2000_05

•••

Some murmur when their sky is clear and wholly bright to view,If one small speck of dark appear in their great heaven of blue.And some with thankful love are filled if but one streak of light,One ray of God’s great mercy, gild the darkness of their night.

—Richard Chenevix Trench

BACK of the CLOUDS

SPECIALREPORT:

Update on Iowa• HEBREWS’ ADVICE to ELDERS• HELP for the HELPLESS• The HEAVENS in the HEBREWS

JUNE 2000

The clouds of Gradualism (2:1-3): If we do not give“earnest heed” to what we have “heard,” the truthswhich we ought to hold dear will drift away from us.The word “slip” means “to flow past, to glide by”(VINE’S). Almost imperceptibly the dark clouds of“neglect” (v. 3) block out the light and leave us chilledand uncertain of the way to escape the coming deluge.Let us affirm what was confirmed (v. 3) to us.

The clouds of Agnosticism (3:7-19): “Better tobelieve your beliefs and doubt your doubtsthan to believe your doubts and doubt yourbeliefs.” We say we trust in an all-wise, all-powerful, loving God. Do we act like that?Martin Luther, who had been “under theweather” spiritually, awoke one day to find hiswife dressed in mourning. “Who died?” heasked. “God did,” she replied. “Foolishness,”retorted Luther. “Why would you say such a

thing?” “That’s how you’re acting,” she replied.“Let us therefore fear”—take God seriously—lest we

allow the storms of doubt to sweep our minds ratherthan calling on the One who in a moment can speak His“Shalom!” and bring immediate calm.

The clouds of Dwarfism (5:11-14): Little sins rob usof great blessing. Only a thin mist blocks out the sun.Inattention to the Word, frittered hours, day-dreaminglife away, petty quarrels, and spiritual lethargy keep usfrom growing strong in the Lord. Cut off from the influ-ence of heaven’s light, we grow limp, unable to draw upthe deep things of God. “Let us go on to [maturity]”(6:1). “…be not slothful, but followers of them whothrough faith and patience inherit the promises” (v. 12).

The clouds of Pessimism (10:32-37): It isn’t easy tolive under a cloud. The early believers (and many saintstoday) at first “took joyfully” the spoiling of their goodsbecause they saw beyond the storms and knew that inheaven they had “a better and an enduring substance.”But as the clouds lingered they found “reproaches andafflictions” hard to bear, and were tempted to cast awaytheir confidence instead of casting their care on Him.We have the same choice now. Let’s live in theSonshine.

he day dawned wet and raw. I felt as limp as thegray flannel sky. I was leaving for meetings anddidn’t feel either willing to leave home or pre-

pared to go. And I felt I deserved to feel miserable, andto inflict it on those around me. Somehow I said mygoodbyes and boarded the plane. The engines roared tolife, and the aircraft lifted off the sodden runway intothe sullen clouds. The plane lurched and bouncedthrough the turbulent air. For a few momentsnothing could be seen out my window butswirling gray. And then it happened.

We broke out into calm blue sky as far asthe eye could see. From the upper side, theclouds looked puffy and white. The golden sunshone through the little porthole, onto myupturned face, into my soul. And just as suddenas the change outside, a snatch of a song brokethrough the inclement weather in my heart:

Never fear tho’ shadows dark around your path may fall;Do not let your heart be troubled;From His throne in heaven God is watching over all,He will ever care for you.

Back of the clouds the sun is always shining,After the storms your skies will all be blue;God has prepared a rosy-tinted lining,Back of the clouds it’s waiting to shine through.

Keep the light of hope eternal dwelling in your heart,Rest upon the Father’s promise,And you’ll find that cares and worry quickly will depart,Heaven’s peace will enter in (C. R. FREEMAN).

Those rays of sunshine had travelled 93 millionmiles to reach me and I believed then, as I do now, thatthey came right from God: “For God, who commandedthe light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in ourhearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory ofGod in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). Sunshinewas His idea, and evidently the apostle thought thatthere was a relationship between sunlight and Sonlight.In each case the shining came directly from His heart.

This issue of Uplook features articles on the wonder-ful Epistle to the Hebrews. It is radiant with the light ofheaven. Everywhere the Lord Jesus is seen in His sur-passing glories. But there are clouds in the book, too.

2 UPLOOK • JUNE 2000

E D I T O R I A LE D I T O R I A L

The storms down here shouldn’t be allowed to block the sunny forecast.

J. B. Nicholson, Jr.

T

BACK OF THE CLOUDS

FeaturesHELP FOR THE HELPLESS William Gustafson 7

HEBREWS: SETTING THE STAGE George Landis 7

A BRIEF OUTLINE OF HEBREWS 8

THE CHARACTER OF THE BOOK William Kelly 9

THE HEAVENS IN THE HEBREWS J. G. Bellett 12

ENTER IN J. Boyd Nicholson 14

THE SUPERIORITY OF FAITH W. Ross Rainey 17

ISAAC AND GOD’S SAVIOUR A. H. Stewart 21

HEBREWS’ ADVICE TO ELDERS Shawn Abigail 23

CHAPTER 13: JOURNEY’S END Peter J. Pell 25

IOWA UPDATE Randy Costello 26

DepartmentsEDITORIAL 2FRONT LINES 4DARE TO THINK 19HEROES 27

C O N T E N T S

UPLOOKNumber 5Volume 66 June 2000

3www.uplook.org • JUNE 2000

UPLOOK

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ne of the most encouragingpromises in the book ofHebrews is found in the little

statement, “find grace to help intime of need” (4:16). The Lord Jesushad taught His disciples in John 15:5that “without Me ye can do nothing”(i.e., not one thing). Paul remindedthe Corinthian believers that we arenot “sufficient of ourselves to thinkanything as of ourselves, but oursufficiency is of God” (2 Cor. 3:5).So in the helplessness of a societytrying to function without God orbiblical principle in the home,church, or government, we areencouraged with the promise ofHebrews 4:16.

The writer says, “Let us,”implying we have a choice tocome of our own volition.That is evidenced in our mid-week prayer meetings, isn’tit? When things are going wellwe rather easily let that meetingslip past our busy schedules, butif disaster strikes, then we’re quickto show up at the prayer meeting.

Secondly, the writer says we areto “come boldly,” the term meaningwe are to be outspoken, frank, hon-est, specific. Since God is omni-scient, He knows our situation any-way; He’s just waiting for us toadmit our need, our helplessness, ourdependence in His presence. Noneed for any cover-ups before Him.

Thirdly, our access is to “thethrone of grace,” the ultimateresource for the believer. Why is itwe turn so quickly to the agenciesand counselors of the world’s ungod-ly systems for our help? We have a“merciful and faithful high priest,”

One that is “able to help” (Heb.2:17-18). We have “boldness toenter into the holiest by the blood ofJesus,” therefore, “Let us drawnear”! (Heb. 10:19, 22).

What will we find to meet ourneed, our helplessness? Mercy andgrace! We have already experiencedHis mercy and grace in salvation.We often sing, “Mercy there wasgreat, and grace was free…AtCalvary.” But His mercy and graceare our daily provision in this tumul-

the Lord God said, It is not goodthat the man should be alone; I willmake him an help meet for him.” Justas a spouse is to be alongside forsupport and encouragement, so is theSaviour, our Heavenly Bridegroom,available to us. The saints in thelocal fellowship are to be involved,too. It’s the “bear ye one another’sburdens” principle mentioned inGalatians 6:2. We were not meant totry to cope with the vicissitudes oflife by ourselves. “He setteth thesolitary in families”—including the

local assembly (Ps. 68:6); and wehave the promise of the

Saviour Himself, “I willnever leave thee, nor

forsake thee” (Heb.13:5).Acts 27 records thevoyage of Paul acrossthe Mediterranean

enroute to Rome. Hewas sailing in a “tem-

pestuous wind.” At onepoint, “they used helps

undergirding the ship” (v. 17).It is the same Greek word used inour text in Hebrews 4—ropes orchains for aid or assistance.Christian, that’s the work of the HolySpirit in each of us. He ties togetherall the loose ends in our livesenabling us to safely make it tohome port in spite of the storm.

Be encouraged today, with thewords of the Psalmist who mentionshelp more than forty times in hiswritings. “God is our refuge andstrength, a very present help in trou-ble” (46:1). “Our help is in thename of the Lord, who made heavenand earth” (124:8).


And just in the nick of time!

O

Help for the helpless

H E B R E W S 4 : 1 6 WILLIAM H. GUSTAFSON

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tuous scene as well. “Surely good-ness and mercy shall follow me allthe days of my life” (Ps. 23:6).Darby renders, “grace to help” as“seasonable help.” I take that tomean help for every particular situa-tion and circumstance. G. CampbellMorgan states that help is “in thenick of time.” It is ours even intimes of doubt and unbelief (anotherrendering of “time of need”).

This text is the last mention ofhelp in the Bible. We find help firstmentioned in Genesis 2:18, “And

CONGRESS 2000Congress is a gathering of single

Christian young people, ages 16 andup (avg. age approx. 21). While theemphasis is on spiritual growth andfellowship, there are other activities.

The schedule runs Friday night,June 23 to Saturday, July 1. Comefor the week, a weekend, or a day.Keith Trevolt (KS) will be speaking,DV, on learning from experience.Also classes on: Daily Intake,Reaching Out, Christ’s Return,Thinking Biblically, LivingSacrifices. The rate for the fullCongress (8 nights): $190; weekendrate: $80; daily rate: $37. The direc-tor for this camp is Steve Hulshizer.

Greenwood Hills7062 Lincoln Way EastFayetteville, PA 17222(717) 352-2150

WORD ALIVE WEEKSaints are invited to a Word Alive

Week, July 2-8, 2000 at Faith BibleCamp, Victoria Beach, Manitoba (onLake Winnipeg, 60 miles north ofWinnipeg). The speaker will beMike Attwood (GA), Lord willing.The theme of the week will be thegospel. The morning sessions willcover the doctrines of salvation, andthe evening sessions will be taken upwith the Feasts of Jehovah.Workshops will include topics suchas: how to prepare and present yourpersonal testimony, how to lead anevangelistic Bible study, and dealingwith objections to the gospel.

Contact Ron Hampton at:874 London St.Winnipeg, MB R2K 3P7 (204) [email protected]

CAMP IROQUOINA SCHEDULEHome Schoolers’ Family Camp

June 25-July 1Boys’ Camp July 2-15Boys’ Basketball Camp July 9-15Soccer Camp July 16-22Family Camp I July 29-August 5Girls’ Camp August 6-19Family Camp II August 19-26Teen Quest August 27-31

John MacPhersonRR 1, Box 1601Hallstead, PA 18822-9748Phone (570) 967-2577Fax (570) [email protected]

INDIAN FELLOWSHIP CONF.The 23rd annual conference will

be held at the James MadisonUniversity campus (Harrisonburg,VA) from July 5-9. Lord willing, the


F R O N T L I N E S

he first NA Workers’ &Elders’ Conference was heldin 1938, organized by Mr. T.

B. Gilbert. This conference has beenheld annually ever since, except dur-ing World War II due to travel limi-tations. Initially it was designed toencourage “full-time” workers,whether stateside or abroad. In thelast few decades, the invitation hasbeen opened to elders as well. Manyhave taken advantage of this invita-tion especially those who have a pas-sion for conservative NT principles.

Approximately seven years ago,our assembly made a concertedeffort to attend our first Workers’ &Elders’ conference. Our goal was touse this meeting to reflect on theleadership of our local assembly andconsider where we should be spiritu-

ally. We received such a great bless-ing from our first attendance that wehave not missed any subsequent con-ferences. Our assembly has reapedthe benefit of this effort.

There certainly was no disap-pointment with the 1999 conferenceheld in Hamden, CT. The commonthread woven through this and otherconferences was the emphasis ontwo key pillars: prayer and the Wordof God. The attendees meet for anhour of prayer each morning andlater in small groups. The rest of theday is spent in the Word of God withteaching and practical discussions onsuch things as Sunday School andyouth work, conducting weddingsand funerals, and spiritual nurturingof family balanced with assemblylife. The ladies had time to edify one

another in their own ministries andin encouraging their husbands.Being able to listen to veterans inthe faith with their wise perspectivesproved stimulating for youngerbelievers. The fellowship and unityof brethren has a profound impact.

Plans for this year’s conference inLawrence, KS, Oct. 10-12, ought tobe kept in mind. All are invited—full-time worker or not. Contact:

Donald L. Norbie(970) 356-0817 [email protected]

Come and share “the care of the churches”

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National Workers’ Conference


theme of the conference will be“Spiritual Growth and Maturity”with speakers Lubos Kresina (USA),Tony Martin (Canada) and M. A. Joy(India). There will be workshops on:how to study the Bible and spiritualgifts as well as special programs forthe young people. Contact:

Thomas Chacko6 Maple CircleMonroe, CT 06468(203) [email protected]

GOSPEL OUTREACHA gospel outreach is being

planned, Lord willing, in Minot, NDfrom July 20-29. This will involveliterature distribution, visitation,gospel meetings, and a booth at theND State Fair. Your involvement andprayer would be appreciated.For info, call: (701) [email protected]. Ronald at (306) [email protected]

UPWARD BOUNDUpward Bound is a two-week

program Aug. 14-27. The first weekwill be a time of Bible study atWilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo,ON, with a number of speakers. Ifyour schedule permits, plan a secondweek and take a canoe trip into theinterior of Algonquin Park. Contact:

Sandy McEachern(519) [email protected] http://welcome.to/UpwardBound

FELLOWSHIP FAMILY CAMPThe dates for Fellowship Family

Camp are August 13-17 in theRocky Mountains near Estes Park,CO. Phil Kleyman will be thespeaker this year. For info:

Fellowship Family Camp2605 14th Ave. CourtGreeley, CO 80631(970) 356-0817

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIESRest Haven Home

Early August will bring twoopportunities to serve in the kitchenat Rest Haven Home in GrandRapids, MI. The most important cri-teria for this service is a cheerful,willing spirit. If you would like moreinformation, please contact BrianWilson at (616) 363-6819.

