, 1886, par. 10–11 The promises belong to every repentant sinner, and doubting that God means them for oneself dishonors Him.Lt 85, 1886, par. 10–11

His words must be believed and personally received, not merely heard, named or mentally accepted; receiving must become doing, with the Word taken into mind and lived out, heeded, studied, understood and practiced without fading importance, calling for continual learning and advance.Ms 25a, 1895, par. 27+4 Working the works of God is being doers of the Word with the Bible as the great educating book above all others, believing on Him whom God sent and then working, a lesson to be understood and taught lest heaven be missed.Ms 25a, 1895, par. 27+2 Reading without living by it brings death rather than life, but when its principles are obeyed it transforms, purifies and leads to eternal life and oneness with Him.Ms 63, 1903, par. 7–9+2 His words are to be received with an honest heart and understood in simple sense under the Spirit's guidance rather than obscured by human interpretations; Christians are to study and practice them, letting the Word take possession of the mind.Lt 286, 1906, par. 8+3 Faithful study gives knowledge of a personal abiding Saviour, grounds experience in living Word rather than feeling, sees more deeply into God's purpose, and fits for teaching others, for the Scriptures holding His teaching as rule of life deserve closest study by old and young for intellectual and spiritual growth.Lt 286, 1906, par. 8+2

Bible study by eating His flesh and drinking His blood means dwelling in Christ and living by Him as He lives by the Father, with divine testimonies kept ever before the mind becoming part of the very being, just as the ark was kept before Israel, bringing eternal life.Lt 123, 1902, par. 15–16 All His words, including those addressed to Moses, are verity to be lived as every word from God's mouth; doing and constantly eating and practicing them forms union through perfect unity with His Spirit in perfect obedience, making partakers of the divine nature.Ms 72, 1895, par. 13–15+1 Without caring to obey, pretension to faith is only pretension, good for nothing, for the Word eaten inwardly is to be obeyed as the choice to belong to God and keep His commandments.Ms 72, 1895, par. 13–15+1 Obedience to God's Word and commandments, illustrated by eating and drinking, is the condition of eternal life; what feeds mind and heart shapes religious experience and is revealed in words, and practical truths are proper nourishment received through understanding to give spiritual life.Ms 45, 1900, par. 17–18 His teachings and commands impart spiritual life and must be obeyed to remain on the narrow way hedged by law, requiring constant self-denial, trusting Jesus who died to win people to righteousness rather than man, and obeying at once without consulting convenience or counting cost even to poverty or loss, which is receiving His spoken word and having eternal life unto resurrection at the last day.Lt 103, 1905, par. 11–13+1

God's commands are spirit and life to the obedient, and obeying His law gives mental and spiritual strength by bringing unity with Christ who is one with God; keeping His sayings shows abiding in His love and harmony with Him.5MR 263.1–2+3 Bible religion is living the law as Christ lived it in humanity, holy, just and good, giving a guide, sure counsellor and sympathizing friend in every situation, perplexity, sorrow, bereavement or loneliness, with power to bring under its authority and to obey God rather than human rulers when demands conflict.5MR 263.1–2+2 Living His words means beholding Jesus the Pattern, striving for His perfection, cutting away all unlike Him by self-examination, doing His principles, and loving God wholly and neighbor as self.Ms 60, 1898, par. 58–60 Only those who so do the Word build on solid rock and do the work of saving souls, free from faultfinding, selfish gratification and unholy motives, making no plans contrary to His principles.Ms 60, 1898, par. 58–60 Those living on the Word are strengthened, rooted and grounded in faith, love God's commandments above gold when the law is made void, and arise to defend the faith and stand in trial, while those studying convenience, pleasure and enjoyment will not stand.Ms 21, 1897, par. 34 God's Word is spirit and life and obeying His commands brings great reward in this life and the future, with happiness, rest in Christ, and formation of Christ within through the Spirit and moment-by-moment dependence, for His Word is plain and requirements clear so none need mistake the way.Lt 22a, 1902, par. 24–25

Those who receive him and his words receive eternal life, immortality and resurrection at the last day, for whoever eats and drinks has eternal life, and studying and understanding God's word is connected with that life.4RED 96.2+4 The flesh profits nothing while the Spirit gives life, and his words themselves are spirit and life, to be received by believing in him, becoming one with him, receiving his word and obeying its truths, gaining spiritual strength, health, growth and soundness unto the last day.Lt 150, 1903, par. 22–27+4 His teaching, example, life and death are heavenly food that strengthens the soul, and eternal life comes through faith in his words and in the power of his sacrifice for the world.4RED 96.2+2

