Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

by H. J. Vine.

“The Fear of the Lord”

“Be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long,” is a healthy and necessary word.

The grace of God has done much for us: it has saved us, it has justified us freely, it has redeemed and reconciled us to God, and we do well to respond to the exhortation, “Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom that cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

This fear of the Lord is not the slavish dread that marks the superstitious. No. It is a reverent trustfulness accompanied by hatred of evil. “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever.” Where this is maintained the presence of the Lord is a reality and joy.

His presence is with the assembly till He comes again to take us to be with Himself in the Father’s house. He never leaves or forsakes His own.

“He with His church has always stood;

His loving kindness, oh, how good!”

It is, however, one thing for His presence to be with us, and it is another thing to be in a state to recognize it, and to enjoy the holy peace and blessedness of it. “No flesh shall glory in God’s presence” (1 Corinthians 1:29), but rest, edification, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost are experimentally known there. Here lies the secret of true prosperity, as is evidenced in the early records of the assemblies in the Acts, “walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost,” they were multiplied (Acts 9:31). When these conditions are absent the very opposite of this is present. Strifes about doctrines, parties, traditions, distinctive tenets, leaders, along with boasted zeal for the truth are rife, and result neither in comfort nor prosperity, but in schools of opinion, jealousies, disputes, contentions and divisions. Let the Spirit be ungrieved, and self-judgment be maintained in the presence of the Lord and in the fear of the Lord, then these things will flee the field like a flock of night birds before the dawn.

It is touching to read that one reason given why the supplications of our Lord Jesus Christ were heard was because of His piety, or because He feared (Hebrews 5:7). Who could claim to be in the path of God’s will more than He? Who walked in the truth and was so zealous for it as He? Who loved the good and hated the evil as He did? Yet He was in the fear of God all the day long. “Preserve Me, O God,” He prayed, “for in Thee do I put My trust”; and again, “Thy law is within My heart,” and “Thy word have I hid in Mine heart.” If we put the acrostic Psalms 111 and 112 side by side, we see how those who belong to Christ take character from Him. The former speaks of Christ and the latter of the one who trusts in Him. The former ends by telling us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”: the latter begins by telling us of the blessedness or happiness of “the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments.” In the third verse of the one Christ’s “righteousness endureth for ever”: in verse 3 of the other the same thing is said of the believer’s righteousness, and that must be so because Christ is his righteousness. God has made Him his righteousness as well as his wisdom.

It is this divinely granted attitude of heart and mind which the Spirit enables. the true remnant to maintain. Grace is given to them to follow that which is good. In the closing moments of the present period they follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who sincerely have the Lord before their hearts (2 Timothy 2:22). Himself and His love have won their affections, and out of “a pure heart” they call upon the Lord Himself. Thus they approve themselves to be of the assembly which Christ is building upon the revelation which the Father has made to them of Him, the Son of the living God (see Matthew 16).

The remnant at the close of Old Testament days were marked by the same characteristics. We are not told that they busied themselves with reconstructing or correcting anything. But a deep and real revival was theirs. The unreal would not care for their company; for they would have no heart for the theme that filled them with untold joy. “They that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His Name. And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels” (Mathew 3:16).

Great was the delight that this remnant found in their meditations upon “HIS NAME,” but greater was the delight of the Lord in them.

It is the happy business of the assembly to delight in what He is, even though He graciously permits her to know what pleasure He finds in her. The spirit of the false assembly, Babylon, says, “I sit as a queen”; that of the true, seen in the remnant, says, “HE is altogether lovely.” Where He is all the assembly is: where He is displaced by the exaltation of the church, or man, or any other thing, the assembly is not. It is Christ and the assembly: not the assembly and Christ. In all things the pre-eminence is His. And rightly so, says the remnant. “Our desire is towards Him.” This is the holy exercise of the true bride in the presence of the Lord. She reverences her husband (it might read, “Fear the husband,” New Translation Ephesians 5:33), while she knows that he loves her as Himself.

Whilst feeling, but not being engrossed with the failure around them, how brightly would the glory of the unfailing One, the unchanging One, shine before the happy hearts of the remnant who “feared the Lord,” for they spake often together; and what He is—His Name, was their holy theme—they “thought upon HIS NAME.” And this is the theme of those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart today; and that in a deeper sense even than in Malachi’s day, for the full revelation of God has since been made known to us in Him. It is also the theme of the Holy Spirit, even as it is of the Holy Scriptures which are inspired by Him. “When He is come,” said the Lord Jesus, “He shall glorify Me.” What an exhaustless subject of glory and love is provided for our conversation and meditation.

“No subject so glorious as He,

No theme so affecting to us.”