Good News NetworkGood News Network is looking

for a person commended fromassemblies with radio training orhands-on experience for on-air workwith the network of eleven Englishstations. A Spanish speaking personis also needed for three Spanish sta-tions. Contact Clarence Barinowski:

3213 Huxley Dr.Augusta, GA 30909(800) [email protected]

School Principal/AdministratorLiving Waters Christian Academy

in Argyle, Nova Scotia, Canada isseeking a school principal/adminis-trator for the coming school year.

Joseph Churchill(902) [email protected]

FELLOWSHIPOlympia, WA

Christians serving in the ArmedForces stationed in the area ofOlympia, WA (near the Air Forcebase and Fort Lewis), are invited tocontact LeRoy Junker for hospitalityand fellowship.

505 Mckenzie Rd. SWOlympia, WA 98512(360) [email protected]

COMMENDATIONS/CHANGESMarcus and Jennifer Reyes

The assembly of believers atCarrollwood Bible Chapel (Tampa,

FL) commends Marcus and JenniferReyes to full-time missionary ser-vice in Mexico.

Marcus and Jennifer have been infellowship at Carrollwood for fouryears. They have been activelyinvolved in the ministry of preach-ing, teaching, personal evangelism,discipleship, youth and SundaySchool work. For the past severalyears they have had an exercise forservice on the foreign field in Bibletranslation and church planting.

After prayerful consideration andobservation of their faithful servicein the work of the Lord, the eldersand saints have acknowledged andendorsed their exercise.

Frank BurgessThe saints in fellowship at the

Marble Hill Bible Chapel (MO) dohereby withdraw, at the request ofMr. Frank Burgess, the commenda-tion of the assembly to the ministryof Camp Horizon, Leesburg, FL.Also withdrawn is his commenda-tion to itinerate ministry.

NEW CORRESPONDENTCupertino, CA

Phil Hamilton was recently desig-nated as correspondent for HillviewBible Chapel in Cupertino, CA.

Philip J. Hamilton10207 Camberley CourtCupertino, CA 95014-2632(408) 973-1876

NEW DIRECTORThe Board of Evangelistic

Horizons Unlimited is pleased toannounce the appointment of SteveSlusser as Administrative Director ofCamp Horizon. Kitty Slusser willassume the duties of Food ServicesManager. The Slussers have beencommended to the work by North56th Street Bible Chapel in Tampa.Over the years, Steve has served atthe camp in a number of roles.

Front Lines

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he Hebrew epistle is a journeyinto heaven to view the sur-passing glories of the Son of

God. The literary style of the book islucid, logical, smooth, stately, andsublime. The customary introductionand salutation are absent. Like theBible itself, Hebrews begins withGod. It is characterized by frequentexhortations interspersing the argu-ments, instead of being reserved forthe end of the epistle. The great sub-

Judaism. Jewish leaders were proba-bly upholding the objective elementsof Levitical worship—the writings ofthe OT; the covenant of law receivedthrough angelic meditation; theachievements of Moses and Joshua;the Aaronic priesthood; the templewith its vessels, service, and animalsacrifice—as indicating the superior-ity of Judaism over Christianitywhich was a belief system of purefaith in an unseen Saviour. The facts

of Judaism were set against the faithof Christianity to the attempted dis-paragement of the latter. Doubtlessthe converts were challenged to pre-sent some tangible proofs of thedivine origin of Christianity.

To a person who had been taughtfrom childhood to reverence allthese visible elements of Judaism,such an argument would be impres-sive, for Christianity had nothing tooffer but an invisible Saviour whoseclaims were challenged on everyhand. The argument would be forti-fied by terming the Christian Jewsapostates from Jehovah, renegadesfrom the law of Moses, and as hav-ing forfeited all the blessings of thelegal covenant.

To prevent this possible defection,the author sets forth the “better”things of Christianity, showing thesuperiority of Christ to the prophets,angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron, andtemple sacrifices and service.

2. Ultimate Purpose:The Holy Spirit anticipates and

answers in advance the Judaizingtendencies which have crept into theprofessing Church through the cen-turies. These tendencies, reachingtheir climax in Romanism and ritual-istic Protestantism, are steadilyinvading many evangelical move-ments. Never was this epistle neededmore than at present (2 Tim. 3:5).

AUTHORSHIP

Although anonymous, the bookhas been ascribed to Paul, Timothy,Apollos, Barnabas, Priscilla,Clement and others. God knows thehuman author, but there is strong


A few key details for students to keep in mind.

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Hebrews: setting the stage

B A C K G R O U N D E R GEORGE LANDIS

jects are alluded to and later devel-oped. It is full of Old Testamentquotations, illustrations, andimagery.

PURPOSE

1. Immediate Purpose:a. To doctrinally establish the

truth of the finality of Christianity,in contrast with the temporary andtypical character of Judaism.Christianity is seen not to be a repu-

diation or abandonment of earlierrevelation made to Moses, but ratherits fulfillment, the substance ofwhich Judaism was but the shadow.

b. To strengthen them in the faceof persecution by weaning theirhearts from Judaism which, beforeGod, had ended with the rending ofthe temple veil (Mt. 27:51) andwhich was soon to end historicallywith the destruction of Jerusalem.

c. To prevent apostatizing to

Few books inthe Bible so

stir the mindto understand

the plan ofsalvation and

at the sametime stir the

heart todelight in theSaviour who“by Himself”accomplished

it all.


HEBREWS: SETTING the STAGE

6. God, knowing the temple was soon to be destroyedand the Jews scattered, may have chosen the eminentlyqualified Paul while the types were fresh in their minds.

a. He had extensive and accurate knowledge of theOT and of the temple service and ritual (Acts 22:3).

b. His unique conversion suited him to write of theopened heavens and of the exalted and glorified Christ(Acts 26:13-19).

7. The nature of the epistle, which presents Christ asthe Apostle and High Priest of our confession (3:1), for-bids emphasis on human apostleship.

DATE

Probably between 60 and 65 AD. Internal evidenceindicates the temple was still standing, necessitating adate earlier than 70 AD when it was destroyed by Titus.

PERSONS ADDRESSED

Primarily Hebrew converts to Christianity areaddressed, but it is full of helpful commentary on theOT types and shadows for us today. We would miss asignificant portion of divine revelation if we failed toidentify ourselves with our Jewish brethren in leaving“the camp” and going to our blessed Lord in His rejec-tion until the glory He now bears in heaven is revealedto all the world. “Your life is hid with Christ in God.When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall yealso appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:3-4).

evidence of Pauline authorship:1. Peter refers to a letter which Paul had written to

Hebrew converts (2 Pet. 3:15-16; cf. 1 Pet. 1:1).2. It contains “some things hard to be understood”

especially for Hebrew readers (chs. 9, 10, 12), as wellas for others (6:4-9; 10:26-31).

3. It contains Paul’s secret mark (13:25; cf. 2 Thess.3:17-18), which was a protection against spurious let-ters ascribed to him (2 Thess. 2:2). Contrast the end ofPaul’s epistles with the end of those by other writers,where the mark is absent.

4. Three epistles expound the truth of Habakkuk 2:4,“The just shall live by…faith.” The first two were writ-ten by Paul (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11), which fact adds tothe probability that he also wrote the third (Heb. 10:38).

5. Paul would have had reasons for keeping the epis-tle anonymous:

a. To prevent Jewish prejudice against himself caus-ing a reaction against the teaching of the epistle. ManyJews denied Paul’s apostleship and accused him ofseeking to destroy the Levitical system.

b. His great love for the Jews, his brethren accordingto the flesh, would cause him to write to those who pro-fessed salvation (Rom. 10:1-2), though they might haveprejudices against him.

c. He no doubt realized that appeals to the OTScriptures would be more convincing to Jewish convertsthan would an appeal to his own apostolic authority. �

A Brief Outline of HebrewsA Brief Outline of HebrewsINSIDE the VEIL (chs. 1-10)1. The Son of God superior to Prophets (1:1-4)2. The Son of God superior to Angels (1:5-14)3. The Son of Man superior to Adam (2:1-18)4. The Son over the House superior to Moses (3:1-19)5. The Rest-Bringer superior to Joshua (4:1-13)6. The Great High Priest superior to Aaron

a. As to His person (4:14-7:28)b. As to His work (8:1-10:25)

i. A better ministry (8:1-6)ii. A better covenant (8:7-13)iii. A better sanctuary (9:1-11)iv. A better sacrifice (9:12-10:25)

OUTSIDE the CAMP (chs. 11-13)1. Life in Christ superior to Judaism

a. As a life of Faith (11:1-40)b. As a life of Hope (12:1-29)c. As a life of Love (13:1-17)

2. Conclusion and Benediction (13:18-25)

N.B. the warning passages found at 2:1-4; 3:7-19; 5:11–6:20; 10:26-39; 12:25-29

he epistle to the Hebrews dif-fers in some importantrespects from all the other

epistles of Paul, so much so thatmany have questioned whether it bethe writing of Paul, of Apollos, ofBarnabas, or someone else. Of thismy mind has no doubt. I believe thatPaul, and no other, was the author,and that it bears the strongest intrin-sic traits of hisdoctrine. The styleis different, and sois the manner ofhandling the truth;but the line oftruth, thoughaffected by theobject in view, isthat which savorsof Paul beyondall—not of Peter,or John, or James,or Jude, but ofPaul alone.

One good rea-son why the epis-tle has a differentcharacter is thefact that it goes outside his allottedprovince. The apostle of theGentiles, if writing for the instruc-tion of Jews, as here he clearly was,was evidently outside the ordinaryfunction of his apostolic work.

There is another reason why theepistle to the Hebrews diverges sen-sibly and materially from the rest ofthe writings of Paul. It is not, strictlyspeaking, an exercise of apostleshipat all, but of the writer (apostlethough he were) as a teacher, andhere a teacher clearly not ofGentiles, as he says elsewhere, but

of Jews. Now it is plain, if he whowas an apostle and preacher andteacher of the Gentiles was led bythe Holy Spirit to address the saintsthat were of the old Jewish fold,there must have been a markeddeparture from his usual manner ofpresenting the truth of God.

The book of Hebrews, thisblessed result of his acting outside

his own ordinary sphere, is the finestand indeed the only specimen ofteaching, properly so-called, in theNew Testament. It is not a revelationgiven by prophetic or apostolicauthority, and for this reason, I pre-sume, he does not introduce himselfat all. It is always a failure when theteacher, as such, is prominent. Theteaching (not the teacher) shouldarrest and instruct.

In writing to the Hebrew believ-ers, the writer puts himself in thebackground. Besides being apostleof the uncircumcision, he was a

teacher; and God took care that,although expressly said to be ateacher of Gentiles, his should be theword to teach the Christian Jews too.In fact, we may be assured that hetaught them as they never weretaught before. He opened theScriptures as none but Paul could,according to the gospel of the gloryof Christ. He taught them the value

of the living ora-cles that God hadgiven them; forthis is the beautifulcharacteristic here.Indeed the epistleto the Hebrewsstands unique. Byit the believingJew was led into adivine applicationof that which wasin the OldTestament—thatwhich they hadhabitually read inthe Law, Psalmsand Prophets, fromtheir cradle we

may say, but which they had neverseen in such a light before.

That mighty, logical, penetrating,richly stored mind! That heart withsuch affections, large and deep, asscarce ever were concentrated inanother bosom! That soul of experi-ence wonderfully varied and pro-found was the one whom God wasnow leading in a somewhat unwont-ed path, no doubt, but in a pathwhich, when taken, at once approvesitself by divine wisdom to everyheart purified by faith.

For if Peter, as is known, were


A scholarly but deeply spiritual overview of the epistle to the Hebrews.

T

The character of the book

T H E H E B R E W S L E T T E R WILLIAM KELLY


The CHARACTER of the BOOK

same Jesus who is now atthe right hand of God. Butthe first place in which wehear of Him is as Son ofGod on high, according tochapter 1, but we also seeHim as Son of manaccording to chapter 2.

It was there, in fact, thatPaul had himself first seenthe Lord. Who then was sosuitable to introduce Jesus,the rejected Messiah at theright hand of God, as Saulof Tarsus? On the way toDamascus that staunchest ofJews had his eyes first opened by grace to see by thepower of the Holy Spirit the glorified Christ.

It is to Christ in heaven then that Paul, writing to theChristian Jews, first directs their attention. But he doesit in a manner which shows the singularly delicate tactgiven him. True affection is prudent for its object whenperil is near. In no way are the former messages of Godforgotten in the days of their fathers. Nor would onegather from this epistle that its writer labored among theGentiles, nor even that there was a calling of Gentilebelievers in the Lord Jesus. The epistle to the Hebrewsnever speaks of either.

