LECTURE 5
God so loved the World. Christ died for our sins.
Go teach all nations.
If we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him.
ONE of the best-known verses of
the Bible is John 3:16. It has formed the basis of so many evangelical sermons,
and appeals-from many and varied sources- to the sinner, that it has been
styled “a well-worn text.” Children have recited it; men and women quote it,
and preachers labor it, as though it is the whole gospel; and all one has to do
“to be saved” is to accept it. Now whilst the verse is usually quoted, and
generally read, as though its application was, and is, to the world at large,
there is a more restricted sense of its primary application.
“For God so loved the world” It is within the scope of honest enquiry for one to
ask. Which world? In our version of
The Bible the word “world” is found to be translated from different words, and from words, which do not have the same
meaning. Therefore the meaning of the word “world” in our Bible cannot always
be the same, and the word itself fails to convey the idea to the mind, which
was intended when first used. The “world” of John 3:16 (Kosmos-
order or arrangement) is not necessarily the same “world” as that mentioned in
Matt. 24:14, “and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come”; or in Luke 2:1, “And it came to pass in
those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the
world should he taxed,” It is not Kosmos in these
two verses, but “Oikoumene,”
which signifies the “habitable earth,” “civilized world,” and 2. “The
The ministry and preaching
of Jesus were confined to certain places and to one people. This fact is definitely stated, and should be carefully
considered in relation, not only to the theme now before us, but to many phases
of the Divine Plan. We read, “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and
healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” (Matt. 9: 35).
Having called unto him his “twelve disciples,” and given to them power to deal
with sickness and disease, Jesus gave them a commission, He commanded them,
saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the
Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to
the lost sheep of the house of
The “world” unto which Jesus
came was the Jewish world, and although it received him not, nevertheless that kosmos was the subject of the love of God. “God so loved that world” Do you ask,
Why did God love a world which rejected His Son? Let the apostle Paul answer:
“For this is my covenant unto them, when
I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies
for your sakes; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.” (Rom.
But we live in a period of
the world’s development when the love and mercy of God has been extended beyond
the confines of
The Plan was, To the Jew first. Some received the
Word, and were saved thereby. The majority “did not profit thereby.” (Heb. 4:
2). The record therefore continues, “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying,
I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest
be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this,
they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Acts
No one can have this
“confident assurance” who is not
persuaded of the promises, and who is without faith in them. The Apostle
appreciated this, for he taught “By grace
are ye saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.” (Eph. 2: 8). And what is faith? It is “the faith of the gospel.” (Phil. 1: 27). Faith in, and faith by, the gospel, alone
enables the readers to believe and obey, that they may be saved. It cannot be
emphasized too strongly that only such
faith-inspired and faith-energized persons can please God by accepting His
Truth, as made known in the Gospel of Salvation. To profess to accept the
gospel for fear of hell-fire torment, or any other kindred fallacy, would not
bring about “joy in heaven,” such as is the case when- with a meek and quiet
spirit, and a contrite heart- a sinner truly and conscientiously repents, and
seeks remission of sins in the divinely appointed way. If such as are “poor and
of a contrite spirit,” tremble at the Word of God, it is not necessarily for
fear of punishment, but rather because of the majesty and might of the God of
Israel- “who only doeth wondrous things”- in His magnificent offer “to redeem a
soul” from death. This true spirit of approach to God is further illustrated by
the Savior, in His words to the woman of
The “gospel” is “glad tidings,” or “good
news.” The faith of the gospel is something arising from that which is made
known in the glad tidings; something to be understood, believed, accepted and
obeyed; if a person desires to participate in the benefits set forth therein.
Obviously the good news, or the gospel, springs from “the Hope of the promise,
made of God unto the fathers” which we have elaborated in the previous
Lectures. The “promise” and “faith” are closely associated by Paul in the
following quotation: “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but
through the righteousness of faith. For
if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made
of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath; for
where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might
be sure to all the seed; not to that only, which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of
Abraham; who is the father of us all.” (Rom.
Here then we have the gospel
to both Jew and Gentile; the basis of
its operation in all cases being faith, like
unto Abraham who was “strong in faith,” and which “was imputed to him for
righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed
to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who
was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (
As demonstrated in a former
Lecture, when God gave His Son it was necessary that “the Son of man be lifted
up.” When John the Baptist “seeth Jesus coming unto him,” he saith, “Behold the
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1: 29). Could Jesus
“take away the sin” while He still lived, as He then was and had been from His
birth? Throughout His life His record was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate
from sinners.” (Heb. 7:26). Could Jesus
by these attributes alone take away sin? If He could, what meaneth then the
scripture, which saith of some, “Whose names are not written in the book of
life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13: 8)? And
again, of the “Root of David,” we read: “In the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain; And they
sung a new song, saying, ‘Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the
seals thereof: For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out
of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and
wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” (Rev. 5: 6,9,12).
Questions may here arise, and rightly so. Why must the Lamb of God be slain?
Why did Jesus die? Could not God save the people without the death of Christ?
And, moreover, could Jesus obtain “the glory set before Him” without being
slain?
THE TRAGEDY OF THE CROSS IS
OUTSTANDING IN ALL HUMAN HISTORY. Why was it “that thus it must be?” (Matt. 26:
54). There must be some definite
principle involved, which alone can account for this “must be.” To say that God
required the death of Jesus, and therefore He submitted to have His life taken
away by wicked men, is not sufficient. Whilst true, it does not explain why
“thus it must be.” Certain facts duly considered will provide the answers to
our questions and give a reason for the necessity of a slain Lamb. We note that
Jesus was “the seed of the woman”; He was also “the seed of Abraham,” and “the
Son of David.” And whilst Jesus is spoken of as being “the Son of God,” He is also “Son of Man.” In support of this we
have the following, among other scriptures:
“Thou shalt
conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt
call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his
father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of
his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1: 31, 33).
“Jesus saith, the Son of Man hath not where to lay his
head.” (Matt. 3:17).
“And lo a voice from heaven,
saying, This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17).
“And the multitudes cried,
saying, Hosanna to the Son of David. Who is this? This is Jesus, the prophet
of Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matt. 21:9, 11).
“Pilate saith
unto them, Behold the man!” (John 19:
5).
“Now to Abraham and his seed
were the promises made. And to thy seed, which
is Christ.” (Gal. 3:16).
“God. . . hath glorified his Son Jesus.” “Saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God,
having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you.” (Acts
In Acts 2:22, 23, we have “a man approved of God” taken, “and by
wicked hands crucified and slain.” To understand and appreciate that all of
this was according to “the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,” there
are many things to be considered
which form the basis of the operation of God in the scheme of redemption.
