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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
The union of the divine and the human, manifest in Christ, exists
also in the Bible. The truths revealed are all “given by inspiration of
God;” yet they are expressed in the words of men and are adapted
to human needs. Thus it may be said of the Book of God, as it was
of Christ, that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” And
this fact, so far from being an argument against the Bible, should
strengthen faith in it as the word of God. Those who pronounce upon
the inspiration of the Scriptures, accepting some portions as divine
while they reject other parts as human, overlook the fact that Christ,
the divine, partook of our human nature, that He might reach humanity.
In the work of God for man’s redemption, divinity and humanity are
combined.
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There are many passages of Scripture which skeptical critics have
declared to be uninspired, but which, in their tender adaptation to the
needs of men, are God’s own messages of comfort to His trusting
children. A beautiful illustration of this occurs in the history of the
apostle Peter. Peter was in prison, expecting to be brought forth next
day to death; he was sleeping at night “between two soldiers, bound
with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And,
behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the
prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise
up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” Peter, suddenly
awaking, was amazed at the brightness that flooded his dungeon, and
the celestial beauty of the heavenly messenger. He understood not
the scene, but he knew that he was free, and in his bewilderment and
joy he would have gone forth from the prison unprotected from the
cold night air. The angel of God, noting all the circumstances, said,
with tender care for the apostle’s need: “Gird thyself, and bind on thy
sandals.” Peter mechanically obeyed; but so entranced was he with
the revelation of the glory of heaven that he did not think to take his
cloak. Then the angel bade him: “Cast thy garment about thee, and
follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it
was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto
the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his
own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and
forthwith the angel departed from him.” The apostle found himself in
the streets of Jerusalem alone. “And when Peter was come to himself,