We can understand, therefore, how active-mindedmen who occupied themselves with the surface—themethod, the style, the unusual absence of the writer’sname, and other peculiarities in the phenomena of thisepistle—too readily hesitated to attribute it to Paul.They might not attach much general tradition whichascribed it to him. But they ought to have looked moresteadily into its depths, and the motives for obviouspoints of difference, even were it written by Paul.

Granted that there is a striking absence of allusion tothe one body here—but there was one nearer and dearerto Paul than even the Church. There was one truth thatPaul labored even more to hold up than the one bodywherein is neither Jew nor Greek—the glory of Himwho is the head of it. Christ Himself was what made theassembly of God precious to him. Christ Himself wasinfinitely more precious than even the Church which Hehad loved so well, and for which He gave Himself.

Of Christ, then, be would deliver his last message tohis brethren after the flesh (as well as the Spirit). And ashe began preaching in the synagogues that He is the Sonof God (Acts 9), so here he begins his epistle to theHebrews. He would lead them on, and this with gentle

pre-eminently the apostle of the circumcision, it wasthrough him that God first of all opened the door of thekingdom of heaven to the Gentiles; and if the ApostlePaul, with the concurrence of his brethren, had gone tothe Gentiles, nonetheless did the Spirit of God employPaul to write to the believers of the circumcision themost consummate treatise of the bearing of Christ andChristianity on the law and the prophets, and practicallydealing with their wants, dangers, and blessing.

Thus God carefully guarded from the technical draw-ing of lines of rigid demarcation to which evenChristians are prone, the love of settling things in pre-cise routine, the desire that each should have his ownplace, not only as the proper sphere of his work, but tothe exclusion of every other. With admirable wisdomthe Lord directs the work and the workmen, but neverusing one exclusively. The Apostle Paul is here theproof of it on one side, as Peter is on the other.

What is the consequence under the blessed guidanceof the Spirit? Though the great teacher of the believersfrom among the Jews, we have not Paul here butthrough him God Himself left to address His own in thewords, facts, ceremonies, offices, persons so longfamiliar to the chosen people. Paul does not appear.This could hardly have been by any other arrange-ment—at any rate not so naturally. “God,” says he,“having in many measures and in many manners spo-ken in time past to the fathers in the prophets, at thelast of these days spoke to us in His Son, whom Heappointed heir of all things, by whom also He made theworlds.” Paul would thus show them the infinite dignityof the Messiah whom they had received. Never wouldPaul weaken the personal rights or the official place ofthe Anointed of Jehovah. Contrariwise, he would leadthem on to find what they had never yet seen in theirMessiah. And, wonderful to say, he founds his proofs,not on new revelations, but on those very words of Godwhich they had read so superficially, the depths ofwhich they had never approached, nor had they so muchas suspected. They knew the facts of Christianity; theyhad yet to discover the linking of all Scripture withChrist’s Person, and work, and glory.

But mark the manner of the writer. He is careful toestablish the thread of connection with God’s Word andways of old; and yet there is not a single epistle whichmore elaborately, throughout its entire course, sets thebeliever in present relationship to Christ in heaven.From the very starting point we see Christ, not merelydead and risen, but glorified in heaven. There is nodoubt that the writer meant his readers to hold fast thetruth that He who suffered all things on earth is the


The CHARACTER of the BOOK

plished, after the Son of God Himself was come and Hisglory fully revealed. Now when promises were given tothe fathers, they did not go beyond the earthly glory ofChrist; but known to Him were all things from thebeginning, yet He did not outrun the course of His deal-ings with His people. As they manifested themselves intheir own weakness and ruin, higher glories began todawn, and were needed as a support to the people.Hence invariably you will find these two things correlat-ed. Reduce the glory of Christ, and you equally loweryour judgment of the stateof man. If you see the totalabsolute ruin of the creature,then none but the Son in allHis glory is felt to be a suf-ficient Saviour for such.

Accordingly, while heintimates by this that all waspartial, being piecemeal andmultiform in the revelationsfrom God to the fathers, helets them know in the nextverse that the same God hadin the last of these days“spoken unto us in His Son,whom He hath appointedheir of all things, by whomalso He made the worlds.” IfHis glory was so great, whatmust be the word of such aSon? What the fullness ofthe truth that God was nowmaking known to His peopleby Him? Who was He—thisMessiah—that they attempt-ed to confirm Him as kingof the Jews, and so if possible, to aggrandize them-selves, establishing themselves as the conquerors of theRomans? He was no one less than the brightness ofGod’s glory, the express image of His substance; theupholder, not of Israel or their land only, but of allthings “by the word of His power.”

But listen: “When He had by Himself purged oursins”—was not the whole Jewish system blotted out bysuch a truth? It is to the exclusion of every other instru-ment. Help there was not; means there could not be. HeHimself undertook and achieved the task alone and,when He had thus done it, “sat down on the right handof the Majesty on high; being made so much better thanthe angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a moreexcellent name than they.”

but firm and witting hand. He would deepen theirknowledge lovingly and wisely. He would not sharetheir unbelief, their love of ease, their value for outwardshow, their dread of suffering; but be would reserveeach folly for the most fitting moment. He would lay avigorous hand on that which threatened their departurefrom the faith, but he would smooth lesser difficultiesout of their way with a light touch.

But when he gained their ear, and they were enabledto see the lights and perfections of the great HighPriest, there is no warning more energetic than thisepistle affords against the imminent and remedilessdanger of those who abandon Christ, whether for reli-gious form or to indulge in sin. All is carried on in thefull power of the Spirit of God, but with the nicest con-sideration of Jewish prejudices, and the most scrupu-lous care to bring every warrant for his doctrine fromtheir own ancient yet little understood testimonies.

It is evident, however, even from the opening of theepistle, that though he does not slight but uphold, theOld Testament scriptures, yet he will not let the Jewspervert them to dishonor the Lord Jesus. How had Godspoken to the fathers? In many measures and in manymanners. So had He spoken in the prophets. It was frag-mentary and various—not a full and final manifestationof Himself. Mark the skill! He thereby cuts off, by theunquestionable facts of the Old Testament, thatover-weening self-complacency of the Jew which wouldset Moses and Elijah against hearing the Son of God.

Had God spoken to the fathers in the prophets?Unquestionably. Paul, who loved Israel and esteemedtheir privileges more highly than themselves (Rom. 9),was the last man to deny it. But how had God spokenthen? Had He formerly brought out the fullness of Hismind? Not so. The early communications were butrefracted rays, not the light unbroken and complete.Who could deny that such was the character of the OldTestament? Yet so cautiously does he insinuate the obvi-ous character of that which was revealed of old, that at afirst reading they might have no more perceived it thanmost of us. But there it is; and when we begin to provethe divine certainty of every word, we weigh and weighagain its value.

It is then pointed out that there were formerly manyportions and modes in God’s prophetic communica-tions. This was doubtlessly the way in which His revela-tions had been gradually given to His people. But forthis very reason it was not complete. God was givingpiecemeal His various words, “here a little, and there alittle.” Such was the character of His ways with Israel.They could not bear more till redemption was accom-

Though the great

teacher ofthe believersfrom amongthe Jews, we

have notPaul here

but throughhim God

Himself leftto address

His own.

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he Epistle to the Hebrews maybe read in various lights, yetno one ray interferes with

another. In the first two chapters, itopens the heavens to you as theynow are. How blessed is the intro-duction of such a thing to the heart!When you look up, you see thephysical heavens above you; but it isonly the superficial heavens you see.This epistle introduces the innerheavens to you, not in a physical, butin a moral character. It introduces usto the glories of the Lord Jesus, nowaccepted in the heavens. We are thusenabled to see the heavens where Hesits and what He is about there.

TWO AMAZING VIEWS

When the Lord Jesus was here, aswe learn in Matthew 3, the heavensopened to get a sight of Him. Therewas an object on earth worthy of theattention of the heavens. When Hereturned to heaven, the heavens hadan object they had never knownbefore—a glorified Man. And now itis the role of our epistle to show usthe heavens as the place of this glo-rified Man. And as in Matthew 3 weget the heavens opened to look downat Christ here, so in the Hebrews youget the heavens opened that you maylook up at Christ there.

THE HISTORY OF THE HEAVENS

But suppose you ask, Is that allthe history of the heavens? Have yougone to the end? Indeed I have not.In chapters 4 and 5 of the Revelationwe get the heavens preparing for thejudgment of the earth. Then at theclose of the volume I find the heav-ens not only the residence of the glo-

rified Man, but of the glorifiedChurch. What a divine library it isthat can present to us such secrets asthese!

CHAPTERS 1 AND 2

Now we will set ourselves downbefore chapters 1 and 2. “When Hehad by Himself purged our sins, satdown on the right hand of theMajesty on high” (1:3). The Lordhas been here purging our sins, andHe has gone up to occupy the heav-ens as the Sin Purger.

Suppose I had been to a distantcountry. My description of it to youmight fill you with delight and adesire to visit it. But when the HolyGhost comes and shows you theheavens, He does more than this—He shows you that your interests areconsulted there. Our Representativeis seated in the highest place. Is itpossible to have a more intimate linkwith the place? It is a wonder we arenot all on the wing to get there assoon as we can! To think thatbecause He came to die a wretcheddeath for us, He is seated there! Idefy you to have a richer interest inthe heavens than God has given you.

ABOVE THE ANGELS

Now in verse 4 we see that notonly as the Purger of our sins, but inthe fullness of His Manhood He isthere, seated above the angelic hosts.We have seen already what an inter-est we have in Him as the Purger ofour sins. Now the chapter introducesHim to us as the Son of Man aboveangels. Man has been preferred toangels! Human nature in the personof Christ has been seated above

angelic nature. The whole of chapter1 is thus occupied in giving you twosights of Christ in heaven. What twosecrets they are! The Purger of oursins, and very Man, like ourselves,seated at the right hand of theMajesty on high.

THE PARENTHESIS

I read the first four verses ofchapter 2 as a parenthesis. Do younot like these parentheses? The HolyGhost speaks in language familiar tous. We see friends, when conversingtogether, turning a little aside to con-verse about one another. So theapostle speaks here, “I am teachingyou wonderful things. Take heed thatyou let not such things fall on acareless ear.” We must not be merescholars. If we are disciples of a liv-ing Master in the school of God, weshall have our consciences exercisedwhile we are pursuing our lesson.That is what the apostle is doinghere. That parenthetical admonitionfalls on the ear winsomely.

A NEW GLORY

But though a parenthesis, it opensa new glory to us. How the field ofScripture teems with fruit! It is not athing you have to till diligently andget but little fruit. That parenthesiscontains another glory of Christ. Heis seated there as an Apostle—myApostle. What does that mean? He isa preacher to me. God spoke intimes past by the prophets; He isspeaking to us now by the Son.Christ in the heavens is the Apostleof Christianity. And what is His sub-ject? Salvation. That salvationwhich, as the Purger of our sins, He


A breathtaking journey from the throne to the cross—and back again.

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The heavens in the Hebrews

H E B R E W S 1 & 2 J. G. BELLETT


The HEAVENS in the HEBREWS

thoughts rise on the soul when we come to that! Are youin possession of Him, so that you never in a singlethought are tempted to look beyond Him? We have anunquestionable, infallible salvation, one that will standthe shock and strain of every coming day.

From verse 11 we further see our interest in the glo-rified Man. “Both He that sanctifieth and they who aresanctified are all of one; for which cause He is notashamed to call them brethren.” Not ashamed! Tell itout that earth and heaven may hear! This glorified Manis a brother of the elect of God. He is not “ashamed”because of their dignity. Not merely because of Hisgrace, but because of their personal dignity. He hasappointed me a share of His own throne. Is He ashamedof His own doings, of His ownadoptings?

Do not get creeping, coldthoughts as you read Scripture.Our thoughts of Christ shouldbe such as to take captive ourold man “to bear us on eagles’wings.” “In the midst of thechurch will I sing praise untoThee.” Christ leading the songof the ransomed ones, and notashamed to be found in theircompany! “And again, I willput my trust in Him.” He didthat when He was here, and wedo it now. “And again, Behold Iand the children which Godhath given Me.” There is ourinterest in the glorified Man.

Then we return to see whatHe was in humiliation. “Hetook not on Him the nature ofangels; but he took on Him theseed of Abraham.” He left theangels where He found them.The angels excelled in strength.They kept their first estate, and He left them there. Manexcelled in wickedness, and He came and linkedHimself with man.

Then verse 17 introduces us to another glory ofChrist in the heavens. We see Him there as our HighPriest, ever waiting with reconciliation for sins, and suc-cor for sorrows. The epistle teems with divine glories. Itis massive in glory and ponderous in the divine thoughtsthat press into its short space. He claims us; He lovesus; He identifies with us; He stands ready to help us.What more could we ever want than this?

worked out for us; and which, as the Apostle of our pro-fession, He makes known to us. There is more furnish-ing of the heavens for you.

Then verse 5 returns to the theme of chapter 1. Itgoes on with the distinctive glories of Christ, assuper-eminent, above angels. “For unto the angels hathHe not put in subjection the world to come.” What is“the world to come”? It is the millennial age, which weread of in Psalm 8.

We have three conditions of the Son of Man here. “Alittle lower than the angels;” “crowned with glory andhonor;” and “set over the works of God’s hands.” Sothat the world to come is not put in subjection to angelsbut to the Son of Man. Now you find that you have aninterest in this glorified Man. I was saying that if I wentto a distant land and described to you its scenic won-ders, you would desire a sight of them. But this epistleshows you that you have a personal interest in theseglories. Is there a single point that the Son of man hastravelled in which you have not an interest? The apostletraces it here for you. This epistle is opening the distantheavens to your view, and showing you the glories thatare Christ’s. As a result you have an immediate, person-al interest in those glories.

