Mysteries of the Bible a Proof of its Inspiration
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criticize the Scriptures, saying: “This passage is needful, and that
passage is not needful, and is not inspired.”
Christ gave no such instruction in regard to the Old Testament
Scriptures, the only part of the Bible which the people of His time
possessed. His teachings were designed to direct their minds to the
Old Testament and to bring into clearer light the great themes there
presented. For ages the people of Israel had been separating themselves
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from God, and they had lost sight of precious truths which He had
committed to them. These truths were covered up with superstitious
forms and ceremonies that concealed their true significance. Christ
came to remove the rubbish which had obscured their luster. He placed
them, as precious gems, in a new setting. He showed that so far from
disdaining the repetition of old, familiar truths, He came to make them
appear in their true force and beauty, the glory of which had never
been discerned by the men of His time. Himself the Author of these
revealed truths, He could open to the people their true meaning, freeing
them from the misinterpretations and false theories adopted by the
leaders to suit their own unconsecrated condition, their destitution of
spirituality and the love of God. He cast aside that which had robbed
these truths of life and vital power, and gave them back to the world in
all their original freshness and force.
If we have the Spirit of Christ and are laborers together with Him,
it is ours to carry forward the work which He came to do. The truths
of the Bible have again become obscured by custom, tradition, and
false doctrine. The erroneous teachings of popular theology have
made thousands upon thousands of skeptics and infidels. There are
errors and inconsistencies which many denounce as the teaching of the
Bible that are really false interpretations of Scripture, adopted during
the ages of papal darkness. Multitudes have been led to cherish an
erroneous conception of God, as the Jews, misled by the errors and
traditions of their time, had a false conception of Christ. “Had they
known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” It is ours to
reveal to the world the true character of God. Instead of criticizing the
Bible, let us seek, by precept and example, to present to the world its
sacred, life-giving truths, that we may “show forth the praises of Him
who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
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