Behold, then, the babe born in a manger, in fulfillment of the word given by
the angel. “Favour with God hast thou found, and thou
shalt bring forth a son!” How shall this be? “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the
power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing
which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Over the fields of
At the age of 12 years, with
Joseph and his mother, Jesus went according to the custom, to
When “about thirty years of
age” Jesus was made known to the children of
Jesus unfolded many things, speaking often in parables, and whilst many people could not understand and perceive His meaning, nevertheless, they against whom His words were directed did discern their import, for “when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.” (Matt. 21: 45, 46). Maddened as they were, by this open condemnation of their ways by Jesus, the Pharisees did not fail to see that “the common people” responded more favorably to the teaching of the Nazarene; and so, fearing the people, they must wait for a suitable opportunity to be rid of Him. Then, as now, force is a convenient weapon with which to dispose of an enemy, even though “the enemy” be a righteous man. They could not catch Him in His speech, even though they tried sending “officers to take him.” But these men returned without Him, and in response to the demand, “Why have ye not brought him?” They answered, “Never man spake like this man”; only to be met with “Are ye also deceived?” (John 7: 45, 47).
Little did these
self-righteous Pharisees know, or care, that the Holy One of Israel was
directing the steps of His own Son; and that only when He, the Father, would
permit it could they, even with the people supporting them, take the Son. Jesus
testified of this when He was before Pilate, saying, “Thou couldest
have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above:
therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” (John 19: 11).
But when the time came for “all things to be fulfilled” which had been
foretold, and “written concerning Him in the Law of Moses, and the prophets,
and the Psalms” (Luke 24: 44), the opportunity they longed for was provided;
and the way opened for the accomplishment of their evil designs. Sometimes, by
ways altogether unexpected, momentous events are brought about; for whilst “the
chief priests and Scribes sought how they
might kill him, satan entered into Judas Iscariot,
being one of the twelve.” (Luke 22: 3).
Did Jesus, I wonder, at that
same moment recall what was written of Him in the Psalms? “All that hate me
whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. Now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. Yea, mine own familiar
friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel
against me.” (Psa. 41: 7, 9). Glad were they when Judas approached the chief
priests and captains- so glad that they “covenanted to give him money”. Judas
therefore promised, and “sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the
absence of the multitude.” In the darkness of the night, rather than the light
of day, for “men love darkness rather than light” when their deeds are evil.
Later, Jesus said unto Judas “That thou doest, do quickly.” This mandate
followed a verification of the application of the above Psalm (which some may
doubt or deny) to Jesus. “I speak not of you all,” said Jesus, “I know whom I
have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with
me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that,
when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.” (John 13: 18,19). “Truly,” said the Master, “the Son of man
goeth, as it was determined; but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!”
(Luke 22: 22).
BRIEFLY let us review some of the
events, which led to the cross.
Beyond where Kedron’s
waters flow
(and there)
Behold the suffering Saviour go
To
sad
His countenance is all divine,
Yet grief appears in every line.
From the seclusion of
Say, who hangs on yonder
tree,
Doomed, impaled in agony?
Body bleeding, scourged and
bare,
Pale and gashed that visage
fair;
Heart weighed down by shame
and grief,
Friend nor foe will give
relief.
Tell what crimes the man
hath done?
Justice, Truth, both answer
none!
Hear the lonely sufferer’s
cry;
See Him bow His head and
die.
Bear Him to the cave away;
Soldiers guard it night and
day.
Reverberating through the ages comes the voice of
A man of sorrows! Who went
about doing good! Why, oh Why, must it
thus be so? Why did Jesus die?
“TWO things must here be kept in view-
Christ suffering and yet Christ righteous and approved. Christ crucified and
yet Christ not crucified. This may appear to be a contradiction of terms, but
it is not. It was just for God to require the crucifixion of Christ, else He
would not have required it; and yet Christ was without sin, and one without sin
ought not to be crucified. God’s justice must
be seen here, and yet His love must find place. The explanation of this
paradox is found only in a discrimination between the life of Christ physiologically,
and His life biographically. Physiologically His life was Adamic - the life and
the flesh of the Adamic race, every member of which was condemned in Adam,
Christ (considered as a descendant of Adam, as a man and not as a character)
included; for if a chain is condemned every link in it must necessarily be
condemned.
O, say some, how you
dishonor Christ when you say He was under Adamic condemnation, and that He
needed cleansing and perfecting! Superficially viewed it may appear so; but
look here, my well-meaning friend, come with me to the Garden of Gethsemane;
look over there at the Son of God bowed in sorrow, bathed in tears, sweating as
it were great drops of blood. Come along with me to
“Now, then, since He was
crucified according to a prearranged plan of God, I am bound to say it ought to be; but how can I
intelligently say so? Shall I blindly say so, or shall I accept the Spirit’s
offer, ‘Come and let us reason together?’ When we do this we shall see the
Christ considered in His relation to Adam (Adamic condemnation that passed upon
all in him, and Adamic nature) I say, Christ considered legally and physically,
typified by Moses lifting up the serpent, a symbol of sin; typified by the
scarlet of the dividing vail of the tabernacle, typified in many of the Mosaic
shadows of sin condemned in the flesh that committed it; when, I say, Christ
upon the cross is considered in these relations we can see how, according to God’s plan, it ought to be.
But Christ considered in relation to developed character, ‘holy, harmless and
undefiled,’ and this side only kept in view, it ought not to have been.”
“Let us keep both sides
before us and all will be as clear as the ‘great mystery of godliness’ can be
to our weak and finite capabilities. It was therefore Adamic life that was
taken because of sin. It was Christ’s life legally and physiologically, if you
will allow me the expression, that was crucified, and that because of His
relation to Adam’s sin; and thus God’s justice was manifested in ‘condemning
sin in the flesh.’ Biographically Christ’s life was not Adamic; it was of God,
heavenly. It was never under condemnation; and as soon as this life as a new mental
and moral creature came to the birth, in being ‘born out of water,’ Heaven’s
approving voice declared: ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.’
When Christ had finished His work, in overcoming the evils the first Adam had
entailed upon Him, He passed out, on and up to redemption. He passed ‘through
the vail - that is to say, His flesh’ into glory, honor and immortality, and
became federally for all in Him ‘the way, the truth, and the life.’ Now in the
crucifixion of Christ there was the shedding of blood, without which there is
no remission of sins.”
“That God should require the
shedding of blood is what causes many to stagger and this arises from a failure
to see the relation of the race to the law of sin and death. The law condemned
the whole race in Adam because flesh and blood became unclean in the sight of
God through Adam’s sin. By the one sin of Adam flesh-and-blood man passed into
a state in which the natural tendency of the flesh was sinful, and therefore
unfit for eternal living existence. God being holy, the flesh-and-blood man
being unholy in his natural tendency, the justice and purity of divine law lawfully required the crucifixion of the
flesh, the taking of life from it by the shedding of its blood. This was the
only way that God’s justice could ever admit of His mercy saving one who
descended from Adam. But the shedding of the blood of a mere son of Adam would
not admit of redemption. If the one whose blood is shed is a personal sinner as was a sinner of Adam,
neither justice nor mercy can save him; justice cannot save an actual sinner,
and mercy cannot interfere in his behalf without colliding with justice, which
would place one attribute of God against another. There must be a situation
formed in which justice can be met by the shedding of the blood of one of sin’s
flesh, and yet the one be saved. No man could form such a situation; only God
could do it, and in doing it He is the Savior, and His goodness and mercy are
manifested.” -Thomas Williams, in
“Regeneration.”