In verse 10 a new thought comes in: “to make thecaptain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”Pause here for a moment. It became the glory of God togive you a perfect Saviour. Do you believe it? What �

The angels excelled instrength…and He leftthem there.

Manexcelled inwickedness

and Hecame and

linkedHimself

with man.

he heart-cry of many wellmeaning, hard-working believ-ers today might be expressed in

the words of the hymn:

Where is the blessedness I knew, When first I saw the Lord?Where is the soul-refreshing view, Of Jesus in His Word?What peaceful hours I once enjoyed, How sweet their memory still,But they have left an aching void, This world can never fill.

This could have been the lan-guage of the Hebrews to whom thisletter was written long ago. They hadbegun well and suffered for it(10:32-34). They were like theirancient counterparts who had leftEgypt, crossed the Red Sea, andsung the song of victory as the hostsof Egypt were swallowed up in thewater. But then there was the longwilderness journey, and Amalek, andthe sad record of disobedience andunbelief. So they wandered 40 yearsand many “could not enter inbecause of unbelief” (3:19).

So it was with these Hebrews.They had suffered by “reproachesand afflictions” for their step offaith. They are given a solemn warn-ing by the use of this graphic exam-ple—the failure of Israel to enterinto the land because of unbelief.

UNBELIEF KEPT THEM OUT

They are warned that it is possi-ble for New Testament believers alsoto come short of entering into theblessings of their spiritual inheri-tance, the realm of conflict, con-quest, faith, and rest, because ofunbelief. With those Hebrews it was

not unbelief in the fact of God. Theyknew that He was. It was not unbe-lief in the power of God. He had“made the worlds.” It was unbeliefin the measure of the grace of God,that having sinned and failed, theirJewish mindset caused them to lookbackwards to the old system whereinthey had once found solace, the sys-tem of oft-repeated sacrifice. Theythought, like their forebears, thathaving failed, they would have to goback and bring another sacrifice.They had never grasped the com-pleteness and acceptability of thefinished work of Christ nor the abid-ing value of His unfinished work ontheir behalf in heaven.

The Lord is using an OT exam-ple, and we in our day may profit byit. There was a covenant promisegiven to Israel for them to believe:

I am the Lord, and I will bringyou out from under the burdens ofthe Egyptians, and I will rid youout of their bondage, and I willredeem you with a stretched outarm, and with great judgments:and I will take you to Me for apeople, and I will be to you aGod: and ye shall know that I amthe Lord your God, whichbringeth you out from under theburdens of the Egyptians. And Iwill bring you in unto the land,concerning the which I did swearto give it to Abraham, to Isaac,and to Jacob; and I will give it

you for an heritage: I am theLord (Ex. 6:6-8).

GOD WANTED THEM IN

This covenant had first beengiven to the patriarchs (Ex. 6:3); ithad been established by His Word (v.4); and was remembered by the Lord(v. 5). The Lord confirmed it byseven “I will’s” in Exodus 6. Theywere assured of seven great facts.

They would be relieved andbrought up; “I will bring you” (v.6a). They would be released andbrought out; “I will rid you out oftheir bondage” (v. 6b). They wouldbe redeemed and brought back; “Iwill redeem you” (v. 6c). Theywould be recovered and broughtnear; “I will take you to Me” (v. 7a).They would be related and broughtthrough; “I will be to you a God” (v.7b). They would be led and broughtto the land; “I will bring you in untothe land” (v. 8a). They would beblessed and made rich by an inheri-tance; “I will give it to you for anheritage” (v. 8b).

All these covenant promises areembraced within the parentheticalarms of the Divine Promiser “I amJehovah” (vv. 6, 8). For NT believ-ers, theirs is a promise of eternalblessings and a spiritual inheritance,“an inheritance incorruptible, andundefiled, and that fadeth not away,reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet.1:4). But we need not wait for heav-en to taste of its fruits, savor its vic-


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H E B R E W S 3 - 4 J. BOYD NICHOLSON

Enter inCome across the river to the blessing side.


ENTER IN

subdued. And so it will be with us (see Rom. 16:20).Perhaps it surprises the child of God, that as we pur-

sue our heavenly calling and seek a closer walk in thepurposes of God, the way does not become easier northe conflict lighter. The Lord never promised His disci-ples it would be easy—only His abiding presence andHis yoke, and that is not easy until we take it up.

Those Canaanite enemies were not the only dangersto the Hebrews, however. There were other solemn dan-gers that could keep them from “entering in”—the samedangers, in fact, that Israel had faced in the wilderness.

1. Failing to heed the voice of the Spirit (Heb. 3:7):In OT times, it was mainly the voice of the Father; inthe Gospels, the voice of the Son; but from Pentecosttill now, it is the voice of the Holy Spirit. There aremany spurious voices which claim to be the voice of theSpirit, but the Holy Spirit will never speak contrary tothe Holy Scriptures. It is to these sacred truths we musttake earnest heed. The lamp of the Word will expose thedarkness. And, sharper than any two-edged sword, it willpierce “even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thethoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). This willmean reading God’s Word, heeding God’s Word, andfeeding on God’s Word.

2. Permitting the hardening of the heart to go onunchecked (Heb 3:8): But how is the heart hardened?“Through the deceitfulness of sin” (v. 13). Then wemust ask, how does sin deceive? The reference is toNumbers 14, “the provocation” and “the day of tempta-tion” in the wilderness when Israel tested God to seehow far they could go on in sin without His interven-tion. Sin deceived the people by making them think thatthe pleasures of sin were better than the provisions ofthe Lord (Num. 14:2). Sin deceived them by makingthem assume that God’s pardon always excludes His dis-cipline. But His word to them after the intercession ofMoses was, “I have pardoned...but…” Having testedGod’s patience ten times, He told them that they wouldnot see the land (vv. 20-21). Sin deceived them by mak-ing them presume that their sinful behavior only affect-ed themselves, but a sad consequence was that theirchildren would wander with them forty years (v. 33).

3. Departing from the living God (Heb. 3:12): Theword “depart” is not so much “leaving” but “standingoff ” “holding at a distance” “turning away from” (JND).It is the attitude of the heart being “stand-offish”towards God. In the active voice, it is to cause others todepart. A solemn responsibility indeed.

However, for the Hebrew believers—and all such, allis not lost. There was a 3-fold preservative from such

tories, and be enriched by its spiritual treasures.“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord JesusChrist, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessingsin heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).

However, to enter into and enjoy some of the richesof that inheritance here and now, certain facts have tobe established in our faith, as it was for Israel in view-ing the possibilities of enjoying the blessings of God’spromises to them.

First they had to realize that there actually was arealm of blessing to enjoy. This was no dream, no will-o’-the-wisp, no fleeting hope to fade away like themorning mist. There actually was a wonderful place ofblessing to enter (Ex. 3:8).

But they had a problem. While still in Egypt, thatrealm of blessing seemed so distant, so impossible. Butthe Lord assured them that He had seen their affliction,He had heard their cry, and He knew their sorrows (Ex.3:7). There are some sorrows that can never be put intowords. They are heard only in groaning spirits that onlyGod can know. So He lifted up their head and told themwhat He intended for them to enjoy. He was going tobring them to a wonderful land, a land of freedom, full-ness, and fruitfulness; but it would also be a land offighting. The enemy would be in the land (Josh. 3:10).

SOME POWERFUL ENEMIES OPPOSE US

So it is with us. We have a realm of spiritual bless-ings to enjoy. This has been opened up to us at greatcost and by the grace of God. However, there are bless-ings we may enter only by the appropriation of faith andby diligent endeavor (Heb. 4:2, 11). This strategic spiri-tual territory must be occupied by wrestling and con-quest (Eph. 6:12)—not by the energy of the flesh, butby the provision of God and the enabling power of theSpirit whose voice we are to heed.

After battling with Amalek in the wilderness, per-haps it was a bit of a shock for the children of Israel todiscover that there were powerful enemies yet in theland. Paul reminds us of our spiritual conflict today,“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but againstprincipalities, against powers, against the rulers of thedarkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness inhigh [heavenly] places” (Eph. 6:12). Heavenly places isthe realm of our blessings in Christ (Eph. 1:3; 2:6).

Pharaoh was overthrown in a day. Amalek battledwith them all through the wilderness journey. Now theywere going to face seven powerful enemies in the land.In fact, they did more battling in the Land of Promisethan either in Egypt or in the wilderness. But ultimatelyall those enemies in the land would be conquered and


ENTER IN

theirs 40 years before they entered the land!

IT IS ALL OURS ALREADY

Oh, how much is ours today in Christ, “He thatspared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,how shall He not with Him also freely give us allthings?” (Rom. 8:32). If we are not entering into theseriches we must presume that either they don’t reallyexist or we just don’t believe it is all for us. Maybe wethink it is reserved for those wonderful Christians weknow, for the godly and the great servants, but not for“ordinary” Christians like us.

The Hebrews, having settled their hearts and exhort-ed one another, were then to “labor”—be diligent—toenter into the realm of rest (4:11). We are pointed againto the children of Israel. In spite of redemption byblood, deliverance from Pharaoh, miraculous provisionday by day, and preservation all the way through, manyof them lost their lives on the wrong side of the riverand never entered into the Land of Promise.

LET US NOT MISS IT

So the danger was for the Hebrews and for us today,that in spite of Calvary, a finished work, an emptytomb, a glorified Saviour, an ever-living great HighPriest ministering for us continually and the voice of theindwelling Holy Spirit, it is possible for many whosesouls are saved by grace to waste their days and neverenter in to the enjoyment of those “spiritual blessings inheavenly places in Christ.” The Lord Jesus said, “Forwhosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoevershall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, the sameshall save it” (Mk. 8:35).

The unbelieving may play with their toys, cavort intheir neon-lit temples, clutch their tinsel treasures andconsume themselves in transient pleasures, forgettingthat these so soon will pass away, and they will leave itall behind. The carnal believer, truly saved, but satisfiedwith the shadows of this world rather than the substanceof an eternal inheritance, stands on the wrong side ofthe river, looking and perhaps occasionally longing, butnever entering by faith into all that God has provided inChrist, and at such a cost, for His people to enjoy.

We have a far greater inheritance than Israel everhad. It is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled,and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,who are kept by the power of God through faith untosalvation…” (1 Pet. 1:4). May we heed the voice of theSpirit as He gives His divine invitation of grace in theconcluding verse of the chapter: “come boldly…obtainmercy…find grace”!

tragic loss. First, they were to honestly examine thecondition of their own hearts (Heb. 3:12). “Take heed”that is “look,” “intensively contemplate.” This was to bea serious, honest searching of their own heart. A super-ficial glance would not do. This first step in recoverymust be to honestly face the facts of our own conditionof heart. These Hebrews were not religious pagans, but“brethren” who were “partakers” of Christ (v. 14). Thepersonal act of heart-searching would give them a bur-den for others, perhaps in the same state of heart asthey had been.

Then they were to “exhort” one another on a dailybasis. This action is not to be one of destructive criti-cism nor was it to be carried out with a judgmental atti-tude. The word “exhort” means to comfort, to fortify. Itmeans to call alongside, to help, to beseech. Such lov-ing, faithful action for others will ensure that their ownhearts will first be kept right with God, on a daily basis.

Thirdly, they were to take hold of the “beginning…confidence” or “the beginning of the assurance” (v. 14).This “assurance” is the substructure or “foundation” towhich they were to firmly hold. What was that begin-ning? Surely it was the discovery of the grace of Godand the finished work of Christ. They had, as Jews,been depending on a system of oft-repeated sacrifice,law-keeping, and ceremonials. Then the illumination ofthe glorious gospel banished their darkness and broughtthem into the light of God’s matchless grace. They werein danger of looking back at the old system which heldon to shadows and not the substance.

HOW TO ENTER IN

Having engaged in heart examination, loving exhor-tation, and by faith, appropriation, they could enter intothe joy of their inheritance. A three-fold exercise is nowcalled for in chapter 4. They were to have a fear ofcoming short of making God’s promise good. Many ofthe children of Israel could not enter the land becauseof unbelief (3:19). Now these Hebrews were to havefaith in the promise of God, simply taking God at HisWord, altogether apart from their feelings and fears. Thechildren of Israel heard the wonderful message, truly agospel of rest, but they did not believe it (4:2). Joshuahad said, “The Lord your God has given you rest…”(Josh. 1:13). In the purpose and provision of God it wasalready theirs, but they failed to appropriate it by faith.

Even Rahab and the people of Jericho knew that andsaid to the spies, “The Lord hath given you the land”(Josh. 2:9). They had heard of the Red Sea and theirvictories and said, “As soon as we had heard thesethings, our hearts did melt” (v. 11). Jericho was already �

ow faith is the substance ofthings hoped for, the evidenceof things not seen. For by it

the elders obtained a good report.Through faith we understand that theworlds (lit. ages) were framed by theword of God, so that things whichare seen were not made of thingswhich do appear (Heb. 11:1-3).

This great chapter of Hebrews 11has been variously called “God’sHonor Roll of Old Testament Saints”and “God’s Hall of Fame of Faith.”In Hebrews 10:22-25 believers areexhorted toward faith, hope, andlove, while in chapters 11, 12, and13 these virtues are exemplified.Chapter 11 is an expansion of 10:38-

39. The great danger of these Jewishbelievers to whom Hebrews waswritten was the temptation to live bysight, not by faith (see 2 Cor. 5:7).This same great danger faces all truebelievers today as well.

