Part 1 (2/2)

5. Its Prophetic Accuracy. At least sixteen prophets prophesied concerning future events. They told of the coming destruction of cities and empires, calling them by name. They told of new kingdoms.

They told of the coming of Christ, his nativity, the place of his birth, and the result of his life and death and made no mistake.

Christ himself showed how their old prophecies were fulfilled in Him.

He told the destruction of Jerusalem and the nature of his Kingdom and work, all of which has been shown to be true. No other but a Divine book could have foretold the future in detail.

6. The Richness and Universality of Its Teachings. Its contents are fresh and new to every age and people. Its teachings furnish the highest standards for right human government and for personal purity of character. Its virtues are superior to all others. Every generation finds new and wonderful treasures in it, and while hundreds of thousands of books have been written about it, one feels that it is still a mine, the riches of whose literary excellence, moral beauty and lofty thought have scarcely been touched.

7. The Fairness and Candor of Its Writers. In portraying its heroes, the Bible does not attempt any gloss. Their faults are neither covered up nor condoned, but condemned. This is unlike all other books.

8. Its Solution of Man's Difficulties. What is the origin of the world? What is the origin of man? How came sin in the world? Will there be punishment of sin that will satisfy the unfairness and inequalities of life? Is there redemption for weak and helpless man?

Is there a future life? These are some of the questions that have troubled man in all ages. The Bible alone answers them in a simple yet adequate way. It alone gives us the knowledge of the way to secure happiness. Its remedies alone furnish a certain balm for bruised human hearts.

9. Its Miracles. The Bible, which records how G.o.d sent his son and others on special missions, also tells how He attested their work by signs or miracles. These miracles were performed in the presence of creditable witnesses and should, therefore, be believed. Moreover, they are so different from the superhuman deeds of ancient mythology as to stamp them as divine and true and at the same time to discredit all the false.

Bible miracles are never for mere exploitation or for personal profit to the one who performs the miracle. They are for the good of others.

The blind and deaf and lame are healed. The sick and dead are raised.

Lepers are cured and sins forgiven. Moreover, those who perform the miracle claim no power of their own, but attribute it all to G.o.d and only perform the miracle that G.o.d may be exalted.

10. Its Spiritual Character. It is evident that man alone could not have conceived the lofty ideas of the scripture. All his experience proves that he can not produce anything so far beyond himself. These high truths therefore, have come from a greater than man.

11. Its Fruit. No other book will do for man what the Bible does. The spread of its truths makes man better. Wherever the Bible goes civilization and enlightenment follow. This is so, no matter what the former condition of the people. Where everything else fails, the Bible succeeds in lifting men out of ignorance and shame.

12. Its Own Claims to Divine Origin. (1) It clearly claims to be the the word of G.o.d. (a) All scripture is given by inspiration Of G.o.d. 2 Tim. 3:16. (b) G.o.d spake unto the fathers by the prophets, Heb. 1:1.

(c) Holy men of G.o.d spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21. (d) He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, Luke 1:70.

(e) Which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake. Acts 1:16. (f) G.o.d showed by the mouth of all his prophets. Acts 3:18. (g) By the revelation of Jesus Christ, Gal. 1:12. (h) Not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of G.o.d, 1 Thes. 2:13. (2) It claims to be a good book and to be given for man's good. Both of these claims have been amply justified. But it could not be a good book and claim what is not true. This it would do if it ware not the Word of G.o.d.

Chapter II.

The Names of G.o.d.

Several names are used for G.o.d, each having its own significance, and every Bible reader should in some general way know the meaning of each name. We cannot always distinguish the exact meaning, but the following, while not all, will be of use in reading the English translation.

1. G.o.d. This comes from one word and two of its compound or forms and will mean accordingly: (1) The Strong one used 225 times in the Old Testament; (2) The Strong one as an object of wors.h.i.+p; (3) The Strong one who is faithful and, therefore, to be trusted and obeyed.

This last is a plural term and is used 2300 times in the Old Testament. It is the name used when G.o.d said. ”Let us make man” and ”G.o.d created man in his own image,” etc., Gen. 1:26-27. It was by this name that G.o.d the Trinity covenanted for the good of man before man was created.

2. LORD. Small capitals in the old version and translated Jehovah in the in the revised translation. It means: (1) The self-existing one who reveals himself; (2) G.o.d as Redeemer. It was under this name that he sought man after the fall and clothed him with skins. Gen. 3:9-17; (3) G.o.d who makesand keeps his covenants. It is used more than 100 times in connection with the covenants, as in Jer. 31:31-34 where he promises a new covenant.

3. Lord. Small letters except the L and always denotes G.o.d as Master in his relation to us as servants. There are two kinds of servants- hired and bought servants, the latter being always superior and more beloved. The servant is expected to obey and is guaranteed protection and support for his service.

4. Almighty G.o.d. This means a Strong-breasted one, the Pourer or Shredder forth of spiritual and temporal blessings. It refers to G.o.d: (1) As a nourisher, strength-giver, satisfier and a strong one who gives; (2) As the giver of fruitfulness which comes through nourishment. He was to make Abraham fruitful, Gen. 17:1-8; (3) As Giver of chastening. This he does in the way of pruning that there may be more fruit.

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