a magazine to encourage the study of the scriptures,the practice of New Testament church principles and interest in gospel work

‘And . . . we came to NOVEMBER 2016 Rome’, VOLUME 71 / NUMBER 4 Acts 28. 16 BOOKS ORDER FORM

Please complete this form and send with your card details to: CHILDREN’S BOOKS Precious Seed Publications, 34 Metcalfe Avenue, Killamarsh, Stepping Stones ...... @ £12.95 Sheffield, S21 1HW, UK. Building Stones ...... @ £17.95 Please send the following: GENERAL SERIES NEW BOOKS AND SPECIAL OFFERS Church Doctrine and Practice ...... @ £7.95 OT Overview Vol. 1 Beginnings by Richard Catchpole ...... @ £7.50 Footprints Nurture Course (Ken Rudge), Precious Seed Volume 2 Reprint ...... @ £8.50 OT Overview Vol. 2 Laws for Life by Keith Keyser ...... @ £7.50 make your own multiple copies ...... @ £15.00 Studies in First Corinthians by M. Horlock ...... @ £8.50 Footprints Nurture Course on CD ...... @ £10.00 New Testament Overview Series – all five volumes ...... @ £20.00 The Minor Prophets...... @ £7.95 Treasury of Bible Doctrine ...... @ £7.95 DAY BY DAY SERIES What About? 1 & 2 (each) ...... @ £1.50 Bible Characters ...... @ £7.95 Bible Commands ...... @ £7.95 OLD TESTAMENT OVERVIEW SERIES Bible Promises ...... @ £7.95 Vol. 5. Kings and Prophets Part 2 by Colin Lacey ...... @ £7.50 Bible Questions ...... @ £7.95 Vol. 6. Lessons for Life by Warren Henderson ...... @ £7.50 Christ and His Apostles ...... @ £8.95 Vol. 7. Coming back from Exile by Malcolm Davis ...... @ £7.50 Christ Foreshadowed ...... @ £7.95 Divine Titles ...... @ £7.95 NEW TESTAMENT OVERVIEW SERIES Living in the Promised Land ...... @ £8.95 Vol. 1. The Historical Books (Matthew-Acts) by Brynmor Jones .... @ £5.00 Moments with the Master ...... @ £7.95 Vol. 2. The Epistles of Paul by Jack Hay ...... @ £5.00 New Testament ...... @ £7.95 Vol. 3. The Prison Epistles by John Scarsbrook and John Bennett ..... @ £5.00 Old Testament...... @ £7.95 Vol. 4. The Pastoral Epistles and Hebrews by Keith Keyser ...... @ £5.00 Paradise to the Promised Land ...... @ £7.95 Vol. 5. The General Epistles by Tom Wilson ...... @ £5.00 Pictures and Parables ...... @ £7.95 Prayer ...... @ £7.95 EVANGELICAL RESOURCES Psalms ...... @ £7.95 Faith Matters 6 ...... per 100 copies ...... £10.00 Through the Bible ...... @ £8.95 TOTAL ORDER £ BOOKLETS SERIES Behold Your God, Vol. 1 ...... @ £4.50 PLEASE DO NOT SEND CHEQUES Behold Your God, Vol. 2 ...... @ £4.50 Postage will be added at cost as the order will be processed online

Directory of New Testament Churches (John Heading) ...... @ £3.95 You may also order on the website www.preciousseed.org, or Ezekiel (Fred Cundick) ...... @ £3.95 by email [email protected], or by posting this form. Israel’s Wilderness Journeys Viewed Prophetically (J. M. Davies) .@ £4.50 UK customers can place an order by phone on 01142 511700. Notes on Galatians and Philippians (W. Trew) ...... @ £4.50 This will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY. Please Philippians (Keith Keyser) ...... @ £5.50 have your card ready when you call.

Prison Letters – Colossians and Philemon (J. M. Davies) ...... @ £4.95 Overseas orders can be processed through the new online shop with postage Prophetic Profile (G. B. Fyfe) ...... @ £5.50 added at cost. Alternatively, check with our international distributors to see Revelation and Future Events (E. W. Rogers) ...... @ £4.50 if they have copies available. Romans – Chapters 1-8 (Albert Leckie) ...... @ £5.50 CARD DETAILS Spiritual Renewal (Frank Holmes, et al) ...... @ £5.50 Serving and Shepherding (Ken Morris) ...... @ £3.95 Card Type: (Visa or Mastercard. Please circle which one) The Church and the Churches (W. E. Vine) ...... @ £5.50 Card Number The Levitical Offerings (John Boyd) ...... @ £3.95 The Local Church (J. H. Large) ...... @ £4.50 Expiry Date The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit (Samuel Jardine) ...... @ £4.50 Security Code The Tabernacle and the Offerings (Albert Leckie) ...... @ £6.50 The glory and power of God (Jeff Brown) ...... @ £5.00 Cardholder‘s Name MAGAZINE ORDER FORM Name ...... Please tick the appropriate box below and send to the address above. Address ...... I enclose a gift towards the work of the magazine......

Please put me on the mailing list to receive Precious Post Code/Zip ...... Seed International Telephone Number ...... Please amend the number of copies of the magazine I Email address ...... receive from ...... to ......

Please be aware that PSP has no full-time staff. We will attend to and deliver your order as soon as possible, so do please be patient PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – AUGUST 2015 NEW MATERIALS AND CONTINUING OFFERS FROM Studies in First Corinthians This book offers verse-by-verse expository comments on chapters 8 to 15 of Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians. In this section of his letter, the apostle tackled the issues of the eating of food offered to idols, the wearing of head- coverings, the Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection of the body. When doing this, he set out timeless principles which are directly relevant to our own day and age. First published as a series of articles in the Precious Seed International magazine, the present volume has expanded and developed those original expositions with the aim of helping the reader (i) to better understand the meaning of Paul’s words in their original historical and cultural setting, and then (ii) to apply the lessons he or she has learned to his or her own life and experience. Thoroughly researched and cogently argued, the reader will find much to profit! This book is available for £8.50 plus postage at cost.

OLD TESTAMENT OVERVIEW • VOLUME ONE BEGINNINGS In this particular volume, nation, the Exodus from and the scriptures that Richard Catchpole Egypt, as well as the it seeks to cover, will provides us with an life of the patriarchs. provide a wealth of overview of the books Indeed, as has been said, material on the character that detail the creation these passages are the of God, the tabernacle of life, the fall, the very seed plot of the and its furniture, all of re-establishment of scriptures. the parts being a picture man’s relationship with of the person and work God on the basis of A study of this volume, of the Lord Jesus Christ. sacrifice, the flood, God’s call of Abram, Available now in our the establishment of a NEW Online Shop for £7.50 OLD TESTAMENT OVERVIEW • VOLUME TWO LAWS FOR LIFE Volume 2 of this important that we, as book tells us something popular overview redeemed believers, about the character of series is now available. should understand what our God – His holiness, Covering the books of God expects of us. Apart and righteousness, as well Leviticus, Numbers and from assisting with a as His care for His people. Deuteronomy, it offers study of the Epistle to This is a valuable read for the reader an insight into the Hebrews, this new any serious Christian. the divine expectations in relation to a redeemed Available now in our people. Similarly, it is NEW Online Shop for £7.50 NEW MATERIALS AND CONTINUING OFFERS FROM

FAITH MATTERS 7 PRECIOUS SEED VOLUME TWO

A new personalization option is now available on-line

A NEW EDITION OF THIS, HIGH QUALITY, GOSPEL PAMPHLET IS AVAILABLE Place your order now by using the website or the order form in this magazine £10.00 per 100 copies ORDER NOW TO BE SURE OF RECEIVING YOUR COPIES! ––––– Previous volumes have sold out quickly –––––

BUT ONLY WHILE STOCKS LAST!! SPECIAL ALL FIVE VOLUMES FOR £20 OFFER plus postage at cost.

Due to the popularity of the Precious Seed Volume 1 reprint in one volume we have decided to make available a reprint of Volume 2, covering the years 1948-49. Like its predecessor, it has a wealth of material in its 260 pages from authors of a former generation and covering some important topics from scripture. It also gives a fascinating insight into the gospel activity of that era. We hope to have this available at the beginning of September. As this is a smaller size than its predecessor, the price will be £8.50, plus postage at cost. Order now to secure your copy. NOVEMBER 2016 VOLUME 71 Contents NUMBER 4 The Gospel of the Kingdom and Editorial the Everlasting Gospel ...... 2 By IAN JACKSON

Jehu the Son of Hanani ...... 4 By COLIN LACEY ‘For all the Athenians and Jeremiah – Faithful amidst strangers which were there spent Unfaithfulness ...... 6 By KEITH R. KEYSER their time in nothing else, but either to tell, Christ in Zechariah’s or to hear some new thing’, Acts 17. 21. Prophecy – Part Two ...... 8 By JOHN GRIFFITHS From this verse one might suggest that there are many parallels Their Finest Hour – Stephen .... 10 between First Century Athens and Twenty-first Century Britain. By GARETH EDWARDS They wanted the latest news. They wanted that which was ‘new’ Ephesians – Part Seven ...... 12 and were prepared to spend a considerable amount of time in By NORMAN MELLISH pursuit of it. Vincent quotes one of their own as saying, ‘No men are better dupes, sooner deceived by novel notions, or slower to Evangelism in Vancouver ...... 14 follow approved advice. You despise what is familiar, while you By HAROLD SUMMERS are worshippers of every new extravagance’.1 Thus, ‘old’ would be greeted with disdain and dismissed. Perhaps that is why age- Charting Numbers ...... Pull-Out By KEITH KEYSER AND JONATHAN BLACK old errors feel it important to re-badge themselves as ‘new’, for example, New Atheism and New Age Religion. YPS ...... Pull-Out Is there the possibility that we approach the scriptures in the same way? Do we spend time in pursuit of the novel and new and treat Word for Today ...... 15 that which is old with disdain? As fashions in the world change By BRIAN CLATWORTHY all too rapidly, some have sought to ‘re-interpret’ passages of The Name of the scripture that have become unpalatable, to bring a ‘new twist’ Lord Jesus Christ ...... 16 to the well-worn interpretation which was based upon a simple By WALTER GUSTAFSON acceptance of what the word of God teaches. Argentina ...... 18 Whilst we should beware of tradition that has no foundation upon By JIM BURNETT scripture, we should also beware of that which is new and novel. Truth and Training from The Lord has not left His people without guides. Not only do Titus – Part Five ...... 20 we have the word of God but we also have those gifted of God By STEPHEN BAKER as teachers who can rightly interpret that word. We can test all Characters around the against the heritage of biblical exposition that is readily available Crucifixion – Part Five ...... 22 to this generation. There should be no need to be ‘children, tossed By IAN REES to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the The Deity and Personality sleight of men’.2 of the Holy Spirit – Part Two ..... 24 This magazine concludes our series on the gospel in its different By BRIAN CLATWORTHY phases. We offer our thanks to Ken Totton and Ian Jackson for this Redemption ...... 26 study. As we considered the commencement and development By IAN JACKSON of the work of the Lord in Ethiopia in February, we now have a The Exercise of Gift in the similar article charting the work in Argentina. Equally, as we Local Assembly ...... 28 have detailed a number of different ways to spread the gospel, By ALAN MAUNDER we have an article on classes designed to teach English to those Changes in the immigrating into Canada as a medium of evangelism. Again, we Precious Seed Trust ...... 29 try to provide a varied array of material with one foundation, By JOHN BENNETT the word of God, and with one desire, the encouragement of the people of God. Book Reviews ...... Inside Back Cover Flap Endnotes By JOHN SCARSBROOK 1 MarVin Vincent, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, part of Question Time e-sword Bible software, no page ...... Outside Back Cover Flap numbers. JOHN BENNETT By RICHARD COLLINGS 2 Eph. 3. 14. General Editor One of the most glorious themes of scripture is that our Lord Jesus Christ, once rejected and disowned, will reign on earth in power and glory in a kingdom which has no end, in which He will be vindicated and The Gospel of the Kingdom and the Everlasting Gospel enthroned.

there remains a glorious future and shall be called the Son of for the nation of Israel. Christ the Highest: and the Lord God There is a coming King shall exercise universal rule, shall give unto him the throne At the start Adam, crowned with but it must be remembered of his father David: And he shall glory and honour, was given that governmental glories are reign over the house of Jacob dominion over the whole earth, connected with that nation. He for ever; and of his kingdom and he exercised it in association shall reign as the Son of Man, there shall be no end’, Luke 1. with his bride. At the end Christ, with all that the title signifies 32-33. It is self-evident that who is crowned with glory and of universal dominion, but He this kingdom has not yet been honour far greater than Adam shall also reign as Son of David, established and that the coming ever knew, will have dominion and, as such, shall have rule in of the king to reign is still future. over the whole universe, and He relation to Israel. This truth is will exercise it in union with His being denied at the present time The gospel of the kingdom bride, the church. Truly, God’s by many who think that there It will surely be good news, first thoughts are also His last is no future for Israel nationally especially in the dark days of thoughts. and that the covenants given to Daniel’s seventieth week, that that nation are somehow now Messiah is coming to establish Israel’s greatest king was David. inherited by believers in this His kingdom. That message is, He was given a covenant by church age. in essence, the same as that God. ‘I will set up thy seed after which was preached by John thee, which shall proceed out of It is significant that before our the Baptist, the forerunner of thy bowels, and I will establish Saviour ascended to heaven the the coming king and the herald his kingdom’, 2 Sam. 7. 13-14. disciples asked Him whether of the coming kingdom. The This is confirmed in Psalm 132 He would at that time restore message demands individual verse 11, which says, ‘The Lord again the kingdom to Israel, preparation for His coming, hath sworn in truth unto David; Acts 1. 6. This gave the Lord involving repentance and the he will not turn from it; Of a straightforward opportunity bringing forth of appropriate the fruit of thy body will I set to explain that this would no fruit as evidence of it. Only upon thy throne’. The particular longer happen; in fact, His reply those who respond will have a importance of this verse is indicates that the kingdom will place in the millennial kingdom. highlighted by the apostle Peter indeed still be established. This on the day of Pentecost. David, will be after the present interim It is also the same message that he says, was a prophet ‘knowing period, which is characterized the disciples were sent to preach that God had sworn with an by a risen man seated on the by the Lord Jesus. Matthew oath to him, that of the fruit of throne of God and a divine chapter 10 demonstrates this his loins, according to the flesh, person, the Holy Spirit, resident in a remarkable way. It is he would raise up Christ to sit on earth. important to see that in this on his throne; He seeing this chapter there is a ‘prophetic before spake of the resurrection Glorious Old Testament promises gap’ between verses 15 and 16. of Christ’, Acts 2. 30-31. Not will yet be fulfilled. ‘A king shall (This same prophetic gap comes only would there be a king in reign in righteousness’, Isa. 31. between Daniel’s sixty-ninth David’s line but that king must 1. ‘Behold, the days come, saith and seventieth weeks; between necessarily rise from the dead the Lord, that I will raise unto the ‘acceptable day of the Lord’ before His reign begins. David a righteous Branch, and and the ‘day of vengeance of a King shall reign and prosper, our God’ in Isaiah chapter 61 There is a coming kingdom and shall execute judgment and Luke chapter 4; between There is, therefore, no thought and justice in the earth. In his the nineteenth and twentieth that Christ’s death and days Judah shall be saved, and verses of Daniel chapter 7.) The resurrection meant that in some Israel shall dwell safely: and commission given by our Lord way the covenant given to David this is his name whereby he in Matthew chapter 10 was was now fulfilled by our Lord’s shall be called, THE LORD OUR fulfilled by the twelve when present session in heaven. The RIGHTEOUSNESS’, Jer. 23. 5-6. He was on earth, in verses 1 promise of a literal kingdom on The New Testament also extends to 15; but verses 16 to 42 earth still stands, and with it this hope. ‘He shall be great, clearly await a future fulfilment.

2 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 By IAN JACKSON The Gospel of the Kingdom and the Everlasting Gospel Eastbourne, England

Note carefully the difference in The preaching will be hugely the everlasting gospel concerns language of verse 14 on the one blessed by God. In Revelation the rights of God as creator hand and verses 16, 17, 18 and chapter 7 two companies are to receive worship, the claims 22 on the other. The only way brought to our attention in what of God on men. In addition, in which the apparent failure is an interlude recording divine it contains warning of coming in the predictions in verses 16 activity and its fruits, before judgement, and is preached to 42 may be understood is by the more serious judgements before Christ comes, before the the recognition of the prophetic connected to the trumpets and destruction of the beast and, gap. The testimony given as to vials begin. Firstly, there are in all likelihood, before the the nearness of the kingdom has Israelites who are sealed for destruction of Babylon. It is the been suspended in this present the purposes of preservation last testimony before the great age of the preaching of the through those judgements, and and notable day of the Lord and gospel of the grace of God; but then there are Gentiles who the great judgements of that it will be resumed at the time of are arrayed in white. These time. the end. will be carried through the great tribulation in victory, in Accordingly, it will be universally Accordingly, the twelve are, relationship with Himself. That preached at a time when unbelief in this chapter, seen as being Gentile company, the fruit of and great delusion will be representative of those who will, the preaching of the gospel widespread in the earth and at a in the future, preach that same of the kingdom, are described time when God will be denied. message of the coming king. as being ‘a great multitude, Man will have set himself up What applied to the twelve will which no man could number, above all that is called God or apply also to them. The kingdom of all nations, and kindreds, and worshipped and, in the midst of as it was presented at that time, people, and tongues’, Rev. 7. 9. all the wicked depravity of that namely in Christ personally The vision that John had of this day, this testimony to the living among them, was rejected; great multitude anticipates what God is made known. This has, and, as a result, testimony to will be after the tribulation has in fact, gone forth in every age them was withdrawn. In this finished. from the beginning of time and connection Matthew indicates may be traced in the preaching that Jesus charged His disciples It should be clearly noted that this of such servants of God as Enoch that ‘they should tell no man company will not include those (see Jude 14) and Noah, a that he was Jesus the Christ’, who in this present era ‘received preacher of righteousness, Gen. 16. 20. That testimony will be not the love of the truth’ and 6. 13; 2 Pet. 2. 5. Profitable resumed, however, once the ‘believed not the truth, but had reference might also be made to calling out of the church is pleasure in unrighteousness’, 2 the tenor of Psalm 96. complete and it will reach its Thess. 2. 10, 11. No thought of conclusion when the Son of man a ‘second chance’ is entertained The preaching of the everlasting is revealed in order to receive in scripture; those who are gospel suggests that there will be His kingdom. alive at the rapture and who blessing to all who acknowledge have rejected gospel light will it and respond affirmatively to The preachers of the gospel of suffer judicial darkening. How it by refusing to bow to the the kingdom in the tribulation important it is, then, in this beast and by doing homage to period are in for a torrid time as present day to believe the truth. the living God. At all times, the dark influence of the devil blessing on the earth is linked and the two beasts of Revelation The everlasting gospel to the acknowledgement of the chapter 13 rises against them. The everlasting gospel is Creator. It is not clear what Verses 16 to 39 promise them mentioned in Revelation degree of overlap there may opposition, outright rejection chapter 14. Its character is ‘Fear be between the gospel of the and persecution; martyrdom will God, and give glory to him; kingdom and the everlasting be the lot of some of them. For for the hour of his judgment gospel, but together they those not martyred, endurance is come: and worship him that constitute God’s final testimony to the end will mean salvation, made heaven, and earth, and to man before the establishment which will be enjoyed in that the sea, and the foundations of of the manifest kingdom of our coming kingdom. waters’, v. 7. The message of Lord Jesus Christ.