Referring to Hebrews 11,Herschel H. Hobbs has written,

The author showed how others ofGod’s people had found faith a sourceof strength to enable them to fulfilltheir God-given purpose in theirlives. And upon this basis he exhort-ed his readers to be faithful in theirpart in God’s plan and purpose.1

In our study of this brief intro-duction to this classic chapter, wewant to focus on three things regard-ing faith.

FAITH’S DESCRIPTION (11:1)

The Greek verb for faith inHebrews (pisteuo) is found only in4:3 and 11:6, but the noun (pistis) isused 32 times, 24 of them in chapter11. It is important to remember thatfaith in Hebrews 11 is not the faithby which one lays hold of salvation,but “faith by which to live a full andeffective life in the will of God.” 2

It seems that the writer of the let-ter is not so much defining faith inhis introduction, but describingsomething of faith’s characteristicsand effects. It is the foundation ofthings hoped for, and the convictionof things not seen. Faith’s foundationis the Word of God. An anonymouswriter has rendered the statement ofverse 1 as follows: “Faith means weare confident of what we hope for,convinced of what we do not see.” Incertain papyri unearthed in Egypt


This is our link with heaven and every blessing there.

N

The superiority of faith

C H A P T E R 1 1 W. ROSS RAINEY

A N D OT H E R SBlessed is he whose faith is not offended,When all around his wayThe power of God is working out deliveranceFor others day be day.

Though in some prison drear his own soul languishTill life itself be spent,Yet still can trust his Father’s love and purpose,And rest therein content.

Blessed is he who, through long years of suffering,Cut off from active toil,Still shares by prayer and praise the work of others,And thus “divides the spoil.”

Blessed art you, O child of God, who suffering,Yet cannot understandThe reason for your pain, yet gladly leavingYour life in His blest hand.

Yes, blest are those whose faith is “not offended”By trials unexplained,By mysteries unsolved, past understanding,Until the goal is gained. —FREDA H. ALLEN


The SUPERIORITY of FAITH

many years ago the Greek word translated “substance”is found in the technical sense of “title deed,” the rootidea being that they “stand under” the claim to theproperty to support its validity. 3

It is readily seen throughout Hebrews 11 that faith isactive, not passive, virtually all of the illustrations cen-tering on “things hoped for” or “things not seen.”

Hobbs has helpfully pointed out,

…faith is basic in every area of life. It is the support whichstabilizes every element of society. Even scientificresearch begins with faith that truth not yet known can bediscovered. Certainly faith is a vital element in one’s spiri-tual life. When reason falters faith can lead one on to greatachievements. It can bridge the chasm between what is andwhat can be. The readers of this epistle, then and now,need this title-deed and conviction.4

George Müeller said, “Difficulties are food for faithto feed on.” Another has anonymously written:

Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees,And looks to God alone;Laughs at impossibilities,And cries, “It shall be done.”

J. Oswald Sanders stated, “Faith enables the believ-ing soul to treat the future as present and the invisibleas seen.” 5

FAITH’S DEMONSTRATION (11:2)

“Elders” in this verse refers to all the Old Testamentfaithful who had preceded the readers of Hebrews. Theterm has the sense of fathers or forefathers who hadgone before and had received God’s approval. The bal-ance of the chapter is an illustration of how God hasborne witness to them.

W. H. Griffith Thomas asserted that the “elders” ofverse 2 are the “cloud of witnesses” or testifiers in12:1, some of whom are mentioned in detail in chapter11 with reference to their faith.6

Illustrations are like windows—they let in light. Thusthe illustrations of Hebrews 11 instructively flesh outthe reality of living faith.

FAITH’S DISCERNMENT (11:3)

The world says, “Seeing is believing.” God says,“Believing is seeing” (see Jn. 11:40). By faithChristians understand that the “worlds” were created byGod. He spoke and by the word of His power matterand the universe came into existence, and this, by HisSon who holds all things together (see Gen. 1:1-3; Jn.1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2). The writer of Hebrews

clearly denies the eternity of matter.The term “age” or aion refers to both the physical

creation and the time factor. Of this word Thomas states

It seems to refer to what may be called time—worlds, theidea being that the various ages or dispensations wereplanned by God with reference to a goal, toward which allare moving. Perhaps, therefore, the verse suggests bothCreation and Providence, especially as the word ‘framed’means adjusted. This verse is thought to give the secret ofthe faith of the elders (v. 2) who did not judge by appear-ances but understood that the dispensations were preparedby God, and consequently they believed He would overruleeverything for the accomplishment of His purposes.7

In defining faith, Warren W.Wiersbe has helpfully stated:

According to the Bible, true faith is obeying God inspite of feelings, circum-stances, or consequences. Allof the men and women whosenames are listed in ‘The Hallof Fame of Faith’ had to dealwith their emotions (did youever walk through a sea?), their circumstances (did youever fight an army?), and theconsequences of their decisions(did you ever say no to a pow-erful ruler?). They did not deny their feelings; they couldnot change their circumstances; they could not predict theconsequences. But they trusted God, and He saw themthrough.” 8

These three verses, therefore, set the stage for theroll call of the faithful commencing with verse 4 ofHebrews 11. “And these all, having obtained a goodreport through faith, received not the promise: God hav-ing provided some better thing for us, that they withoutus should not be made perfect” (Heb. 11:39-40).

ENDNOTES

1 Herschel H. Hobbs, Hebrews, p. 110.2 Ibid., p. 110.3 W. H. Griffith Thomas, Let Us Go On, p. 141.4 Hobbs, op. cit., p. 111.5 Warren W. Wiersbe, Run with the Winners, p. 14.6 Thomas, op. cit., p. 142.7 Loc. cit.8 Wiersbe, op. cit., p. 13.

They could notdeny their feelings(or) change their

circumstances (or) predict theconsequences.

But they trustedGod, and He saw

them through.

�

is a gift of God; rather, is this gift given in a unique wayexclusively to those whom the Bible calls the elect?These teachers appeal to the words of Ephesians 2:8,“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that notof yourselves, it is the gift of God.” They are convincedthat the gift of God spoken of here is faith, that is, sav-ing faith without which no one can be saved. Theirargument runs: since salvation is fully and exclusivelyof God, saving faith cannot proceed from the naturalman; it must be a gift of God. They conclude that faithwhich flows out of the natural man cannot save, for this

faith would be a work, and no one is saved by works.

IS FAITH THE GIFT OF GOD (EPH. 2:8)?

The Greek construction of this verseseems to indicate that faith is not the giftbut rather that salvation is the gift ofGod. New Testament Greek authoritiescontend that the key to understandingEphesians 2:8 is to properly identify theantecedent of the pronoun “that” (tauto).A general rule of Greek grammar con-cerning identifying the antecedent is:Pronouns agree with their antecedent in

gender and number. Their case is determined by theiruse in their own clause. The fact that the demonstrativepronoun “that” is neuter and the words “faith” (pistis)and “grace” (charis) are feminine in gender must ruleout faith as the gift of God. If Paul wanted to say that“faith” was the gift of God, he would have used thefeminine form of the word “that” (haute).

A number of respected evangelical Greek scholars,commenting on the grammatical structure of this verse,have concluded that salvation and not faith is the gift ofGod. The word “that” seems to refer back to verses 4-7,to God quickening and raising us up together and inshowing His grace toward us. None of this is of works;it is a gift of God. Commentator F. F. Bruce writes,“The fact that the demonstrative pronoun ‘that’ is neuterin Greek (tauto), whereas ‘faith’ is a feminine noun(pistis), combines with other considerations to suggestthat it is the whole concept of salvation by gracethrough faith that is described as the gift of God.”1

W. E. Vine, a respected authority on the Greek New

L. Moody was once asked if he thought faith wasa gift of God. He replied, “Some say that faith isthe gift of God. So is the air, but you have to

breathe it; so is bread, but you have to eat it; so is water,but you have to drink it. Some are wanting some mirac-ulous kind of feeling. That is not faith. ‘Faith cometh byhearing and hearing by the Word of God.’ It is not forme to sit down and wait for faith to come stealing overme…it is for me to take God at His word.”

The teaching that faith is a gift of God is a truth stat-ed in Scripture. It is given by the One who gives everygood and every perfect gift. Faith is not the only giftwhich comes from the Father of lights.The Scriptures also teach that salvation isan unspeakable gift (2 Cor. 9:15). Ourdaily bread is a gift from God, along withHis grace, the Word of God, and the Sonof God. These and many others are God’sgracious gifts. Indeed, the gift of faith isone of God’s most precious gifts for it isby grace through faith that we are saved.

THE SCRIPTURES AND THE GIFT OF FAITH

A number of scriptures speak of faithas a gift of God, such as Romans 12:3, “As God hasdealt to every man a measure of faith,” and 1Corinthians 12:8-9, “For to one is given…faith by thesame Spirit.” These verses when carefully studied revealthat this gift of faith is not a condition for salvation buta requirement for effective Christian living and service.The gift of faith in this sense is the special ability givento members of the Body to accomplish great things forGod. George Müeller of Bristol, who established anorphanage which thousands would call home, andHudson Taylor, who reached the previously unevange-lized interior of China with the gospel, show examplesof this gift of faith. This may have been one of the giftsthat Stephen possessed, for he was “full of faith.” Thismay have been in the apostle’s mind when he wrote, “ifI have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do nothave love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2). But this gift isnot the faith which saves but the gift of faith for ser-vice.

The important question is not so much whether faith


D A R E T O T H I N KD A R E T O T H I N K

But is it given only to certain people to believe?THE GIFT OF FAITH

D.


The GIFT of FAITH

Lord Jesus Christ who can meet that need. The instru-ment that convicts is the Word of God, but it is theSpirit that produces the new birth. The Word of God,energized by the Spirit of God, produces new birth.”3

Another respected author, C. H. Mackintosh, com-ments, “New birth is not a change of man’s fallennature, but the imparting of a new divine nature. How isthis new nature produced? This is a point of immenseimportance, inasmuch as it places the Word of Godbefore us as the grand instrument which the Holy Ghostuses in quickening dead souls…All who place their trustin Christ have gotten new life—are regenerate.” 4

IS FAITH A WORK?

Some argue that unless faith is given irresistibly byGod, salvation is a “works salvation.” It is said that thisdefective salvation is not of God, for it is partly of Godand partly of man. Is this view in accordance withScripture? Does this view stand upon sound logic?

First, the very nature of faith is an admission thatman is unable to earn or merit salvation but rests onGod alone and His grace. It is an act of the will prompt-ed by the moving of God’s abundant grace. Faith is notthe act of doing something but of receiving something.Does the downtrodden beggar who accepts a handoutreceive the credit for the gracious deed? The act ofreceiving God’s unconditional gift of salvation is of nomerit to the receiver. All glory goes to the Giver. Faithmay rightly be considered a gift of God in the sense thatall good things come from God. Faith is of God, whohas inscrutably given fallen man the ability to respondto the drawing power of God—through the promptingsof the grace of God, the Word and the Spirit workingtogether to form faith in a willing heart. Yet the respon-sibility to believe is all of man. The charge from God tothe lost is: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and youwill be saved.” We are not to pray to receive the gift offaith so we can believe. We are to believe as an act ofthe human will in the finished work of the Lord JesusChrist unto salvation.

ENDNOTES

1. F. F. Bruce, Ephesians, (London: Pickering & Inglis, 1961), p. 51-52

2. W. E. Vine, Dictionary of N. T. Words, (Old Tappan: Revell, 1981), p. 146

3. J. D. Pentecost, The Divine Comforter, (Westwood: Revell, 1963), p. 131

4. C. H. Mackintosh, Mackintosh Treasury, (Neptune: Loizeaux, 1976), p. 618

Testament, concerning the word “gift” writes,“…Doron, to give, is used of salvation by grace, as thegift of God in Ephesians 2:8.” 2

WHAT IS FAITH?

After considering whether or not faith is the giftwhich leads to salvation, one naturally asks: What thenis faith? The biblical faith which leads to salvation,sometimes called “saving faith,” consists of three pri-mary elements: 1. knowledge of the object of faith; 2. mental assent—what the Bible says about Christ, theobject of our faith, is true; and 3. the use of the humanwill to place dependence in Him alone. It is noteworthythat this definition is accepted by Calvinist teachers. Itis striking that this definition of faith includes the exer-cise of the human will. Both Calvinists andnon-Calvinists concede this point. The Calvinist gener-ally will go further in his theology and state that newbirth by the Spirit is prior to the exercise of faith.

This is in striking contradiction to the biblical orderwhich posits that faith comes first and then is followedby new birth or salvation. The non-Calvinist believesthat man through the Fall, as the Scriptures describe, is“dead,” “lost,” “perishing,” “condemned,” “in dark-ness.” The Fall includes all of this and more besides.However, the Fall has not brought to pass an inability tobelieve in Christ unto salvation. For the boundless graceof God and penetrating power of the Word of God andconvicting of the Holy Spirit are more than sufficient toenable a man to exercise faith (Jn. 5:25).