Feeding on his words gives believers his life, which remains eternal even if they die, and they will be raised at the last day to new life at the resurrection of the just, for though the believer may die as he died, he will raise him.RH Jun 18, 1901+3 This is the plain will of God and the divine antidote for the sin of the whole world, by which the believer's life is hid with him in God and made one with him in this present life to be one with him throughout all eternity, with more abundant life now.RH Jun 18, 1901+2 To eat is to receive the word he speaks and be nourished and strengthened by it, to be guided by it in every choice and obeyed even at cost of poverty or loss, with his life remaining within.Lt 132, 1900, par. 46–47+2

Through him the receiver obtains eternal life and resurrection, for he is the fountain of life and source of the immortality lost through sin, so that his life in the believer is eternal unto the heavenly house not made with hands where mortality is swallowed up by life.17MR 351.3–352.2+3 Whoever so feeds dwells in him and he in him by receiving him as personal Saviour, believing his large promises and feeding daily on the banquet of God's word instead of human words of comfort and help, gaining an experience of highest value and strong consolation.17MR 351.3–352.2+2 His life-giving power bridges the gulf sin has made between the soul and God, graciously offered to all though those who despise it face eternal condemnation.17MR 351.3–352.2+2

The life in him brings life and immortality to light after sin cut humanity off from the tree of life, and restoring and sustaining power comes from him the fountain through believing in and obeying him, letting sinners still eat the life-giving fruit transplanted to the paradise above.Ms 41, 1902, par. 12–15+1 To eat him is to come to him and believe on him and so live by him, with obedience as life-giving power that gladdens the soul, through the redemption purchased by his blood.Ms 41, 1902, par. 12–15+1 Life is found in him, not in an independent immortal existence within people, and this truth calls people to come freely to him and depend on him for life and help.Lt 6a, 1900, par. 4–6+2

Receiving, pictured as eating and drinking, brings eternal life and makes one a partaker of the divine nature, linked to his union of divinity and humanity by which humanity is honored and enabled to obey God's law.Ms 52, 1898, par. 15–20 His words nourish the spiritual nature as food and drink nourish the body, supplying every need with strength, health, growth, comfort, encouragement, joy, hope and assurance.Ms 11, 1901, par. 21–22+4 This nourishment is received by looking constantly to him and remaining united with him through daily, hourly faith that works by love and purifies the soul, by filling the heart with and meditating on God's words, giving spiritual life, tone and strength, with the soul's health and vitality depending on study of God's word and continual communion with him.Ms 11, 1901, par. 21–22+3 Unlike the manna the fathers ate and died, this bread gives life forever, bringing forgiveness of sins and sanctification unto eternal life and growth up into the full stature of men and women in him, with sustaining power to do all that must be done, immortal vigor infused into the soul, perfected experience and joys that are real and abide forever.Ms 11, 1901, par. 21–22+3

So received, the word sustains spiritual life as food sustains physical life, bringing strength from God, lasting vigor, health, growth, soundness sealed by the Spirit, increase in grace and knowledge, self-control, comfort, perfected experience, enduring joy, light, uplift and immortality.Lt 16, 1896, par. 10+4 Spiritual life is sustained by receiving, believing and acting on the principles of truth in those words, by communion with him through his word with mind dwelling on it and heart filled with it, becoming Christlike — meek, lowly, self-denying and self-sacrificing — and walking the narrow path to the gift of life and heaven's glory.RH Feb 24, 1916+2 The word cherished and obeyed through his grace can make people right and keep them right, purify and strengthen the mind, sanctify heart, soul and character, strengthen the soul to resist evil and bring clearer understanding of heavenly things and knowledge of God for a purer, stronger Christian life, while neglecting this food leaves the soul vulnerable to misleading influences.RH Mar 30, 1916+3

His words nourish the soul as food nourishes the body, giving life because of righteousness, strengthening the soul, causing partaking of the divine nature and growth to full stature, revealed by works of righteousness and his spirit of goodness, love and excellence when he and his Spirit abide within.Lt 8, 1891, par. 7–9 Receiving his words brings forgiveness, sanctification, growth to his full stature, transformation of character, partaking of the divine nature and escape from worldly corruption.Ms 11, 1901, par. 21–22+4 This feeding gives the soul the divine element it needs for healthy development of all its spiritual powers, with sanctified strength, wisdom, integrity and moral power, discerned by faith and spiritual perception and not by fleshly literal understanding, desired as newborn babes desire milk in order to grow thereby.Ms 11, 1901, par. 21–22+2 Believers are to live continually on his words, not merely taste them occasionally, earnestly grasping and personally applying them until character is transformed, with pardon and sanctification through faithful practice and obedience as members of God's royal family reflecting his character, and with the word received, taken in and lived renewing the soul unto salvation.Lt 130, 1901, par. 1–3+2