THE foregoing extract should
help us to understand why “thus it must be”; why One “who did no sin” should be
called upon to die a sacrificial death, and how those who seek to do the will
of God may be cleansed and covered; and that they may find a way of approach,
and access to God, opened up for them.
We now go back to where we
were before giving the quotation. There
are different aspects of the death of Christ, which need to be considered. Even Pilate knew that the Jews had “for envy
delivered Jesus unto him.” Envy,
jealousy and hatred were the actuating principles on the part of the Jewish
leaders, who determined to be rid of the prophet of
So Pilate, in the part he
had to play in this greatest drama of humanity in his official capacity, could
do no other than he did-even when he desired to do so. These all, from their
natural point of view, performed their part. They did not believe that Jesus
was the Son of God.
It is certain that Herod and
Pilate were not interested in the religious claims of Jesus - more likely they
thought of Him as a visionary, but harmless, fanatic. Pilate’s first
announcement, to the chief priests and the people- after he heard their
accusations- was, “I find no fault in this man.” Later he said,
“Ye have brought this man
unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him
before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye
accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy
of death is done unto him.” And when the people cried, saying, “Crucify,
crucify him,” Pilate challenged them, “Why, what evil hath he done? I have
found no cause of death in him.” And yet, when their voices prevailed, Pilate
“gave sentence that it should be as they required.”
This is the testimony of
Luke 23. And so “the Son of man must go, as it was determined.” “Being
delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of God,” He who did no sin, was about to be “taken, and by
wicked hands crucified and slain.” (Acts
Here, then, is another phase
of the death of Christ- “the counsel of God.” It was therefore God’s will and
“determination.” But why? For what reason, and by what cause? After Pilate
“took Jesus, and scourged him,” the soldiers indulged in a little mockery- they
“platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head.” Pilate presented Jesus to
the people, once again declaring “I find no fault in him.” Jesus came forth
“wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them,
Behold the man!” (John 19: 2, 5).
Here we have “the man Christ Jesus”
with both the thorns and the purple. Whether intended or not there is much
significance in the picture. “The man” was of the Adamic race. “By one man sin
entered the world.” “Sin reigned unto death.” Jesus died “to take away sin. The
first man was of the earth, earthy.”
Part of the condemnation upon the singer, and therefore upon all who
sinned in him, was “cursed is the ground for thy sake; thorns also and thistles
shall it bring forth to thee.” The thorns
were thus a symbol of sin, like unto the serpent in the wilderness. The
thorns were carried with “the man to the accursed tree,” when “He died unto
sin.” Had Jesus continued in death there would have been no need for the purple
robe; of this we shall speak later, noting here that “the purple” was taken
from Him, when led out by the people to the crucifixion.
A distressing feature of the proceedings was the taunts of the mob directed against
the Savior. How the wicked do rejoice to speak against the righteous! How the
bad would defile the good with, and by, their slurring, contemptible and
diabolical insinuations, taunts and accusings. The defense of their own evil is
in the expression of their own grovellings and maliciousness. As now even so
1900 years ago. “They that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and
saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself and come down from the cross.” Mockingly others said,
“He saved others; himself he cannot save.” Did they expect to see such an
exhibition of power in Him, and from Him, that would convince them and soften
their adamant hearts, enlighten their understandings, and open their minds to
the Will of God? No, indeed; not one whit more so than when Jesus, in His
parable, told them, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they
be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16: 31). “Let the King of
Israel,” they cried, “descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” They did not believe that he was the
Christ, the Son of the Living God, the One spoken of in the prophets “who was
to come”. They said He had a devil, and wrought by the power thereof. They were
unenlightened rejectors of the claims of
both God and His Son. Darkness mantled “the whole land until the ninth
hour.” And then the grief-stricken cry was heard, “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me.” (Mark
FORSAKEN OF GOD? Yes, but why? We have seen the implication of the
“crown of thorns”; now let Peter speak of Him “who did no sin”; “Who his own
self bare our sins in his own body to the tree.” (1 Pet. 2: 24). Having cried
again with a loud voice, and knowing that all things then to be accomplished
had been fulfilled, Jesus bowed His head, and
died. A centurion standing by, having beheld all that was done, “glorified
God,” in that he declared “Certainly this was a righteous man”.
JESUS, HAVING “RISEN INDEED,”
joined Himself to the apostles when they were gathered together, and reminded
them of what He had told them “while yet with them.” He further “opened their
understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them,
Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the
dead the third day.” (Luke 24: 44, 46). They were in need of being reminded,
and of this instruction. Of the many things Jesus had “told, while yet with
them” was this: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life,
that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of
myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This
commandment have I received of my Father.” (John 10: 17, 18). Let it not be
thought that this is a contradiction of the other scripture, which says that
Jesus was taken by wicked hands and slain. Both statements are true, and
correct in their place; even as we have seen that the death of Christ was
according to the predetermined counsel of God. The statement “I lay down my
life,” shows the voluntary action on the part of Jesus, who was willing to
submit to the requirement of a sacrificial death; strengthened as He was by
knowing “that by the same commandment” He had power “to take it again”. This power was not in Himself but in God. Nevertheless,
Jesus said, “I have power.” Wherein then was His power? Not in the Spirit
“given without measure” whilst He was manifesting God to the people-for that
spirit was withdrawn when Jesus cried, “Why has thou forsaken me?” The power of
Jesus was in His life of absolute compliance with the Father’s will, and in His
“obedience unto the death of the cross.” From
this death He could not escape, and be faithful to God. For, on that dark
betrayal night, He prayed, “Oh my Father, if
it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” It was one of those moments in
the trial of Jesus when He needed to call to mind, “that thus it must be”; by
which strengthening conviction He was enabled to continue. “Nevertheless not as
I will, but as thou wilt.”
Later, the Apostle writing
of the Risen Lord, said, “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up
prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able
to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son,
yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” (Heb. 5: 8). Have we
in this an answer to why “thus it must be?” Why did Jesus die? Paul clearly and
definitely answers, “For in that he died, he
died unto sin once.” (Rom.
Jesus was born, and “came
into the world,” not only to take away sin, but also to be the Savior of men.
All the essentials, which together formulate the Plan of Salvation, are the
requirements, which have to be met.
Outstanding is the death of the cross, for which there must be an
adequate reason. We remember that “in him was no sin” i.e., no transgression of law, even as He challenged those who were
His adversaries; “Which of you convinceth me (doth
convict me) of sin?” (John 8: 46). And as Peter wrote, “Who did no sin.” I say,
as we recall this fact we are brought to realize that the call for His
sacrificial death was not the outcome of any wrong doing on His part, for such
there was not. Yet still we read again, “Who his own self bare our sins in his
own body.”