FAITH TRULY IS A GRACIOUS GIFT OF GOD

What is the source of faith? The Word of God tellsus that, from the divine side, the Scriptures, the Spirit ofGod, and the grace of God work in concert to producefaith. But there is the human side, which is the exerciseof the human will in response to these divine prompt-ings. The Word of God tells us: “So then faith comethby hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom.10:17). Concerning the Spirit’s work in new birth weread, “…except a man be born of water and of theSpirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:5).Although God enables us to believe through divinepromptings, the responsibility to believe is ours. Godhas done all that is necessary for salvation. Our respon-sibility is to receive the gift of salvation by faith.

Concerning the inter-working of the divine andhuman aspects that together produce faith which ulti-mately leads to regeneration, Dr. J. Dwight Pentecostcomments, “The Word of God convicts, reproves,enlightens, exhorts, reveals, not only our need but the

�

David Dunlap

ave you ever noticed that thename of Isaac is mentioned oralluded to just five times in

Hebrews 11? First, we find his namementioned as one of those pilgrimswho sojourned with Abraham “inthe land of promise, as in a strangecountry, dwelling in tabernacles withIsaac and Jacob, the heirs with himof the same promise” (v. 9).

This mention of Isaac before wehave the record of his birth (see v.11) is suggestive. It may serve tobring to our minds the truth that Heof whom Isaac is a type was not only“with God” (Jn. 1:2), but was also aDweller with those of faith beforethat “fullness of time” in which Hecame as born of the Virgin.

Thus the Lord could say to theJews, “Your father Abraham rejoicedto see My day: and he saw it andwas glad” (Jn. 8:56). He alwaysdwelt with men and women of faithever since the promise was giventhat the Seed of the woman shouldbruise the serpent’s head, and heshould bruise His heel. In thewilderness, “They drank of that spir-itual rock that followed them: andthat Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4).He was ever a sojourner with Hiswandering people. “He spread alight for a covering; and fire to givelight in the night” (Ps. 105:39).

These and many more referencesin the Word point to Christ as theEternal One. Whether before or afterincarnation it is true, as someone haswell said, “God has nothing butChrist for sinners, and nothing butChrist for saints.” In this way wemay say, as well as in reference toHis Person, that His days were from

“everlasting to everlasting.” Truly,His beginning of days was not in themanger of Bethlehem. “The Lordpossessed Me in the beginning ofHis way, before His works of old. Iwas set up from everlasting, from thebeginning, or ever the earth was…Then I was by Him, as one broughtup with Him: and I was daily Hisdelight, rejoicing always beforeHim; rejoicing in the habitable partof His earth; and My delights were

with the sons of men” (Prov. 8:22-23, 30-31). This is none other thanour blessed Lord Jesus Christ in Hispre-incarnate glory, “The glory thatI had with Thee before the worldwas” (see Jn. 17:5, 24).

ISAAC’S BIRTH

Next we read: “Sarah herselfreceived strength to conceive seed,and was delivered of a child whenshe was past age” (v. 11). Does this

not remind us of Galatians 4:4? “Butwhen the fullness of the time wascome, God sent forth His Son, madeof a woman, made under the law.”

So, not according to nature, thepromised Seed was born, but thepower of God brought all to passwhen the fullness of time was come.“Now to Abraham and his Seed werethe promises made. He saith not,and to seeds, as of many; but as ofone, and to thy Seed, which is

Christ” (Gal. 3:16).Thus we see the second mention

of Isaac answers to the coming ofour Lord into this world, as one poethas said: A “little baby thing thatmade a woman cry.”

What matchless and amazinggrace! It is the bush burning, and itis not consumed. The ground westand on is holy ground. He“[became] flesh and tabernacledamong us, and we beheld His glory.”


Five references to the son of Abraham speak of Abraham’s other Son.

H

Isaac and God’s Saviour

C H A R A C T E R S T U D Y A. H. STEWART


ISAAC and GOD’S SAVIOUR

“whose breath is in his nostrils,” was set aside, “forwherein is he to be accounted of?” “He is not here, forHe is risen; come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

THE BLESSER

The last time we find Isaac mentioned is in verse 20,“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerningthings to come.” Thus it is we see the Lord of glory forthe last time as He departs into heaven to go back to theFather: “And He led them out as far as to Bethany, andHe lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it cameto pass while He blessed them, He was parted fromthem, and carried up into heaven. And they worshippedHim, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: andwere continually in the temple, praising and blessingGod. Amen” (Lk. 24:50-53).

Lord of life! To death once subject,Blesser, yet a curse once made;Of the Father’s heart the object,Yet in depths of anguish laid;Thee we gaze on, Thee recall,Bearing here our sorrows all.

Reader, whoever you are, king or peasant, rich orpoor, educated or ignorant, Catholic or Protestant,Hindu or Buddhist, moralist or heathen, infidel or athe-ist, religious or profane, if ever you are blessed “con-cerning things to come” it is our risen Lord alone whocan do that for you. Come to Him, and be blessed withsins forgiven—with eternal life—with a home in thatcity “whose Builder and Maker is God.”

Oh, what a home! The Son who knows—He only—all His love;And brings us as His well-belovedTo that bright rest above,Dwells in His bosom—knowing allThat in that bosom lies,And came to earth to make it known,That we might share His joys.

So Isaac takes us from the past eternal ages on tothose eternal ages yet to come. Come like Jacob, andget your name changed, from Lost to Saved—from a“child of wrath” to a child and heir of God. What ablessing the Blesser awaits to impart to you if you onlycome now, and just as you are.

Jesus died to set me free, Jesus died on Calvary; Not a blessing that I know, But to Jesus Christ I owe.

ON THE ALTAR

We find the next mention of Isaac in verse 17. “Byfaith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: andhe that had received the promises offered up his onlybegotten son.” We cannot but think of Calvary as weread the melting story of the father and son goingtogether in happy communion to the mount chosen byGod, where we see the extreme act of obedience onIsaac’s part, reminding us of our Lord’s words in John10:17, “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because Ilay down My life.” Here He gave His Father a new causefor loving Him. In obedience to His Father’s will Helaid down His spotless life, that He might take it again.

When Peter would have hindered Him, saying, “PityYourself, Lord,” (for that is what Peter’s words meant),how quickly the Lord rebukes him, “Get behind Me,Satan; for thou savorest not the things that be of God,but…of man.”

The Father and the Son go “both of them together,”and Jehovah-Jireh is fulfilled at last. God providesHimself a Lamb for a burnt offering. “Behold the Lambof God,” our blessed (Isaac) Jesus, who hath done allthings well.

IN RESURRECTION

“Accounting that God was able to raise him [Isaac]up, even from the dead, from whence also he receivedhim in a figure” (v. 19). But not in figure is the resur-rection of our glorious Lord. No! “Thou wilt not leaveMy soul in hades, neither shalt Thou suffer Thine HolyOne to see corruption” (Acts 2:27), was fulfilled to theletter of the word.

Neither Roman seal, nor Roman soldier, nor all thehosts of evil combined, could keep our victorious Lordin the tomb. When the appointed time came:

Up from the grave He arose,With the mighty triumph o’er His foes;He arose a victor from the dark domain,And He lives forever with His saints to reign, He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose.

Yes, indeed, well may poets sing of this. Let us singalso with them:

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus, my Saviour;Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus, my Lord.

Yes, Jesus, my Lord, it was He, “Whom God hathraised up, having loosed the pains of death: because itwas not possible that He should be holden of it” (Acts2:24). God was Master of the situation, and puny man, �

rom reading the book ofHebrews, it is clear that theletter is written to two groups.

First, there are the Jews who haveleft the temple worship, and comeinto the fullness that is in Christ. Butnow, some 30 years later, their heartsare fading, and they are wondering ifthey should have given up the tem-ple worship, the priests and ceremo-ny for the sake of Christ. The secondgroup are those Jews who have beenconvinced that the temple worshipwith its system of sacrifices had nowbeen superseded, but they have notyet fully entered into Christ. Sowhere does that leave GentileChristians some 2000 years later?The answer is, “it leaves us with arich practical blessing and a store-house of precious doctrine.” In thiswonderful blessing are a number ofpoints which can be addressed tolocal church elders.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Few men today would suggestthat they have the strength of leader-ship which Moses possessed. Butunlike the tendency of modern secu-lar leaders to take pride in their posi-tion and to abuse their position,Moses exemplified servant leader-ship in the Old Testament. Theauthor of the Book of Hebrewspoints out in Hebrews 3:5-6, “AndMoses verily was faithful in all hishouse, as a servant, for a testimonyof those things which were to be spo-ken after; but Christ as a son overHis own house; whose house are we,if we hold fast the confidence andthe rejoicing of the hope firm untothe end.”

It goes without saying that localchurch elders must always rememberthat they are servants in God’shouse, not rulers over God’s house.If a great leader like Moses couldcontent himself with a position ofhumble servant leadership, so mustthe local church elders today.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

In Hebrews 13:7 we read,“Remember those who led you, who

spoke the word of God to you; andconsidering the result of their con-duct, imitate their faith” (NASB). TheHebrews were instructed to thinkabout those who had led them, andto imitate their faith. The most effec-tive means available to local churchelders for influencing the flock isnot their words of instruction, nottheir rebuke or discipline, but ratherthe example of the life they lead.

AUTHORITY

It is wonderful to behold the bal-ance which God has provided uswith the Bible. While one verse

taken out of context can lead toextremes, the whole of the Scriptureprovides balanced teaching on manyissues. So it is with Hebrews. Thevery same chapter that discusses theexample of the lives of godly eldersalso mentions their authority. InHebrews 13:17 we read, “Obey themthat have the rule over you, and sub-mit yourselves: for they watch foryour souls, as they that must giveaccount, that they may do it with joy,

and not with grief: for that is unprof-itable for you.” While the primarymeans that elders have of influenc-ing the flock is the godly lives theylive, God has provided assemblyelders with the authority required todefend the flock from grave danger.While it is possible that some eldersmay abuse this authority and act in adictatorial manner, there are also sit-uations where elders would be negli-gent if they did not use the authorityGod has provided them with. Eldersmust give account for how they usetheir authority, whether they are tooquick to use it or too slow.


The truth of the Church is not emphasized here, but God’s shepherds are.

F

Hebrews’ advice to elders

L E T ’ S G E T P R A C T I C A L SHAWN ABIGAIL


HEBREWS’ ADVICE to ELDERS

which define an elder; “holding fast the faithful wordwhich is in accordance with the teaching, that he maybe able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refutethose who contradict” (NASB). While this is not one ofthe lessons for an elder in Hebrews, an examination ofHebrews will show the importance of an elder havingthis quality of character. With the possible exception ofRomans, no book of the Bible is as rich in doctrine asHebrews. But with such richness come many verseswhich are difficult to understand, and which false teach-ers would use to mislead the flock. The doctrines of theLord’s high priestly ministry, eternal Sonship, and thebeliever’s eternal security could all be twisted by a mis-understanding of Hebrews. Diligent elders will strive foran understanding of the deeper things of God.

So we see that a letter written 2000 years ago to agroup of Jews has useful application to Christians whoseek to shepherd the flock today. What wonderful rich-ness is available to erstwhile poor, miserable Gentileswho have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, andhave been granted the privilege of reading a letteraddressed to someone else.

THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

It is accepted by all that those who are unrepentantof gross immorality should be put out of the assembly.But the Scripture also gives instruction about those whowould sow bitterness and discord. Hebrews 12:15 says,“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace ofGod; lest any root of bitterness springing up troubleyou, and thereby many be defiled.” Elders must guardagainst such individuals. We are thankful for the legalsystem that protects us in our country. However, welabor under a false understanding if we think eldersmust act like a detective agency to find evidence thatwould stand in a court of law before they can take disci-plinary action against those who are immoral, bitter orwho would spread discord. Elders must investigate care-fully to determine facts, but they are entrusted withdefending the flock, not building air-tight legal cases toanswer litigious critics.

DEFENSE OF DOCTRINE

In Titus 1:9, we read one of the qualities of character �

In the July/August 1999 Uplook, we printed a half-page piece on page 12 titled “Ultra-dispensationalism:Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth” by H. A. Ironside—or so we thought. But later we discovered that, via themagical process of culling, typesetting, editing, formatting and proofing, a sentence found its way in that H. A.Ironside never said, and that sentence has given some of our readers serious concern.

That offending sentence, at the end of the first paragraph erroneously joined three men, Cornelius Stam, J. C.O’Hair and Charles Baker, to certain dangerous doctrines that have followed some Bullingerites. This was anerror on our part and we are deeply sorry for any damage done. After speaking about Dr. E. W. Bullinger’s doc-trinal positions as being “glaringly opposed to what is generally accepted as orthodox teaching.” the article nextstated, “This movement has been carried forth in our day by ardent proponents such as Cornelius Stam, J. C.O’Hair and Charles Baker.” This statement leaves the reader thinking that Stam, O’Hair and Baker have sub-scribed to Bullinger’s teaching in toto. Not true.

In his book, Dispensationalism, Charles Ryrie more accurately calls the teaching of Stam, O’Hair and Baker“the moderate type” of Ultra-dispensationalism, and then shows four basic points of difference they have withclassical Bullingerism (see pp. 199-200). More important still is the insinuation that J. C. O’Hair, CorneliusStam and Charles Baker taught foundational heresy which has been associated with the followers of E. W.Bullinger. This we also believe is not true. Stam’s group, which publishes the Berean Searchlight, and Baker’sgroup, which operates the Grace Bible College, in Grand Rapids, MI, defend the foundational truths of theChristian faith. Their own writings deny Bullinger’s doctrine of the “dissolution of the soul” and affirm the eter-nal punishment of the wicked, the eternal Sonship of Christ, and the personality of the Holy Spirit. Thankfullysome friends brought this mistake to our attention. While we have disagreement with other teachings of Stam,O’Hair and Baker, we feel that the broad brush of mischaracterization is a setback to any progress in truthful-ness. We regret the offense caused by this statement. —the Editors

Dispensations of Apology and Repentance

n the first seven chapters of thisletter the person of the Son ofGod displaces all else—the Man

in the glory of God. In the next threechapters we are introduced to theplace where He serves as our HighPriest—the sanctuary of glory. In thelast three chapters it is the path thatleads to the glory. To enable us tofollow Jesus in the outside place, theLord gives us a sight of Him in theinside place—within the veil.