God's creative power is in his word to impart life, and each command is a promise which, when accepted by the will and received into the soul, brings God's life, transforms nature and re-creates the soul in God's image, sustained by continuing to live by every word from God.ED 126.3–4+1 God's word contains the life and power needed to fulfill its commands and realize its promises, and receiving it by faith means receiving God's own life and character, which then produces a like life and character.COL 37.1–38.2 Through the Spirit this works a moral change forming Christlike character and holy atmosphere, giving assurance of holy principles and an earnest of immortality through his death and resurrection, sustaining faith even if the body decays, raising at the last trumpet, entering the gates into the city, and receiving eternal life as reward.Lt 82, 1907, par. 10–17

The word kills the natural earthly nature and creates new birth into sonship not of blood nor flesh nor man, reproducing his image with love replacing hatred unto steadfast service, for feeding destroys the earthly nature and gives new life with the Spirit reproducing God's image.DA 391.1+3 Those who hunger and thirst for God and look constantly to Jesus in faith feed upon that word and find him as personal Saviour, receiving precious revelations, with the Comforter coming, the heart receiving the mold of the divine similitude, becoming a new creature receiving of his fullness grace for grace, strengthened and established to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and with power to overcome hereditary and cultivated tendencies and to renew the soul unto everlasting life.DA 391.1+3 Receiving the word changes the natural person formed by heredity, nationality, education and circumstances into a new person with new heart, purposes and impulses, producing fruit in heart, speech and character, some thirty, some sixty and some a hundredfold.TEPD 43.1+2

Bringing God's word into the inner life gives eternal life and the daily life of the Son, for as the body is strengthened or weakened by food, spirituality takes the character of mind's food, and appropriating known truth into life-service brings much good.Ms 14, 1903, par. 18–19+2 As physical bodies are built from what people eat and drink, spiritual experience depends on what the mind takes in and assimilates, so continually dwelling on others' faults brings spiritual harm rather than vitality and growth.Ms 14, 1903, par. 18–19+2 His words, believed and received, become part of spiritual life and bring light, peace, hope, joy and strength as food strengthens the body, and believing what he spoke gives rest and peace, which is man's part in finding rest.Ms 31, 1889, par. 38–40+2

Truth received, cherished and respected in the heart becomes a life-giving principle that changes the whole being and turns from evil ways, and truth and error cannot abide in the same heart.STB 349.2–3+2 Truth must enter the heart, where its work begins, and when it obtains entrance it works with convincing power in life and character.STB 349.2–3+2 Partaking removes childish infirmities such as fretfulness, wilfulness, selfishness, hasty words and passionate acts, replacing them with mature Christian patience, meekness, humility and love.CT 206.3–207.1+2 God's word is set before believers as a rich banquet of his flesh and blood, his spirit and life, and feasting on it by study increases spiritual strength, causes growth in grace and in knowledge of the truth, forms and strengthens habits of self-control, and develops the graces of Christian manhood and womanhood, so that those who feed on his word and do it receive his life and represent him in character.CT 206.3–207.1+2

God's word carries spiritual life that ennobles the mind and sanctifies the agent to co-work with God, and feeding on the Bread and living by God's holy law ennobles the nature and grows likeness to him.15MR 37.2–38.1 Receiving him as personal Saviour means feeding on this Bread of life and living by the elevated standard of God's holy law as the standard of all life practice, and when the word is brought into daily practice it ennobles the whole nature.15MR 37.2–38.1 As the person presses forward in the path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord it opens to the soul a view of the Saviour's love that melts the heart into tenderness and contrition, producing sure growth in perception, knowledge and wisdom, development of character, and likeness to his character.15MR 37.2–38.1

The saying tests professed followers and exposes unbelief, for outward hearing is not believing.ST May 15, 1901+4 Some were offended and turned away, while believers recognize in Him the words of eternal life and stay close to listen and keep His instruction.ST May 15, 1901+3 Those who fail to come are not drawn because they do not recognize the Father's love for fallen humanity, and spiritual things are discerned through living, growing faith which sees His holiness and leads to action demonstrating God's power.ST May 15, 1901

When plain truth and reproof came many murmured, disbelieved and turned back to walk no more with Him.6T 132.3+4 This belongs to truths spoken to lead hearers to decide for or against Him and reveal their true feelings toward Him.Lt 49a, 1896, par. 13 It warns that superficial students will likewise turn away when challenged and prefer human praise to reform.6T 132.3+1 The teaching offended many hearers so some disciples turned away because they did not immediately comprehend its spiritual meaning and lacked true faith and discernment.Ms 41a, 1896, par. 26–28+2 Those with no greater depth than those who forsook Him will stumble.Ms 41a, 1896, par. 26–28+4 This followed the feeding of the multitude and the walking on the water, when popularity waned after He refused to be made king, appearing as a man without distinct Messianic or royal claims, instructing imperfect disciples against national prejudice and Pharisaic hostility as separation neared, defining His kingdom as spiritual and calling for surrender of ambitions for an earthly kingdom and temporal reign.14MR 335.1–3+2