What seasons of refreshing and edification were and are the precious portion of those who fear the Lord and think upon HIS NAME. Has not the reader proved this? Has he not also proved the subtle religious pride and workings that robs the heart of such seasons? Shall we not with purpose of heart, then, pursue in the future the way of first love, the way of the Spirit, and the way of the bride?

Soon He will come! THE BRIGHT, MORNING STAR will quickly shine out!

Those who have heard the testimony of Himself in the assemblies are ready in true love to welcome Him. To Him “the Spirit and the bride say, Come.” What a welcome awaits Him! What a contrast to His first coming! Ah, great and glorious shall be His joy when He takes us up to present us to Himself!

“The Bridegroom and the bride

Are seen in glory ever,

And love is satisfied.”

He will come and He will shine forth eventually as the Sun of righteousness in view of millennial, earthly blessing. A star may be larger than the sun which is set in immediate relation to the earth. The sun looks greater because of its nearness. One far-off star, beyond the planetary system, called “the king of the heavens,” is a thousand times larger than the sun, and a million times farther away from the earth. Certainly the Morning Star, the heavenly Bridegroom, involves greater glories than the Sun of righteousness for the earth; yet all centre, in this case, in our glorious Saviour, in One and the same Person; but, relatively speaking, a vaster cluster of glories encircle Him as the bright, Morning Star than as the Sun of righteousness, although both are indeed glorious. To the earthly remnant at the end of the Old Testament, in view of a future day, it is said, “Unto you that fear My name shall the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2). To the real in the assemblies, it is said at the end of the New Testament, “I, JESUS … am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright MORNING STAR … I come quickly” (Revelation 22:16-20 New Translation). Meanwhile the last word breathed by the Spirit is, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with ALL THE SAINTS” (last verse of the Bible, New Translation).

In the sense of this grace, and of the presence of the Lord with us, we are to walk in the fear of the Lord all the day long. This will preserve us in a condition which is agreeable to Him, as we wait His return.

The Fellowship and the Glories of God’s Son

Those who have heard and believed the word of truth, the Gospel of God’s salvation, have been called into the most wonderful fellowship known on earth or in heaven. It is designated in i1 Corinthians 1:9, the fellowship of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is most important to understand this, for the same Scripture shows that we can count upon the faithfulness of God in regard to it. It is the fellowship He Himself has called us into, and He will never fail those who abide in it.

All sorts of fellowships exist today, and new fellowships are being formed. Indeed, the very word itself is now constantly upon the lips of democratic politicians and worldly ecclesiastics. They are seeking to unite mankind in a fellowship which knows nothing of new birth by the word and Spirit, nor of redemption by the blood of Christ. It is the high honour of those who are redeemed to enter into the privileges of the fellowship of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, for God has graciously called them by the Gospel in view of it.

Just think of the greatness of this which is to be enjoyed even now, before we are glorified with Him in heaven—the fellowship of the glorious Son of God! What can compare with it? What else can be desired by us? Moreover, we are reminded that the One into whose fellowship we are called is not only ‘God’s Son’; He is “our Lord”. His dignity as such is therefore to be esteemed by those who are called, and then they will order all their ways in the recognition of His authority as Lord. Anything that is inconsistent with His lordship will necessarily be avoided. Indeed, it is said, “Let every one who names the Name of the Lord withdraw from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19, New Translation). To continue in it would not only mar our enjoyment of the fellowship into which we are called, but it would show disloyalty to God’s Son.

Although it is in the first epistle to the Corinthians this wonderful fellowship is indicated, yet, remarkable to say, the glory of the Son of God is not unfolded in that epistle. The fact is, the saints at Corinth were carnal. They had not advanced, they were dwarfed; and the apostle could not speak to them “as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1). Moreover, divisions, sects and man-following were rife among them, therefore the apostle had to remind them often of the lordship of Christ, and to call attention to His dealings in discipline (1 Corinthians 11:32), to correct them.

In the second epistle, however, he recognized some progress in them, and the glory of Christ is in a measure unfolded. He says, “Beholding the glory of the Lord, with unveiled face, we are transformed according to the Same image from glory to glory”. This refers to His moral glory. Again, we read, “The radiancy of the glad tidings of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”; and again, “The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. The glory which shone on the face of Moses was surpassed by the glory which excelleth. The ministry of the Spirit by means of the gifts given from Christ on high, has in view the edifying of the assembly, the body of Christ, “until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of God’s Son” (Ephesians 4:13) into whose fellowship we are called.

When the saints are spiritual, walking in the happy recognition of the lordship of Christ, the Holy Spirit is free to unfold before our glad gaze the marvellous glories of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. When it is not thus with us, He has to correct us, because we are self-occupied, and not at leisure to delight our hearts in the Lord. The normal work of the Spirit is to glorify Him, as He said, “He shall not speak of Himself, He shall glorify Me”. He has been sent from Christ on high for that purpose.