3 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Baasha, King of Israel, came to power by assassinating Nadab, the son of Jeroboam. The historian recorded of him, THE SON OF HANANI ‘And he did evil in the sight JEHU of the Lord, and walked in the Read 1 Kings 16. 1-7; 2 Chronicles 19. 1-4 ways of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel Hanani challenges all Christian disobedient, Deut. 28. 26. It was a to sin’, 1 Kgs. 15. 34. It was parents to be exercised about the harsh message indeed, but it was not surprising, therefore, that spiritual example they set for their the word of the Lord; therefore, a prophet was commissioned children. It was rare in the books Jehu delivered it faithfully. If to speak the word of the Lord of Kings for a son to rise above Baasha had responded positively against him, 16. 1. In days of the spiritual standard set by his to it, he would have found mercy. declension, when God’s word father. The judgement, however, did not was ignored, the voices of the fall directly on him, but prophets were frequently heard. As Baasha had been By during the reign of his guilty of following the COLIN LACEY son. evil ways of Jeroboam, Bath, England Ahijah the Shilonite and Shemaiah the message that Jehu The historian included had already appeared on the delivered to him was an interesting scene to reveal the mind of similar to the one that Ahijah supplementary comment on God in relation to Jeroboam had communicated to Jeroboam, Baasha’s life: ‘And also by the and Rehoboam respectively, 11. 1 Kgs 14. 7-10: ‘Forasmuch as I hand of the prophet Jehu the son 29; 12. 22; 14. 5. It was now exalted thee out of the dust, and of Hanani came the word of the the turn of Jehu to declare the made thee prince over my people Lord against Baasha, and against Lord’s message to Baasha. He Israel; and thou hast walked in his house, even for all the evil was a prophet, who enjoyed a the way of Jeroboam, and hast that he did in the sight of the rich spiritual heritage. His father, made my people Israel to sin, to Lord, in provoking him to anger Hanani, had left him a fine provoke me to anger with their with the work of his hands, in example by speaking out against sins; behold, I will take away being like the house of Jeroboam; Asa, king of Judah, for relying the posterity of Baasha, and the and because he killed him [i.e., on the king of Syria, rather than posterity of his house; and will the house of Jeroboam]’, 1 Kgs. on the Lord. His message was make thy house like the house of 16. 7. The Lord’s censure of him uncompromising: ‘Herein thou Jeroboam the son of Nebat’, 16. for his evil deeds and for being hast done foolishly: therefore from 2-3. The phrase, ‘exalted thee out like the house of Jeroboam is henceforth thou shalt have wars’, of the dust’ suggests that Baasha understandable and acceptable to 2 Chr. 16. 9. Asa was angry with had risen to the throne from very most readers; however, to extend him for so doing and put him in humble origins. Nevertheless, the censure to include the fact prison, v. 10. Jehu, therefore, whatever the man’s origins were, that he destroyed the house of knew full well the cost of faithfully if he dared to provoke the Lord Jeroboam seems harsh. Indeed, declaring the word of the Lord. to anger by displacing Him with the Lord had prophesied that idols, he would not this would happen through the escape unscathed. mouth of Ahijah the prophet, 14. 14; therefore, if he had simply The outlook for Baasha, done what the Lord had predicted therefore, was as bleak as he would do, it would appear it had been for Jeroboam. unjust and unfair to hold him Jehu declared, ‘Him that responsible. dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him First, in seeking to address this that dieth of his in the fields dilemma, it must be acknowledged shall the fowls of the that although the Lord might air eat’, v. 4. For a predict the evil a man will do, it man to remain does not make Him culpable for unburied was that man’s action. Baasha was considered responsible for his own deeds to be one of and, therefore, had to face the the greatest consequences. Indeed, even disgraces though the Lord knew what he and declared in the would do, he put himself forward Mosaic Law to be a for the task. Second, the fact curse on the that he immediately embraced the idolatry of the man whose 4 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 judgement on him (Ahab) coming to pass, 2 Chr. 18. 29. Most of the time he made sound judgements that were in line with the Lord’s THE SON OF HANANI will, but his errors cost him and JEHU the people dearly. household he had destroyed ruled; therefore, any journey from demonstrates that his motives there into the rebellious northern Jehu had a balanced approach were not pure. He did not destroy kingdom of Israel would have when he met Jehoshaphat Jeroboam’s household out of zeal been deemed as a downward following his defeat at the hands for the word of the Lord, but spiritual pathway. of the Syrians. He did not hold because he coveted position and back from rebuking him for his power. It was often the case in Jehoshaphat’s underlying actions: ‘Shouldest thou help the the Old Testament scriptures that assumption that the differences ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord inflicted judgement on between the two households the Lord? therefore is wrath upon the instruments that carried out were not a hindrance to unity thee from before the Lord’, 19. His judgement. His judgements was deeply flawed and led him 2. However, he was also swift to were always just and He judged to compromise the truth of praise him for the good that he others for the unjust way in which God’s word. The unenlightened had done in Judah: ‘Nevertheless they carried them out. They often reader might view it as a laudable there are good things found in took things too far and caused achievement to bring Israel and thee, in that thou hast taken unnecessary suffering to His Judah together, but it brought away the groves out of the land, people by so doing, Zech. 1. 15. great displeasure to the Lord. and hast prepared thine heart to The end achieved did not justify seek the Lord’, v. 3. It is good Just over thirty years later Jehu the means used to bring it about; practice to balance rebuke with was called upon by God to rebuke indeed, the consequences of his commendation when disciplining one of the kings of Judah, namely, foolish actions extended well the Lord’s people. Such an Jehoshaphat. He was thirty-five beyond his lifetime. He stands as approach gained an appropriate years of age when he began to a strong warning to believers of response from Jehoshaphat. reign in the fourth year of Ahab, all generations of the dangers of Unlike Ahaz in the past, he king of Israel. He continued on the unequal yoke. Paul’s words responded positively and showed the throne for twenty-five years are applicable: ‘What part hath he by his succeeding actions that in Jerusalem. He followed the that believeth with an infidel? And he was truly repentant. A purely example of Asa, his godly father, what agreement hath the temple harsh approach by Jehu would, and he removed the sodomites of God with idols? . . . Wherefore no doubt, have been counter- that were still in the land at the come out from among them, and productive. It is worthy of note outset of his reign, 1 Kgs. 22. be ye separate, saith the Lord, that Paul commenced his letters 43, 46. He recognized that they and touch not the unclean thing’, with commendatory comments were an offence to the Lord and 2 Cor. 6. 15-17. True and lasting about the saints to whom he was condemned in His word. He was unity can only be achieved on the writing. It was on the basis of this a very different king from Baasha; basis of a shared obedience to the positive approach that he was able however, the fact that he was word of God. Jehoshaphat never to go on and rebuke doctrinal or fundamentally a godly man did succeeded in lifting Ahab to higher moral error. not mean that he was perfect. His spiritual ground; rather, Ahab reign was one of strange contrasts. pulled him down to his level. It could have been much more Indeed, we learn later on from productive for the Lord had it the historian’s divinely inspired not been for his weakness in record that he went even further entering into an unholy alliance downwards, when he permitted with Ahab, in order to repel the his son to marry Ahab’s daughter, threat posed by Syria, 2 Chr. 2 Kgs. 8. 27. Family ties, no 18. 2-3. His response to Ahab’s doubt, were a key factor in him request to join him in the battle making the wrong decisions at this against the Syrians was a sad stage of his life. He even allowed testimony to his lack of wisdom at Ahab to use him as a decoy in the this particular time: ‘I am as thou battle against the Syrians art, and my people as thy people; to prevent the Lord’s and we will be with thee in the war’, v. 3. He had already made a downward journey to visit Ahab, v. 2. He came from Jerusalem, the place where the Lord had chosen to set His name and from whence the Davidic line of kings 5 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 The Oxford English Dictionary commemorates Jeremiah’s legacy with the word ‘jeremiad’, defining it as ‘a lamentation; JEREMIAH FAITHFUL AMIDST UNFAITHFULNESS a writing or speech in a strain defeat, a determination to abandon ‘A man of tender, loving, yielding, of grief or distress; a doleful his calling defeated by an inability deeply impressible spirit, Jeremiah complaint; a complaining tirade; to evade it (cf. 5. 14; 15. 16, 19-21 loved his country intensely. He a lugubrious effusion’.1 This is with 6. 11; 20. 9, 11; 23. 29). But would have given all he had to in keeping with the common these fierce internal conflicts and see Judah flourishing, Jerusalem appreciation of Jeremiah as ‘the the ignominy in which prosperous; and, lo, we weeping prophet’. Yet his tears his calling involved him By see him compelled by were understandable, and his (15. 17f; 16. 2, 5, 8) KEITH R. KEYSER his destiny to announce multiple bouts of melancholy compelled him to find in Gilbertsville, to his fellow-citizens demonstrate that even the God a refuge. Thus the OT Pennsylvania, USA nothing but misfortune. most faithful, godly saints may ideal of communion with Yet we may recognize be afflicted with depression. God comes to its finest expression in Jeremiah’s character a special Nevertheless, there is a gleam in Jeremiah. And it was in this fitness for his mission. That in the gloom: the Lord sustains fellowship with God that Jeremiah tender, shrinking, sympathetic and encourages His downcast was able finally to withstand the heart could more fully feel, and children amidst horrendous erosive effects of timidity, anguish, more adequately express, the circumstances with the helplessness, hostility, loneliness, ineffable Divine sorrow over the promised blessings of the new despair, misunderstanding and guilty people, the eternal love covenant. As one has written: failure’.4 which was never stronger than ‘He was not only the prophet of at the moment when it seemed sorrow and public calamity, but Clearly, he was distraught by his to have been metamorphosed also the prophet of a new and people’s sin and the tragic discipline into bitter wrath and implacable better covenant of the heart’.2 that Judah was about to endure. vengeance’.5

The roots of his pain 3 Jeremiah was falsely accused and The tracks of his tears Jeremiah’s mental and emotional persecuted by his neighbours, as Jeremiah’s inner life is revealed more struggles were rooted in multiple well as so-called fellow prophets than many other biblical heroes. documented causes: and the highest powers in the Facing the conquest of his homeland land, 11. 18-23; 26. 1-19. As one by the Babylonian empire, coupled 1 In his anguish over the Jews’ sin describes his career: ‘Jeremiah’s with his countrymen’s apostasy, it and the death and destruction ministry was a lifelong martyrdom. is small wonder that he suffered that it will bring, he cries: ‘Oh It was in its nature a burden depression. As Findlay remarks: that my head were waters, and that might well have crushed the ‘Endowed with the finest sensibilities, mine eyes a fountain of tears, strongest spirit. Not only was in so evil a time he was bound to be a that I might weep day and night he compelled to stand almost man of sorrows’.3 Others agree, citing for the slain of the daughter of alone against the whole nation; his deep-seated struggles: my people!’ Jer. 9. 1; and ‘Woe but he was actually the object is me for my hurt! my wound is of bitter persecution; his very ‘It is impossible to plumb the depths grievous: but I said, Truly this is life was constantly in danger’.6 of grief into which Jeremiah was a grief, and I must bear it’, 10. Others point out the severity of plunged. Despairing of comfort (8. 19. His despair over these dark his service: ‘The enmity to which 18, 21), he desired to dissolve in tears conditions even leads him to the he fell a victim, on account of for doomed Judah (9. 1; 13. 17) and Job-like bewailing of the day of his declaration of nothing but abandon her to her self-inflicted fate his birth, 15. 10; 20. 14-18. Like the truth, he deeply felt; see his (9. 2). Convinced of ultimate failure, Asaph in the seventy-third psalm, complaints (9. 1ff; 12. 5f; 15. 10; he cursed the day he was born (15. he was perplexed by the apparent 17. 14-18; 18. 23 . . .). In this 10; 20. 14-18), accused God of having prosperity of the wicked, 12. sad antagonism between his heart wronged him (20. 7a), complained of 1-4, and sought answers from his and the commands of the Lord, the ignominy that had befallen him righteous God. he would perhaps wish that God (20. 7b-10), invoked imprecations had not spoken to him’.7 upon his tormentors (18. 18, 21-23). 2 His patriotism further distresses It is in this sense that the emotional, the solitary prophet. It broke 4 Eventually, Jeremiah was highly-strung Jeremiah was a tragic his heart to watch the spiritual wrongfully imprisoned and would figure. The tragedy of his life springs backsliding and increasing have starved to death apart from from the conflicts which raged within debauchery of his homeland, God’s providential deliverance, and around him - his higher self which resulted in the Lord 37. 11-21; 38. 7-13. wrestling with the lower, courage employing the Babylonians as the conflicting with cowardice, certain instruments of His wrath, 9. 2-5; 5 His ministry went unheeded by triumph struggling with apparent 10. 25. As Hastings writes: the nation and – on one notable 6 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 FAITHFUL AMIDST UNFAITHFULNESS occasion – his written message persecution – verbal and rather die than live; all that God hath was cut up and burned by the otherwise – gives concern and done by me seems to be forgotten, king, 36. 1-26. scHaFF observes possible anxiety to the saints. and my spirit flags and my courage his intrepid commitment to breaks down with the thought of that the Lord’s work in the face of 3 The decline of spiritual which is to come. I need your prayers; daunting opposition: discernment, appetite for God’s I need God’s Holy Spirit; and I felt word, and inconsistent living that I could not preach to-day, unless ‘Jeremiah’s task was a thankless within the Church causes pain to I should preach in such a way as one. He was the divine means, saints whose hearts are attuned to encourage you and to encourage not of encouragement, but of to the Lord’s glory being seen and myself in the good work and labour of discouragement. His voice was experienced in the assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ. What a precious constantly heard calling upon His people. promise to the young Christian, or to the people to submit to their the old Christian attacked by lowness enemies. During all this time 4 Jeremiah was sustained by of spirits and distress of mind! “Fear Jerusalem was in a most distracted fellowship with the Lord; this is the not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of and deplorable condition, and continual refuge of depressed and Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, the prophet was calumniated, suffering saints. We must carefully and thy redeemer the Holy One of imprisoned, and often in danger go to Him for encouragement, Israel”’.10 of death. But no ill-treatment spiritual strength, and wisdom. or threatenings could deter him Prayer and the scriptures are Endnotes from denouncing the judgments the unfailing resources for God’s 1 The OED traces this word as far back of God, which were coming upon people, 1 Pet. 5. 7; Jas. 1. 2-8. as A.D. 1780 in English (1762 in 8 French). the nation and that devoted city’. 2 PHiliP scHaFF, ed., A Dictionary of Jeremiah was not the last saint to the Bible., Philadelphia; New York; But the lack of response to his experience depression. Many can Chicago: American Sunday-School preaching was more indicative of the testify to similar struggles (this author Union, 1880, pg. 429. populace’s hard hearts, rather than has family members and close friends 3 g. g. Findlay, ‘Jeremiah’, in Dictionary of the Bible, ed. James the true value of his efforts. cHeyne that have suffered from clinical Hastings, John A. Selbie, et al., New comments: ‘The visible success of depression; he himself often battles York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1909, a faithful preacher is no test of his discouragement in labouring for pg. 434. acceptableness before God. There are the Lord). One of the most used 4 J. g. s. s. tHomson and J. g. times when the Holy Spirit himself evangelists of the past five hundred mcconville, ‘Jeremiah’, ed. D. R. W. Wood et al., New Bible Dictionary, seems to work in vain, and the world years left this testimony: Leicester, England: IVP, 1996, pg. seems given up to the powers of evil 552. . . . Jeremiah went on preaching, but ‘He who has been long experienced 5 James Hastings, ed., The Greater with small apparent success; when all in the things of the divine life will Men and Women of the Bible: at once a little cloud arose, no bigger sometimes be overtaken with a dark Hezekiah-Malachi, Edinburgh: than a man’s hand, and soon the night and a stormy tempest; so dark T&T Clark, 1915, pg. 233. fair prospects of Judah were cruelly will be the night, that he will not 6 Ibid., pg. 236. blighted’.9 know his right hand from his left, 7 c. von orelli and david Francis and so horrible the tempest, that roberts, ‘Jeremiah’, ed. James Orr et al., The International Standard Bible The fruit of his labours he cannot hear the sweet words Encyclopaedia, Chicago: Howard- In view of Jeremiah’s sufferings, one of his Master, say, "Fear not, I am Severance, 1915, pg. 1589. may draw certain conclusions: with thee". Periodical tornadoes 8 scHaFF, pg. 429. and hurricanes will sweep o’er the 9 t. K. cHeyne, Jeremiah, Vol. 1, The 1 Even the most faithful believers are Christian; he will be subjected to as Pulpit Commentary, ed. H. D. M. naturally disheartened by troubles many trials in his spirit as trials in his Spence-Jones , London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1909, pg. iv. and opposition. A compassionate flesh. This much I know, if it be not so 10 c. H. sPurgeon, ‘Fear not’, in The saint cannot view the decline of with all of you it is so with me. I have New Park Street Pulpit Sermons, Vol. the modern western world – not to to speak to-day to myself; and whilst 3., London: Passmore & Alabaster, mention other parts of the globe – I shall be endeavouring to encourage 1857, pp. 389-390. and be unmoved by the plight of those who are distressed and down- the perishing. Unbelieving family hearted, I shall be preaching, I trust, KEITH KEYSER is a commended full-time members, friends, and neighbours to myself, for I need something which worker and is in fellowship in the assembly meeting at Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania. He are a regular source of grief to shall cheer my heart—why I cannot ministers throughout North America and spent Christians. tell, wherefore I do not know, but I some time in Spain. He has written a commentary have a thorn in the flesh, a messenger on Philippians and Laws for Life, volume 2 of the Precious Seed Publications Old Testament 2 The increasing iniquity in the of Satan to buffet me; my soul is cast Overview series. He has also written material for public square and its attendant down within me, I feel as if I had assembly magazines. 7 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 (III) THE ADVENT OF THE LORD, ‘Behold, I will bring forth’, 3. 8, 9. (i) ‘My servant the Branch’, v. 8. Isaiah writes of Christ and His servant JOHN GRIFFITHS character. His first song begins, By Port Talbot, Wales ‘Behold, my servant’, 42. 1. The ‘the Stone’ is common to Old and that the offices will be held by word used for ‘servant’ is bond slave. New Testaments.1 Jews. Israel is likened to a ‘green Jesus Christ is only a bond slave olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit’ relative to God. He is never called a This ‘one unique stone’ has seven by Jeremiah. Hence, the olive trees bond slave in relation to man. eyes.2 In relation to the coming remind us of the two men who are kingdom and reign of Christ, leaders of the nation in Zechariah’s Isaiah writes of Israel’s recovery and Isaiah refers to Christ’s name as day, namely Joshua and Zerubbabel. restoration, 49. 6, ‘It is a light thing ‘Counsellor’, the One who advises, Prophetically, they relate to the two that thou shouldest be my servant deliberates and counsels. Such will offices of priest and king vested in to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and be His role in the golden years of the the greatest Jew of them all, the to restore the preserved of Israel: millennium. Nobody counsels God, Messiah, the Anointed One. I will also give thee for a light to Rom. 11. 34, though Isaiah speaks of the Gentiles, that thou mayest be the Holy Spirit resting upon Messiah During the great tribulation Israel, my salvation unto the end of the as the future Governor among the nationally, will be anything but a earth’. The task of the servant is to nations. The Spirit is described as the lampstand of testimony for God. restore Israel and to bless the Gentile Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Thus, God raises up the two nations. This is to be achieved by the Spirit of counsel and might, the witnesses, Rev. 11. 4, to be His the sacrificial death of the Servant Spirit of knowledge and of the fear witnesses for three-and-a-half years. at Calvary as depicted in the fourth of the Lord, 11. 2. As supreme world The language of the verse alluded and final servant-song of Isaiah emperor, Christ will have all these to is clearly based on our present 52/53. This again begins, ‘Behold my qualities to assist Him in His onerous chapter. servant’. task. The practical lesson to be learned The branch is more accurately Verse 9 not only speaks of one, is that spiritual power comes from the shoot or sprout. The stock, unique, singular stone but also refers the Holy Spirit alone. God’s house representing the nation, appears to to ‘one day’ when the iniquity of can only be completed as we are be dead, until a little green shoot the land will be removed. Doubtless galvanized by Him. There is no sprouts from it, the Branch! This is a this is Israel’s Day of Atonement. substitute or alternative. messianic title of Christ, 6. 12. Although included with the feasts of Leviticus 23, this is the only feast (V) THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE Four Old Testament references to that God has asked Israel to observe, LORD, 6. 12, 13. the Branch dovetail beautifully with 12. 10 – 13. 1. A scene is acted out in which Joshua the aspects of Christ portrayed in the (Jesus) takes the role of Messiah. A gospel narratives: (IV) THE ANOINTED OF THE composite crown is placed on his LORD, 4. 14. head, made of silver and gold. Silver l ‘I will raise unto David a righteous The golden lampstand speaks speaks of redemption and, hence, Branch, and a King’, Jer. 23. 5, 6 of testimony. Israel will be God’s the priestly office. Gold speaks of – Matthew’s Gospel; lampstand in the millennium and royalty and glory, picturing the office l ‘I will bring forth my servant testimony will be sustained by the of potentate. This crown symbolizes the Branch’, Zech. 3. 8 – Mark’s golden oil of the Holy Spirit. the union of the two offices in one Gospel; person, something God has reserved l ‘Behold the man whose name is ‘What are these?’ enquires Zechariah exclusively for His Son. the Branch’, Zech. 6. 12 – Luke’s of the interpreting angel, 4. 4. He is Gospel; rebuffed by the angel who appears Zechariah now addresses Joshua with l ‘The branch of the Lord shall be to feel that he ought to know! a prophetic message. He is speaking beautiful and glorious’, Isa. 4. 2 – After all, he was a priest. ‘These are to Joshua but not of him. He speaks John’s Gospel. the two anointed ones, that stand of seven attributes of the Lord. by the Lord of the whole earth’, Christ is truly the root and offspring v. 14. Anointing belonged to the (i)‘Behold the man’, the humanity of David, Rev. 22. 16. He is both king, the priest and, in one case, a of the future King of Kings. David’s Lord and David’s Son, Matt. prophet. The picture represents the Hebrews chapter 2 verse 7 speaks 22. 45. two men holding office as anointed of the world’s subjection to Adam. ones, Joshua the high priest, and However, failure came through the (ii) ‘Behold the stone’, v. 9. Zerubbabel the prince and governor. fall, nevertheless the second man, There are three references to Christ They shared the religious and civil the last Adam, is spoken of by way as the Stone in Zechariah: here, a offices. of contrast, ‘But we see Jesus’. A building stone, the headstone, 4. 7, Man is going to take the reins of and the cornerstone, 10. 4. The title The use of the olive tree emphasizes government in the kingdom of God. 8 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 the offices of king and priest. No longer will the request be needed, ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem’, Ps. (2) 122. 6. Jerusalem will be known as (ii) ‘Whose name is the BRANCH', seated as a judge instantly implies the city of peace and the Prince of the posterity of Messiah. authority. The word also implies a peace will reign universally. Shalom! We are told that He shall grow up sense of permanence. Further, He out of His place, or, as cyril HocKing is to rule. The idea is not purely ‘His name shall be called Wonderful’, states, ‘This One shall sprout, spring one of a sovereign figurehead, as Isa. 9. 6. How wonderful He is! He up from beneath [lit.], referring to our queen, but invokes a hands-on will build the temple, bear the glory His resurrection and not simply to His approach to ruling. He will be King of and balance the offices of priest and lovely incarnation, v. 12’.3 The risen kings and Lord of lords, but He will king. Christ will be the basis of a fruitful also administer the kingdom for one nation in a day to come. thousand years, Himself. Endnotes 1 For example: at Christ’s birth – the (iii) ‘He shall build the temple of (vi) ‘And he shall be a priest upon rejected stone, Luke 20. 17; in His life – the stumbling stone, Rom. 9. the Lord’, the Lord’s activity. his throne’, the Lord’s ministry 32; in His death – the foundation He will supervise the building of The priests of Israel stemmed from stone, Isa. 28. 16; in resurrection – the millennial temple, based on the Levi. The high priest who gave his the headstone, Ps. 118. 22; at His description recorded by Ezekiel. name to this order of priesthood second coming – the smiting stone, In order that there may be no was Aaron. Christ was of the tribe of Dan. 2. 35. 2 In chapter 4 verse 10 the Lord has misunderstanding as to which temple Judah, from which the royal line came. seven eyes. In Revelation chapter and which builder is referred to, the He could not therefore be an Aaronic 5 verse 6 the Lamb has seven eyes. above statement is repeated in verse priest. But predating Levi and Aaron This refers to the perfect perception 13. Today, He is building His church, was a Gentile called Melchisedek, and knowledge of our Lord – His Matt. 16. 18. Gen. 14. 18. Melchisedek was a omniscience. 3 ivan steeds (ed.), The Minor local king and a family priest, yet he Prophets, Precious Seed Publications, (iv) ‘He shall bear the glory’, the is the historical figure who depicts 1992. Lord’s dignity. Christ as King-Priest. Our Lord is 4 James strong, The New Strong’s ‘Surely he hath borne our griefs a priest forever after the order of Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, and carried our sorrows’, say the Melchisedek. The Hebrew writer Thomas Nelson, 1997. 5 2 Pet. 1. 16. mourning remnant of the future. In would have us ‘consider how great 6 The same combination was tried at marked contrast, He will bear the this man was’, 7. 4, ‘made like unto Babel. Once again God came down glory in that day. This word ‘glory’, dr the Son of God’. When King Uzziah in judgement and confounded the strong tells us, ‘exudes grandeur’.4 tried to behave as a priest as well as language of all the earth, Gen. 11. 9. In contradistinction to the nation in a king, he was smitten in the head unbelief who declared, ‘he hath no with leprosy.6 form nor comeliness’, Isa. 53. 2, this word portrays one with an imposing Christ is the only one permitted of form and appearance. It may be God to be ‘a priest upon his throne’. translated beauty, or comeliness, When He enters the temple He will words that accurately characterize enter by the east gate. This is reserved Christ in His Messianic splendour. for Messiah and the prince. The people enter from north or south and Though they crucified the Lord of exit south or north, but the east gate glory, one day the King of glory is exclusively for the use of Messiah will appear outside Jerusalem. The and His princely representative, as question will be raised, ‘Who is this Ezekiel reminds us. King of glory?’ Ps. 24. 8, 10. The answer resounds, ‘The Lord strong (vii) ‘And the counsel of peace shall and mighty, the Lord mighty in be between them both’, the Lord’s battle. The Lord of hosts, he is the ability King of glory. Selah’. Three disciples In chapter 1 the Lord was aggrieved were privileged to preview the glory that His people were oppressed while of Christ as He will be in His majestic the angel-horsemen reported kingdom. Peter writes of that cameo the Gentile nations were on the Mount of Transfiguration, ‘We ‘at ease’. Again, ‘all the were eyewitnesses of his majesty’.5 earth sitteth still, and is at rest’. (v) ‘And shall sit and rule upon His throne’, the Lord’s authority and At last, the Prince of majesty. peace will bring peace to Matthew describes this throne as ‘the Israel and the nations by throne of his glory’. The act of being carefully balancing in Himself 9 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Stephen, the first martyr of the church age, flashes on and off THEIR FINEST HOUR the page of Holy Scripture in just three action-packed chapters in the Acts of the Apostles, yet leaves a legacy that changed STEPHEN the course of Christian witness forever. I believe that his finest was under threat. Acknowledging who knew how to apply biblical hour came at the end of what that this task had become too much knowledge in real life situations. With appears to have been a short, for them to administer themselves, these criteria in mind, Stephen and six but fruitful life. However, first the apostles proposed to appoint others were chosen. The outcome of let us consider the character of seven others to oversee this aspect their appointment was that the ‘word the man and the circumstances of the work. As d. l. moody once of God increased; and the number of in which he lived for God. said, ‘It is better to put 10 men to the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem work than to try to do the work of 10 greatly; and a great company of the men’. ’Look ye out among priests were obedient His Circumstances you seven men’, was the By to the faith’, v. 7. Isn’t it At the end of Acts chapter 5, the instruction given by the GARETH true that the local church early believers, still confined to apostles. It’s interesting EDWARDS operates most effectively Jerusalem, were beginning to rile the to note that Stephen and Perth, Scotland when everyone is doing local authorities with their zealous the other six men weren’t that for which God has preaching of the gospel. Having parachuted in from a Bible college, fitted them? been beaten at the hands of the or wheeled off the production line Jewish Council and warned to stop of a spiritual training camp. They We are informed about several preaching, the apostles carried on, were men who were already active, aspects of Stephen’s character. Verses ‘rejoicing that they were counted and proving their worth among the 3 and 5 tell us he was ’full of the worthy to suffer shame for His company. They were men who were Holy Spirit’ and so he was yielded to name’, v. 41. Persecution was the known and trusted by the people and the will of God. Verse 3 also tells us catalyst that drove the early believers who had an obvious care and interest that he was ‘full of wisdom’ and was to deeper devotion to Christ, and in the people. Aren’t these the kind therefore yielded to the word of God. greater dependence on God. It was of men needed today? Furthermore, in verse 8 we learn that at this time that the rate of Church he was ‘full of power’ and so he was growth accelerated from addition1 to His Character also yielded to the work of God. This multiplication.2 Amidst persecution The apostles declared the spiritual is the kind of man that God can use! the gospel was prospering! qualifications required of these men. Firstly, they were to be reputable: Such a man did not go unnoticed Sadly, an undercurrent of discontent ‘men of honest report’. Secondly, by the religious leaders. In verse 9 began bubbling beneath the surface they had to be spiritual: men ‘full of we read that ‘there arose certain of in relation to the distribution of the Holy Spirit’. Thirdly, they needed the synagogue . . . disputing with provisions to widows, 6. 1. The great to be practical: men who were ‘full Stephen’. The Greek word used unity which marked the early believers3 of wisdom’ and, therefore, those for ‘disputing’ is most commonly translated ‘questioning’4 and suggests that things began in a reasonable, orderly manner. However, this soon spiralled out of control.

