1960 Bible Studies - page 3

BIBLE STUDIES " N o w these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were s o " (Acts 17. 11).

VOLUME 28

JANUARY, 1960

EDITORIAL We welcome the contributions of our fellow-students of the Scriptures.

Though the papers received are fewer in number than is usual for January, it is evident from the scripts in their original form that the new subject has made a definite appeal.  Surely Isaiah’s grand presentation of the Christ must stir the hearts of all who truly love their Lord and Saviour, whose own personal glories far transcend all the grandeur of Isaiah’s language ! As to ourselves, we are deeply aware of our limitations in dealing with such a lofty theme as presented by a prophet so mightily used of the L O R D , and who was favoured with such heavenly visions. As we review Isaiah’s majestic pronouncements and seek to comment upon them, we feel a genuine sense of the slowness of speech that burdened Moses (Exodus 4. 10). The LORD, who made man’s mouth (Exodus 4. 11), enabled Isaiah as well as Moses to speak as led of the Holy Spirit. Let us, as we seek to apply ourselves to such a great and precious study, take encouragement from the LORD’S assurance to Moses! "Certainly I will be with thee"

(Exodus 3. 12).

We look to the Lord to grant us our prayer that He will aid and that the Lord the Spirit will enlighten and teach us. We commend our study J. B.

of this notable subject to God for His blessing.

NOTES ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER CHAPTER 5

Verse 1:  The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

As the saints in the churches of God in the five provinces of Asia are addressed as a whole (1. 1) and viewed as a holy and royal priesthood (2. 5, 9) and together as a brotherhood (2. 17 ; 5. 9), so here the elders of the churches are viewed together and addressed as a whole.  The elders were among the flock (verse 1), and in verse 2, the flock is among the elders.

Peter describes himself as a fellow-elder.  An apostle was an elder, though an elder was not an apostle.  Undoubtedly the church of God in Jerusalem was cared for by the apostles who were also elders, before there came to be " the apostles and the elders " (Acts 15. 6).  "A witness " (Gk., Martus)

is one who bears testimony, but if he is to bear testimony he must first of all see and hear, even as Peter and John said, " We cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard " (Acts 4. 20).  What they saw and heard fitted them to be credible witnesses.  Thus Peter testified of the sufferings of Christ which he saw.  He was also a partaker of the glory which is to be revealed. Suffering and glory is the way of Christ and His saints.  Alas, the world’s way is glory (for those who get it) and suffering.