Controversy and
misunderstanding have arisen from this, and similar statements, concerning the
Lord Jesus Christ. Those who look upon “sin” as being “transgression of law,”
and can see no other application of the term, have difficulty in understanding
how Jesus could “bare our sins in His body.” Some seek refuge behind the
dogma of substitution. But that does not explain the Truth. It is evident that
Jesus could not bare our sins, our
transgressions of law, actually to the tree 1900 years before we were born, and
before such sins were committed. And if we would restrict the words to those
living with Peter at the time of his writing, the difficulty is still there.
Could Jesus bare the actual sins of
others? But if we look upon Jesus as a representative of others who were to be
saved by, and through Him, we have quite a different matter.
The FIRST MAN, ADAM, by disobedience brought separation from God,
and death. JESUS, THE LAST ADAM, by
perfect obedience accomplished restoration, and opened up the way of Life
from the dead. He became “the first-born of every creature.” Not of the Adamic
world, for the first man Adam was the first there, and Cain (who “was of that
wicked one” (1 John
Unto what sin, then, did
Jesus die? “The sin of the world,” you say. Yes, that is so- whether you
consider “the world” to be Israelitish, or Adamic.
But now, let me ask, Was Christ one of
the world, or outside the world? The answer should be obvious to all who
discern the Plan of God. As “the seed of woman,” “the seed of Abraham,” “the
Son of David,” “The Son of man,”- “The man
Christ Jesus” must of necessity be one of the Adamic race, and therefore
one of the world. We must acknowledge the conclusion that although Jesus was
not a transgressor of the law He, nevertheless, being one of the world,
according to the Plan of God came under the conditions of the world, in which
reigned the law of sin and death. All mankind being an extension of Adam and
Eve, brought into the world since “sin entered, and death by Sin,” are born
under- and therefore have by natural inheritance in and upon them- the
consequences of Adam’s sin in
Consider now another
testimony: “Wherefore when he cometh into the world.” Which world, and to what time does this refer? Not to the time of His
birth, for then Jesus could not have said
what follows in the subsequent verses. The world, of course, was that to
which Jesus was revealed as the Lamb of
God to take away the sin which required His sacrifice. So when Jesus came
into that world, and during the days of His ministry- as “Immanuel” (God with
us), “God reconciling the world unto himself’- which culminated in the cross,
we are told “He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest
not, but a body has thou prepared me: In
burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I,
Lo, I come (in the volume of the book
it is written of me,) to do thy will, O
God. Above when he said, sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and
offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then
said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O
God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of
Jesus Christ once.” (Heb. 10: 5-10).
Concerning the promise made
to Abraham (see Gen. 15: and 22), the apostle says of God, “Because he could
swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying,
Surely blessing I will bless thee . . . Wherein God, willingly more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his
counsel, confirmed it by an oath.” (Heb.
6: 13-17). Yet there was room, and need,
for the confirmation of the covenant to be effected by Jesus Christ. And this
by a circumcision which would confirm, ratify or make valid, all the promises
of God which “in him are yea, and in him Amen.” (2 Cor. 1:20). What was the circumcision by which Jesus
confirmed the promises? Not that operation “on the eighth day,” “when the
parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law.”
(Luke 2: 27). Whilst compliance with this “custom of the law” was as necessary
for Jesus as for any other male child in
In reference to “the mystery
of God, and of the Father, and of Christ”; Paul says, “In whom are hid all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” The Father knew from the beginning by what
means the Plan would be carried out; the “secret” of it, however, was hid in
God until revealed through the Son. All that went before was the “Shadow of
things to come,” waiting for the “due time” when it would be seen that “the
body is of Christ.” To confirm the “shadow” Jesus
must be cut off in substance- the actual
body of “the sins of the flesh” must be “cut off,” not die a natural death;
for that would fail to substantiate the shadow. Paul therefore says of Christ,
“Ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In
whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in
putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen, with him through the
faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you,
being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened
together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses … nailing it to his cross” (Col. 2: 10,14). Thus the
circumcision of Christ was consummated on “the cross.” Of necessity Jesus must die that He might live!
AN
outstanding truth of both the Old and New Testaments is “By man came death.” (1
Cor. 15: 21). And this man was “the first man, Adam”- the father of the human
family. Paul says further, “For as in Adam all die.” And as Christ was born in,
and of, the Adamic family, even though Son of God, He too must die. Not only
was Jesus related to death by being the seed of the woman; He also was a
sin-bearer. Of Him the prophet had long before spoken (concerning
There is but one way in
which these “iniquities” and “the sin of many” could be laid upon Jesus, as we
have already seen. He was one of the people, “made in all points like unto his
brethren,” consequently being the same “flesh and blood,” or nature, whatever
condemnation rested upon them rested also upon Him. This condemnation came by
reason of the sin in
“But one in a certain place
testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of
man, that thou visitest him.? Thou madest him a little lower (or, a little while inferior to)
than the angels: thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou
hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in
subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under
him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels- for (or
by) the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour;
that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became
him, for whom are all things, in bringing
many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through
sufferings. For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he
might destroy him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil; Wherefore
in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might
be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Heb. 2: 6-10, 14, 17). “But Christ
being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither
by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into
the holy place having obtained eternal redemption. How much more shall the
blood of Christ, who offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience
from dead works to serve the living God? For where a testament is there must
also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force
after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.”
These two verses (16, 17)
are rendered by Dr. Young as follows, “For where a covenant is, the death of
the covenant-victim to come is necessary, for a covenant over dead victims is
steadfast, since it is no force at all when the covenant-victim liveth.” Literal
Translation “Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away
sin by the sacrifice of himself. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without
sin unto salvation.” (Heb. 9).
SHALL SOULS BE LEFT IN HELL?
IN
the last chapter of this Epistle we have one of the most outstanding statements
of the whole Bible. There are others equally important, but this particular
verse is so fully comprehensive that it takes in almost the whole Plan of God.
It sweeps away the former 4,000 years of type and shadow, during which no
solution had been found, or manifested. Generations came and passed away. Lives
were spent “as a tale that is told.” Through the long, dark night of the reign
of sin death had prevailed. Who would, or could, solve the problem? Should
souls be always “left in hell” (sheol; the grave)?
The spirit of Christ in the Psalms had spoken of this, but as yet the problem
was not solved. Promises were given; covenants entered into; and yet they who
were directly concerned in them “died in faith, not having received the
promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them,” yet
though embracing the promises, as such, they “confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Such is the testimony of Heb. 11:13.
But He of whom the Psalmist
wrote, having set the Lord always before him, did not waver. “Therefore my
heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also
shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not
leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine
Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence
is fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Psa. 16:
8-1 1).
Here was One who could, and
did, solve the problem. And the reason- He was the Holy One, having attained to righteousness by complete obedience,
wherein all others had failed. He thereby demonstrated the meaning, “I lay down
my life, that I might take it again”; showing how that He must die that He
might live. The Eternal God was His refuge. The confidence of Jesus in the
Father never failed. He truly “trusted in God,” as the revilers said; but,
unlike them, Jesus knew that in God’s own time “He would deliver him.” God
would not leave Him in death, therefore He cried “unto him who was able to save
him out of death, and was heard in that he feared.” (Heb. 5: 7). Just as it was
“not possible for the cup to pass from him,” except He drank it, so also it was
“not possible for the grave to hold him.”