When truth was spoken some were offended and stopped following, illustrating truth may drive away hearts not in harmony with it.Ms 97, 1898, par. 13–15+1 Some heard hard sayings, rejected Him and turned from the one who could have been their light of life.Lt 270, 1903, par. 31–32+2 In context some followers took offense when teaching seemed too hard and turned away, warning that leaving God's people because plain words feel too close brings no happiness.4T 239.2–240.1 Their offense came from misinterpreting what God sent.Ms 106, 1905, par. 31–34+1 Turning away illustrates conviction without conversion, where the Spirit convinces understanding and arouses conscience yet will is not yielded.ST Aug 4, 1898 Like those ascribing miracles to Beelzebub and like Bethsaida and Chorazin which would not submit though evidence would have convinced Sodom, and like multitudes now framing excuses because they do not love Jesus nor accept salvation's terms, they are determined not to yield, deceive their own souls, and will not come that they might have life.ST Aug 4, 1898

Turning away also illustrates rejecting Christ when His words through chosen messengers seem too restrictive.Ms 68, 1897, par. 23+2 Murmuring in trial because they did not dig deep, make foundation sure and become riveted to the Rock, they make shipwreck of faith in apostasy.7MR 174.1+1 Those who left were exceptional cases who knew unbelief and became bitter persecutors.Lt 17, 1891, par. 34–35 By contrast, as a rule disciples conformed in self-denying, honest, industrious, pious life, substantiating truth by precept and example.Lt 17, 1891, par. 34–35 The verse belongs to teaching that tested disciples when some withdrew as words confronted worldly motives and called them to accept truth despite cost.Ms 50, 1898, par. 4–8 Departure was an excuse to avoid self-denial and the cross rather than insufficient evidence, showing life-giving words can be resisted.Ms 50, 1898, par. 4–8

Many receive truth with enthusiasm at first but abandon Christ when a statement confronts them with needed purification because pride is offended, leaving them in dark influence.5MR 121.2 This turning of false disciples has always happened and will continue to the close, distinguishing mere profession from sincere faith that honors Him with firm purpose and public witness.5MR 121.2 Spiritual things are discerned by living faith and spiritual perception.GW 252.3–4+4 The Holy Spirit quickens faculties to grasp, remember and understand, and God's word abiding in the heart quickens spiritual faculties.GW 252.3–4+2 Understanding brings the elements of eternal life into ministry so truths are presented with fresh clarity and power, and hearers susceptible to the Spirit are energized with new life to discern beauty and majesty.GW 252.3–4 The life in the words would be understood after crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, when the Spirit would bring them to remembrance and quicken perceptive faculties, and the same eating and drinking takes place by faith in the ordinance that keeps the crucifixion before the mind.Ms 25, 1897, par. 13–16

Only those who eat His flesh and drink His blood understand the Word savingly.Ms 127, 1899, par. 44+1 Believing it as inspired brings the inspiring Spirit with insight into heavenly things, and perfect obedience brings sweetness, assurance and confidence.Ms 127, 1899, par. 44+1 Those who do not bring His words into daily practice will fail to discern their meaning, take offense and turn away.Lt 124, 1896, par. 8–11+1 Without inward appropriation there is no spiritual life, for superficial understanding corrupted by worldly ideas cannot comprehend deep truth.5MR 41.2–42.1+1 In the last days momentous truths will meet the same unbelief and disgust the Jews showed, because spiritual senses corrupted by worldly maxims make pure truth strange, yet to the believing soul truth is as eating from the tree of life.Ms 57, 1898, par. 26 The disciples' offense came partly from taking the words literally, as though He asked them to violate the ritual law against tasting blood.DA 390.1–2 God's people must not let human maxims blind their eyes, but must feed hungry souls the true food, not froth or fables, as doers of the word.5MR 41.2–42.1

His words comfort, encourage, strengthen and settle receivers.Ms 71, 1896, par. 21–23+1 But those clinging to human traditions, doubt, forms and rules may reject them and turn away.Ms 71, 1896, par. 21–23+2 Treating teaching only literally, or choosing religious forms and human rules instead of spiritual truth, leaves people without genuine faith.Ms 71, 1896, par. 21–23 Even those rejecting may claim great light and the Spirit while acting against Him without genuine faith.Ms 56, 1897, par. 2–6 Bodily noise, shouting, contortions and sensational excitement prove nothing and are never the Spirit's testimony.Lt 202, 1900, par. 5–6 Truth received refines taste, sanctifies judgment, makes one modest, meek and lowly, and produces quiet healthful growth like seed developing blade, ear and full corn.Lt 202, 1900, par. 5–6 Received in the heart it never degrades or makes uncouth, rough, disagreeable or sensational, but makes mind pure, elevated and ennobled, bringing Jesus to abide within.Lt 202, 1900, par. 5–6