His Countenance The arrest and false accusation of innocent Stephen is reminiscent of how the Lord Jesus Christ was treated before him, and how the Apostle Paul would be treated after him.

Stephen’s faith in Christ during his trial was outwardly manifested for his accusers to see: ‘All that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel’, v. 15. There was something heavenly about this man. When they looked upon Stephen they saw a life which reflected something of the beautiful character of his Saviour. 10 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Only through hours spent in the Greek words for crown in the New 8 verse 1. As was noted previously, presence of God, contemplating and Testament: diadema which was a the outcome of persecution was reflecting on the person of Christ, can royal crown, and stephanos which further evangelization, as verse 4 tells we begin to reflect something of His was the victor’s crown. While a royal us ‘they that were scattered abroad character in our lives. The outcome crown can be inherited, a victor’s went every where preaching the was that they looked steadfastly on crown must be earned. In Revelation word’. him and could not take their eyes chapter 2, writing to the suffering off of him. Perhaps when these men church at Smyrna, the Lord Jesus says The martyrdom of Stephen was looked upon Stephen they realized in verse 10, ‘be thou faithful unto the seemingly unlikely event that that he had something they lacked. death, and I will give thee a crown would unleash the gospel from the Their religion was only skin deep but of life’. Stephen was willing to both confines of Jerusalem. Worldwide this was a man who truly knew God! live and die for Christ. The question evangelism began with one seemingly we must ask ourselves is whether we insignificant little life surrendered and His Courage are willing to die daily to self, sin, and given to the Lord. Surely, it causes us As Stephen comes to the climax of the world, and to present ourselves to consider what God could do with his defence before the council, he as ‘living sacrifices’, Rom. 12. 1, unto our lives if they are fully yielded to courageously decries his accusers as God. Him. God can use a small match to being immovable in their traditions, light a great torch. I suggest, then, and unwilling to bow to the truth. His Christ-likeness that Stephen’s finest hour was his These men prided themselves in The Christ-like character of Stephen final hour, when he became the spark their high standards of morality and undoubtedly shone most brightly which set the gospel spreading like law keeping, yet their consciences in the darkest hour of his life. His wildfire, eventually to reach ‘unto the were pricked at Stephen’s pointed final words are a vivid reminder of uttermost part of the earth’, Acts 1. 8. preaching. ’They gnashed on him the words of Christ upon the cross. with their teeth’, conjures up the Consider those glorious words in verse Endnotes image of a pack of incensed wild 59 which highlight his faithfulness, 1 Acts 2. 41, 47. animals viciously setting upon him. In ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’ – 2 Acts 6. 1, 7. 3 Acts 1. 14; 2. 1, 44, 46; 4. 24; 5. 12. verse 57 we read that they ‘ran upon reminiscent of the Saviour’s words, 4 Of its eleven uses in the New him with one accord’. Sadly, one of ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my Testament, it is translated ‘question’ the few things which brings people spirit’.5 Stephen, like his Lord, could or ‘questioning’ four times. together is their hatred of Christ and depart, having faithfully finished the 5 Luke 23. 46. those who belong to Him. work he’d been given to do on earth. 6 Luke 23. 34. Consider too those gracious words of GARETH EDWARDS is in fellowship in the Amidst the violence, Stephen had a forgiveness in verse 60, ‘lay not this assembly in Perth. He was recently commended glorious vision. Verse 55 observes sin to their charge' – reminding us of to the work of the Lord in a full-time capacity. This is his first article for Precious Seed International. that he ‘looked up steadfastly into the words of Christ, ‘Father forgive heaven, and saw the glory of God, them’.6 The language describing the and Jesus standing on the right hand final moments of Stephen’s life is of God’. Stephen lifted his eyes from appropriately beautiful, as, amidst the trials and troubles of earth. He the storm of violence erupting around was focussed on heaven, fixated on him, scripture simply states that ‘he the glory of God, and the exalted fell asleep’. What a joy it would be Christ. His gaze was steadfast and for this faithful servant to awake to so, as the rocks began to rain down see his Lord face to face. upon him, he remained unmoved. What was it that captivated him as His Conclusion he looked into heaven? It was ‘Jesus Verse 2 tells us that there was great standing’. Hebrews chapter 1 verse 3 sorrow at the home call of this spiritual and Hebrews chapter 10 verse 12 tell giant. Does it not cause us to consider us that, having dealt with our sins on whether we will be missed, and what the cross, ‘He sat down on the right we will leave behind when we are hand of the Majesty on high . . . on gone? Stephen left a great spiritual the right hand of God’. So our Lord legacy. However, no individual is Jesus Christ sits down to rest in His indispensable or irreplaceable! finished work, but here stands up to We are told that ‘devout men receive His faithful witness, Stephen. carried him to his burial’. Perhaps these would be the In verse 58 we learn that they ‘cast men who would take up the him out of the city, and stoned him’. work which Stephen had left Yet while Stephen was cast out by behind. As cHarles Wesley once men, he was crowned by God. The said, ‘God buries His workmen name Stephen means ‘crowned’ but carries on His work’. Amidst and comes from the Greek word, the lamentation, a fresh wave of stephanos. There are two different persecution arose according to chapter 11 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 The epistle now turns to what Part 7 is practical. If we have seen doctrinal truth in chapters 1-3, where our wealth is set before us, now we have the desire of God that we live out the truth He has given us. We will see the walk that must Chapter 4 verses 1-16 mark every believer. Having concluded the former section NORMAN MELLISH by introducing the truth that By Stoke-on-Trent, England we have been brought into one the unity into which we have been conversion, we put faith in Christ. body, he is now going to teach brought. Some would link this with the the necessity of believers being doctrine which has been left to us, characterized by unity. We are then brought to consider the but as ‘all’ has to do with individual activity of the Spirit who has formed association with Christ it seems saving In the first sixteen verses of the this unity, v. 4. Believers cannot faith is in view. All is demonstrated chapter we have: make the unity. It has already been by obedience to the Lord in baptism. l the desire for unity, vv. 1-3; done. Our responsibility is to keep The verse reveals the control of the l a description of unity, vv. 4-6; it; let nothing mar or spoil that into Lord, our conversion by faith and the l the dispenser of unity, vv. 7-11; which we have been brought. Sadly, confession of that faith in baptism. l the development of unity, vv. this unity is not always seen today, 12-16. when men do that which is right in All is brought under the supreme their own eyes and the result is that authority of God who is said to be The final verses set forth the display of division marks so much of Christianity. the Father of all. We judge that when unity by all the saints. Paul writes of one God and Father The description of unity is seen in of all, v. 6, he is speaking within the The desire for unity is foremost in the verses 4-6, where we see that it is confines of this sevenfold unity, and apostle’s heart as he makes his appeal formed by the Spirit, v. 4, by faith in this, unlike chapter 3 verses 14-15, is to them as being a prisoner of the Christ, v. 5, and founded by God, v. limited to those in the one body who Lord. Lordship is the theme of these 6. This section of the chapter brings have one Lord. chapters and it is such that all should before us truth for the body, while in be subject to it. verses 7-16 it is the body of truth that God is also our Father. Three things are is taught. stated, as three different prepositions Here we find the appeal of the are used: servant as he desires that we should A sevenfold unity is expressed in these 1) epi – He is above all; His pre- walk worthy of the calling wherewith verses and we find that each person eminence; we are called. He is reflecting on all of the Godhead is involved in creating 2) dia – and through all; His we have been brought into in chapters and maintaining what is now seen. purpose; 1-3. If we are elect, if we have an 3) en – and in you all; His presence. inheritance with Christ in His future This verse unfolds three aspects of the glory and the earnest of the Spirit as a unity made: From verses 7-10 we see the dispenser guarantee of it, then we should walk a) the unity of the body; of unity as the Lord Jesus imparts gift worthy. The same could be said of the b) the unifying Spirit; and to maintain the unity into which we blessings received in chapters 2-3; all c) the ultimate goal. have been brought. Gift is always seen these should elevate the believer’s life as a grace, that is, it is unearned and to be a true representative of heaven. As the body came into being through unmerited, but divine choice imparts the Spirit of God, so the destiny of it it as the Lord deems fit. We now As far as the attitude of the saints is is brought before us. It is linked with have the gifts of Christ before us; in concerned, this must be in a twofold the calling of verse 1 and presents a Romans chapter 12 we see the gifts way: first, in our actions before the living hope. of God, and in 1 Corinthians chapter saints in lowliness and meekness; 12 we find the gifts of the Spirit. A second, in responsibilities toward In verse 5 ‘all’ is centred in Christ for careful reading of these passages will the saints with longsuffering and we all have one Lord. This Lordship unveil the differences and the reason forbearance. Such a walk will maintain was owned when, on the day of for them.

12 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 The gifts of Christ are given by a man Himself; and that are spiritually sick, who go from who has passed through death, burial, l for maturity in Christian growth. place to place and take in all forms and resurrection and who has now This is the divine ideal as the risen of wrong doctrine, simply because passed into the presence of the Father Head desires development, that they do not listen to those who bring and occupies the place of absolute features of Himself may be seen in the truth of God to them. The reason supremacy. These gifts are given to all His saints. why they are so gullible is because of men and men are the gifts. the character that marks these false Not only are the gifts given for our teachers and the way they operate, From verses 11-16 we see the spiritual prosperity, but also, v. which is by sleight of hand. Notice the development of unity by the gifts 14, for our preservation from the words that are used of them, ‘sleight’, that have been given. These gifts are satanic assault from without, which ‘cunning craftiness’, and to ‘lie in wait fourfold and divided by the word is intended to prevent the features of to deceive’. We would hardly think ‘some’, leaving us with the foundation Christ being seen in us, v. 13. In His that any would take up the things gifts of ‘apostles’ and ‘prophets’, goodness, the Lord has provided for of God to such ends, but this is the 2. 20, followed by the evangelist us, to prevent immaturity, instability, divine description regarding them. and, finally, the pastor teacher. The and gullibility. evangelist is the man with the hook to How beautiful to see those who are bring them in and the pastor teacher Immaturity growing up into Him. If the object of is the man with the book to keep The thought is of remaining a child, the ministry that is given is to bring them in. The last of the gifts must a babe, v. 14. It is always sad to us to ‘the stature of the fullness of have the ability both to care as the see an infant that does not develop. Christ’, as seen in verse 13, in verse pastor and to teach the truth of God. Attention is drawn to the condition 15 we are taught that truth in the life Every teacher must have a genuine of the Corinthian believers in chapter will have the effect of causing us to care for those whom he seeks to lead 3 verses 1-3, where the same word grow, and that unto Christ, bringing on in the faith. is used (nepios). They are said to us into deeper association with the be ‘babes in Christ’. The reason for Lord Jesus. Thus, the Lord Jesus is the These gifts are given for the the lack of growth was the carnality object and end of our growth. Surely development of the saints and when that marked them as they followed that should make us more Christ like? stating ‘for the perfecting of the the teaching of certain men to the saints’, v. 12, it has the thought of exclusion of other ministry that God The whole thought behind the giving ‘to equip for service’ and with a view had given. of gift is not to make much of man to the ministry being carried on by at any time, but rather that Christ those who follow as they also make Instability Lack of teaching leaves might be honoured in all things. With a declaration of that which is passed the saints open to the tempest of the figure of a body seen throughout on to them. The same thought is false doctrine. In James chapter 3 these verses, the honour of the head expressed in 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 4 an illustration is given of fierce must be paramount, for the body is verse 2, ‘the things that thou hast winds driving along a ship which completely controlled by the head. If heard of me among many witnesses, is guided aright by the shipmaster there is deformity in the body, then the same commit thou to faithful through the storm. The Lord, through the head loses the ability to motivate men, who shall be able to teach the tongue of the teacher, which that member of the body and so loses others also’. is the subject of James chapter 3, control. To grow up into the Head can, and will, preserve us through means that Christ has complete sway Once again, verse 13 would bring profitable ministry. In Jude verse 12, over us. before us three desires of the Lord false teachers are seen as clouds that as gift is employed among the saints bring no blessing, ‘carried about of In verse 16, all believers, according to produce those features the Lord winds’. In Jude’s Epistle we have the to the measure that has been given, would long to see in us. We see that false teachers; here we have their contribute to the good of the whole, the desire of the Lord is: dupes. as each part fulfils its responsibility in l that unity should be seen as far the body. This makes for an increase as the faith is concerned. Such Gullibility of the body, as each member is used is the diversity of thought today, These sad people are said to be for the furtherance of the body, as we all it has done is cause strife ‘carried about’, that is, transported strengthen each other in love. This and denominationalism; this was hither and thither, and are like those verse displays how every believer is never the desire of the Lord; of Mark chapter 6 verse 55 when they not only an integral part of the body, l for intimacy, that is, a deeper ‘began to carry about in beds those but also vital to it, to cause it to be appreciation of the Lord Jesus that were sick’. Today, we find many what the Lord desires.