In chapter 11, God’s pilgrims arefollowing one another in the path offaith; in chapter 12 there is the hopethat is set before us; in chapter 13 itis love that should characterizebrethren in Christ. We have no por-tion in this world, but we have Christin glory, and one another down here.

There will be a shaking up of thewhole world-system soon (12:27);the bands that bind society alreadyare snapping; the anchor for faith isthe unchanging Christ. And thebands of love that unite all the chil-dren of peace, find anchorage there.

PILGRIMS IN FAITH’S PATH (VV. 1-6)

“See how these Christians loveone another,” was the world’s com-ment on the conduct of early believ-ers. They had never seen anythinglike it; it was the fruit of Christ’s res-urrection. There had always beennatural love, springing from naturalrelationships. But this was different.Believers in Christ loved each otherbecause they were children of oneheavenly Father, members one ofanother. “Let brotherly love contin-ue.” “We be brethren,” said Abrahamto Lot, and refused to engage instrife with him. Continuing in

“brotherly love,” he was able later todeliver “his brother” when he hadbeen taken captive (Gen. 14:14).

The fruit of love is twofold. Ourbrethren may be strangers to us; loveopens a home to them, and heaven’sbenediction is ours in return (v. 2).We open our hearts to our brethrenin distress, bearing the same burden,and having the same care (v. 3).

The enemy of love is lust, and itis against the activities of this evilwe are warned (vv. 4-5). As fragrantas love is, lust makes of our heart’sgarden a wilderness, robbing mar-riage of its sanctity, the home of itssacredness, and love of its loyalty.The two-fold cravings of impurity (v.4) and worldliness (v. 5) are offsetby another couplet, “contentment”and “confidence.” “Content withsuch things as ye have,” not seekingto be richer tomorrow than today,satisfied with God’s abundant sup-ply, we echo His word of promise (v.5) with the reply of faith (v. 6).

FORMER LEADERS IN THE PATH (VV. 7-8)

The ranks of God’s pilgrims werethinning. Some who had guided theflock were no longer with them; butthe fragrance of Christ that had char-acterized their ministry, and theirfootprints, remained where they hadmarked the way. Their faith could beimitated. The purpose and goal oftheir life could be summed up in oneword—Christ. Imposing monumentshave been erected in memory ofgreat men in this world. But nothingcould be greater than to have con-tributed to the glory of Christ—thenames of the servants lost in thegreater Name of the Master—the

glory of their lives seen only in thegolden rays of His unutterable andunalterable glory.

THE UNCHANGING LEADER (V. 8)

We have seen how Christ dis-places everything; He also fillsevery vacancy. For a moment wepause again in the progress of thisepistle to gaze on Him. Hisundimmed glory fills the past, pre-sent, and future. The yesterday of thecross, the forever of the provision ofChrist at the altar of expiation, caus-es us today to stand at the goldenaltar, rendering continual service ofthanksgiving. And this self-sacrifi-cial service will be accompanied bysubjection (v. 17), for there is orderand government in the house of God.The real test of devotedness toChrist will be seen in that lovewhich bows to the guidance of thosewho watch over our souls, and whoseek to maintain godly principlesand practices among God’s people.Thus there is a threefold giving: oursongs, our substance, and our selves.

RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PATH (VV. 18-25)

The Hebrews closes with a three-fold desire of the apostle. He askstheir prayers for himself; he desirestheir entire conformity to the will ofGod; and he urges them to give heedto the word of exhortation.

Invoking blessing on them, Paulcasts them on God who has removedevery obstacle to peace by raisingChrist. He would work in them Hiswill, so that His pleasure might beseen in His people and His glorysecured forever. The guarantee? Ourrisen and glorified Saviour.


A beloved brother and former editor of Uplook takes us to the finale.

I

Chapter 13: journey’s end

T H E P A T H W A Y H O M E PETER J. PELL

�

will build My church and thegates of hell shall not prevailagainst it!” (Mt. 16:18).

Is it possible to start new assem-blies today? Can assemblies once indecline be rejuvenated? Can largeassemblies continue to grow? Yes!Consider these three examples.

A new assembly named“Believers in Jesus Christ” is thriv-ing along the banks of the IowaRiver on the campus of the

University of Iowa. On Sundaymorning they meet for worship andteaching in the historic DanforthChapel. This landmark building isclearly visible from the StudentUnion building. The occasional cam-pus visitors are surprised to find thesite being used by an active church!

How did this happen? In Januaryof 1998 a group of college studentsled a conscious effort to establishthis new assembly through a varietyof outreaches. They began their owncampus group and started a homeBible study. A professor and severalstudents were saved. One year laterthe growing group began breakingbread every Sunday.

New believers are being added totheir number as a result of aggres-sive campus evangelism, street

preaching and Bible studies.Throughout the week they can befound preaching in the pedestrianmall, the dorms, and the classrooms.They are not afraid to constructivelyconfront their professors and defendthe faith in front of their classmates.Gospel tracts are bought in bulk anddistributed at community fairs andfestivals. Evangelistic fervor is theirtrademark.

The assembly is comprised of agood mix of older believers, severalyoung couples, and college studentsall dedicated to searching the Worddaily. These believers would wel-come an encouraging visit from anysaints passing through or thinking ofmoving to Iowa City.

A second example of a growingassembly is the Cedar Rapids BibleChapel, located 40 miles north ofIowa City and bursting at the seams.They are undergoing an amazingturnaround, growing from 4 familiesin 1986 to the present 27 families.The steady growth in the assembly isattributed to some new conversionsbut primarily to an influx of familiesseeking a better way of worship.These saints have found satisfactionin a manner of meeting that followsthe scriptural pattern.

A key to the Cedar Rapids revivalis fervent prayer and practice of thechurch principles of Acts 2:42. Theyfind it exciting that the Spirithas melded this diverse groupinto one local body. Pray withthem as they endeavor to keepthe unity of the Spirit in thebond of peace.

The third example of agrowing assembly is the

Bethany Bible Chapel (Cedar Falls),formerly the Downing AvenueGospel Chapel, which is located 50miles north of Cedar Rapids and issettling into a brand new building. Itall began when the Sunday Schoolrooms downstairs overflowed. Ahouse next door was bought andconverted to classrooms. The wor-ship meeting became too large forthe auditorium and was moved intothe attached gym. Through a seriesof miracles, the property was soldquickly and ground was broken for anew location. With generous gifts ofmoney and labor, this “all hands ondeck” construction project was com-pleted in 11 short months.

The 350-person capacity buildingwas dedicated in December 1999.More people are being saved andbaptized. With more than 240 in fel-lowship, this rapidly expandingassembly has several communityoutreaches, including a neighbor-hood kids’ club, several activewomen’s ministries, and a thrivingcollege group from the University ofNorthern Iowa.

May our hearts be encouraged aswe see that the Lord is still startingnew works, revitalizing those thatare in decline, and expanding thosethat are growing.


“The harvest is plenteous.” Do we believe Him?

I

Iowa update

S P E C I A L R E P O R T RANDY COSTELLO

engagements in his Glee Band. The first Sunday afterreaching London his roommate suggested, “What do yousay we go and hear Richard Weaver. I see in the papers heis going to preach in Surrey Theatre tonight.” The coalminer turned preacher was an instant legend whose rous-ing preaching attracted huge crowds and won thousandsto Christ. Henry Pickering heard him and said,

…a greater God-made preacher has not been known in liv-ing memory. The moment he began to speak—at least in hispalmy days—he sent a power and reality through the heartsof the thousands who thronged to hear him. You felt Godwas there. The Spirit was working. The bleeding Lamb, of

whom he loved to sing, was the cen-ter, and eternal issues were at stake.

Wolston could not have listenedto a more dissimilar man. Wolstonwas an educated and culturedman. The preacher was an unedu-cated brute of a man who hadbeen a feared boxer. His nicknamewas “Dauntless Dick.”

Wolston’s conscience took abeating that night. If he before hadthought he was a sinner, now healso felt it. From Monday toSaturday, instead of spending theevening ranging the streets insearch of the outer parameters ofLondon’s excesses, Walter andTom went home early and prayedtogether and read from the Bible. The following Sunday eveningthey went to hear Charles Stanley

preach the gospel from the story of Solomon building thetemple. The meeting concluded and Walter turned to hisroommate, “What are you going to do?” Tom answered,“I am going home to have it out with God.” “Well,”Walter said, “you can go home; I shall stay and speak toCharles Stanley.” In the vestry he met Charles Stanley,Mrs. Andrew Miller and her son Tom. Mrs. Miller hadbeen watching for Walter.

People were being converted all around, and politeEnglishmen kept asking, “Are you a Christian?” and

alter Thomas Prideaux Wolston (1840-1917) wasborn at Brixham, Devon, in the far south ofEngland, on the Channel, 40 kilometers from

Plymouth. He was evidently surrounded and nurtured bygodly influences. Around those parts at that time an F.Prideaux and an R. W. Wolston, probably related toWolston, were active Christians in assembly life.

He had childhood recollections of his father invitingpreachers, such as Charles Stanley to stay in their home.He said he had “a pious mother.” “It is an inestimableboon for a man to have a praying mother and much, Iknow; mine prayed for me. But for twenty years I knewnothing of the grace of God, nothing whatever!”

According to his own testimony,he had been “about the most thor-ough-going young worldling youcould have met.” When preachinghe would say, “There is not a man inthis hall tonight, who was moredeeply immersed in the world, in itspleasures, its sin and its entice-ments, nor a more downright, out-and-out slave of the devil, than theman who speaks to you tonight. Yetin one hour God saved me. Hence, Ilove to sing—

Jesus sought me when a stranger,Wand’ring from the fold of God;He, to rescue me from danger,Interposed His precious blood.”

While he never went far into thedetails of his career in sin, he didmention that he had lived for trifles,without a thought about God.

On leaving home, he entered a lawyer’s office in hisnative town, intending to follow the legal profession.After office hours, “There was not a ball or a concert, aregatta or a cricket match, or a worldly entertainment ofany kind, within twenty miles of where I was staying, thatI was not in, if I could get to it.”

On December 4, 1860, he left his country home inDevonshire for London to pursue his legal studies, plan-ning to return home before Christmas to fulfill several


H E R O E SH E R O E S

This medical doctor’s greatest concern was for people’s souls.

W

W. T. P. WOLSTON


W. T. P. WOLSTON

fering and sometimes terminalpatients. Wolston enjoyed greatfreedom to deal with souls. Theirmagazine, later retitled TheGospel Messenger, continued forforty-five years (the year ofWolston’s death), and many ofWolston’s gospel exhortations first appeared there.

An interesting encounter with the evangelist DonaldRoss occurred sometime between 1874 and 1879. Rosshad personally trained under Duncan Matheson the evan-gelist during the revival times of 1859-60, and in turnRoss had trained a corps of men in pioneer evangelismalong the northwestern coast of Scotland. When Rosspulled out of the Free Church of Scotland he was vilified,the worst treatment coming from the unconvertedPresbyterian ministers. Ross wondered where he shouldnext go. “We were being much exercised about what wasto be done. We had heard of ‘Brethren,’ but only as bad,bad people, and we resolved to have nothing to do withthem. Our information, however, came from the parsons.”

This was a deeply trying time to Ross. He had a largefamily to support and many new converts looking fordirection. Donald’s son, C. W. Ross, writes,

During this time of isolation he was approached by theExclusive Brethren, who sought to win him to what theyregarded as the Lord’s way. He was invited to take tea in thehouse of one of them, and there met two of their leaders. Thequestion was gone over quite fully, and, although, as he stat-ed to the writer often since that time, the temptation wasvery great in the circumstances to cast in his lot with them,his difficulties were many, and nothing they could sayremoved them. It was the very same question with them ashe was then contending with others about, the right on thepart of any body of believers, great or small, to determinethe lawfulness or otherwise of assemblies of the Lord’s peo-ple. He had encountered the ‘Exclusive’ system soon afterleaving the Free Church, and was not enamored of it then.And, although in this time of trial he was perhaps more dis-posed to listen to what they had to say than before or since,yet his mind ever rejected their pretension to be able to drawa circle in Christendom, inside of which only were meetingsthat could be recognized, and outside of which nothing wasto be owned in the way of assemblies of the Lord’s people.And we may add, when this pretension was adopted by oth-ers he was just as decided in rejecting it.

We have heard that W. T. P. Wolston was one of thosemen who met with Ross. Interestingly, between the years1902 and 1908 Wolston himself would find the shoe onthe other foot when the influences of F. E. Raven would

then, “And would you like to become one?”After a lengthy conversation, Tom Miller finally

brought Walter to James 2:19 and there the light dawned.Walter Wolston entered by the door.

