Eternal Truth
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decrepitude. But by the ever-learning student new light, new ideas,
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new gems of truth will be found and eagerly grasped.... The gospel is
not properly taught and represented before unbelievers by men who
have ceased to be students, who have, as it were, graduated as far as
searching the Scriptures is concerned, and they bring a reproach upon
the truth by the manner in which they handle it. If men obtain the ears
of the people, the very best quality of preaching is needed, because
pleasing fables are presented by eloquent lips.—Lt 33, 1886.
Scriptural Study vs. Suppositions and Fables—Preach the
Word. You may have inventive minds. You may be expert, as were the
Jewish teachers, in getting up new theories; but Christ said of them, “In
vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines, the commandments
of men” [
Matthew 15:9
]. They presented traditions, suppositions, and
fables of all kinds to the people. The forms and ceremonies they en-
joined made it simply impossible for the people to know whether they
were keeping the Word of God or following the imaginations of men.
Satan is well pleased when he can thus confuse the mind. Let
not ministers preach their own suppositions. Let them search the
Scriptures earnestly, with a solemn realization that if they teach for
doctrine the things that are not contained in God’s Word, they will be
as those represented in the last chapter of Revelation.—Lt 207, 1899.
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