Peter, addressing the men of
“Hear these words; Jesus of
Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs,
which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him,
being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have
taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up,
having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be
holden of it. For David speaketh
concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right
hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue
was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not
leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine
Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and
brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both
dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore being a
prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit
of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his
throne: He seeing this before spake of the
resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh
did see corruption. This Jesus hath God
raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”
(Acts 2: 22-32).
ALL this is involved, and
summarized, in the statement referred to as “one of the most outstanding”- “Now
the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
shepherd of the sheep, through the blood
of the everlasting covenant.” (Heb. 13: 20). Foreshadowed in Abel’s “more
excellent sacrifice”; in Abraham’s offering of his son Isaac; in the typical
confirmation of the covenant narrated in Gen. 15; in the Noahic sacrifice, after
deliverance, and the “bow in the cloud”; and also in the many requirements
“under the Law.” These all illustrate the divine principle that “without
shedding of blood is no remission”; and that as sin hath reigned unto death it requires
a law of righteousness to give life after death. Moreover it required the death
of Christ to establish a law of
resurrection, which was so essential to carry out the 7,000 years Plan.
Without a resurrection all
would “sleep a perpetual sleep and not awake,” and without a law of resurrection- to counteract the law of sin and
death- the Grave would hold all therein, whether
good or bad. The Plan, however, required the law of resurrection, and to
accomplish this the life of the Holy One must be “cut off in the midst of his
days.” He must “pour out his soul unto death.” As the Lamb of God, prefigured
as “slain from the foundation of the world,” the blood of Jesus must be shed.
It was shed “to confirm the promises.” It therefore became “the blood of the everlasting
covenant,” and it was through this, or by reason of it, that “God brought again
from the dead our Lord Jesus,” and without the blood of the covenant there is
no guarantee of a resurrection for others; for “As in Adam all die, even so in
Christ shall all be made living.”
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er
His foes;
He arose a Victor from the
dark domain,
And He lives for
ever with His saints to reign:
He arose! He
arose!
Hallelujah!
Christ arose!
On one of the highways, about
threescore furlongs from
Thus proceeding and
communing they were unexpectedly joined by one who to them appeared to be a
stranger. Noting their demeanor He inquired of them the cause of their sadness,
and the manner of their communications. Strange indeed it seemed to them that
one should ask this, for all
“And they said unto him,
Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers
delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which
should have redeemed
Jesus listened, and then
said unto them, “O foolish ones, 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?” They had believed some things, but had failed to discern
all the facts. So “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto
them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” Later, as He sat at
meat with them, “their eyes were opened, and they knew him;” only to find that
He then ceased to be seen of them. The fact that “the Lord is risen indeed” was
again demonstrated after those men had joined the eleven and others with them,
at which interview He said, “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 the prophets, and the psalms, concerning
me. Then opened he their understanding,
that they might understand the scriptures; And said unto them, Thus it is
written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the
third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his
name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24).
What had previously- to
those who forsook Him and fled-seemed to be “unbelievable, idle tales,” now
became the true light, shining more and more to the perfect day; dispelling the
horror of darkness, and placing the disciples where Abraham was when he became
the Friend of God; with however this difference- what Abraham saw by faith,
they beheld by sight! Well might Peter exclaim, “Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy bath begotten
us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
(I Pet. 1: 3).
THE promises “made unto the
fathers” having now been confirmed, and the disciples encouraged, strengthened,
and prepared for the work before them, they were commissioned by their Lord to
go forth, and carry on His Work; “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt.
28:19). Jesus did not leave them immediately, but having “shewed
himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them
forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the
Contemplating the things
spoken, pertaining to the
Although Jesus had
previously taught that He would “go away, and come again unto them” (John 14:
2,3) they were not altogether prepared for the ascension. Had we been there we
would undoubtedly have done as they did. “They looked steadfastly toward
heaven.” With varied emotions- doubts and fears, wonder and hope- they saw the
cloud receive Him, as He passed from their sight. But Jesus had said, “I will
not leave you comfortless; I will come to you; and immediately “comfort” by
confidence was extended to them. For “while they looked steadfastly toward
heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which
also said, “Ye men of
Ages ago in the Eastern
lands
They watched for Him.
List’ning oft for His
chariot wheels
As the days grew dim;
Expecting that He would come
again to Olivet.
On the strength of a parting
promise they looked
But He tarries yet.
Every year over the winter’s
snow with watchful eyes
Eager disciples have watched
for Him
Who mounted the skies.
They have died at their post
on the beacon heights
And, now, we take their
place.
We look, as they looked in
the olden days,
For the sight of His face.
But the years pass on, He
comes not yet;
Still, God’s time is best.
The resurrection was now an
accomplished fact. And we cannot do better than emphasize some of the thoughts
already developed from the scriptures, which have been quoted. “If Christ be
not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” “If Christ
be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” Apart from the
resurrection which is in Christ, and through
whom the apostles “preached the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4: 2),
they who have placed their faith and hope in Christ “are of all men most
miserable.” How so? Well, those
Corinthian believers who were “in Christ” were in that relationship because
they had been baptized into His death, thereby becoming associated with “the
blood of the everlasting covenant, by reason of which, as we have seen, Jesus
was “brought again from the dead.”
Baptism is therefore the
basis of association with Christ, who is “the resurrection and the life.” His
resurrection, and their baptism into the death of Christ, is placed as the
guarantee of their resurrection from the dead. Inasmuch as “we are buried with
him by baptism into death: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also of the rising again.” (
This guarantee is based upon
their having been “planted,” and if this is not reliable, what is the use of
being baptized? For, “if the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized
for the dead?” If there be no efficacy in baptism as the basis and guarantee of
a resurrection from the dead, the believers may well be “of all men most
miserable”; for in such a case “Then they also which are fallen asleep in
Christ are perished”; which obviously
is the portion of those who fall asleep not
being “in Christ.”
And now Paul rises
majestically above those who say there is no resurrection. “But now is Christ
risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of
them that slept.” That is his definite
affirmation. Then comes his argument, which none can refute. “For since by
man came death, by man also the resurrection of the dead.” Do I hear someone
say that others were restored to life before the resurrection of Christ?
Granted, but such cases were an exhibition and manifestation of the power of
God, and were not “resurrection by
man”- if they were so, how could Jesus be the firstfruits
of them that slept?
Paul’s argument- to force
home the truth of this doctrine-continues, “For as in Adam all die, even so in
Christ shall all be made alive.” All in Adam die, because sin hath reigned unto
death. Those who are “in Christ” have “passed from death unto life”; their relationship
being changed when in baptism they “put off the old man,” which is thereby
“crucified with him.” (Rom. 6: 6). Hence we have the two classes, “in Adam” and
“in Christ”; just as in the beginning we had the sons of God, “who called upon
the name of the Lord”; and the children of men who were not named by that Name.
“But every man in his own order:” says Paul, “Christ the firstfruits;
afterward they that are Christ’s at his
coming.”