What a person feeds the mind through sight and hearing shapes the soul's appetite.11MR 340.3+2 Turning to worldly entertainments can leave no hunger for God or relish for heavenly instruction and weaken assurance and love for Bible religion.11MR 340.3+3 Receiving Christ's light brings nourishment, strength and comfort.11MR 340.3+1 The mind must receive spiritual food through searching Scripture, for feeding it on pleasure leaves it unprepared for eternal life, while those who hunger for the Word value its light.Lt 117, 1901, par. 6–7+1 Those guided by Scripture can distinguish truth from error and sin from righteousness, while reliance on human beings or merely human wisdom cannot give life.Lt 214, 1903, par. 12–13+4 Just before earth's close this calls for spiritual-minded men earnest in principle with clear understanding who cling to Christ.Lt 214, 1903, par. 12–13 Souls established in truth will not be moved by deception even when Satan's agents appear to perform miracles, for the Word is light and defense, and its principles received and practiced bring connection with Christ.Ms 161, 1903, par. 2+2 Ministers must strengthen hearts by studying the Word, coming daily in full assurance looking to Him for wisdom instead of trusting man, as heresies arise and falsehood is mingled with truth near the end.7MR 359.2

Even those claiming to believe little comprehend the mystery.Ms 57, 1898, par. 22–25 His words must be brought home until mind and soul are filled with their greatness and power, by which receivers are quickened to dwell in Christ.Ms 57, 1898, par. 22–25 The disciples were slow because influenced by human maxims and tradition, so truth of great value from the greatest Teacher was often lost, but He leads receivers to realize its value and opens understanding as on the Emmaus road, moving from obscurity of dawn to radiance of noon as words are sought like hidden treasure giving better comprehension of grace and righteousness.Ms 57, 1898, par. 22–25+1 The verse defines the righteousness of Christ that must be accepted to have the wedding garment and fit union of humanity with divinity.Ms 13, 1899, par. 1–2 Accepting it requires firm stand and surrender and not measuring by human ideas, for continuing in sin hinders God's promise and presumption results in loss, and without this righteousness there is no garment.Ms 13, 1899, par. 1–2 Appreciating God's living Word as a treasure brings spiritual understanding and keeps people from becoming apostates or feeling orphaned.Lt 79, 1898, par. 9 God's voice in the Word studied and obeyed daily gives clearness to distinguish truth from error and carries on inward vital religion perfecting character in a pure church.Lt 102, 1886, par. 11 This inward life is vital force perfecting character with unity and love, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost rather than name on record, meat and drink, ceremony or form, while neglecting to search leaves feet on sliding sand.Lt 102, 1886, par. 11

His living words are like the leaves and fruit of the tree of life, whose life-giving power heals the wounds caused by sin.Lt 5, 1900, par. 1–2+2 The simple truth He gave imparts life like healing leaves, and it is not made more useful by intricacy beyond ordinary reach, for intellect serves truth most powerfully when Christ controls it and the Holy Spirit sanctifies and purifies it.9T 135.3+2 Preaching must therefore center on Christ and living faith, telling plainly what must be done to be saved and making known hidden riches of grace, with ministers praying for divine enlightenment and diligently searching hidden treasure for precious knowledge.Ms 1, 1874, par. 13

Unlike the manna the fathers ate in the wilderness and died, this bread gives life forever.Lt 142, 1903, par. 20–22+1 The soul must not rely on temporal bread alone, for His words about flesh and blood identify Him as the bread and water of life that sustain the soul, and believing in Him forms living union by which believers become partakers of the divine nature supplying every need as physical food supplies the body.Lt 142, 1903, par. 20–22+1 The sixth chapter of John completes His teaching that He is the bread of life come down from heaven of which whoever eats lives forever, and it gives more instruction on reaching people now than large volumes of ancient history and lore.Lt 164, 1899, par. 19–20

His words about eating flesh and drinking blood connect Passover symbols with receiving Christ spiritually.PP 277.2 Hyssop presents purification as cleansing from sin, and feeding must be with contrition of heart because of sins as the lamb was eaten with bitter herbs recalling the bitterness of bondage in Egypt, putting away the leaven of sin as Passover used unleavened bread with no leaven found in houses.PP 277.2+1

The words spoken from the pillar of cloud are still spoken to every generation and to every church believing in Him as personal Saviour.Ms 134, 1899, par. 27–29 The same Christ who taught on earth had spoken in the wilderness and lived by continual dependence on the word as the Word made flesh dwelling among men.ST Sep 5, 1895 By opening the Scriptures He feeds believers with the bread of life, and those continually feeding receive grace and strength to walk in the commandments and work out His righteousness, so that the living word familiarly known and obeyed becomes interwoven with the soul as personal experience and reproduces itself in the mind like wellsprings of the water of life filling those hungering for righteousness.ST Sep 5, 1895+1