13 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 ESL Evangelism in Vancouver A Philadelphian Open Door? By HAROLD SUMMERS Vancouver, Canada

It is the responsibility of believers (ESL) and introducing the students many were eager for more Bible to preach the gospel to all the to the gospel. This would help us instruction. Learning from regular world, Mark 16. 15. Helping fulfil the great commission of taking sermons at the chapel was beyond newcomers to our country to learn the gospel unto the uttermost part the comprehension of most of these English and using this as an avenue of the earth, Acts 1. 8, as well as our students so we introduced them to present to them the glorious responsibility to the stranger among to ESL Bible Studies. These are gospel of the blessed God, 1 Tim. us, Deut. 10. 18-19. conducted on Tuesday afternoons, 1. 11, is one way to meet this Wednesday evenings and, at the responsibility. In the context of much prayer, we same time, we have Sunday School began. Our programme is both simple classes for children. The topics Sixteenth Avenue Gospel Chapel in and flexible. Classes run from 10 a.m. covered are the gospel, basic Vancouver first opened its doors in till noon on Wednesdays and Fridays. Christian living, and basic Bible 1947. It was located on the edge of Students are grouped according knowledge. a large development of new homes to their capability in the language, occupied mainly by families with and instruction, with emphasis The response has been as expected. young children. A large Sunday on conversation, continues for an Some have mocked and gone away, School was started and was blessed hour. After a coffee break, classes others have returned to hear more, by the Lord with the conversion of resume with more instruction, and a and still others, by the grace of many children. consideration of a Bible passage. God, have believed, as was the case in Athens, Acts 17. 32-34. Over the years the demographics The interest from the community changed. The children grew older and was very strong. The numbers It is common for new immigrants to the housing stock began to sell, often attending have grown steadily, move about, and so we find many of to recent immigrants to Canada. By largely without advertising, and over our contacts relocating to other parts the 1980s, a very large number of the years continued to rise towards of Canada and the world. This gives our neighbours were immigrants, one hundred. Most of our students us a greater turnover than we would mainly from south-east Asia. The are parents (usually mothers) like, but the Lord is able to take and assembly felt that this presented an of school age or university age to use the word sown. opportunity for gospel outreach. children. We have been humbled and encouraged to be used to reach The interest was great in 1992 By 1992, two missionary sisters so many with the gospel. when we began this outreach, but returned to our assembly from their it appears to be greater today. former fields of service – Barbara There are several reasons for their Immigration is increasing, and the Cummings, from service as a school interest. First is a genuine desire to Syrian refugee crisis is but one teacher and administrator at Faith learn the language of their chosen illustration. We recently prepared Academy in the Philippines, and country. This is often encouraged a flyer for distribution to our Margaret Roberts, a mandarin by the requirements of immigration neighbourhood, looking mainly to speaker from youth work in boards. The second is a desire for increase attendance at our Sunday Taiwan. The assembly felt that their friends with whom they have things School but also listing our ESL complementary gifts and experience in common. These classes enable programs. This was posted on social could be combined with the help them to meet others with similar media by one of our sisters (who of other believers for an outreach, interests and problems, as well as to was recently saved as a result of this teaching English as a second language meet Christian teachers and helpers ESL outreach) to encourage some of who seek to befriend them. A third her friends to attend. The result was Sixteenth Avenue Gospel Chapel is that they have time! Those new overwhelming. There were so many in Vancouver to a country are not yet booked wanting to attend the Wednesday up by the ‘cares of this world’, and Friday morning classes that our which so often keep people from building could not contain them. the gospel. In addition, they Rather than ‘send them away’ usually have a great respect for we have started similar classes on the country they have chosen and Tuesday mornings. the culture that comes along with it. Many realize that the Bible is a There appears to be ‘an open door’ major foundation of our culture. and the Lord has promised that ‘the harvest is plenteous’. Please pray for It soon became apparent that the Lord’s blessing. 14 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Numbers By KEITH KEYSER Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, USA 1. Introduction God’s central work in the world, which as a motif in Christian hymnody The Hebrew name of the book is is the creation of a people for Himself demonstrates this phenomenon. For bemidhbar, meaning ‘In the who will be a light to the nations. The example, Darby’s beautiful lyrics speak wilderness’. This phrase occurs continuity between Exodus, Leviticus, of the believer’s longing for a better repeatedly in the book, e.g., 1. 1, and and Numbers is explained by J. B. D. home and show that his ‘life is hidden accurately describes its setting.1 In the Page this way: ‘Exodus describes the with Christ in God’, Col. 3. 1-4: ancient Greek translation known as way out of Egypt, and the foundational the Septuagint the book was known truth of redemption. Leviticus tells This world is a wilderness wide! as ‘Arithmoi’;2 this, in turn, became of the way in to God, detailing the We have nothing to seek or to choose; ‘Numeri’ in the later translation principles of worship. Numbers relates We’ve no thought in the waste known as the Latin Vulgate. Both of the way through the wilderness, with to abide; these terms refer to the prominent lessons for our conduct in this world. We have naught to regret, nor to lose. censuses of Numbers chapters 1 and In Leviticus, the priests are prominent. 26.3 One writer notes that both of In Numbers, the Levites, and later the The Lord is Himself gone before; the names ‘reflect the importance of people, are foremost’.8 He has marked out the path that the census of the Israelite tribes in the we tread; book that is the basis for the allocation Numbers continues the teaching at It’s as sure as the love we adore, of territory; the phrase “according to Sinai begun in Exodus chapter 16 We have nothing to fear, nor to dread. the number of names” is found fifteen and resumed in Leviticus.9 It follows times in reference to the distribution Israel as they wander in the wilderness Although the wilderness is not an of land’.4 for nearly forty years,10 learning the end point in itself, it is an important folly of disobedience and the blessing pathway that leads towards the To contemporary readers, these lists of obeying the Lord’s word. Along destination of enjoying God in His of impossible sounding names might the way, the Almighty’s faithfulness, inheritance. It may be temporary, be devoid of interest, but they actually mercy, grace, wisdom, and sovereignty but it is also indispensable for serve an important purpose: they is seen. The book also contrasts the sanctification. Christian character is clearly identify God’s people. As JoHn blessings that Israel enjoys through moulded and formed under the Lord’s 12 nelson darby remarks: ‘The first thing Jehovah’s covenant fidelity, e.g., hand in the desert of this world. to be noticed is, that God numbers Num. 1-10, and their practical failure As C. H. macKintosH declares: ‘It is His people exactly, and arranges them, and recurrent rebellion against His emphatically a wilderness book, and once thus recognized, around His authority, Num. 11-21. characterized by journeyings, service, tabernacle: sweet thought, to be thus and all the vicissitudes of wilderness recognized and placed around God The practical and theological function life. As such, it is deeply interesting, Himself’!5 of the wilderness most instructive, and easily applied to While the desert11 was an austere the Christian in this present evil world The censuses also demonstrate the setting, in God’s hand it became the (compare Numbers 1 and 36. 13 with Lord’s faithfulness to His covenant. training ground for Israel’s future Deuteronomy 1. 3)’.13 The first one is a list of those whom blessing and inheritance. The Psalms He delivered from Egypt, but who often look back to this formative 3. The Plan of the Book eventually fell under His judgement period in Israel’s history as a warning Broadly, the book may be divided on account of their unbelief, Num. against the cost of disobedience and generationally. Chapters 1-25 concern 14. 29; Heb. 3. 16-19. God promised thanksgiving for divine provision, Ps. the first generation that rebelled and to curse the unbelieving, Deut. 27. 106. 14-33. Both Stephen and Paul failed to enter the Promised Land. 26, and thus He performed His word. referred to the wilderness experience Chapters 26-36 are occupied with Yet the second census assures the in their sermons, Acts 7. 37-44; 13. matters concerning the second reader that there is a generation that 18. Likewise, Hebrews chapters 3 and generation that would eventually will inherit the blessing by His grace 4 use the sin of the first wilderness enter the Land under the leadership received through faith.6 generation as a solemn warning of Joshua. Since the book of Numbers against apostasy to mere professors. prepares Israel for their journey 2. The Purpose of the Book The background to 1 Corinthians through the wilderness to the edge numbers is book four of a five- chapter 10 verses 1-13 – another of Canaan, accordingly the first ten book series: the books of Moses. serious warning passage – also looks chapters are preparatory for the Although unbelieving academia has back to Israel’s spectacular sins in the journey. These instructions reflect the fiercely attacked Mosaic authorship wilderness era. Clearly, it left a mark orderly nature of God’s dealings with since the early nineteenth century, on the consciousness of God’s people. His people, 1 Cor. 14. 40. the Son of God affirmed it.7 As the Its truth is of trans-dispensational last verse indicates, the Lord Jesus importance, that is, it was valuable for The Lord begins by commanding Moses directly referred back to Numbers, Old Testament Israel and for the New to conduct a census, chapters 1-4, citing the story of the serpent on the Testament church, 2 Tim. 3. 16-17; including the preparation of the Levites pole. The apostles also believed that Rom. 15. 4. for service. The censuses of this book Moses wrote the Pentateuch, Acts 3. are especially concerned with marking 22; 26. 22. Believers have derived much spiritual out the nation’s eligible warriors. Like benefit from ‘wilderness experiences’ many modern democracies, the army These books explain the history of through the centuries; its frequency was composed of ‘citizen-soldiers’, i PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Charting Numbers:Layout 1 19/07/2016 12:00 Page 1

THE CHARTINGSCRIPTURES NUMBERSby Jonathan Black Key words - numbered / service / charge / inheritance / Writer - Moses

Counting - Ch. 1 Charging Levites - Ch. 3 Camping - Ch. 2 Carrying - Ch. 10 Counting - Ch. 26

REUBEN - 43,730 REUBEN - 46,500 PRIESTLY ORDER MARCHING ORDER N SIMEON - 22,200 SIMEON - 59,300 Levites - Not numbered among soldiers 1st - Judah, Issachar, Zebulun Dan / Asher / Naphtali s GAD - 40,500 GAD - 45,650 to serve manward but n o 2nd - Gershonites / Merarites

s Merarites JUDAH - 76,500 JUDAH - 74,600 S appointed over tabernacle: e

t 3rd - Reuben, Simeon, Gad i & ISSACHAR - 64,300

Ephraim n ISSACHAR - 54,400 to serve Godward. n Judah

o 4th - Kohathites o

r ZEBULUN - 60,500

ZEBULUN - 57,400 W M anasseh h E a Issachar s 5th - Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin r MANASSEH - 52,700 A

EPHRAIM - 40,500 e Benjamin s Zebulun

e 6th - Dan, Asher, Naphtali

G EPHRAIM - 32,500 MANASSEH - 32,200 s Gershonites - Tabernacle / Tent o Kohathites BENJAMIN - 45,600 BENJAMIN - 35,400 Kohathites M - Furniture / Ark Reuben / Simeon / Gad DAN 64,400 DAN 62,700 Merarites - Boards / Bars /Pillars ASHER - 41,500 S ASHER - 53,400 NAPHTALI - 53,400 NAPHTALI - 45,400 38 YEARS Total soldiers able to A great future ends in great failure but failure looks forward to a great future Total soldiers able to fight over 20 yrs fight over 20 yrs 603,550 601,730

Wilderness of Wilderness of Wilderness of Plains of Sinai Paran Zin Moab

AARON MIRIAM Christ in Numbers The book of Leviticus of book The The red heifer, Ch. 19

The Nazarite, Ch. 6 Aaron’s budding rod, Ch. 17 Offered without spot, The smitten rock, Ch. 20 Deuteronomy of book The ‘Separate from sinners’ The brazen serpent, Ch. 21 Cities of refuge, Ch. 35 Inheritance ahead, Ch. 34 / 36 ‘It bringeth forth much fruit’, Christ in His death Speak unto the rock, Son of Man lifted up, The hope set before us, An inheritance incorruptible, Christ in separation Christ in resurrection Heb. 7 Ashes for purification - Heb. 9 Christ our great high priest Christ crucified An anchor of the soul The fulness of Christ: . Wandering in the wilderness

These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

WARNING! ...but Caleb and Joshua WARNING! hese things ‘Now t ‘N examples, they have wholly followed the LORD. either m were our a urmur y n s e i e som , a t w e a nten of r he i th

t e n n to m a

i i a st after murmure lso S P lu d Z d not , a b f f houl nd f s de were a o o o , as they stroy o s s l things ed of s s s evi th s Jesus Christ spoke of Numbers in the Gospels. e M e e e f d’, des n n n so luste troye k

r r l r c

a r’, o a s

e e e l n

d d Matthew 9. 36, ‘as sheep having no shepherd’ - Numbers 27. 17 d B i l l l i i i

a n l . 6 1 Co a . 10 John 3. 14, ‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, r. h Counting the soldiers the Counting standard the with Camping r 1 W W o 0 W P

1 C . 10 t a e e N e e u n h h 33, 34 m. h h 1. 4, even so must the Son of man be lifted up’ - Numbers 21 14. o T 2 1 T T T 33 Charting the course - God’s leading God’s - course the Charting 33 brethren appointing & borders Setting 34 refuge of Cities 35 inheritance the Securing 36 3service Levites the Charging 4 Levites the by Carried Consecration in service in Sinai at Consecration 10Paran to Sinai - travel & Trumpets disobedience of Consequences dies Aaron/Miriam - rock Thesmitten 20 Jericho near Numbered 26 Joshua) and Caleb (Only charged Joshua 27 remembered Offerings 28 remembered Feasts 29 oaths and vows Family 30 Midian with Battle 31 Jordan of east 1/22 settle tribes 32 5camp the in Cleansing 6vow TheNazarite - Consecrated 11lusted people the - Hattavah Kibroth 12Miriam Theof sin 13report their and spies The12 14spared Caleb and Joshua 15land enter they when laws Further 18Levites the to Thecharge Moab to route on brass of Theserpent 21 22 Balaam - Moab of Theplains 23 Balak parables Balaam’s 24 25Midianites the with Sin 7altar the 8 Dedicating service for Levites the Separating 16 16 Korah of Therebellion 17Aaron of rod Thebudding 19separation and heifer Thered wilderness the of cost the Counting

9Sinai at Passover the Keeping wilderness the in Sinai from Continuing Num. 1 2, 29

J ©

Rameses > Succoth > Etham > Pihahiroth > Marah > Elim > Red sea > Wilderness of Sin > Dophkah > Alush > Rephidim > Wilderness of Sinai > Kibrothhattaavah > Hazeroth > Rithmah > Rimmonparez > Libnah > Rissah > Kehelathah > Shapher > Haradah > Makheloth > Tahath > Tarah > Mithcah > Hashmonah > Moseroth > Benejaakan > Horhagidgad > Jotbathah > Ebronah > Eziongaber > Kadesh > Mount Hor > Zalmonah > Punon > Oboth > Ijeabarim > Dibongad > Almondiblathaim > Nebo > The plains of Moab Charting Numbers:Layout 1 19/07/2016 12:00 Page 1

THE CHARTINGSCRIPTURES NUMBERSby Jonathan Black Key words - numbered / service / charge / inheritance / Writer - Moses

Counting - Ch. 1 Charging Levites - Ch. 3 Camping - Ch. 2 Carrying - Ch. 10 Counting - Ch. 26

REUBEN - 43,730 REUBEN - 46,500 PRIESTLY ORDER MARCHING ORDER N SIMEON - 22,200 SIMEON - 59,300 Levites - Not numbered among soldiers 1st - Judah, Issachar, Zebulun Dan / Asher / Naphtali s GAD - 40,500 GAD - 45,650 to serve manward but n o 2nd - Gershonites / Merarites s Merarites JUDAH - 76,500 JUDAH - 74,600 S appointed over tabernacle: e t 3rd - Reuben, Simeon, Gad i & ISSACHAR - 64,300

Ephraim n ISSACHAR - 54,400 to serve Godward. n Judah

o 4th - Kohathites o

r ZEBULUN - 60,500

ZEBULUN - 57,400 W M anasseh h E a Issachar s 5th - Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin r MANASSEH - 52,700 A

EPHRAIM - 40,500 e Benjamin s Zebulun

e 6th - Dan, Asher, Naphtali

G EPHRAIM - 32,500 MANASSEH - 32,200 s Gershonites - Tabernacle / Tent o Kohathites BENJAMIN - 45,600 BENJAMIN - 35,400 Kohathites M - Furniture / Ark Reuben / Simeon / Gad DAN 64,400 DAN 62,700 Merarites - Boards / Bars /Pillars ASHER - 41,500 S ASHER - 53,400 NAPHTALI - 53,400 NAPHTALI - 45,400 38 YEARS Total soldiers able to A great future ends in great failure but failure looks forward to a great future Total soldiers able to fight over 20 yrs fight over 20 yrs 603,550 601,730

Wilderness of Wilderness of Wilderness of Plains of Sinai Paran Zin Moab

AARON MIRIAM Christ in Numbers The book of Leviticus of book The The red heifer, Ch. 19

The Nazarite, Ch. 6 Aaron’s budding rod, Ch. 17 Offered without spot, The smitten rock, Ch. 20 Deuteronomy of book The ‘Separate from sinners’ The brazen serpent, Ch. 21 Cities of refuge, Ch. 35 Inheritance ahead, Ch. 34 / 36 ‘It bringeth forth much fruit’, Christ in His death Speak unto the rock, Son of Man lifted up, The hope set before us, An inheritance incorruptible, Christ in separation Christ in resurrection Heb. 7 Ashes for purification - Heb. 9 Christ our great high priest Christ crucified An anchor of the soul The fulness of Christ: . Wandering in the wilderness

These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

WARNING! ...but Caleb and Joshua WARNING! hese things ‘Now t ‘N examples, they have wholly followed the LORD. either m were our a urmur y n s e i e som , a t w e a nten of r he i th

t e n n to m a

i i a st after murmure lso S P lu d Z d not , a b f f houl nd f s de were a o o o , as they stroy o s s l things ed of s s s evi th s Jesus Christ spoke of Numbers in the Gospels. e M e e e f d’, des n n n so luste troye k

r r l r c

a r’, o a s

e e e l n

d d Matthew 9. 36, ‘as sheep having no shepherd’ - Numbers 27. 17 d B i l l l i i i

a n l . 6 1 Co a . 10 John 3. 14, ‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, r. h Counting the soldiers the Counting standard the with Camping r 1 W W o 0 W P

1 C . 10 t a e e N e e u n h h 33, 34 m. h h 1. 4, even so must the Son of man be lifted up’ - Numbers 21 14. o T 2 1 T T T 33 Charting the course - God’s leading God’s - course the Charting 33 brethren appointing & borders Setting 34 refuge of Cities 35 inheritance the Securing 36 3service Levites the Charging 4 Levites the by Carried Consecration in service in Sinai at Consecration 10Paran to Sinai - travel & Trumpets disobedience of Consequences dies Aaron/Miriam - rock Thesmitten 20 Jericho near Numbered 26 Joshua) and Caleb (Only charged Joshua 27 remembered Offerings 28 remembered Feasts 29 oaths and vows Family 30 Midian with Battle 31 Jordan of east 1/22 settle tribes 32 5camp the in Cleansing 6vow TheNazarite - Consecrated 11lusted people the - Hattavah Kibroth 12Miriam Theof sin 13report their and spies The12 14spared Caleb and Joshua 15land enter they when laws Further 18Levites the to Thecharge Moab to route on brass of Theserpent 21 22 Balaam - Moab of Theplains 23 Balak parables Balaam’s 24 25Midianites the with Sin 7altar the 8 Dedicating service for Levites the Separating 16 16 Korah of Therebellion 17Aaron of rod Thebudding 19separation and heifer Thered wilderness the of cost the Counting

9Sinai at Passover the Keeping wilderness the in Sinai from Continuing Num. 1 2, 29