THIS notable treatise by Paul in
1 Cor. 15, is a clear explanation of the different standing of the two classes
of the human race in relation to the Plan of God, which involves death for all
who remain in their native state; “By nature children of wrath” (Eph. 2:
3), and “life from the dead” for all who by covenant-relationship are
in Him, who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus conquered death, and
demonstrated the validity of the Psalm, which said of Him, “my flesh shall rest
in hope.” We have already seen from the quotations taken from Acts 2 that the
sixteenth Psalm was prophetic of Jesus Christ. It is well to compare the
rendering in verse 11 of the Psalm, with verse 28 in Acts 2. “Thou hast made
known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full
of joy with thy countenance.” The resurrection is emphasized in verse 32. “This
Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”
A “witness of His
resurrection” was essential for the work of the apostles. (Acts
This evidence provided
conviction by sight! “Then were the disciples
glad, when they saw the Lord.” Thomas, however, was not with them, and was
not convinced by what they told him: “Except I shall see in his hands the print
of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand
into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20: 25). And so it came to pass eight
days after when Thomas was with the disciples Jesus again stood in their midst,
and willing to help and to convince the doubter, said, “Thomas, reach hither
thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into
my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” (Verse 27).
By such means the immediate
followers of Jesus were brought back from despondency, and “begotten again unto
a living hope.” Taking another thought from the second chapter of The Acts
(from which we have already quoted) we are informed, “For David is not ascended
into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord. Sit thou on
my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.” (Verses 34, 35). WHY WAS
DAVID “NOT ASCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS”? If the common belief is true that “good
people go to heaven”, or that there is a sky-kingdom for the righteous to which
they go at death, surely David should have ascended! If, reader, your belief is
such, had you not better ponder this question and seek for an answer?
Now the promise of
salvation, and a participation in the kingdom of great David’s greater Son, had
been given to the former King of Israel. But he had not ascended! What then had become of him? Peter
answers, “Let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both
dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.” (Verses 29, 30).
Paul also speaks on this wise: “For David, after he had served his own
generation by the will of God, fell on
sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and
saw corruption.” (Acts
THAT MAN IS MORTAL is a first principle of
divine teaching, and he who would be saved must understand and believe “the
first principles of the oracles of God.” (Heb. 5: 12). How can a person be
saved from what he is, if he believes himself to be altogether different to
what he really is? Any doctrine which negatives, or violates any first
principle- or definite teaching of the Bible, in regard to the gospel of
salvation- must of necessity be rejected. Both Peter and Paul, in the chapters
already quoted- Acts 2 and 13- emphasize the difference between David and
Jesus. The one died, and remained dead- the other died but rose again. Paul
especially expresses the difference in this way: “David . . . saw corruption; But He, Whom God raised again, saw no
corruption.” David could not “by any means redeem” himself, or give to God
a ransom that would save him from corruption. But the Son of man, Son of David,
and also Son of God was superior to all who had gone before. “Being found in
fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” And as the grave
could not hold the Holy One, “God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a
name which is above every name.” (Phil. 2: 8, 9).
Now mark this well! The sentence pronounced upon the sinners of
If He shrank from the cruel
cross, in this He did not sin. No voice of condemnation was heard; on the other
hand “there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” (Luke
22: 43). Yet, as we have seen, Jesus must die, this we have demonstrated. And
Paul says, “Christ being raised from the dead dieth
no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died
unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” (
The first-begotten from the
dead,
Lo! Jesus ris’n, His people’s Head,
To make their life secure:
Though they like Him may
yield their breath,
Like Him, they’ll burst the
bands of death;
Their Resurrection sure.
Had the body of Jesus
remained in the grave (i.e., He Himself), there could have been no salvation. A
dead Christ could not be a Savior. He must be raised again, as we have seen was
the case. “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the
last Adam a quickening spirit,” (i.e., life-giving; life-effecting).
As already demonstrated, in
relation to the Plan of the Ages-which provides life from the dead, and (for
those accounted faithful at the Judgment seat of Christ) immortality and
incorruptibility- Jesus was the firstborn, “brought from the dead through the
blood of the everlasting covenant.” Death
and resurrection are both based upon principle, and in relation to them we have
cause and effect. “By man came death” How? Death is an effect. What was,
and is, the cause? To this there is but one scriptural answer. Try to ignore it
if you wish- to get around it if you can; say, death is the result of
mortality; the natural law of physical decay; the lack of sufficient knowledge
to keep the wheels of nature turning. Yet the Bible has one answer: “By one man
sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men.”
“By one man’s offence death reigned by one.” “Sin hath reigned unto death.” (
As sin is the cause, and
death the effect, on one hand; where shall we find cause for an effect which is
the very opposite? As the first cause and effect came by the first man, Adam,
we must look to the second, or last, Adam for the cause and effect which will
counter-balance the evil of the first Adam. In none other but Jesus can this be
found. The victory, says Paul, is “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The second
“cause” was developed in Him. “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by
one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of
righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. For as by one man’s
disobedience many were made sinners, so
by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through
righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (
The grace of God in Christ
developed righteousness to the full when He was “obedient unto death.” His life
of entire conformity to the will of God, sealed by His sacrificial death, was
all that could be required by God. Jesus thereby “magnified the law of God, and
made it honorable.” This “righteousness” was so acceptable to God that its
effect extended beyond Jesus. Even as Paul wrote: “The righteousness of God
which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe . . . to declare his righteousness
for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To
declare, I say, at this time his righteousness; that he might be just, and the
justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (
THE “EFFECT” OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS in behalf of Jesus we have seen, when, “it not being possible for
the grave to hold Him,” the blood of the covenant (in which all His
righteousness was centered) brought Jesus out of death that He might enter into
Life for evermore. Righteousness, then,
was the cause, and Resurrection the effect. And, that others may
participate in this grace, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to
those who believe. The “power” is based upon obedience. One must “believe,” but
also go further. “Believe and be baptized” is the gospel’s command, to those
who would live, and inherit the land. BUT WHY BE BAPTIZED? Because by this
ordinance we are “buried with Christ by baptism into his death,” and the effect
of His obedience unto death is extended, and in measure conferred upon those so
baptized. As they come from the waters of baptism, after dying with Christ to
walk in newness of life, they are said to have “risen with Christ.” (Col. 3:
1). Therefore, “whether they wake or sleep, they live together with him.” (1 Thess. 5:10). And of those who had fallen “asleep,” the
brethren are exhorted “not to sorrow, even as others which have no hope.” Why
not? Because here are two classes; one “without hope,” because “without God in
the world,” and the other full of
hope because they are in Him who is “the resurrection and the life.” And because they are in Him “they too
shall rise again, their resurrection sure. “For if we believe that Jesus died
and rose again, even so them also which
sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” “The dead in Christ shall rise first.” (1 Thess.
4: 13, 16).
THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT
was an essential factor in the resurrection of our Lord; by reason of it He
could say, “I am the resurrection, and the life (two separate things): he that believeth
in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (John 11: 5). And then with one
long sweep Jesus spans 2,000 years and speaks of His coming again to the earth;
“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never
die.” Why? Not only had Jesus “the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1: 18), and
knew that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against” His church (ecclesia);
but He was also aware of the fact that all who have been “baptized into his
death” have been provisionally cleansed from sin; redeemed, restored,
justified, sanctified, and clothed with His Righteousness. Being “no more
strangers and foreigners (the lot of all who are not in Christ), but fellow
citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,” they are relatively no
longer “in Adam”- which is the characteristic of all the family of the first
man; Cast out of Eden, and no access to the tree of life.
In Christ they have been
born again; “washed from their sins in the blood of the Lamb,” and the
influence and power of the blood of the covenant is operating upon them.
Arising from this covenant-cleansing the members of the Church (ecclesia) of
the Living God are “made free from sin” (Rom.
BEFORE they became “in Christ
Jesus” they were all under condemnation, as the scriptures abundantly testify.
And this condemnation came upon them because of the Edenic
sin, which brought death. But their relationship being changed- by passing out
of the first Adam into the last Adam- they are no longer con- demned, even
though they are still mortal. So Paul gives the reason why there is now no condemnation, saying, “For the
law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin
and death.” (
Paul, as his manner was,
went into a synagogue of the Jews, “and three sabbath
days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen
again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” (Acts 17: 3). At
THE MEANS OF ASSOCIATION
with these “exceeding great and precious promises” has incidentally been shown
as we have progressed, and will be further elaborated in another lecture.
Meanwhile we repeat the necessity of
baptism into Christ, by immersion in water, which provides the “burial,”
and without which we do not obey the gospel. Baptism is the only guarantee, in
this dispensation of a resurrection from the dead; and continued
obedience to the commandments of Christ the only way to obtain the gift of God,
“immortality” and a place in His Kingdom. “Because I live,” said Jesus, “ye
shall live also.” (John 14: 19).
THERE is abundant testimony, and
many reasons, to show why Jesus will come again to the earth. Hear the word of
Peter to the “men of Israel,” who marveled at the manifestation of Divine Power
in making a man, who had been lame from birth, to walk: “Those things, which
God before had shewed by the mouth of all his
prophets, that Christ should suffer, he
hath so fulfilled.” Using this accomplishment as a basis for confidence in the
fulfillment of other prophecies, Peter continues:
“Repent ye therefore, and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall
come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which
before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of
restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy
prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A
prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto
me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.” (Acts
But
AND WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR
HIS RETURN? Let us take a brief glance over the Chart and consider a few
questions. We look at the Garden, and ask, Has
the seed of the serpent been bruised in the head? No! Then the seed of the
woman has yet a work to do there. Ask again, Is
THE Apostles were commissioned
by Jesus to “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
The conditions governing the benefits to be derived from the gospel were
specified. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.” “So then,” we are told, “after the Lord had
spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of
God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them,
and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark
What is the gospel that the Apostles preached? No better answer can be
given than a few quotations from Acts 8. Disciples being scattered abroad “they
went every where preaching the Word.” In
doing so they would unfold many things appertaining to
salvation. “The word” is God;
“the word” is Christ; “the word” is the word of truth of the
gospel. But immediately after the above quotation of verse 4, we have the same
matter expressed in another way: “Then Philip went down to the city of
We cannot escape the
conclusion that “preaching the word,” “preaching the gospel,” and “preaching
Christ” are one and the same. And in “preaching Christ” it is not difficult to
see that this called forth what would undoubtedly be an eloquent and effective
exposition of the birth, life and death of Jesus, in their relation to the
To whom will it be the
Father’s good pleasure to give the kingdom? According to Luke 12: 32, it will
be given to the “little flock”; and the context shows the little flock to be
the disciples, who are the children of God; for says Jesus, “Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.” Can anyone become a child of God without
believing in God? Belief is certainly emphasized in connection with
salvation, and entrance into the Kingdom. Paul states the necessity as follows:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (
The practical application of
the foregoing is next stated by the apostle, “How then shall they call on him
in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they
have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” If then “faith
cometh by hearing,” as Paul alleges, and hearing is dependent upon “the word
of God,” we must see how in proclaiming the gospel the Word is preached. The
keeper of the prison sought help from Paul and Silas when he said “Sirs, what
must I do to be saved?” The answer was clear and to the point: “Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house.” And to help the man to understand what he should believe, “They spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were
in his house.” Was that all? Oh no! For that same hour of the night he, and all
his, were baptized, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” (Acts
16: 27-34). Of
LOOKING at the third section of the
Chart we have an interesting picture, based upon an incident recorded in Acts
8. Philip was instructed by the angel of the Lord to go toward the south, down
from
WHAT DID PHILIP SAY? We are
not told, except in that one word. Anyone acquainted with the gospel and the
redemption, which is in Christ, will readily form some definite idea of what
was said in the explanation given to the eunuch. The outcome is the clue to
something unfolded; for as they went on their way, and came to a certain water,
the Ethiopian said, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to he baptized?”
The purpose of baptism, and the necessity for it, must have been explained when
“Philip preached Jesus.” And yet nothing is said in the account as it is given
to us. But the sacrifice and death of Christ are in the prophecy, and in
preaching Jesus, the gospel was made known. “Seek first the
Is it possible that anything
can hinder baptism? Take the case of a person who hears, or reads, something
about the gospel and learns that baptism is necessary for salvation; accepting
that item of the gospel such a person desires to be baptized, yet does not
believe in the Holy One of Israel but clings to the idea of a Triune God;
believes in Jesus as a Savior, but does not understand that He was “made in all
points like unto his brethren”; and that He was “saved out of death” by His own
sacrifice. And, further, whilst believing in a kingdom beyond the skies, does
not understand the teaching of prophets and apostles concerning the restoration
of the kingdom to
THIS WAS BAPTISM, BY
IMMERSION, into the death of Christ. “Buried with him.” The burial being
completed they both “came up out of the water.” The necessity of baptism is
based upon the fact, first, that God requires it; and the significance of it
gives the reason- beyond the matter of obedience- for it being required. The
case of Paul illustrates this. Saul of Tarsus underwent a remarkable
conversion, and to him this was revealed: “The God of our fathers hath chosen
thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that
Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what
thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22: 13-16). Christ died to
take away sins. We are “born in sin” and commit sin. These must be washed away
before we can be “reconciled to God,” and baptism is the appointed means to
this end. By it, and it alone can we draw near to God. The mode of baptism, as
given in the scriptures, must be complied with; we have no authority to change
from immersion to any other method.
As already noted, from Paul
to the Colossians, the believer in baptism is both “buried and risen” with
Christ. They “have put off the old man,” and “have put on the new,” and are
consequently “new creatures”. This is the result of being “born again”. Jesus
said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
THE energizing influence of
Christ alone can give the seed of the new birth, which is a mental and moral
process; “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth.” (Jas. 1: 18).
And this begettal leads to the new birth, which
(being of God in Christ, and of the word which is spirit) is referred to as a
spirit-birth. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1
Pet. 1: 25). Paul says, “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Ram. 8:
8), therefore it is evident that they who would be saved must be born again.