Reading and appropriating the Word as living bread come down from heaven brings a more exalted experience in every phase of God's work, yet few know its value.21MR 44.1–2+1 The directions Christ as Israel's invisible Leader gave in the Old Testament are full of nourishment so no soul taking and eating them will suffer spiritual hunger.21MR 44.1–2+1 The living oracles were the flesh and blood of the Son even before crucifixion because His substitution was ancient Israel's only hope, and the New Testament was added not to cast aside the Old but to reflect light back and give significance to the Jewish economy, so its plain directions for practical holiness and obedience must enter every Christian life.21MR 44.1–2+1

His Old Testament words are sufficient to lead to salvation so those truly believing the Old will believe the New, and the Holy Spirit brings His lessons to mind and presses them on conscience rather than revealing new truths.Ms 32, 1900, par. 30–32 Because the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, taking heed to His words and studying and practicing their lessons is eating His flesh and drinking salvation's waters, a daily nourishment shaping life as living Bread from heaven.Lt 2, 1895, par. 19–21+1

The Word is the healing leaves of the tree of life, and believers live by Him by diligently searching and receiving it as nourishment until hunger is created for heaven's bread.Ms 129b, 1901, par. 7–9+1 Studying, meditating on and applying Scripture is like eating and digesting food that nourishes and sustains the soul, while neglecting it leaves the soul starving.Lt 4, 1902, par. 6 Receiving and doing God's words purifies and strengthens mind, heart, soul and character, while those not feeding are drawn into misleading influences and amusements; feeding in living faith builds up, and obedience is like eating leaves bringing healing.Ms 129b, 1901, par. 7–9+3

The living bread He spoke of is His Word which He has given, and eating and drinking unto eternal life is receiving it and drinking it in by practicing it.14MR 187.2–3+1 The Word is not dead dry theory but spirit and life and light to mind and soul, made impressive by the Holy Spirit on the teacher's mind, enlarging mind and vitalizing soul with heavenly current as firm foundation and elevated platform.14MR 187.2–3+1 No outward sign is to be given or sought, and minds are not to be called away from the Word to feeling or something outside it, nor to dreams and visions.14MR 187.2–3+1 It does not address understanding alone as mathematical formulas do, for men are not devoid of moral nature; it aims at the heart, addresses moral nature, takes possession of the will, casts down imaginations against God's knowledge and brings thought into captivity to Christ, requiring submissive students emptied of pride so Christ imprints His image and the soul-temple becomes the Most High's abiding place, training the yielded to obedience and service.Lt 5, 1898, par. 13–15 Diligent persevering study keeps faith active and makes the word a living agency sanctifying through truth and making Christ known as life's source.FE 433.2

Bible truth is the only safe platform, and human traditions and maxims, invented theories, assertions, misrepresentations and enforced false doctrines profit nothing, cannot be sustained by one syllable of the Bible and deserve no respect.Ms 162, 1899, par. 9–11 The plain Word must not be laid aside for Jewish teachers of old or religious teachers today, for eternal life purchased by His death depends on believing and obeying God's unchanging true voice rather than human suppositions, and only such obedience escapes worldly moral pollution.Ms 162, 1899, par. 9–11 His messengers are to declare those words and reject misleading theories mingling truth with error, for His words rather than speculative fanciful ideas are faith's sure foundation and life's source to those coming and believing, and the Lord's Word alone can be safely trusted so believers must speak, pray and live its truth rather than depart to human ideas or plans.Lt 4, 1893, par. 9–11+4

Setting aside the Word for human books and ideas disregards God like abandoning living water's fountain for broken cisterns that cannot satisfy.Ms 55, 1898, par. 11–15 Merely feeding mind with worthless material brings no good, while His precious words are spiritual nourishment by which people feed on Christ and receive life.Ms 138, 1906, par. 47–50 Man's word is as chaff to wheat compared with God's Word, and eating His flesh and drinking His blood means receiving Christ as personal Saviour, believing large promises and feeding daily on God's banquet instead of human comfort, by which the feeder dwells in Christ and Christ in him with experience of highest value and strong consolation, and though dying the life of Christ within is eternal unto resurrection at the last day to the heavenly house where mortality is swallowed by life.21MR 133.2–4

Human influence and assertions cannot give spiritual life; souls are nourished not by human ideas but by receiving Christ and looking to Him on the cross for life, coming under His care who knows needs and restores, with none coming between soul and Christ.3MR 32.1–3+2 Believers must receive His words as nourishment and cherish truth as it is in Jesus, because obedience or disobedience has eternal results.Ms 134a, 1897, par. 8