J ©

Rameses > Succoth > Etham > Pihahiroth > Marah > Elim > Red sea > Wilderness of Sin > Dophkah > Alush > Rephidim > Wilderness of Sinai > Kibrothhattaavah > Hazeroth > Rithmah > Rimmonparez > Libnah > Rissah > Kehelathah > Shapher > Haradah > Makheloth > Tahath > Tarah > Mithcah > Hashmonah > Moseroth > Benejaakan > Horhagidgad > Jotbathah > Ebronah > Eziongaber > Kadesh > Mount Hor > Zalmonah > Punon > Oboth > Ijeabarim > Dibongad > Almondiblathaim > Nebo > The plains of Moab

rather than a professional warrior caste. and seasonal sacrifices, chs. 28-29; 2 in the Old Testament Overview series The camping arrangement around laws regarding vows, ch. 30; victory published by Precious Seed]. God’s sanctuary, the tabernacle, is also over their enemies the Midianites, ch. laid out, and the camp is purged of 31; and instructions concerning the Endnotes defiling and defiled objects or people; Transjordanian settlement of Reuben, 1 ‘That term [bemidhbar] occurs over 40 times throughout the book, and in this includes the trial of jealousy in Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, several places its occurrence is so dense chapter 5 verses 11-31. The other side ch. 32; the establishment of Levitical (chapters 14 [8 times], 20 [7 times], and of holiness is detailed in the Nazarite cities and cities of refuge, ch. 35, are 33 [7 times]) that one cannot help but vow, 6. 1-21, which depicts total all set forth. Chapter 33 verses 1-49 recognize that it constantly directs the reader’s attention to the importance consecration for the Lord’s service. looks back on where the Israelites of the wilderness to the context of the Chapters 7-9 deal with the worship have travelled during their wilderness narratives in the book’. gregg Watson, and service of the tabernacle, and wanderings, and verses 50-56 give ‘Numbers, Book of’, ed. JoHn d. barry detail the sacrifices of the leaders, teaching concerning the future and lazarus Wentz, The Lexham Bible Dictionary, Lexham Press, 2012. the arrangement of the lamps in that conquest of Canaan. The boundaries 2 tertullian, a second-century Latin- sanctuary, and the celebration of the of the land are delineated, 34. 1-15, speaking Christian, referred to it as ‘the Passover. Chapter 10 concludes this and administrators are chosen to book of Arithmi’, indicating that the book preparatory section with instructions divide the inheritance, vv. 16-29. was called ‘Numbers’ as early as the first century A.D. [r. dennis cole, Numbers, concerning the silver trumpets and the Perhaps most importantly, there is The New American Commentary, Vol. 3B., movements of the camp as directed a change of leadership, as Moses Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000, by the Lord. This section of the book inaugurates Joshua as his successor pg. 23]. emphasizes the resources and blessings to lead God’s people into the land of 3 t. WHitelaW, ‘Numbers, Book of,’ their inheritance, 27. 18-22. ed. James Orr et al., The International that Israel enjoys through the goodness Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, The of their God. Howard-Severance Co., 1915, pg. 2163. A simple breakdown of the book is: 4 barry l. bandstra, ‘Numbers, Book of’, Chapters 11-21 follow the repeated • Preparation for travels, chs. 1-10. ed. Mark Allan Powell, The HarperCollins rebellions of the people and the • Journeying from the desert to the Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated), HarperCollins, 2011, pg. 707. ensuing discipline from the Lord. edge of the Promised Land, chs. 5 J. n. darby, Synopsis of the Books of There are repeated challenges to His 11-25. the Bible: Genesis to 2 Chronicles, Logos authority – usually focusing on His • Preparation for entering the Research Systems, Inc., 2008, pg. 247. servant and representative, Moses Promised Land, chs. 26-36. 6 robert d. sPender, ‘Numbers, Theology of’, in Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical – followed by divine judgement. Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Baker Complaints come from sources as Some writers divide the book based Reference Library; Logos Library System varied as the mixed multitude, Moses’ on geographical setting: (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), siblings Miriam and Aaron, the ten 1. ‘The people of God prepare to electronic edition, no pagination. enter the Promised Land (1. 1 – 7 Matt. 8. 4; 19. 8; Luke 24. 27, 44; John unbelieving spies, Korah and his allies, 3. 14. and even Moses himself. Interspersed 10. 10) 8 J. b. d. Page, ‘Introducing Numbers’, in within these sad accounts of human 2. From Sinai to Kadesh (10. 11 – 12. Day by Day through the Old Testament, disloyalty are reminders of the Lord’s 16) ed. c. e. Hocking and m. Horlock, Day by 3. Forty years near Kadesh (13. 1 – Day Series, Precious Seed, 1982, pg. 80 gracious and purifying work, chs. 15; [italics original]. 18-19. There are also divinely given 19. 22) 9 JoHn d. currid points out the Hebrew victories over various enemies, ch. 21. 4. From Kadesh to the plains of Moab verbal clue to Numbers’ continuance (20. 1 – 22. 1) of the Sinai teaching of the previous While they apparently relate a radically 5. Israel in the plains of Moab (22. two books. See: A Study Commentary 15 on Numbers, EP Study Commentary, different topic, in actuality chapters 2 – 36. 13)’ Evangelical Press, 2009, pg. 26 [boldface 22-25 continue to demonstrate the original]. Lord’s faithfulness towards His people, 4. The Author and Date 10 38 years and 10 months, m. g. easton, as He protects them from the spiritual Easton’s Bible Dictionary, Harper and of the Book Brothers, 1893, no pagination available. machinations and assault of King Contrary to liberal and non-believing 11 On the definition of ‘wilderness/desert’: Balak and his prophet-for-hire Balaam. scholarly consensus, like the rest of ‘The Hebrew word for wilderness (midbar) Despite their best efforts to curse the Pentateuch Numbers was written means a place for driving flocks. It is not Israel, He turned their malediction into by Moses, circa 1405 B.C. Its material a completely arid desert, but contains a little vegetation and a few trees. The blessing. What is more, He used the focuses on events between the second rainfall in such areas is too light, a few false prophet to reveal the tremendous and fortieth years after the exodus.16 inches per year, to support cultivation’. position of Israel in the Almighty’s gordon J. WenHam, Numbers: An sight, 23. 21. Sadly, chapter 25 shows 5. Important Themes in Introduction and Commentary, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Vol. 4, that the attack came from a different, the Book InterVarsity Press, 1981, pg. 65. more alluring direction. The women A) God as a God of order. 12 Epistles such as 1 Peter and James have of the Moabite-Midianite coalition B) Unity of the people of God. the imprint of the wilderness very strongly invited the Israelite men to a feast, C) Spiritual warfare. upon them. They are written to a pilgrim people journeying through the wilderness thereby beguiling them and enticing D) Holiness and its practical ‘to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, them into both spiritual and physical development. and that fadeth not away’, 1 Pet. 1. 4. fornication.14 E) God’s view of His people and their 13 macKintosH, pg. 419. position of favour in His sight. 14 Num. 31. 15; Ps. 106. 28; Rev. 2. 14. 15 WenHam, pp. 61-62. The second census, ch. 26, sweeps F) The danger of murmuring. 16 Many conservative commentators hold the old generation off the scene and G) The human propensity to sin. to this date, seeing the Exodus around turns the reader’s attention to the H) Grace after human failure. 1445 B.C. See macartHur Jr., ed., The new generation that will inherit the I) God’s sovereignty in carrying out MacArthur Study Bible, pg. 195 and William macdonald, Believer’s Bible Land. Preparations for entering the His will. Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Land are made as teaching concerning artHur Farstad, Thomas Nelson, 1995, inheritance laws, chs. 27 and 36; daily [Extracted from Laws for Life, Volume pg. 169. iv PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016

A WORDWORD FORFOR TODAYTODAY Aphar (Ashes, dust) By BRIAN CLATWORTHY eulon simply refers to a tree or to wood in general, i.e., anything derived from wood. Newton Abbot, England In the papyri and other non-literary

Tree ‘Es (Tree, wood) A tree analogy provides us with an sources, eulon was used to describe ‘wood Asap (Grief) evocative picture of love in the Song of imported from abroad’ and, interestingly, Solomon chapter 2 verse 3. In Proverbs ‘a log of wood used as a battering-ram’.5 Trees play an essential part in protecting chapter 3 verse 18, wisdom, which is The New Testament use of the word is our environment and meeting many of personified, is likened to a ‘tree of life’, a both general and metaphorical. It refers to our practical needs. They produce large metaphor for the source of life and health. clubs made of wood in Mark chapter 14 amounts of oxygen on a daily basis, This was the same wisdom that was used verses 43 and 48, to a moist or green tree and constantly absorb harmful carbon by God in the creation of the world, 3. in Luke chapter 23 verse 31,6 and to stocks dioxides. They help to control pollution, 19. Other references to a ‘tree of life’ in Acts chapter 16 verse 24. Figuratively, provide a stabilizing influence against soil are found elsewhere in Proverbs, but the Paul uses wood as an example of the sort erosion, as well as playing a major role in motif is changed in each context, i.e., in of combustible building material that water management by reducing the risk of chapter 11 verse 30, the fruit of a tree of may not survive the critical judgement flooding and the impact of drought. Trees life is likened to righteousness, in chapter of God when a believer’s service is finally provide a habitat for wildlife and supply 13 verse 12, all the fulfilled desires linked reviewed, 1 Cor. 3. 12. Jude uses the word human beings with food and wood for with hope is likened to a tree of life, and to characterize those who are ungodly, basic uses. In other words, trees symbolize in chapter 15 verse 4, healing speech is describing them as ‘fruitless trees in late life, especially longevity, as reflected in likened to a tree of life. The prophet Isaiah autumn’, 12 ESV. But it is the use of eulon evergreens, i.e., undying life. They have a in chapter 65 verse 22 uses the word ’Es as a means of describing the cross that certain therapeutic value, and, according to show how the longevity of a tree is makes the word so important in the New to the Royal Parks Foundation, research illustrative of the longevity of the nation Testament. Paul picks up the wording of shows that within minutes of being of Israel. Ezekiel, in chapter 31 of his Deuteronomy chapter 21 verses 22-23 surrounded by trees and green space, prophecy, uses the imagery of a cedar tree (LXX) in Galatians chapter 3 verse 13 to your blood pressure will drop, your heart to teach Pharaoh, king of Egypt, a salutary explain how Christ has redeemed us from rate will slow and your stress levels will lesson from history on the dangers of the curse of the law. By being hanged come down!1 So when we come to the being an arrogant ruler. Even though the ‘on a tree’, Christ became our curse, just Hebrew noun for tree, ‘Es, which occurs cedar tree – a metaphor for the Assyrian as the death He died was rightfully our some 300 times in the Old Testament, empire – was unrivalled in its beauty and death. Peter identifies Israel’s part in this the Bible provides us with a number of stature, it was nonetheless ultimately event when he states, ‘whom you killed contexts where many of these positive handed over by God to another ruler, who by hanging him on a tree’, Acts 5. 30 ESV, qualities are mirrored, and imparts useful proceeded to cut the tree down, 31. 11- cp. 10. 39. He reinforces this later when spiritual lessons. With so many references 18. Notice the similarity of this metaphor referring to the vicarious death of Christ to trees in the Old Testament, however, to Nebuchadnezzar’s tree dream in Daniel for us when he states, ‘Who his own self this short paper will only merely touch the chapter 4. The difference, of course, is bore our sins in his own body on the tree’, hem of the garment! that Nebuchadnezzar is restored again, 1 Pet. 2. 24. No wonder Paul made the because he recognizes the sovereignty cross of Christ the solitary ground of his In Genesis chapter 2 verse 9, we are of God who rules with equity and boasting, Gal. 6. 14. May we too learn introduced first to ‘the tree of life’ and justice over the nations and abases the to evaluate everything in the light of the ‘the tree of the knowledge of good and proud, Dan. 4. 34-35, 37. Contrast these Man who was hung upon a tree for us! evil’. These formed part of the many trees metaphors with the tree imagery used created by God from the ground in the in Isaiah chapter 11 verse 1 of the ideal For further reading/study garden of Eden, which the text states, Davidic king who is depicted as a ‘shoot’ Introductory J. d. douglas (ed.), The Illustrated Bible ‘was pleasant to look at and good for and a ‘branch’. This ruler will usher in a Dictionary - Part 3 - Trees, InterVarsity Press, food’. It was ‘the tree of life’ with its life- reign of justice and righteousness, Jer. 23. 1980, pg. 1585-1593. giving efficacy that becomes no longer 5-6, and bring about peace and prosperity Advanced within the reach of humanity after the for His people, Ps. 72. 2-3. leland ryKen, tremPer longman (ed), fall, thus preventing man from obtaining Dictionary of Biblical Imagery – Tree, Trees, immortality, Gen. 3. 22. It is later through Trees are often associated in the Old InterVarsity Press, 1998, pp. 890-892. the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ Testament with the presence of God, as Endnotes that life and immortality are brought to in Genesis chapter 12 verses 6-7 where 1 www.supporttheroyalparks.org - Accessed light again, 2 Tim. 1. 10, and is a reward Abram passes through the land and comes on 21 May 2016. for those who finally overcome, Rev. 2. to the oak of Moreh.3 It is here that God 2 leland ryKen, tremPer longman (ed.), Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, InterVarsity 7. In the New Jerusalem, the tree of life appears to him, and promises that the Press, 1998, pg. 890. features prominently once again as it land would be given to his offspring, Gen. 3 William P. broWn (Seeing the Psalms – A provides a variety of fruit on a monthly 12. 7. When Joshua ratifies the covenant Theology of Metaphor, pg. 71) suggests that ‘the name of this oak literally means basis, and its leaves are for the healing of at Schechem he places a memorial stone "teacher" or perhaps "oracle giver" . . . It the nations, 22. 3. Some suggest that the at the foot of an oak tree, which was is also referred to as the "diviners" oak', tree of life is symbolized by the vertical literally, ‘in the sacred precinct of the Judg. 9. 37 (cf. v. 6)’. shaft on the golden lampstand with its Lord’, Josh. 24. 26b. But trees or groves 4 alec motyer (The Prophecy of Isaiah, pg. 51-52) states that in this context, ‘"Oaks three branches on each side and its cups were also associated with idolatry, and and gardens" are the symbols of the life of ‘shaped like almond flowers with buds vehemently denounced by God, especially "nature" and of the fertility gods’. and blossoms’, Exod. 25. 34.2 These through the prophet Isaiah who chastised 5 J. H. moulton and g. milligan, The pictures of trees are symbolic of the life Israel for their desire to worship at such Vocabulary of the Greek Testament , 4 Hendrickson, 1997, pg. 435. of God Himself, as evident in many Old places, Isa. 1. 29-30. 6 Although this is a literal reference to Testament texts. For example, in Psalm a tree, the argument in this context is 1 verse 3 the ideal righteous individual In the Septuagint (LXX), the Hebrew word figurative in the sense that if God did is compared to an evergreen tree that ’Es is chiefly translated by the Greek word not spare His Son from judgement (green wood), then how much more severe will displays both uninterrupted fruitfulness eulon, and occurs at least twenty times in the judgement be on the nation of Israel and arboreal majesty. the New Testament. In its ordinary sense, or anyone who is impenitent (dry wood). 15 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 This article explores the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as it is associated with collective Christian activity. Whilst it is often stated that believers should gather to the name of the Lord Jesus, it is important to appreciate the significance and the challenge of such an The Name f The Lrd Jesus Christ assertion. By WALTER GUSTAFSON Hatboro, Philadelphia, USA.

For gathering, Matt. 18. 20 expect the Corinthians to accept naos, which means the inner There is only one Saviour for this truth? Only the Holy Spirit sanctuary. How important to sinners and only one gathering working among them could bring appreciate that the Spirit of God centre for saints – the person of them to one mind. dwells within the local assembly, our Lord Jesus Christ. The name 1 Cor. 3. 16. God Himself dwells to which we are gathered is Although the truth of the church within, 2 Cor. 6. 16, and our Lord His full name, Lord Jesus Christ is not found in the Old Testament, Jesus, Matt. 18. 20. Thus, the most emphasizing His lordship, His yet there are examples of truth that important reason for putting away person, and His work. Since the would illustrate, and encourages the morally reprobate is because word ‘gathered’ is in the passive, us to follow, New Testament of the indwelling of the Trinity this suggests that the two or three teaching relative to gathering. The – the assembly should always be do not gather themselves. Someone divisions evident in 1 Corinthians characterized by holiness. else gathers them. The Holy Spirit chapter 1 are illustrated for us in is the gatherer, and He would 1 Chronicles chapter 12. All the However, discipline of this nature not sanction any group that is thirteen tribes are there.1 Of the should have restoration in view. indifferent to any one of the three men of Issachar, we read that they I believe that the person in 1 things, the lordship of Christ, the had ‘understanding of the times, to Corinthians chapter 5 is the same doctrine as to the person of Christ, know what Israel ought to do’, v. man referred to in chapters 2 and or His work. 32. How good it is when we have 7 of 2 Corinthians. Clearly, the man men like that! Indeed, knowing had repented, but the assembly For unity, 1 Cor. 1. 10 what the men of Israel ought to who had been slow to judge, were The Corinthians had written to do so gripped their hearts that now slow to reinstate him. Paul about matters on which they had all their brethren at their they wanted help, although Paul commandment. They could see the For testimony, Col. 3. 17 does not begin to deal with those enemies on every side. They needed This verse should govern everything matters until chapter 7. In the to give David his rightful place. that we do – we should always meantime, he deals with more Thus, we read in verse 38 that all remember that we are representing important matters. He uses a Israel were of ‘perfect heart’ and Him. It is possible for any one threefold appeal in this verse. He ‘one heart’ to make David king, of us to cause His name to be is not commanding them, even and we read in verse 40, ‘there was blasphemed, as the Jewish people though he is an apostle and he joy in Israel’. There is joy in any did in Romans chapter 2 verse 24, was instrumental in the large assembly when we give our Lord or like David in 2 Samuel chapter assembly in Corinth being planted. Jesus the rightful place as Lord. 12 verse 14. But we can thank God Instead, he is beseeching them. His that, by the grace of God, we can second appeal is in his use of the For discipline, 1 Cor. 5. 4 cause His name to be glorified.3 word ‘brethren’. Appreciating that 1 Corinthians chapter 5 deals with word helps all of us to be of one the subject of discipline for moral For reproach, Acts 5. 41 mind. His third appeal is the most evil. The mention of the name of After the apostles were beaten in important – the lordship of Christ. the Lord Jesus Christ suggests the Acts chapter 5 verse 41, we read Paul mentions the Lord Jesus action is taken by His authority, as that they ‘were rejoicing that they Christ, or Jesus Christ the Lord, five representing Him and in fellowship were counted worthy to suffer times in the first nine verses. with Him. Similarly, ‘when ye are shame for his name’. What made Corinthians is the epistle where gathered together’ suggests a them rise above the persecution? It much of the teaching concerning special gathering to carry out this was the value of the name of Christ the local assembly is to be found, discipline. to them. The more we value the and it is pre-eminently the epistle name of Christ the more reproach of His lordship – mentioned sixty- The word ‘temple’, used for the we can bear for His name’s sake. eight times. How could Paul ever local assembly2 is the Greek word Three days after Paul the apostle

16 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 The Name f The Lrd Jesus Christ

got saved, the Lord told Ananias, before you’. When we are being activity: ‘Our help is in the name ‘I will show him how great things persecuted, we should make sure of the Lord who made heaven he must suffer for my name’s sake’, that we are not being persecuted and earth’, Ps. 124. 8; ‘The name Acts 9. 16. Paul never forgot that because of our inconsistencies or of the Lord is a strong tower: the he once persecuted the saints. failures for it is a blessing when we righteous runneth into it and is In reference to his past life, His are persecuted for Christ’s sake! safe’, Prov. 18. 10. words were, ‘who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and For gospel effort We read in 3 John verse 7 of some: injurious’, 1 Tim. 1. 13. He thought How important to remember that ‘Because that for his name’s sake that he ‘ought to do many things there is power in the name of the they went forth, taking nothing contrary to the name of Jesus of Lord Jesus. In Acts chapter 19 of the Gentiles’. They went forth Nazareth’, Acts 26. 9. verses 13-17 we read, ‘Then certain without any guaranteed salary. His of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, name’s sake was their motive for We are exhorted in Hebrews took upon them to call over them service and their trust for support. chapter 13 verse 13: ‘Let us go which had evil spirits the name of Perhaps some reader of this article forth therefore unto him without the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure might be challenged to go forth the camp, bearing his reproach’. you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. with the gospel today! The central word in the verse is And there were seven sons of ‘him’. As JoHn douglas said, ‘if one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the Endnotes it were me writing the epistle to priests, which did so. And the evil 1 There are only three other chapters the Hebrews I would have put the spirit answered and said, Jesus I where all thirteen tribes (counting the tribes from the sons of Joseph exhortation in chapter 1. There it know and Paul I know, but who separately) are mentioned: Num. 1, would be a mandate. But the Spirit are ye? And the man in whom the 2, and 26. of God knew better. He guided evil spirit was leaped on them, 2 In 1 Cor. 3. 16 and 2 Cor. 6. 16. the writer of the epistle to unfold and overcame them, and prevailed 3 2 Thess. 1. 12; 1 Peter 2. 12; and the glories of Christ in the first against them, so that they fled out Matt. 5. 16. twelve chapters. When he puts it of that house naked and wounded. WALTER GUSTAFSON was commended to in chapter 13, instead of it being a And this was known to all the full-time service by the Cliff Street assembly in mandate, it is a magnet. He is the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Boston, USA, in January 1954. A similar com- attraction!’ How good to capture Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, mendation was given by the Hatboro assembly, Philadelphia, when he moved there with his family the attitude of Moses, ‘esteeming and the name of the Lord Jesus was in June 1972. the reproach of Christ greater riches magnified’. The name of the Lord than the treasures of Egypt: for he Jesus was magnified, even though had respect unto the recompense it did not work in the mouth of of the reward’, Heb. 11. 26! those vagabond Jews, who had never submitted themselves to the It is encouraging for us to notice in lordship of Christ. Matthew chapter 5 verses 11-12 that for the first time the Lord A gospel meeting is like a battle. Jesus changes from the third to The psalmist provides us with the second person, ‘Blessed are pictures of battle encouraging us ye, when men shall revile you, to take the ‘banner . . . that it may and persecute you, and shall say be displayed because of the truth’, all manner of evil against you Ps. 60. 4. However, it is ‘in the falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and name of our God we will set up be exceeding glad: for great is your our banners’, 20. 5. Similarly, may reward in heaven: for so persecuted the following verses encourage us they the prophets which were to trust in the Lord in our gospel