Recognizing that “a promise made is a debt unpaid,”and that every Christian should honorably pay his debts,he wrote a letter to the conductor of the Glee Band, let-ting him know that since leaving home he had been con-verted to Christ. The Lord had put a new song into hismouth, and while he was willing to fulfill his legitimateengagements, he could now only sing about the Saviourwho had done so much for him. Needless to say, he wasrelieved of his obligations.

Thereafter he took up the study of medicine. In 1864,sensing the Lord’s call to Scotland, Wolston left behindlucrative possibilities in London and went to Edinburgh.He was appointed House Surgeon to the Old Infirmaryafter he had established a large private practice there. Dr.Wolston was a combination of professional ability, spiri-tual depth and personal warmth, “universally acknowl-edged to be a skillful and kindly Christian doctor.” Healways found time amid his busy practice to tell the old,old story. He also rented halls and theaters for gospelpreaching. Few professional men in Scotland were privi-leged to present the gospel to so many. He had a drawinginfluence with young men, and frequently lecturedEdinburgh University students on spiritual subjects.

In 1872 he began to edit God’s Glad Tidings. Thecover called it a “Monthly Magazine—Purely Gospel, forFree and General Circulation.” It was twenty to thirtypages long and had no graphics. Some of the anonymouscontributors were really Wolston’s wife who would justleave one curious initial at the end of the article, such asthe gospel appeal, Boast Not Thyself of Tomorrow by “X.”She was his match in evangelistic zeal. They both veiledreferences to themselves in their articles, but we gather

by reading closely that many of the conversion stories inthe magazine are from their own way of life witnessing.Of course, as a medical doctor, especially in those daysbefore sophisticated pain management, the medical doc-tor witnessed genuine soul trouble at the bedside of suf-

“I will never meet you in hell, and Moseswill never meet you there. If his voice couldbe heard from heaven tonight it would say,“Young man, you had better follow my pathway. People thought me a fool [for leaving Egypt’s treasures] but see where Iam now; I am in glory with Christ.”

—Young Men of Scripture, p. 78


W. T. P. WOLSTON

I truly confess, beloved friends, that the day when I say‘good-bye’ to the earth, I shall say, from the bottom of myheart, ‘Thank God.’ If the Lord came tonight, we shouldbreak out, as we left the earth behind, into that noble paean,‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory throughour Lord Jesus Christ’…I would not be anything but aChristian for ten thousand worlds; and if you are not one, itis high time you became one.”

BOOKS BY WOLSTON:

Another Comforter: Thirteen Lectures on the Operationsof the Holy SpiritBacksliding and RestorationBehold the Bridegroom: Ten Lectures on the SecondComing and Kingdom of the Lord JesusFrom Egypt to CanaanHandfuls of Purpose: Let Fall for Eager GleanersNight Scenes of Scripture: Seventeen Bible Night ScenesForty Days of ScriptureRest For the Weary: The Gospel from the Book of Ruth Seekers for Light: Fourteen Addresses to EdinburghStudentsSimon Peter: His Life and LettersThe Call of the Bride: and Other Gospel PapersThe Church, What is It?: Ten Lectures on the Church ofthe New TestamentYoung Men of Scripture: Nine Addresses to Young Men

We understand that W. T. P. Wolston also compiled ahymnbook which was reprinted at least seven times. Atotal of more than 88,000 copies were published by 1933.These hymns are included in the hymns database on theTruth for Today’s Bereans CD-ROM.

MATERIALS TAKEN FROM:

W. T. P. Wolston, How I Found the Lord: the Conversionof W. T. P. Wolston, Gospel Tract Publications, GlasgowNapoleon Noel, The History of the Brethren, ChapterTwo, LondonHarry Ironside, A Historical Sketch of the BrethrenMovement, Loizeaux Bros., Neptune, NJ

send packing many evangelically-minded men. Wolston cannot be termed a controversialist. Most of

his writing is on evangelistic and devotional themes. Hedearly loved to present the gospel. Regardless of the sub-ject matter of his discourses to Christians, he wouldunswervingly finish by preaching God’s salvation.

Walter’s brother Christopher injected himself into sev-eral controversies. Christopher was also a medical doc-tor. He is mentioned visiting John Darby shortly beforeDarby’s death. The doctor asked the old man if he hadany special thoughts as he viewed his death. Darbyreplied, “There are three things which I have dwelt muchupon: God is my Father, and I am His gift to His Son;Christ is my righteousness; and Christ is my object inlife, and my joy for eternity.”

It is sometimes said that the so-called ExclusiveBrethren are strong on Bible teaching but weak on evan-gelism, but this was not so in Wolston’s day and in manybranches of that movement it is not true today. Althoughkeeping a low profile and shunning ostentation, men likeAndrew Miller, Charles Stanley, George Cutting, C. H.Mackintosh and W. T. P. Wolston were all men who shonein the gospel. Paul spoke of a fellow traveler with Titus,“the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout allthe churches” (2 Cor. 8:18). Stanley, Cutting, andWolston would have all fit that description.

It appears that Wolston tried to stay clear of severalchurch controversies that arose after John Darby’s pass-ing in 1882. In the fall of 1896, he stood by a grave inCheltenham Cemetery and read Genesis 25:8-10 andHebrews 8:10. The body being lowered into the groundbelonged to Charles Henry Mackintosh. He must havewondered, as the true men of spiritual stature amongthem either died, or were being pushed out.

Finally, church problems between 1902 and 1908caused WTPW to write a paper called “Hear the Right.”He was an impassioned man who eschewed hypocrisy.

He gave up his medical practice in 1909, and there-upon answered invitations to visit Australia and NewZealand. He later visited Norway.

During the second visit to Norway in February, 1915,he had a stroke, and was brought home paralyzed toWeston-super-Mare. He lay helpless for two years. Hiswife testified that the helpless man was “happy in theSaviour’s love.” Those who nursed him never heard himonce murmur. A few weeks before the end he had anoth-er stroke and passed into a coma. On March, 1917, at theage of seventy-six, the good doctor made his appoint-ment with the great Physician, who forgives all our iniq-uities and heals all our diseases.

Years previously, Wolston had declared,

�

John Bjorlie

HEBREWS: VERSE-BY-VERSE X-3274by William R. NewellThe objective in Hebrews is to setbefore believers’ eyes Christ, the Son ofGod, the Son of Man, the Great HighPriest in heaven; and engage theirthoughts constantly with God, intowhose presence Christ’s blood hasbrought them. Newell teaches Darby’sview of the New Covenant in chapter8. This book moves along verse byverse, and concludes with eight clarify-ing appendixes. Paper. 494 pp.

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HOT OFF THE PRESS! ABRAHAM, The Friend of GodABRAHAM, The Friend of God by Hamilton Smith

It would hardly be possible to overestimate the importance of a knowledge ofGod’s dealings with Abraham and his seed for a proper understanding of the Bible.To him the Lord gave this sweeping promise, “I will bless them that bless thee, andcurse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed”(Gen. 12:3). From Galatians 3:16, we learn that that seed was Christ, and in Himalone all the blessings of the New Covenant shall be realized.

The significance of this subject can be assessed by the fact that only a fewchapters describe the creation of the worlds, while the rest of the Old Testament isdedicated to God’s dealings with this one man and his family.

Abraham is also one of the most interesting characters of Bible history. There arefew people mentioned so frequently in the Scriptures. He also has the distinction ofbeing called “the Friend of God” (Jas. 2:23). To prepare Abraham for the place Godhad purposed for him, the God of glory appeared to him (Acts 7:2) and gave himwonderful visions—visions of the Lord Jesus (Jn. 8:56) and visions of a heavenly city“which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10). Join the author in learning more about Abraham and his God with this new edition.It includes two new appendixes and 4 maps showing the journeys of Abraham.RETAIL $10.99 $15.99CDN NEW RELEASE SALE $8.00 $12.00CDN B-AFG

HEBREWS: BIBLE CLASS NOTES B-HEBby Peter J. PellThese Bible notes are like refined goldtaken from a wealth of outlines, illus-trations and meditations that camefrom many years of studying andpreaching from the book of Hebrews.Even though the heights of this epistleare never reached and all its mysteriesnever solved, the study of it always isrich, satisfying and refreshingly vital.Paper. 112 pp. RETAIL $8.99 $12.99CDN

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OPENED HEAVENS: MUSINGS ON HEBREWSby J. G. Bellett X-1298How could he write so much in so fewpages? This book looks at four themesrunning through the book of Hebrews,connecting them with key Scripturereferences in other places. Lastly, therelationship of these themes is shown.Here is devotional sweetness bydwelling on the supremacy of Christ.Hardcover. 96 pp.RETAIL $4.99 $6.99CDN

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HEBREWS: COMMENTARY X-4121by H. A. IronsideIronside’s lifelong ministry of makingthe Bible understood by all Christianswas evident in his preaching as well ashis writing. This practical outline ofHebrews in an affordable, attractiveformat is no exception. With helpfulintroductory notes and clear expositionon each chapter, the reader, with theHoly Spirit’s help, will come away witha blessing from this study. Paper. 128 pp.RETAIL $9.99 $14.99CDN SALE $8.88 $12.88CDN

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BIBLICAL BIOGRAPHY

HEBREWS: COMMENTARY X-13538by William KellyFor the serious reader this is a must-have book. Let the sluggish thinkerbeware. Critical points are dealt withconvincingly. While Greek students willnote only occasional allusions to theoriginal languages, Kelly’s knowledgeof the texts is a strong undercurrent inhis writing. Like most sound commen-tators, Kelly treats the warning pas-

sages as warnings against apostasy. Hardcover. 304 pp.RETAIL $9.99 $14.99CDN SALE $8.88 $12.88CDN

TYPES IN HEBREWS X-1292by Sir Robert AndersonAs expected, Anderson’s writing is clearand concise. The book is topically writ-ten, not verse by verse, and has somehelpful material on prophetic teachingin Hebrews. Two chapters argue strong-ly that Paul is the writer of the epistle.In the appendix he addresses the carry-over of Old Testament priesthood intothe clergy-laity system of Christendom.Paper. 184 pp.


JESUS CHRIST GREATER THAN ALL X-867by Gerald L. StoverCentering on the greatness of our Lordand Saviour Jesus Christ, the authorwrites that “Hebrews in the NewTestament is the Holy Spirit’s exposi-tion of the drama of redemptionappearing in the pages of the OldTestament.” Thus, this study centersaround Christ: His person, priesthoodand people. All prophets, angels, lead-ers, priests and servants must bow inHis presence. Paper. 128 pp.RETAIL $5.99 $8.99CDN SALE $4.88 $6.88CDN

STUDIES IN HEBREWS X-2235by H.C.G. MouleThe entire book of Hebrews is coveredin 13 thorough yet concise spiritualmessages with topical and devotionalemphases. It is the work, not only of anaccomplished scholar, but of a skilledteacher. Some of the best characteristicsof his writing are evident here, providinga deeper appreciation of Christ and thenew resurrection power, availablethrough the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Paper. 128 pp.RETAIL $7.99 $11.99CDN SALE $6.88 $9.88CDN

THE HOLIEST OF ALL X-4624by Andrew MurrayThis facsimile edition is a long awaitedclassic reprint. This book givesMurray’s unaltered teaching. Forwholesome exhortation, assurance ofsalvation, devotional stirring and acandid, honest look at the warningpassages, you will find help in thisdevotional commentary on Hebrews.Paper. 570 pp. Larger print.RETAIL $14.99 $21.99CDN

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GOD’S LAST WORD TO MAN X-7905by G. Campbell MorganThis collection of 16 transcribed mes-sages on Hebrews is not an exhaustivecommentary or a controversial treatise.Those who have tasted Morgan’sorderly style will not be disappointed.His writing is a pattern of clarity. Mostof the book dwells on the Son as being“greater than” the angels, than Moses,than Joshua, and greater than theAaronic priesthood. Paper. 128 pp.


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WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ON HEBREWS J-1309by J. M. FlanaganThis is a cautious book, that takes thetime to look at the finer points. JimFlanagan has a reputation for accuracy,as well as insight into the devotionalheart of the passage. This is a rare findin a commentator. The careful teachingis there, the outlines, and critical notes,but not at the sacrifice of the beautyand force of the epistle’s plain, obviousteaching. Hardcover. 324 pp.RETAIL $24.99 $34.99CDN SALE $19.88 $28.88CDN

UPLOOK

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

It is enough; earth’s struggles soon shall cease,And Jesus call us to heaven’s perfect peace.

Later, Bickersteth’s sister noted that no stanza dealt with the trial of physical suffering. “That is soonremedied,” he replied, writing on the back ofan envelope:

Peace, perfect peace, ’mid suffering’s sharpest throes,The sympathy of Jesus breathes repose.

And it certainly does (see Heb. 4:15-16)!

—from GREAT HYMNS AND THEIR STORIES by W. J. SHEPPARD

“For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners againstHimself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb. 12:3).

The Missing StanzaThe Missing Stanza

n August of 1875, E. H. Bickersteth was staying with his family in a house at Harrowgate, facing theStray. One Sunday morning he heard Canon Gibbon preach from the text, “Thou wilt keep him in perfectpeace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isa. 26:3). In his message, he alluded tothe beauty of the phrase “perfect peace” as rendering the repeated word, “peace, peace” in the originalHebrew.

That afternoon Bickersteth went to visit a dying relative, and found him, though a believer, troubled inmind. Sitting by his bed, E. H. Bickersteth took a sheet of paper and there composed the following

beautiful hymn which he then read to the dying man:

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