The Word, not worldly wisdom, maxims of men, human theories, book learning or human writings, is to be education's essence in all schools.FE 455.3–456.1+2 Eating His flesh and drinking His blood is feeding on the divine Word desired as newborn babes desire milk to grow thereby, not fleshly and literal but spirit and life discerned by faith and spiritual perception, giving the soul the divine element needed for healthy development of spiritual powers and, brought into experience, sanctified strength, wisdom, integrity and moral power.Ms 41a, 1896, par. 26–28+1 Those with no greater depth than the disciples who forsook Him from limited comprehension will stumble.Ms 41a, 1896, par. 26–28+1 The teaching of John 6:28-71 is the great lesson on working God's works, that eating and drinking means being doers of the Word with the Bible as the great educating book above all others, the price of heaven the only begotten Son and the way by faith in Him sent of God then working, a lesson students must understand or heaven will be missed.Ms 25a, 1895, par. 27 Book learning and worldly wisdom profit nothing and give no true sure foundation for eternity; only Bible education endures through time and eternity and prepares to reach the next world, enter God's presence and see His face, shining amid moral darkness, unlike human writings that cannot provide life's bread.FE 455.3–456.1+2

Feeding on His words as very flesh and blood is the important education for children, youth, men and women to become workers together with God.Ms 202, 1898, par. 2 The Word is the true flesh and life-blood of the Son bringing eternal life, to be put into practice much more fully beginning with teaching children the Word as spiritual food, since physical flesh gives no spiritual benefit while His words give spirit and life.Ms 100, 1902, par. 32

Understanding these words brings eternal life's elements into ministry so gospel truths are presented with fresh clarity and power, and hearers susceptible to the Spirit are energized with new life and quickened to discern truth's beauty and majesty.GW 252.3–4 Preaching Christ gives this nourishment as life-giving bread sustaining receivers, and partaking makes eternal life active in believer and ministry with fresh insight making teaching life-giving not stale.Ms 40, 1894, par. 1+1 Learning from Him means receiving and sharing life-giving truth gained through prayer and faith, and His disciples' rich nourishing lessons are to be passed on.Ms 171, 1905, par. 8–9+1

Preaching must center on Christ and living faith rather than froth or fables, feeding hungry souls with true food by receiving and doing His words, going to souls that may be lost or saved as doers without letting human maxims blind eyes, since the disciples were offended for not discerning spiritual things.5MR 41.2–42.1 People need more than theories and doctrinal subjects; they need this bread in plain simple Bible language, made exceedingly precious, studied critically and prayerfully for divine enlightenment on great saving vital truths, practiced, brought into practical life and kept before people with dependence and faith in Christ as sum of sermon, appeal and prayer, as leaves for healing nations whose fruit is life's bread.Ms 1, 1874, par. 13+1 Its truths lose power to impress hearts and awaken conscience when presented lifelessly, though received and delivered with spirit and life they mean eternal life to receivers.Lt 1a, 1896, par. 15–17

Those ministering in word and doctrine must feed mind on Bible bread sent from heaven that builds up spiritually, asking God for clearness to comprehend its important statements instead of spending time on books and magazines leading astray and hindering growth.Lt 43, 1905, par. 4 Ministers teaching present truth must strengthen hearts by studying the Word, discerning with certainty falsehood from truth and sin from righteousness as heresies arise and falsehood mingles with truth near the end, which only those guided by the Spirit coming daily in full assurance looking to Him for wisdom instead of trusting man can do.7MR 359.2 God's flock is fed from the Word which is Spirit and life, and ministers must themselves feed on Christ to be built up.Ms 7, 1891, par. 51–52

Workers must receive and live by His word, search diligently, and be converted and consecrated before serving so efforts glorify God rather than display self and hinder work, for human nature and unsanctified ability cannot accomplish His work.Ms 43, 1890, par. 8–12+1 Those searching find life-giving truth, and living by His life as branch by vine enables doing His works, union with Him and testimony to crucifixion, resurrection and intercession.Ms 43, 1890, par. 8–12+1 His words give instruction for every worker and must never be exchanged for any man's word; every worker answerable to Christ as Saviour and God as Commander, exercising God-given judgment looking heavenward while respecting authority and harmonizing with wisely laid plans, under Spirit leadership need not always ask human permission before advancing nor be bound by precise man-made lines, and gifts increase by wise use as they look to Jesus.STB 461.2+1 The Lord gives spirit and life to those working where placed as they trust and continue under the Spirit, succeeding by walking by faith with courage and single eye to God's glory undiscouraged.STB 544.1–545.1