17 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 The Background Accompanied by Roman Catholic priests, both Spanish and Portuguese invaders came to conquer and convert in South America. For three centuries ARGENTINA South America was the stronghold believers was practised, understood, numerous assemblies in each of those of Roman Catholicism without and imitated by the new converts. cities and provinces where no foreign competition. Despite being, as dayton There is no doubt that this one factor missionary is present. Evidently the roberts wrote, ‘A fortress with the contributed, and still does, to both Lord approved and blessed their oceans as its moat, impregnable to the numerical and spiritual growth vision and work pattern. merchants and missionaries’ the result of assemblies in Argentina. Several was simply more of the same. Lives of these men in secular employment National Workers were not transformed, just a change felt the call of God to full-time service There are now only a total of twelve of rituals and a new type of slavery and, together with their wives as foreign workers, while the number and idolatry. Argentina was part of constant companions, they did lasting of national workers who are also that process which also resulted in work for God. called missionaries has increased to the emergence of a very wealthy and eighty-three. Following the pattern powerful elite minority and a great The Expansion mentioned means there are very majority of underprivileged masses. At The expansion of the work in the few itinerant workers. It would be present, Argentina has a population of first fifty years of assembly testimony expected by commending assemblies 42 million. Official figures suggest 14 was mainly due to two factors: 1) that new workers serve in cities and million live in poverty. the indomitable pioneer spirit of areas where there are no assemblies Will Payne, a very gifted evangelist, or where the assemblies are new The Beginning who, with almost apostolic strategy, or small in areas of great potential. The arrival of John Ewing from England preached in the main cities from These servants of God go forth on the in 1882 and Charles Torre in 1889 Buenos Aires all the way north and principle of faith. They may receive marked the beginning of assembly over into Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where he help from those assemblies in which work in Argentina. On purpose, and his wife settled; 2) the expansion they serve, which is also biblical, 1 they did not travel far from Buenos of the railway system, which involved Tim. 5. 18. Having said that, we have Aires, and what they accomplished the movement of people, including no knowledge of contracted or paid was truly remarkable. They saw the brethren who were used to help the pastors in Argentina. first assemblies established, and a work and who preached in the new day school opened in the city. Also towns springing up. The Work Pattern in Quilmes, near to Buenos Aires, Argentina has had no revival history Charles Torre saw the first assembly In each of the places of relatively large and so there is no revival mentality as planted, a printing press set up to population, a missionary couple settled such, rather the constant effort with meet a growing need for literature for to establish the work. The vastness of extraordinary Latin passion. There is both believers and unbelievers, and Argentina does not lend itself to easy no history either of growth through also the Quilmes orphanage. All three contact with others, nor is it possible people coming out of the established areas continue to the present day. to leave a work dependent on regular churches, except from the Roman visiting speakers for its support. Catholic church and these all needed The Pattern The pattern up to the present has salvation. New assemblies would British companies were involved been for the missionary to establish not normally begin with a campaign in Argentina’s meat industry and and stay with the new assembly to over several weeks but by personal the development of the railway nurture it and give opportunity for contacts being built up and, perhaps, network. Brethren who worked in the development of local gift. Then, a weekly meeting being held in one those companies also ‘looked on with their spiritual support, lead or two areas. The weekly basis helps the fields’. In contrast to efforts by them in outreach to establish other to deepen relationships and also the denominationally based missionaries, ventures, which the missionary will expansion to neighbours or family a distinct pattern evolved, where those again nurture and repeat the process. members. This would continue until in secular employment worked side by It would be impossible to mention all an assembly is formed, which is then side with their missionary brothers in those who were involved, but Mr and followed up on that same basis to the development of the early assembly Mrs James Clifford in Tucumán, Mr build and instruct in the word of God. movement in the country. and Mrs Alfred Furniss in Santiago el Estero and Mr and Mrs James Hogg in Argentina has a young population and This meant that early in the growth Santa Fe, all spent years in sacrificial great emphasis is made on the young. of assemblies the priesthood of all labour in these cities. Today, there are In all known assemblies a weekly

18 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 effort is made to reach pre-teens or that have their origins in that first arrived in Argentina. In the last twenty teenagers, no matter how many or one. In the remaining three of the years there has been a movement of how few. This would normally take five provincial capitals mentioned, a the Holy Spirit, and now eighteen have place on Friday or Saturday evenings, national worker and his wife took been commended to other countries. in an informal setting, in a home or up residence and today there are Some have gone to Spanish-speaking hall, with games, quizzes and food, assemblies in all five cities. countries and others to Angola, but always a message from God’s Pakistan, Morocco and Papa New word. Believer’s children prove to be Paraná, Province of Entre Ríos Guinea. a real spiritual capital in this regard Jim and Betty took up residence in the through inviting their friends. No city of Paraná (Pop. 300,000) in 1978. Meeting Present Needs other effort has produced more fruit From children’s meetings on a spare – Retreats and growth over the years. Naturally piece of ground, then on to meeting One-day conferences are still held, this leads to their introduction to in a garage, the present assembly usually for local assembly anniversary the formal assembly meetings and of about seventy in fellowship now dates (so important in Argentine principles. meets in its own building. It is lovely culture), but are not practical for lots to see converted folk from about of visitors because of distances. Two- These principles have led to the fourteen different Roman Catholic or three-day retreats for elders and establishing of approximately 700 churches gathered in the name of helpers, and, in some cases with their assemblies and, at present, 300 the Lord Jesus. Teaching too has wives, fill a great need. Subjects related outreaches, stretching over the 2770 yielded fruit among them. Gifts are to their qualifications, recognition and miles from La Quiaca on the Bolivian in evidence and ample opportunities work, as well as all aspects of assembly border to Ushuaia, the most southerly are given for their development. discipline, reception and assembly life city in the world. It is vitally important that the first are dealt with in depth. assembly be strong and the biblical The Mesopotamia pattern firmly established in view of In the last two years, Jim and Betty The three north-eastern provinces expansion in the city, where there is have participated in an ‘Orientation of Misiones, Corrientes and Entre room for several assemblies. Retreat’ for young people who have Ríos comprise the Mesopotamia. It an interest in or are called to serve is separated from other Argentine Full Circle in Paraná overseas. Jim was responsible for the provinces on the west by South Jim and Betty feel privileged to be ministry. Elders are also invited because Americas second largest river, the part of the Holy Spirit’s work in the the local church will be involved. The Paraná, and on the eastern side is assembly in the commendation of new contributions at question times reveal separated by the river Uruguay from workers. Through the efforts of the some hazy areas and highlight the Brazil and Uruguay. Growth came first of those, Heber and Fiona Gallitto, need for such a retreat even more. much later to this area, eighty years a vibrant and growing work has begun later in fact, after the beginning of in North Paraná. In November of Bible Training assembly witness in Argentina. In the 2015 larger premises were rented to All assemblies have their weekly five provincial capital cities of the meet the growing need. In April of teaching meetings. In Buenos Aires north-east only one had a very small 2016 a harmonious separation from and some of the major cities the assembly (now extinct). The others the first assembly of about twenty George Muller Institute functions were without any assembly witness. baptized believers took place to form on a one night a week basis with the second autonomous assembly. a four-year curriculum. Subjects are In the 1960s Willie and Pearl Jack Also in 2015, Nelson Gallitto was taught mainly by gifted brethren in were used of God to see an assembly commended to full-time service along secular employment. Since it is not a formed in the first of these, in the with his wife Rosana. They are being residential institute, it is available to city of Posadas. On their furlough used in retreats and conferences and young people who are either studying in 1972 they presented the need of have taken over the ‘Life Rescue’ or working. The classes are held in the north-east. As a result of that, Jim ministry on the streets of Paraná. local assembly buildings so there and Betty Burnett sailed for Argentina Parallel to that they are involved are no overheads either. Overall, it in 1974 and spent their first three in the development of Argentina’s represents a valid contribution to years of service there where they were first assemblies-linked resident assemblies and to their future. involved with the new assembly. Also, rehabilitation centre for those with in the early days of preaching and addictions, in an assembly camp site seeing souls saved, they were involved twenty-five miles away. This article has been written by brother Jim Burnett who, with his wife Betty, has in an outreach which later became the been deeply involved in the development second established assembly. There Full Circle in Argentina. of the assembly work in Argentina since are now four assemblies in Posadas In 1882 the first assembly missionary 1974.

19 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 This article is part of an ongoing study. The writer’s intention is to look at each phrase and statement in the letter and to glean a simple understanding of what Paul was writing to Titus about. There will not be a lengthy By STEPHEN G. BAKER Liverpool, England introduction to each article so and, to make the most of it, you it would be advantageous to need to keep at it! You also need to Let us go back and think about this read the previous articles either regularly take time to pray about what teaching as it applies to the elder. in the printed edition of the you learn. magazine or online via www. He must be a man who so values the preciousseed.org. The second dimension is listening to word of God that he will not let it others teach God’s word. In 2 Timothy go. He is clinging to the word; he is Verses 6-9 – Definition and chapter 2 verse 2 Paul describes the holding on firmly; he has a real grip checklist for an elder process by which truth is passed on on it. The word of God has so gripped from generation to generation. God him and blessed him that he will not Handling the word of God, v. 9. has called certain men to teach His become detached from it. He is not ‘holding fast the faithful word as he word and exposure to good sound willing to disregard its teaching or to hath been taught, that he may be able Bible teaching is essential for a change it. He is going to keep a hold by sound doctrine both to exhort and Christian to grow in their faith. We of what he has been taught because convince the gainsayers’. should grasp every opportunity we it has become a blessing to him and have to learn from the teaching and will be a blessing to other believers. There are a number of issues that experience of others who know God In 2 Timothy chapter 1 verses 13- this verse raises. I want us to and His word. This is a privilege 14, Paul instructs Timothy to ‘hold consider them before looking at some believers do not have, but, fast the form of sound words’ that what the verses teach about elders. if you do, take advantage of it. he had heard from Paul. In the verse we are considering, the word of God Number 1 - God’s word can be Number 3 - There are things in a is described as ‘faithful’; that is, it trusted. This is because the author believer’s life that are worth holding is to be trusted, it is dependable, is trustworthy! His word reflects his on to. We are reticent to give up things it is reliable. If elders have this high character! Think about it like this. that are really special to us and rightly view of the word of God then it will As you get to know someone, you so. If we meet someone and learn to encourage other believers to adopt develop an opinion about him or her. love them we will want to cherish the same attitude. If they let you down regularly you them, love them and ensure that we begin to feel that you would find it can have their lifelong friendship. The Next, we are reminded that the elder difficult to believe what they say. If best example of this is marriage, but it is a man who has learned from others they are dishonest, always exaggerate, is also true of other relationships and – ‘he has been taught’. So elders are or are just plain deceitful you would friendships. There are other examples men who have learned from God’s be forgiven for being careful in of things of value that we give priority word. They have had it explained to your dealings with them. Our God to and ensure that they are carefully them. There are a variety of ways of is the exact opposite of this. He is preserved. Paul is teaching Titus here being taught. Sometimes it is teaching trustworthy in the extreme; He has no that the word of God falls into this in a church gathering, as seen in Acts dark side; He can always be depended category; in fact, the word of God chapter 11 verse 26. It could also be upon. His word reflects His personality takes the ultimate priority in this in the form of individual learning from and character. sense, along with our relationship other wiser believers, 1 Tim. 4. 12, but with God. We must cling tenaciously sometimes you get it on your own, 1 Number 2 - All believers are in full- to the ‘faithful word’; there is nothing Tim. 4. 15-16. Never forget that the time education. Older people often else in life that has a higher value. elder is a man of experience talk about the ‘school of life’. Part who has learned and been of this process is our day-to-day taught from the word of experience with God, the things that God. we can only learn as we face each situation. Now we get to the crux of why the elder should be well taught and value The other part of the cycle of the word of God highly. He must be learning is more formal but it has two able to do two things with the word of dimensions, personal or internal and God; by the way, did you notice how public or external. the current verse describes the word of God – ‘sound doctrine’. It is effectively Personal learning requires your time being described as wholesome healthy and discipline in reading and studying teaching. Anything that is wholesome the Bible. This is a ‘lifelong’ process and healthy is good for you! Give me 20 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 (5) – those of ‘the circumcision’. The Jewish false teachers were especially aggressive and hard to handle. They were not prepared to accept the revelation of God in the Lord Jesus Christ and submit to the will of God. some of that, I hope I can hear you be so godly and well taught. The They refused to accept the authority say! Now back to the two things: competence and qualities of the elder that God and Christ had vested in the 1 Use the word of God to encourage reflect the character of God and the apostles, they badmouthed the truth and stimulate God’s people. task that they are asked to deal with. of the gospel and they actively sought God’s word is not depressive but Things aren’t really much different to discredit the gospel and those who stimulating. The instruction of today. Elders and assemblies face preached it. Their aim was to deceive scripture is not mere information a wide range of difficult issues and people and keep them from the truth. but truth that lifts up the believer, situations. False teaching is often builds up the believer and leaves very subtle and persuasive and false Conclusion them in a better state of mind teachers are dangerous and often In the next article we will discuss the after they have listened to it. Do very smart and cunning. It takes a lot action that needed to be taken to our elders use the word of God of godly wisdom and experience to deal with these false teachers. Please to do this for the Lord’s people? I know how to handle them. We really don’t be tempted to think that we trust that they do – it is what the should pray carefully and consistently don’t have to deal with false teachers Lord expects of them! for the elders of the assemblies where today. In Acts chapter 20 Paul talks to 2 Use the word of God to counteract we are in fellowship. the elders of the assembly in Ephesus. those who are opposed to it. The As he talks, he reminds them of a elder is capable, with the word Paul describes these false teachers in number of facts that are pertinent to of God in his hand and the Spirit three ways: the teaching in the passage that we of God guiding him, to convince 1 Unruly or Insubordinate – they are looking at: the opposition, to show them kick against authority and are 1 Elders must guard themselves and the error of their ways. Titus is rebellious; God’s people; reminded in chapter 2 verse 15 2 Vain or Idle talkers – they make 2 Elders must feed and shepherd that he must do the same thing empty, unsupported claims and God’s flock; and do it with authority. threats and are known for the fact 3 The church (local and that they come out with what we dispensational) belongs to God; The elder, therefore, must be a man would call nowadays, hot air; 4 The Holy Spirit appoints elders. who can handle the word of God. He 3 Deceivers – they mislead people, is described in 1 Timothy chapter 3 i.e., they deceive themselves and Then, Paul dropped a bombshell! He verse 2 as being ‘apt to teach’. This in turn deceive others as well. told the elders that false teachers means that he is skilled in teaching would come in among God’s people. and capable of giving instruction. This is not exactly a flattering They would be destructive and vicious This is applicable to all elders. There description of any group of people. like wolves. They would have no are also some elders who have been These are people we would be wise consideration for anyone. called to ‘labour in the word and to avoid if at all possible. It is not doctrine’, 1 Tim. 5. 17. These are men as if there was only one or two But it gets worse! Paul then told them who expend much time and effort in of them. Paul writes that there are that some men who were already in teaching the word of God. I must, ‘many’. To make matters worse, the fellowship would rise up and distort however, clarify that nowhere in the most active opponents of the truth the truth with the primary aim of New Testament do we find one elder/ were those from a Jewish background creating a following. shepherd/pastor doing this work in a local church; there is always more Our challenge today is twofold – to than one. What a great provision God ensure that we maintain good has made for His people when he sound teaching of biblical doctrine provides men capable of feeding the in the gatherings of God’s people saints and defending the word of God. and to preserve believers from being confused by false teaching Verses 10-16 – The Elder’s that is so easily accessible task – the people and the through the internet, channel problem TV, etc. The potential for Verse 10 – The people taking on-board false doctrine The people that the elders is probably greater today than have to confront are it has ever been. now described. As their character is defined, we This is why we need men of begin to see why the men God as shepherds in each local that God chooses to care assembly. for the Christians have to To be continued 21 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Pontius Pilate was caught in a trap. He had been given the unenviable task of governing the Roman province of Judea. No proud people ever love being subjugated by a foreign power, but the Jews had a reputation PILATE who condemned for being even more difficult established that Jesus was no political cells Barabbas, a convicted murderer than many other oppressed threat to Rome,2 Pilate deduced that and terrorist, hoping that the crowds people, in that not only had itCHARACTERS was for envy the Sanhedrim had of AROUNDpeople gathered before hisTHE palace CRUCIFIXION they political objections to delivered up Jesus to him, Matt. would be persuaded to release foreign rule they also had 27. 18, and he tried time and time Jesus and crucify the murderer. This strong religious objections. again to release this Jesus of would surely get Pilate off They worshipped the one true Nazareth, reporting to the By the hook. The chief priests, God, and were not prepared to Jewish authorities, ‘I find no IAN REES however, bullied the crowds tolerate the worship of other fault in this man’.3 However, Tenby, Wales into choosing Barabbas for gods in their own land, even if he was put under immense release, to Pilate’s evident such worship was engaged in by pressure by the chief priests and consternation. ‘Why, what evil hath non-Jews. Judea and Jerusalem others to condemn our Lord to an he done?’4 He had also ordered our was a poisoned chalice to any unjust death. Lord to be whipped, hoping that this Gentile governor. Pilate did unjust sentence would draw out the not help himself, however, in He ignored a warning sympathy of the crowds. ‘Behold the that he was an arrogant and What do we make of the fact that man!’5 he called out, as our Lord was immensely cruel despot who, in Pilate’s wife had a dream about brought forth, unjustly beaten. But the end, caused so much trouble our Lord at just this time? Was God the sight of blood only caused the and unrest in Judea that he was warning Pilate, so that any decision crowd to cry out all the more for His eventually re-called to Rome he made was one made deliberately crucifixion. The final blow for Pilate and sent to govern elsewhere. but clearly in the wrong, one from was when the Jews put him under which he could not absolve himself extreme political pressure. This was, Pilate was essential to Jewish plans by saying he did not realize the in fact, nothing short of blackmail. to eliminate Jesus of Nazareth. innocence of his victim? The drama When they saw Pilate wavering, Although attempts had been made and high tension of a courtroom struggling to acquit Jesus of Nazareth in the past to push our Lord over the scene, packed with soldiers, Roman and to let Him go, they said, ‘If thou cliff, or even to stone Him to death officials, and all the pomp and let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s because of His perceived blasphemy circumstance of a hurried trial is friend: whosoever maketh himself a in ‘making Himself equal with God’, suddenly domesticated when a king speaketh against Caesar’, John the Sanhedrim, at the instigation of message is delivered to Pilate from 19. 12. Since when had the Jews the high priest Caiaphas, had decided his wife! ‘Have thou nothing to ever sought to be Caesar’s friends? that the most effective way in which do with that just man: for I have But Pilate saw his career coming to to eliminate this preacher and prevent suffered many things this day in a an end if the Jews sent a deputation any god-fearing Jew from following dream because of him’, Matt. 27. to Rome complaining that he had Him, was to crucify Him, for ‘cursed 19. The timing of the dream, and the acquitted a would-be pretender to is every one that hangeth on a tree’.1 immediate message from his wife, Caesar’s rule, and he buckled. He However, in order to have this Jesus does make us wonder whether it was made a choice. If it was career or crucified, the Jews needed to have not just his wife who was warning Pilate on-board. He was the only Pilate, but God Himself. We do see one who could have passed such a warnings delivered by our Lord in the sentence upon Jesus, so our Lord Upper Room to Judas, too, before was taken first of all to Pilate, then he went out into the night to betray to Herod (at Pilate’s insistence), and our Lord. Yet Judas, as well as Pilate, finally back to Pilate again. The first chose to ignore them. charge laid against our Lord was a political one. ‘We found this fellow He made a choice perverting the nation, and forbidding Initially, Pilate does his utmost to to give tribute to Caesar, saying that heed this warning and even to go he himself is Christ a King’, Luke with his own instincts on the matter. 23. 2. Pilate, however cruel and He remembered a tradition that arrogant he may have been, was an allowed him some wriggle-room. It astute man, and realized that there was apparently his custom to release were other reasons for this arrest. one prisoner on death row at these He did not want to be involved in Passover feasts, and the choice of matters relating to the Jewish faith; whom to release was given to the that was none of his concern. Having people. So he called up from the 22 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Having done all they could to further thee from above’;6 I have little doubt justice, God told them they could that he could never have forgotten wash their hands of the matter by that our Lord had clearly told him sacrificing an heifer. They were then what he was about to do was sin. ‘He to say, ‘Our hands have not shed that delivered me unto thee hath the this blood, neither have our eyes greater sin’, John 19. 11. Yet despite seen it. Be merciful, O Lord . . . lay all of this he chose to save himself. condemned him not innocent blood Christ it would have unto thy people of Is there anything we can learn from to be career. ‘Then 5 Israel’s charge’, as this tragic man, Pilate? First of all, CHARACTERS AROUND THE CRUCIFIXIONdelivered he him they washed their let us remind ourselves of the many therefore unto them hands over the warnings God, and His people, have to be crucified’, v. heifer, Deut. 21. given us over the years. How often 16. 1-9. The response of have we been clearly told, either by the people to Pilate godly friends or relatives, by the word He attempted a is most instructive. of God through a preacher, or by the disclaimer They reply, ‘His Holy Spirit and our conscience, that Even non-church blood be on us and something we were about to do was goers, unbelievers, on our children’, wrong. Yet we have disregarded their have heard of the Matt. 27. 25. warnings and gone on, willingly, to expression ‘I wash disobey God and His word. What a my hands of it’. In a very cynical He made friends with a serious matter this is! Deliberately move, Pilate made it perfectly clear wicked man to sin against God, His word and our to all that he had been compelled God, of course, did not accept consciences is a serious matter. Many to make a political decision in Pilate’s claim to innocence. The can claim ignorance of God’s word, condemning Jesus of Nazareth to book of the Acts of the Apostles but His rebellious people cannot. be crucified, although he knew him records, ‘Against thy holy child Jesus, Then again, have we ever made wrong to be innocent of all the charges the whom thou hast anointed, both choices in our Christian lives? We Jews had laid against Him. So, in Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the may have been put under extreme front of all the people, Pilate ordered Gentiles, and the people of Israel, pressure, from circumstances, from a bowl of water to be brought and he were gathered together’, Acts 4. 27. friends, from family, but that does publicly washed his hands in front of That day and that occasion brought not change the fact that our choices them all, saying ‘I am innocent of the Herod and Pilate into a friendship were wrong. Career or Christ, family blood of this just person; see ye to it’, that had never existed before. In or the Lord, hobbies or His work, Matt. 27. 24. Was this a deliberate standing against Christ, in mocking the pleasures of sin for a season or referral to the law of Moses recorded Him, beating Him and condemning the reproach of Christ; these choices in Deuteronomy chapter 21, where Him, he found something in common will be constantly before us in our God instructed His people to do their with others who had done the same. Christian life. Let us do all we can, utmost to discover the identity of a Pilate attempted to stand apart from by the grace of God, to choose the murderer? If the elders of the city in the crime of condemning our Lord right, and not the wrong. And let which a body had been found had to death, but God would not let him us remember that God does hold us done their best to solve the crime, do so. responsible for the decisions we make, identify and sentence the murderer even though we may attempt to wash to death, they would not be held We do not know from the scriptures our hands of them. And finally, there guilty of the murder themselves. what happened to Pilate after this is one telling phrase about Pilate of debacle. History, however, tells us which we must all be aware, and he went on to offend the Jews time careful that we are not pressured into and time again with his cruelty and repeating. Pilate did what he knew arrogance, until he was re-called to be wrong because he was ‘willing to Rome to answer for his vicious to content the people’, Mark 15. 15. ways, in particular in putting to death Doing what is wrong will content many Samaritans. Who can say how unbelievers, and may even make us much his encounter with our Lord, friends with them, but it will never and his comment/question, ‘What bring us peace with God. is truth?’ remained with him all his days? There is surely little doubt Endnotes that his encounter with our Lord left 1 Gal. 3. 13. 2 ‘I, having examined him before you, Pilate uneasy. Pilate was afraid when have found no fault in this man he heard our Lord claimed to be the touching those things whereof ye Son of God; he was disturbed when accuse him’, Luke 23. 14. he heard our Lord dismiss Pilate’s 3 See: John 18. 38; 19. 4, 6. claim to have greater authority over 4 Matt. 27. 23; Mark 15. 14; Luke 23. 22. Him, ‘Thou couldest have no power 5 John 19. 5. at all against me, except it were given 6 John 19. 11. 23 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Continuing our examination of the essential characteristics or attributes of God: The DeiTy anD