The character and quality of
this birth “of water” is given by Peter, who, after having referred to the days
of Noah, and the ark “wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water”
draws the simile, and then gives the lesson: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not
the putting away of the filth of the
flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 5: 21).
Some people believe that the
gospel has to do only with the death of Jesus Christ; and others say it was
first heralded over the fields of
He says, “Know ye therefore
that they which are of faith, the
same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would
justify the heathen through faith, preached
before the gospel unto Abraham, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So
then they which be of faith are
blessed with faithful Abraham, that the blessing of Abraham might come on the
Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Now to Abraham and his
seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of
one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith
of Jesus Christ might be given to them
that believe. For ye are all the
children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs
according to the promise.” (Gal. 3).
“A CROWN OF THORNS” is representative of all the
sufferings of the Lamb of God, even Jesus Christ who “also hath once suffered
for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to
death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit.” (1 Pet. 3: 18). This,
however, was not only for His own resurrection, and glorification; but also
for the Salvation of souls, “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and
searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was
in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and
the glory that should follow.” (1 Pet. 1: 9, 11). And whilst it is still true
that we see One “who was made a little while inferior to the angels,” waiting
for the time to come when all things shall be “put in subjection under him;” we
also see “The Way” opened up for its accomplishment. “We see Jesus, by, or on account of, the suffering of
death crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste
death for every man, For it became him, for whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory, to make
the captain of their salvation perfect
through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth
and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed
to call them brethren.” (Heb. 2: 8, 11).
THE WAY OF GOD, in the
development of the 7,000 years Plan, required that the Captain of Salvation
should be made perfect, (obviously He
was not perfect, in every particular, before He was made perfect; and this was not at His birth, but at the end of His
life in the flesh), and this perfection was to come upon Him as the result of
and prize for, continued obedience and well-doing; perfect through sufferings. Now “the servant is not greater than
his lord” (John
“THE DAY OF THE LORD
COMETH;” at which time “his feet shall stand upon the mount of Olives, which is
before
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Doth his successive journeys
run;
His kingdom stretch from
shore to shore,
Till sin shall curse the
earth no more.
IN MOCKERY Herod and his men arrayed the Man of sorrows “in a gorgeous
robe.” After Jesus appeared before Pilate “they took off the robe.” But when “a
king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment,” what a
“purple” He will wear! “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the
effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isa. 32: 1,17). The
“glories of His reign” are beautifully summed up in the 72nd Psalm, from which
the following quotations are taken: “He shall have dominion also from sea to
sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” “Yea, all kings shall fall
down before him: all nations shall serve him.” “His name shall endure for ever:
his name shall he continued as long as the sun: all shall be blessed in him:
all nations shall call him blessed.” “And blessed be his glori-
ous name for ever: And let the whole earth be filled with his glory, Amen, and Amen.”
THE call of the Gospel is a
gracious invitation, by the Most High God, to the sons of men; a call to come
out of the world, and to separate themselves unto His service. “Jesus said, I
thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and
hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy
sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the
Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. COME UNTO ME, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, AND I WILL GIVE YOU
REST. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light.” (Matt. 11: 25-30).
It is the same gracious and
arresting call as that which was heralded by the prophet; “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no
money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and
without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and you
labour for that which satisfieth
not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul
delight itself in fatness. Incline your
ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an
everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” (Isa. 55: 1-3).
No threatening word mars the splendor of this Divine appeal. True, the call was
first to
APPRECIATING the magnificence of “the
gift of God,” to which men and women are invited by the Gospel, the beloved
Apostle calls upon those who have believed, to “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God, therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be but
we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him
as he is. And every man that hath this
hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is
pure.” (1 John 3: 1-3).
THIS HOPE? Yes. A distinct
and definite hope! “Even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.” (Eph. 4: 4). And what is the power of hope?
“For we are saved by hope,” says Paul. Are we now saved in the everlasting
salvation promised to those who are accounted worthy to enter into the
Whilst Paul taught so
definitely and incontrovertibly that the great “shepherd of the sheep, our Lord
Jesus, was brought again from the dead through the blood of the everlasting
covenant,” so Peter affirms that “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Pet. 5: 4). This will be granted to all
who accept the gospel in the appointed way, from the very earliest introduction
of the gospel; who not only accept it but also carry out its precepts to the
end of their lives, so that “whether we wake or sleep, we should live together
with him” (1 Thess. 5:10). This is a great blessing
and privilege, the indisputable outcome of their association with the
sacrificial death of their Savior. “For”, says the Apostle, “all things are
yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s” (I Cor.
BRINGING this section of our treatise to a close we look again at the Chart,
where we see the
A few observations by Dr. John
Thomas, in
1.
The opening of the heaven by the Stone-Power smiting
Nebuchadnezzar’s Image upon the earth;
2.
The establishment of the
throne in the heaven by mowing the earth at harvest time (Rev. 14: 15); in the storm-period
of the lightnings, thunders, and voices proceeding from the throne” (Rev. 4:
5); by which the kingdoms of the
world are taken possession of by the saints;
3.
The grass of the earth being thus mown, its harvest
reaped, and its vintage trodden out, the rain of the heaven descends in the
blessing of Abraham upon the nations; which, being subdued, are blessed in
Abraham and his seed, or in Jesus and the saints;
4.
‘As brightness of morning, THE RULER rises the Sun of an unclouded
dawn, shining forth after rain upon the tender grass of the earth.’ The effect
of this shining is that the Rainbow-Throne covenanted to David is beheld
through the descending rain, which diffuses the knowledge of its glory to the
utmost bounds of the habitable world.
The rainbow, then, is the
token, or symbol of the Covenant. The bow in the natural heavens has been so
designated by the Spirit from the days of Noah, after his salvation by water;
and all who have looked upon the phenomenon with minds enlightened by the
truth, from his day to this, have viewed it as the memorial of Yahweh’s
covenant.” —vol. 2: p. 22.
“Now, over or upon the head
of this angel (Rev. 10: 1), John saw ‘the rainbow.’ This is the symbol of the
covenant, and inseparably connected with the throne. Upon this sat one like a
jasper and sardine stone; and, as the rainbow was round about the throne, it
was also over Him who sat thereon. The occupant of the throne is the Spirit,
and those to whom he says, he that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my
throne; so that the rainbow arches over all such. The Spirit-Host is the pillar
of cloud between the Cherubim, which reflects the light of the divine
countenance, and develops the bow. This token of the Abrahamic
covenant is well and appropriately placed over the Head of the Angelic
Spirit-Host, seeing that in Him all the fullness dwells; and that, in the days
of his flesh, his blood was the blood of that covenant brought into force by
His death; and by which all the individuals of the cloud were sanctified (Heb. 9:15; 10: 10). Arching over this
symbol, it signifies that the angel is a company of kings and priests, related
to the rainbowed throne- the throne covenanted to
David and his seed.” -vol. 2: p. 539.
In anticipation of this Happy
time, when “the Kingdom will be the Lord’s,” the voice of prophecy is heard; “O
praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful
kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
Praise ye the Lord” (Psalm 117).