The lessons of the chapter must be comprehended by every worker, who must seek Christ's guidance at every step, search and follow the Word to learn His will, lay aside unsanctified traits and serve in consecration and submission, since human nature alone cannot give life or make service acceptable.RH Oct 7, 1909+1 Workers must study Christ's life till unreservedly given to Him, and practicing His words makes them one with Him representing pure principles in simplicity and meekness.15MR 58.3–4 Keeping close to the Word guards sanitarium workers against discouragement and satanic destruction, enabling united advance, asking in every crisis what Christ would do, coming to the Lord's help and taking encouragement from what He has done so He can call them laborers together with God.STB 598.2 Constant feeding forms character able to receive heaven's blessings and serve successfully, and human authority must not replace the great Teacher's direction by man-made rules or required permission for every act.Ms 110, 1905, par. 21+1

The Word must underlie true medical missionary work and training of workers.19MR 47.2–3 In sanitariums people are to be taught what eating flesh and drinking blood means — receiving His spiritual life-giving words — while taught bodily care, so they become sound in faith and receive and obey present truth, restoring peace, hope and faith to sin-sick souls.Lt 203, 1905, par. 4–5+2 Christ as great Medical Missionary is to be brought into life-practice without mistake, His voice heard now, and patients and helpers pointed to His words for spiritual care and healing of sin-wounded people.Lt 220, 1903, par. 31–33+1

God's servants must continually feed on the Word and let its principles shape daily conduct, for teaching while disobeying is failing to live by it, since spiritual life comes from the Spirit not flesh which has no power to give life.Lt 68, 1896, par. 1–3 Receiving is like eating, making truth part of life by personal practice giving spiritual life and shaping influence for good so received light is seen in speech; teachers need personal lived experience before communicating properly.Ms 74, 1897, par. 27 Staying close to the Word brings spiritual life and strength.Ms 86, 1904, par. 18+1

Receiving and assimilating His words brings spiritual life and deep fervent piety, displacing self-centeredness in Christian work.Lt 270, 1903, par. 28–30 Receiving truth sincerely means more than Bible knowledge: habits and practices must change, soul sanctified, sin hated and shunned, Christ received as honored guest in undivided heart where sin and Jesus never share, with receiver cooperating with the Spirit till spirit conquers flesh which profits nothing.STBk 81.1+2 Then the burdened receiver goes seeking and saving the lost and winning souls instead of merely sermonizing, for cooperating with the Spirit moves to carry the message actively, and hearing and obeying shows inward work in changed character and outward conduct.STBk 81.1+3 Mere knowledge without surrendered practice does not transform.Lt 19b, 1892, par. 24–30

Receiving the Bread means receiving, believing and living by Christ with life in self even eternal life, daily feeding and living by God's word shown in preparing for His return and laboring for conversions.Ms 82, 1903, par. 9–10 Continually drawing from Him supplies fresh heavenly manna to share as good news, speaking of Christ to others.ACSMHFP 10.3 Everyone drinking life's water has special work to pass life-giving words around, and the Spirit entering and shaping life through inwardly eaten food is then shared through life, including joining Him in mercy like teaching sinners and backsliders.Ms 186, 1905, par. 4+1 His words must not merely be believed in name or mentally accepted but practiced, and living by and sharing given truth is followers' work.Ms 9, 1891, par. 13–14 They are food to feed on for strength and growth in grace, and strength gained is to be used in giving truth to others, since continuing to receive requires imparting, for spiritual life depends on intelligent unselfish use of blessings as bodily health requires exercise to assimilate food and air.Ms 153, 1901, par. 8–9

His words reveal the spirit He showed to disciples and convey sacred transforming truth, as life-giving bread nourishing the soul with spiritual power; therefore they must be presented faithfully and with love, not obscured by an unkind spirit.Lt 11, 1895, par. 7–12 They deserve closest study as divine authority, coming as new revelation not by newness but by opened eyes seeing wonderful things, quickening and nourishing as eaten.Ms 107, 1897, par. 4–6 Slowness comes from human maxims and tradition, while He puts into followers truths whose worth they little suspect and opens understanding as on the Emmaus road where Old Testament exposition brought depth even writers had not fully realized; diligent searching as for hidden treasure leads from dawn's obscurity to noonday radiance in fuller sense of Christ's grace, righteousness and teachings' worth.Ms 107, 1897, par. 4–6

Because Jesus declared that his words are spirit and life, those who gather for worship are to meet with faith in strong exercise.4MR 347.2–348.1+2 The promise belongs especially to the little companies assembled together to worship God on the Sabbath day which he blessed and made holy.4MR 347.2–348.1+2 They are to believe that the Lord Jesus himself is present as an honored guest in their assemblies and in their midst to enlighten and bless them.4MR 347.2–348.1+2 In that presence they have a right to claim the rich blessings of Jehovah, with a solemn sense of God's presence and of angels in the assembly.21MR 293.3–295.2+1