Omnipresence It is difficult for us as human beings of the holy Spirit who think in terms of being in one By BRIAN CLATWORTHY Newton Abbot, England place at any one time in the world, to comprehend how someone could one comprehends the thoughts of it must follow that the Holy Spirit is be everywhere at the same time, God except the Spirit of God’. This likewise immutable. i.e., ubiquitous or all-pervasive. Yet enables the Holy Spirit to reveal all this is precisely how the activities things and thereby teach all things, What is evident? of the Holy Spirit are described in John 14. 26. The closing doxology of Clearly, that the Holy Spirit is scripture. He is in everything and is Romans chapters 9 to 11 has been God in His own right without any everywhere. For example, in Psalm described ‘as an eloquent expression qualification. The unequivocal 139 verses 7-8, the Psalmist refers of wonder and adoration before statement made by the Lord in to the Spirit of God being present the mystery of God’s ways, the Matthew chapter 28 verse 19 in all places, and that no one is able majesty of His mercy and wisdom’.4 that the disciples were to baptize to avoid His grasp, irrespective of This again highlights the fact, as converts ‘in the name (singular) of location. a. F. KirKPatricK suggests, in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 verse the Father and of the Son, and of the ‘escape would be impossible if he 10, that God is inscrutable to the Holy Spirit’ NKJV, provides support wished it’.1 Even more perplexing natural man. In other words, this for teaching that the Holy Spirit is for the Psalmist was the fact that verse ‘suggests the limit of divine also part of the Holy Trinity. ‘wherever he went, (he) would find profundity that is barred to humans himself confronted with a God who except with divine assistance’.5 The personality of the was already there’.2 When the Holy Holy Spirit Spirit came upon the disciples on Immutablity It is easy to accept God the Father the day of Pentecost, we are told The one thing that we as human as a person. Similarly, because of that ‘they were all filled with the beings are constantly prone to is the incarnation, we speak about the Holy Spirit’, Acts 2. 4 NKJV. This change, whether in ourselves or person of our Lord Jesus Christ. But was not simply a diffusion of the in the world in which we live. As what about the Holy Spirit? Does Spirit, but an indwelling of each one finite creatures subject to these the Bible teach that the Holy Spirit of them by the omnipresent Holy almost daily challenges, the idea is more than an impersonal force, Spirit. Similarly, Paul emphasizes this of immutability seems to be very influence or power? Is it scripturally omnipresence when he refers to the much removed from us. Yet in the correct to speak about the Holy baptism of believers into the body divine realm, immutability is an Spirit as being a real person, that is, of Christ by the Holy Spirit. As Fred important attribute of God. In the having the essential characteristics of cundicK points out, ‘The Spirit must Old Testament, God declares His personality? To answer this question, be in every locality to perform this immutability by way of contrast with we need to consider what actually ministry’.3 Israel’s constant tendency to change constitutes personality, and whether allegiance, Mal. 3. 6-7. The Psalmist the Bible does reveal the Holy Spirit Omniscience too is conscious of the immutability to be a person. Today we live in a world dominated of God by way of contrast to things by the Internet, which, for that are considered to be permanent What constitutes personality? some people, is omniscient. But in the creation yet which will One definition of ‘personality’ that would be to invest in man ultimately perish, Ps. 102. 25-28; is that it is a combination of an something that is germane to Heb. 1. 10-12. God remains and is individual’s thoughts, characteristics, God alone. And scripture makes it always the same; hence, God the behaviours, attitudes, ideas and abundantly clear that it is the Spirit Father is not subject to change as are habits. It is essentially an individual’s of God who knows all things, and the heavenly bodies in the universe.6 characteristic way of behaving there is nothing in the divine being This is also applicable to our Lord as across a wide range of situations. It of God that the Holy Spirit does not evident from Hebrews chapter 13 could also be defined as the totality know, 1 Cor. 2. 10-11, or, as the ESV verse 8. So, if God the Father and of an individual’s behavioural and translates verse 11b, ‘So also no the Lord Jesus are immutable, then emotional tendencies, or as the

24 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 grounds that the word ‘Comforter’ is masculine in Greek so accordingly D PersonaliTy takes masculine pronouns. He comforts/can be lied to/ Well what do we make of all and can be grieved this? It was the Reformer martin pirit [2] Not only does Jesus make lutHer who once asserted, ‘What provision for His disciples after His is theology, but grammar applied to socialist JoHn J macionis defines it, departure, but He describes the the text’.9 Accepting that compliance ‘the constant pattern of thinking, Holy Spirit as another ‘Comforter’ with the rules of Greek grammar feeling and acting’.7 So personality (or ‘Counsellor’), John 14. 16, i.e., are important, we should never lose has to do with mind, feelings ‘another Comforter of the same sight of the fact, however, that in and will, which are the essential type’. This presupposes that the biblical exegesis it is the context constituents of a person as distinct new Comforter would act in the that overrides other considerations. from a thing, or an abstraction. same way towards the disciples, Thus, whether we agree or disagree Turning then to the Bible we find thus, again, reflecting the traits of with how a particular translation has that it does confirm the Holy Spirit personality. According to Peter, handled this particular matter, the to be a person not just merely an one can lie to the Holy Spirit, Acts clear and unequivocal teaching of impersonal force. 5. 3, and, according to Paul, it is scripture is that the Holy Spirit is a possible to grieve and quench the person. Whenever, therefore, we are THE BIBLICAL EVIDENCE Holy Spirit, Eph. 4. 30; 1 Thess. 5. dealing with this subject, we should 19. If the Holy Spirit was merely always reverently, and with a deep He communicates an impersonal force, both Peter’s sense of awe and wonder, refer to The Holy Spirit spoke through and Paul’s statements would be the Holy Spirit as that glorious third David’s writings in the Old nonsense! However, what they person of the Holy Trinity. Testament, i.e., David acted as both confirm is that the Holy Spirit His spokesman, Acts 1. 16. He has feelings, which again reflect In terms, then, we believe absolutely also speaks, as in the prompting personality. The above verses in the deity and personality of the of Philip to engage with the represent only a tiny number of Holy Spirit. Ethiopian eunuch, 8. 29, and biblical references that could be forbids individuals from preaching used in support of the argument Endnotes as in the case of Paul and his fellow that the Holy Spirit is a person in all 1 a. F. KirKPatricK, The Book of Psalms, workers in Asia, 16. 6. This ability to the senses of that word. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, pg. 787. communicate must reflect behaviour 2 leslie c. allen, Psalms 101-150, appropriate to personality. A concern for some Christians is Word Biblical Commentary, pg. 328. why, in our English translations of 3 Fred cundicK, The Doctrine of He teaches certain verses in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit - Treasury of Bible In an important section of John’s the Holy Spirit is referred to as Doctrine, John Heading and Cyril Hocking (ed.), pg. 223. Gospel, Jesus makes provision for ‘itself’ rather than ‘himself’, e.g., 4 cHarles cranField, Romans, The His disciples to be taught after His Rom. 8. 16, 26, e.g., KJV. This has to International Critical Commentary, departure. The teacher is identified do with the rules of Greek grammar T&T Clark, pg. 589. by Him as the Holy Spirit, John in that the word ‘spirit’ is neuter in 5 robert JeWitt, Romans, Hermenia 14. 26, who would be sent by the Greek, so for an accurate translation, - A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible, pg. 716. Father in the name of His Son. Later the appropriate English pronoun 6 Note the comments of the Jewish in his First Letter, the apostle John should be used, which, in the case philosopher Philo, ’Every created highlights the teaching ministry of of Romans chapter 8 verses 16, 26, thing must necessarily undergo the Holy Spirit again so that ‘you would be ‘itself’, because ‘itself’ is change, for this is its property, even have no need that anyone should a neuter pronoun. Curiously, the as unchangeableness is the property of God’ (Allegorical Interpretation teach you. But as his anointing King James Version reverses this 2.33). teaches you about everything – and grammatical trend in its translation 7 JoHn J macionis, Sociology, Pearson is true and is no lie, just as it has of John chapter 16 verses 13-14 Education, 13th edition. taught you – abide in him’, 1 John – the use of the English pronouns 8 Note also Romans chapter 8 verses 2. 27. The ability to teach highlights ‘he’, ‘him’ etc., in certain other parts 26-27 9 Walter a. elWell (ed.), Evangelical intelligence as well as mindset thus of the same narrative is, however, Dictionary of Theology, Baker, pg. again reflecting personality.8 grammatically justified on the 613.

25 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 It is important to distinguish not only the various aspects of the work of Calvary but also their REDEMPTION effects, so as to avoid confusion of thought and doctrine. When Blood in the basin was not bought by the Lord, 2 Pet. 2. 1. the Holy Spirit speaks of truths sufficient by itself. All the time The price He paid puts, as it were, such as salvation, justification, that the blood was in the basin, the title deeds of the universe in reconciliation, sanctification the firstborn still languished under His hand. However, the world does and redemption, He is not using the judgement of God, and would not yet know redemption (and the a variety of words just for the die at midnight, just as surely as apostate never will), because it sake of it; rather, each word has the lamb had already died. But knows nothing of deliverance from its own peculiar meaning. the obedience of faith, seen in the vanity to which it is now subject. the sprinkling of the blood on the The Israelites were delivered. God Redemption sees the sinner as doorposts and the lintel, meant opened the sea to let them out of shackled and bound by a power that the lamb was most surely Egypt; and closed it again behind which afflicts him and which a substitute for the firstborn: it them to ensure that they did not he cannot break. Thus, what is could now be said that the lamb return to that which formerly held needed is a price to be paid, had died instead of that son, and them in bondage. We praise God sufficient to secure his freedom, not only on his behalf. How often that our Lord Jesus Christ ‘gave and a deliverance afforded to the have the Lord’s people rejoiced in himself for our sins, that he might one who is redeemed. There is the fact that the blood of Christ deliver us from this present evil also the thought in scripture that has shielded them from judgement world, according to the will of God that deliverance has a purpose in as they have lived in the good of and our Father’, Gal. 1. 4. view greater than the immediate the fact that the blood of sacrifice blessing and greater happiness of was always firstly for the eye It is little wonder that the first the redeemed person. of God, and that it is still true, song in the Bible, and the last, is

In the past ‘When I see the blood, I will pass a song connected to redemption. In the Old Testament, the great over you’, 12. 13. ‘He brought forth his people with picture of redemption is where joy, and his chosen with gladness’, Israel is delivered from the hand When God, of old, the way of life Ps. 105. 43. In that first song the of Pharaoh. The words of God to Would teach to all His own; purpose of God as to the reason Moses at the burning bush are He placed them safe beyond the reach for their deliverance is recognized. worth recalling: ‘I have surely Of death, by blood alone. Moses and the people are not seen the affliction of my people taken up merely with the fact that which are in Egypt, and have It is His word, God’s precious word, they no longer need to endure heard their cry by reason of their It stands for ever true: Egyptian rigour, but sing of the taskmasters; for I know their When I, the Lord, shall see the blood fact that God had redeemed sorrows; and I am come down I will pass over you. them for Himself, and would to deliver them’, Exod. 3. 7-8. learn that He would have them Who has not felt the burden daniel W. WHittle be His ‘peculiar treasure’, Exod. of the Israelites, the people of 19. 5. They were now peculiarly God held captive by a mighty The blood of the lamb in Exodus and uniquely His, even as when captor, as they were beaten by chapter 12 is complemented by He delivered us, Gal. 1. 4, He the taskmasters, held in the iron that which speaks of the death delivered us for Himself. furnace of affliction, hated by the of Christ, the Red Sea, in Exodus Egyptians, and also been grieved chapter 14. Redemption is not In the present for those who still are captives to merely purchase. In the parables of ‘In whom we have redemption iniquity?1 God Himself felt their the kingdom a man found treasure through his blood’, Eph. 1. 7; Col. affliction and heard their cry and hid in the field and, for the joy he 1. 14, is the language of assurance so brought them ‘out of the house had in the treasure, he sold all that for believers in the present day. of bondage’, ‘from the hand of he had to buy the field. Now, ‘the Our redemption, together with the enemy’, and ‘out of the house field is the world’, Matt. 13. 38, every other blessing we have, is in of servants’.2 44. By the blood of Christ such a Him, the risen and ascended Christ, price was paid that the whole world something peculiar to this church He accomplished this by blood, was purchased, so that Peter could age. Its basis is the blood of Christ. Exod. 12, and by power, Exod. 14. speak even of apostates as those What a price He paid! The Greek 26 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 at Calvary, will be delivered. His saints, ‘sealed with that holy By IAN JACKSON Spirit of promise, which is the REDEMPTION Eastbourne, England earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased agorazo has the thought of one possession’, Eph. 1. 14, will then entering into the market place be brought into the good of His to do business, buying or selling. inheritance, jointly possessing it Thus, ‘ye are bought with a price’, with Christ. 1 Cor. 6. 20; 7. 23. The Lamb is worthy because He was slain, Israel, too, will be in the good of and has ‘redeemed us to God’ by the law was our schoolmaster all that the Redeemer will bring. His blood, Rev. 5. 9. But another ‘until’ Christ; when faith came, Speaking of signs that will yet be word, exagorazo, is also used. This which had Jesus Christ as its seen relative to His coming, our has the added idea that not only object, they were no longer under Saviour said, ‘And when these has a price been paid but it was a schoolmaster nor in bondage, 4. things begin to come to pass, then with a view to the freedom of the 3. Redemption brought them into look up, and lift up your heads; one who was purchased: it means, the privilege of sonship. Titus tells for your redemption draweth ‘to buy out’, Gal. 3. 13; 4. 5. Then, us that God redeemed us that nigh’, Luke 21. 28. ‘Zion shall be in addition, another word that is He might ‘purify unto himself a redeemed with judgment, and her used is lutroo. It means ‘to release peculiar people, zealous of good converts with righteousness’, Isa. on receipt of a ransom’, and is works’, 2. 14. 1. 27, and ‘the redeemed of the used in the well-known verse in Lord shall return, and come with We praise God that the shackles singing unto Zion; and everlasting that bound us are snapped. The joy shall be upon their head: they Son has set us free by redemptive shall obtain gladness and joy; and power. sorrow and mourning shall flee

away’, 51. 11. What a day it will In the future be for the afflicted earthly people Although it is true that ‘we of God when ‘the redeemer shall have redemption’, it is also to come to Zion’, 59. 20, and they which we learn that we ‘were not be remembered that our bodies shall call them ‘the redeemed of redeemed with corruptible things, are not yet redeemed. That will the Lord’, 62. 12. as silver and gold, from your vain happen when sonship in all its conversation received by tradition fullness is known and experienced, Redemption has brought to us true from your fathers; but with the when we shall be ‘conformed freedom. But that freedom is not precious blood of Christ’, 1 Pet. 1. to the image of his Son’, Rom. a liberty to do as we will in self- 18-19. The currency of heaven is 8. 29. In anticipation of what is pleasing. It is, rather, a deliverance not the precious metals of earth, involved in the redemption of the that brings us into being bondmen which, at best, are corruptible, body, believers now groan within of the Lord, and this is true but Christ’s precious blood, the themselves, 8. 23. They live in freedom. ‘Let my people go that sacrifice which He offered to God. a fallen world, in a groaning they may serve me’, was the creation, in a universe subjected word to Pharaoh. They became ‘The curse of the law’, ‘vain by God to vanity, in a body not His own peculiar treasure. The conversation’, and ‘all iniquity’ are yet redeemed. How different will contemplation of all our Redeemer all things from which redemption it be when they are conformed to has done for us, the price He has delivered us.3 Galatians tells the image of His Son! paid to secure our redemption, us that we have been redeemed the blessings into which He has that we might know sonship. Creation itself also awaits its brought us, all ought to combine Under the law, the Israelites glorious deliverance, as it waits to give to us a desire to repay are viewed as children under for the ‘manifestation of the something of the debt of love we tutors and governors, and, in a sons of God’, 8. 19. It shall be owe in devoted service to Him. statement of great dispensational delivered from the bondage significance, the apostle says that of corruption into the glorious Endnotes ‘the law was our schoolmaster to liberty of the children of God. 1 Exod. 5. 14; Deut. 4. 20; Ps. 105. 25. bring us unto Christ’, Gal. 3. 24. Christ is a redeemer inheritor. 2 Deut. 13. 5; Ps. 106. 10; Mic. 6. 14. The thought in the verse is that The field, having been purchased 3 Gal. 3. 13; 1 Pet. 1. 18; Titus 2. 14. 27 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 The exercise of gift in the local assembly [2] The distribution of By ALAN MAUNDER affecting the Corinthian assembly. spiritual gifts Cardiff, Wales This would teach us the important I want to commence this article by truth that spiritual gifts can only be repeating what has already been that a young brother is ‘proved’, 1 exercised by spiritual men. Spiritual emphasized in the first article: every Tim. 3. 10, and then allowed to serve gifts are not to be used for self- believer has a gift.1 with the approval and commendation gratification or self-exaltation. This of his home assembly. At the other was the problem in the assembly at Scripture clearly indicates that, within end of the spectrum, although it is Corinth in relation to the use of the the same gift, God gives a different true that we do not retire from the gift of tongues; they were ‘puffed up’, measure or degree of gift to one service of the Lord, there may come and Paul has to rebuke them for it. than He does to another. If God a point when, through poor health or determines the measure given to old age, a brother is no longer fit to As Paul wrote 1 Corinthians chapter each then it is not for me to despise exercise his gift as he once did. This 13, he indicated that gifts must always a brother with a lesser measure of is something that needs to be done be exercised in love. There is no value gift. Nor should it make me jealous with wisdom and understanding. in the exercise of gift unless it is done of a brother with a greater measure in love. So, as we preach the gospel of gift. The discharge of and warn men and women about the spiritual gifts consequences of sin – hell and the Similarly, we can only exercise gifts Every believer has a gift. Each one of lake of fire – we should always show which are listed in scripture and us needs to ask, ‘am I using it?’ Sadly, sincere love to the lost. As we might, not all these gifts are with us today. there are some companies where a at times, have a ministry of correction Equally, spiritual gift is not natural small handful of people are exercising or reproof to the saints we must do ability, either what I was born with their gifts and the rest are contented so out of love. Paul writes to the or what I attain by education, ‘For to ‘sit back and do nothing’. Many, Ephesians about making ‘increase of to one is given by the Spirit . . . to like the man in the parable of the the body unto the edifying of itself in another by the Spirit’, 1 Cor. 12. 8 pounds in Luke chapter 19, have love’, 4. 16. [my emphasis]. Spiritual gift is given hidden away that which the Holy to a believer by the Holy Spirit. Spirit has endowed them with, even As we close this study, let us remind Therefore, I cannot be born with it though the clear instruction was, our hearts of the hymn: and I cannot be educated in order to ‘occupy till I come’. Each one of us acquire it. needs to ask, ‘am I occupied in using There’s a work for Jesus, the spiritual gift I have been given, ready at your hand, We must also appreciate that gift for the glory of God and the blessing ‘Tis a task the Master just for you is not of our choosing, ‘dividing to of others?’ has planned. every man severally as he will’, 1 Cor. Haste to do His bidding, 12. 11. We are only the recipients When Paul penned the opening yield Him service true; of what the Spirit in His sovereignty words of 1 Corinthians chapter 12, There’s a work for Jesus none decides we should be given. So I he was turning their attention to but you can do. do not look at the list of gifts in the spiritual matters. Up to that point he scriptures and decide which one I had been dealing with carnal matters Work for Jesus, day by day, would like to have. We submit to the Serve Him ever, falter never; sovereign will of the Holy Spirit in the Christ obey. matter.2 Yield Him service loyal, true, There’s a work for Jesus It is possible for a believer to have none but you can do. more than one gift. For example, a [William t. meyer] brother with the gift of the evangelist may also possess the gift of teacher, Endnotes although it does not always follow. 1 The reader is referred to: Rom. 12. It is a well-known saying, but 3; 1 Cor. 12. 7; Eph. 4. 7. There is no such thing as a believer without nevertheless bears repeating, that we a gift. This is emphasized again in don’t believe in a one-man ministry 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 10. Just but neither do we believe in an any- note in passing the use of the word man ministry. We must see the clear ‘measure’, Rom. 12. 3; Eph. 4. 7. evidence of gift, and gift is given 2 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 31 is not written to individuals but to the primarily for use in the assembly whole assembly. Paul wanted them where God has placed us. It is there to have the best. 28 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Changes in the Precious Seed Trust As the careful reader will have noted, there have been a number of significant changes in the Precious Seed Trust over the course of 2016. These changes will enable us to move forward in 2017 DV, and I have detailed them as follows:

1 Rutherford Rabey has stepped role, streamlining and computerising through the Internet and social down from his role as chairman systems to the benefit of the media, we have decided to re-focus of the Precious Seed Trust. working of the Trust. Although our reporting of gospel activity to not everyone was as engrossed in that which is more generic and less We would like to thank him very the accounts that were presented specific to a named local church, much for his assistance in the at each meeting, it was Howard’s individual, or time. Based upon this work. Although he was with us a passion! In the last eight years his change, Sandy is taking on the role relatively short time, he helped contribution to the work has been of editing articles for the magazine us through a period of transition massive, enabling it to grow to the – this will be effective from January and restructuring. We appreciate extent that it has. We owe Howard 2017. Writers wishing to submit the time and effort he gave to the a significant debt of gratitude for his material for consideration will find work in the two years he was with consistency, diligence, tirelessness, his address on the back cover of the us. Apart from being a worthy and wise counsel over the years. We magazine, or they can send it to this ambassador of the work, the shall all miss him in his retirement email address, continuing success of the Precious but, I am sure, join to wish him [email protected] Seed calendar owes much to our every blessing in his work for the brother’s endeavours. We wish him Lord in Coleford as well as in the We thank all our readers for well in his labours in the north-east south-west of England. their patience if they have been of England and further afield and inconvenienced during this period trust that he might know the Lord’s 3 Michael Buckeridge (Grantham) of change. As always, we value continued help and blessing. is joining the Trust. the prayers of the Lord’s people to continue the work as He deems 2 Howard Coles has retired as We are pleased to welcome Michael appropriate and for the blessing of treasurer of the Precious Seed to the work, although he is not His people. Trust. a complete stranger to it. He has contributed to YPS and has taken John Bennett It was in the January 1991 magazine an interest in other aspects of Chairman and General Editor that the name of Howard Coles the magazine in the past and we On behalf of the Trust first appeared in the list of trustees. look forward to what he can bring Although he was approached before in the future. Although we have that, he has been part of, and has streamlined the tasks involved in contributed significantly to, the work the role of treasurer to the Trust, for over twenty-five years. none more so than through the new Precious Seed online shop, it remains He became secretary to the Trust a significant responsibility. in January 1998 and treasurer in July 2008. As secretary, he worked Readers are reminded that any closely with Roy Hill as chairman donations, changes of address and Michael Jones as treasurer. As for magazine mailing or changes treasurer, he has worked closely to your magazine order should with John Scarsbrook, Roy Hill, be addressed to Michael – his and Rutherford Rabey. Both roles address is on the back cover of that he has fulfilled have involved a the magazine. I am sure that he significant amount of work but none will value your co-operation in this more so than the role of treasurer. important task. Indeed, only those who have worked closely with Howard, as I have, will 4 Sandy Jack becomes the new know the extent of the burden that Ministry Articles Editor. he has carried. Sandy has already been involved in It is safe to say that Howard compiling and editing the Reports introduced a much more open and Section of the magazine. With detailed way of working in this latter information being readily available 29 PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Compiled by JOHN SCARSBROOK

Books are available from the publishers shown (or from John Ritchie in the UK, or Gospel Folio Press in Canada), and NOT from Precious Seed Publications

Beginnings – Old Testament Overview Volume 1 Richard Catchpole Paperback, 323 Pages, Published by Precious Seed Publications, 34 Metcalfe Avenue, Killamarsh, UK. ISBN 978-1- 871642-66-7. Precious Seed Publications set themselves the very worthy task of providing Christian readers with a series of books that offer an overview of a number of books of the Old Testament at once, arranged according to their chronological rather than their place-in-the-Bible order. This book – appropriately entitled ‘Beginnings’ – covers the familiar books of Genesis and Exodus, while additionally tackling the rarely read book of Job, who is thought to have been contemporary with the earliest patriarchs. Although one might have expected simple introductions to each book, Richard Catchpole has provided, if not verse- by-verse coverage, then certainly complete topic-by-topic comments. Genesis and Exodus contain some of the most important themes in the Bible, such as the creation, the fall, the flood, the call of Abraham, then the grand themes of the redemption of the children of Israel from Egypt, and worship in the tabernacle, as well as the giving of the Old Covenant in general. These are clearly explained and the New Testament significance of all these topics is also well presented. The Book of Job is long, and for the first-time reader quite complicated. However, the author deals with the story very well, including a good description of Job’s spiritual suffering, and the unhelpful comments of his friends, who could only think that God was punishing Job for his sins, whereas God actually had a purpose in it all. Where appropriate here and elsewhere in the book, the readers are challenged to look at their own lives in the light of the spiritual issues raised. For those readers motivated to dig deeper into the Bible books covered, lists of in-depth, reliable commentaries are provided. The reasonable price of £7.50 means that this book is certainly good value for money, and overall represents a good buy! [Our thanks to Howard Barnes, Westhoughton, England, for this review]

Christian Frontline Series – The Christian and Money Hansruedi Graf Paperback, 94 pages, Chapter Two, Fountain House, 3 Conduit Mews, London, SE18 7AP, United Kingdom ISBN 978-1-85307-257-4. Programmes or articles about money are usually deadly boring. Who can listen to ‘Moneybox Live’, or read the financial pages of their newspaper without their pulse slowing to 40 b.p.m. and fear of slipping in and out of consciousness? It is refreshing, then, to come across this slim volume which manages to deal readably with an important subject from a biblical standpoint. The author avoids making money itself a thing of importance, emphasizing, rather, that it is our attitude to it that God is interested in. The reader finishes the book with a clear understanding that financial success from a spiritual point of view is not simply a matter of how much money we accumulate, but how we handle it in the Lord’s service, whether we have much or little. A popular secular lyricist misquoted the scripture as, ‘Money, so they say, is the root of all evil today’, but our author sets the record straight, ‘money itself is neutral, but our relationship with it strongly influences our lives’ and the book is at pains to bring out what the Bible has to say about how to conduct that relationship. The most technical passage is in the section headed ‘Money and possessions during different times in history’ where the Christian’s relationship with money and this world’s goods is carefully distinguished from that of the faithful in Israel before the Lord Jesus came. This exposes the error of the ‘Prosperity Gospel’ where people are promised earthly riches if they become Christians; even this section is clear and easy to read. ‘Practical instructions for handling money’, deals with the matters of debt, savings, giving, budgeting, employment and ethics. Without sounding horribly like ‘Moneybox Live’, the book provides not too heavy, financially well-informed common sense, based on relevant Bible verses. The third section notes the fact that many of the Lord’s parables use a financial framework to make their point. However, rather than following the main point of the parable the author looks at the way that the principles he has already brought out are illustrated in the Lord’s teaching. This is fresh and effective, as is the book as a whole. [Thanks to John Stewart, Killamarsh, Derbyshire, England for this review]. God’s weeping prophet and wayward people - Jeremiah’s prophecy and Lamentations Malcolm C. Davis Paperback, 269 pages, Published by John Ritchie Ltd, 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, KA3 1RH, Scotland. ISBN: 0978- 1-910513-50-7. A cursory glance at the brief comment on the back cover of this book brought me up with a jolt! Referring to the subject matter I read, ‘The books (of Jeremiah and Lamentations) are relevant to us today, as we face a still greater judgement of God in the coming tribulation’. Being well acquainted with the author, I knew that rather than ‘we’ he meant ‘the world’, and, sure enough, the statement soon followed that the commentary is ‘written from the premillennial, pretribulational standpoint’. This book complements the author’s works on Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel in concluding his studies in the writings of the ‘major’ prophets. It is presented in similar style, with a concise commentary on each chapter, setting out its relevance to the people of Jeremiah’s day, together with historical background and practical application as appropriate. The introduction, explaining the political and moral atmosphere of the days in which Jeremiah wrote, is particularly beneficial in understanding the message of his prophecy. The burden and weight of Jeremiah’s message is clearly portrayed throughout the book and helpful comment is made to explain the structure of the chapters which, at times, are not chronological. The brief comment on Lamentations is useful as a succinct introduction for any who would consider studying this intriguing little book in more detail for themselves. The commentary closes with a number of ‘Practical studies in Jeremiah’s major themes and recurring phrases’. These include, ‘The names and character of God’, ‘Christ in Jeremiah’s writings’ and ‘The restoration of the faithful remnant of Israel’. If one criticism could be levelled at the writing style, this reviewer found the preponderance of capital letters, particularly in the chapter introductions, to be quite irritating. However, that is a personal comment and should not deter a prospective buyer from obtaining this helpful and recommended book.

PRECIOUS SEED INTERNATIONAL – NOVEMBER 2016 Conducted by Question Time RICHARD COLLINGS

QUESTION Is ill health an evidence of God’s chastening?

ANSWER

The root cause of all suffering is sin not sins. For write in very commendable terms to the Philippians example, a baby that only lives a few hours or weeks about one of their company, Epaphroditus. He said does not die because it has sinned; the cause of that that he is ‘my brother, and companion in labour, infant death goes back to the dawn of human history. and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that Before sin invaded God’s creation there was no death, ministered to my wants’, 2. 25. What an asset this no sweat, no tears, no pain and no curse. One of the man was to the work of the Lord and to the assembly direct consequences of Adam’s sin is the effect it has in Philippi and yet we learn that he had been ‘sick had on the human body. In his state of innocence, nigh unto death’. Timothy was another person whose Adam had a body that would never age or die, but testimony was without blemish, he is one of the few from that moment of rebellion in Eden things changed. people in the Bible who is called a man of God. Amongst the saddest words recorded in the Bible He enjoyed a unique friendship with Paul and his were those spoken by the Lord God to Adam: ‘In the affinity with the apostle was such that Paul could say sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return of him that he had no man likeminded. Despite this unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust commendation, however, Timothy was afflicted with thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return’, Gen. 3. 19. frequent infirmity and suffered from some form of stomach complaint. But that verdict was not limited to Adam but extended beyond him to all who have inherited his fallen nature, There are other examples that could be cited but so that Paul wrote, ‘as by one man sin entered into the these will suffice to prove that ill health is not, of itself, world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all evidence that the sufferer is being chastened by God. men, for that all have sinned’, Rom. 5. 12. Not only has However, we must not deduce from that summary that death passed upon all men but so too has sickness, for ill health is never a proof of divine displeasure, for our bodies are not only mortal, but also corruptible. sometimes it might be. Therefore, the outcome of Adam’s sin is that we live on a planet spoiled by sin in bodies that are susceptible Early in the book of Acts, we read of the deaths of to all forms of disease and ill health. Ananias and Sapphira; they were summarily dealt with because they had lied to the Holy Ghost. Frailty, pain and death blight the whole human race, Another example of sickness being inflicted due to and such suffering is experienced by saved and disorderliness relates to the church at Corinth. Their unsaved alike. Writing to the church at Rome, Paul appalling behaviour towards each other at the Lord’s states, ‘For we know that the whole creation groaneth Supper invoked stern discipline from God: ‘For he that and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our and many sleep’, 1 Cor. 11. 29-30. body’, Rom. 8. 22-23. Thus, sickness is the common lot of mankind and, therefore, we must not think that every Sometimes, because of our waywardness, God has to time we are ill that God is chastening us for some act deal with us in a punitive way. However, let me add of disobedience. one point of caution. Whilst God may choose to deal punitively with someone, neither you nor I have the As we read through the scriptures, we discover that right or spiritual discernment to assume that someone many godly people suffered ill health. Paul could is being punished of God.

Questions for this column should be addressed to [email protected] a magazine to encourage the study of the scriptures,the practice of New Testament church principles Front Cover Illustration and interest in gospel work ‘And . . . we came to Rome’, Acts 28. 16 The ancient city of Rome is situated on seven hills that sweep down towards the River Tiber. Tradition maintains that the city was founded in 753 BC, and for approxi- Chairman and General Editor: mately 244 years was a monarchy until the Etruscan king Tarquin the Proud was expelled by the citizens of Rome JOHN BENNETT in 509 BC. From that period onwards, Rome was centrally 19 Alfreton Road, Pinxton, governed by the Senate, whose members came from an elite group of wealthy aristocratic families known as the Nottingham NG16 6JZ Patricians. The Senate was often in conflict with the lower social classes (Plebeians) of the day, but, in essence, this form of shared government became extremely effec- Treasurer: tive. So much so that, within a very short period of time, Rome through her powerful legions became the domi- MICHAEL BUCKERIDGE nant force throughout the whole of the Mediterranean region, and beyond. One of the great features of Roman Secretary: conquest was the way in which they built connected roads throughout their empire to the city of Rome. Hence JOHN SCARSBROOK the famous saying, ‘A thousand roads lead men forever to Rome’. This unique and convenient network of roads 34 Metcalfe Avenue, Killamarsh, clearly aided the spread of the gospel throughout the ‘And . . . Greco/Roman world in the first century AD, and Paul we came to Sheffield S21 1HW NOVEMBER 2016 Rome’, may well have this partly in mind when he thought about VOLUME 71 / NUMBER 4 Acts 28. 16 the timing of God in respect of the incarnation of His Son, Ministry Articles Editor: Gal. 4. 4. So to visit Rome was an ambition of most individuals, including Paul, Rom. 1. 13; 15. 22-24, but his motivation was very different from those who simply wanted to enjoy the experience. Yet, instead of Paul visiting Rome to help develop the local church as he anticipated, he arrived as a prisoner in chains SANDY JACK under armed escort, Acts 28. 16. How different are the ways of God from our own, Isa. 55. 8-9, they are, 62 Kings Avenue, Eastbourne BN21 2PD in Paul’s own words, ‘past finding out’, Rom. 11. 33! Nevertheless, despite the limitations imposed upon him by being bound with chains, Acts 28. 20, Paul spends two years under some form of house arrest, freely proclaiming the gospel to all who visited him, vv. 30-31. Thus proving that the word of God can Section Editors: never be fettered even when our own personal circumstances are constricted, 2 Tim. 2. 9. Whilst scholars are divided on this issue, in all probability, Paul finds time at this juncture to write a number of letters Histories, Services – IAN GRANT that are often referred to generically as the ‘Prison Letters’, i.e. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. The witness to the gospel had started in Jerusalem, and had now reached Rome, the centre 395c Gt. Western Road, Aberdeen AB10 6NY of the civilized world. It would continue to travel throughout the rest of the world, and ultimately fulfil the words of the Lord prior to His ascension, Acts 1. 8. In Paul’s day, men boasted of the freedom and YPS – STEPHEN BAKER privileges that Roman citizenship gave them, but even this status pales into insignificance when we think of the freedom and privileges that are ours as citizens of an eternal kingdom, Phil. 3. 20; 2 Pet. 1. 11. 25 General Drive, West Derby, Liverpool L12 4ZB n Please send book orders to: Precious Seed Publications, 34 Metcalfe Avenue, Killamarsh, Sheffield S21 1HW, UK. Other Trust Members: n Magazine orders, amendments and gifts should be sent to the above Jonathan Black, Brian Clatworthy, address or to the Lilydale, Grand Rapids, St. Catharines or Bandon addresses below. Richard Collings, Ian Rees, n Contact Addresses: Stephen Sherwin, Ken Totton. U.K. Precious Seed International, 34 Metcalfe Avenue, All committee members can be contacted at Killamarsh, Sheffield, S21 1HW. [email protected] Australia Precious Seed International, PO Box 836, Lilydale, Victoria 3140. or via 0044(0)1142 511700 Canada Precious Seed International, c/o Counsel Magazine, P.O. Box 427, St. Catharines, ON, L2R 6V9. FACTS AND FIGURES U.S.A. Precious Seed International, P.O. Box 3401, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-3401. n The magazine is published quarterly by the Precious Seed Trust, Registered Charity Ireland Precious Seed International, Bethel, No. 326157. (Eurozone) 7 Watergate Lower, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland. n It is distributed, without charge, to over n Visit our web site: www.preciousseed.org 100 countries. n Make use of our e-mail facility: [email protected] n Numbers printed are over 13,000, plus n Call us on 00 44 (0)1142 511700 over 1500 in India. If you wish to help in the work, this can be done in several ways:- n About 50% of copies go overseas and half of these to ‘third world’ countries. 1) BY CREDIT/DEBIT CARD using our website www.preciousseed.org and n Postage accounts for over 60% of our costs. selecting ‘Support Precious Seed’ on the menu bar, or n Including postage, each magazine costs 2) BY ELECTRONIC BANK TRANSFER either using online banking, or by around £1.00 sterling. instructing your bank local branch to make an electronic payment. The n Gifts to help in the work may be sent Precious Seed bank account details are: - in any major currency to any of the • Account name: Precious Seed • UK Account Number:00399475 addresses shown opposite or through • UK bank Sort Code 30-98-94 the website. • IBAN:GB75 LOYD 3098 9400 3994 75 • BIC: LOYDGB21454

© Precious Seed International. The magazine is If you use this method please let us know separately either by email to copyrighted for the purpose of maintaining the [email protected] or via the post as sometimes the details of payees integrity of the material and not to limit proper are not evident from bank statements. use of the articles. For use in other publications 3) SEND THE REPLY SLIP BELOW with a cheque donation to any of our and for orders and distribution please contact addresses in UK, Ireland and the Eurozone, Australia, Canada. Because Michael Buckeridge, PO Box 10544, Grantham, recent USA money laundering regulations are making it very difficult for NG31 0HW, UK.. The magazine is issued free of overseas banks to process domestic US $ cheques, these can no longer be charge. Its production is maintained by the freewill offerings of the Lord’s people. accepted. Please refer to 1) or 2) above if you are living in the USA and wish Readers are requested to notify to make a donation. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. changes of address and to keep the number of magazines ordered Name ...... under review. No member of the Address ...... Committee receives any remun- eration for services to the Trust...... www.preciousseed.org NOTE: ARTICLES EXPRESS THE CONVICTIONS HELD BY THE AUTHORS. ALL THE Precious Seed International TRUSTEES MAY NOT AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS STATED IN ANY ONE ARTICLE. ULTIMATELY, THE AUTHOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IS WRITTEN.