So vast and varied are the glories of the Son of God, their superlative splendours outstrip the comprehension of the most spiritual saints. Like Himself they are infinite, nevertheless the Spirit who knows them all brings their precious riches within the apprehension of those who do not grieve or hinder Him. Their resplendent radiancy shines as the glowing clusters of the most precious stones in God’s mineral creation, those gems of rare beauty, which shed forth their rich colours and brilliant lights in such bright and variegated diversity that the most experienced eye fails to detect more than a comparatively small number of the lustrous rays which they so bountifully radiate at every movement; nevertheless, the more closely they are examined the more clearly their manifold beauties are seen, and with deeper interest their iridescent charms are recognized. The city of God, the heavenly Jerusalem, is seen in Revelation 21, with the foundations of its jasper wall “adorned with every precious stone”, and its twelve gates, twelve pearls, while the street of it is of pure gold, as transparent glass. It is the glory of God, however, which shines from Christ, that enlightens the city, and it is by that light which it radiates that the nations of the earth are yet to walk.

Before that day arrives, even now as the assembly, the bride of Christ, awaits His coming again; the Spirit edifies, cheers and satisfies our hearts by showing us Christ’s glory and by telling us of Christ’s love. The distinctions which culminate in the Son of God and which shine in illustrious perfection from Him, the Spirit shows to the gladdened gaze of those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ and who share in the new creation in Himself.

“Amidst His own the Spirit still

Bears witness of His glory there,

And from the sphere which He doth fill

Brings knowledge of His fullness here.”

Those who are called into the fellowship of God’s Son, and walk in the recognition of His lordship, receive the benefits of this enriching ministry of the Spirit of God, and they grow in grace and in the excellent knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

“As they rest within the circle

Where love’s treasures are displayed,

There they drink the living waters,

Taste the joys that never fade.”

It is said through the Apostle John, who wrote of the glory of the Son of God beyond all others, “These things write we unto you that your joy may be full”. That was given to us after the failure of the assemblies was an accomplished fact, that therefore need not hinder us being led by the Spirit into the fullness indicated. It is only for us to walk in the path marked out for us, to “practise the truth” as it is revealed, to follow righteousness, faith, love and peace with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

In all the Scriptures our Lord Jesus Christ interpreted to the two wondering disciples the things concerning Himself. That made their hearts burn within them for very gladness. Such ministry by the Spirit from the writings of the Spirit to those who are indwelt by the Spirit does exactly the same today. In Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon and others the Spirit has foreshadowed some of Christ’s official glories. In the Gospels we see the beauties of His moral perfections, and in all His personal glories are plainly to be seen. So multitudinous are these distinctions, however, whether they be official, moral or personal, that eloquent volumes could not encompass their infinitude.

Moses failed, Aaron failed, David failed, and Solomon also; but the Son of God stands out eternally glorious as the unfailing One. In official, moral and personal perfection, all abides in Him in undimmed glory for ever. Some have had the official glory of kingship, but have been utterly without moral worth. Eli’s sons had the official distinction of being priests, and the personal distinction of being Aaron’s family, but they were morally debased. Every official glory, every moral beauty and every personal perfection in the, Son of God shines in unsullied splendour. When they saw His glorious majesty in the Holy Mount, having been withdrawn and elevated above other influences, Peter tells us, “He received from God the Father honour and glory, such a voice being uttered to Him by the excellent glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I have found My delight”.

We are called by God into the fellowship of such an One, into the fellowship of God’s Son. He is our Lord also. May our walk, ways and words show that we value this high honour. God is faithful always in regard to this fellowship into which He Himself has called us.

A difficulty may be a real one, but it is only unbelief of heart that will make it an obstacle, if on the path of God’s will. Faith reckons upon God, and difficulties are nothing to Him.

The Fight of Faith

Some time ago a strange-looking preacher was seen and heard in a city market place. He stood on the Spot where the glad Gospel of God’s Son had won many a triumph, and taken many a trophy from the slavery of sin and Satan—trophies that still tell by life and lip of the forgiving and preserving grace of God. And now this preacher of strange manner and appearance, opened his mouth to proclaim that he had adopted new views, and that he no longer held the old truth of the Gospel which he once professed, saying that only a few insignificant people believe in the atonement, and in the inspiration of the Bible, since the New Theology has come to the front. Well, if it be so, it were far better to follow the Son of God in the company of his unlettered but true disciples, few though they were, than be found with the sceptical Sadducces, and Pharisees of learning and letters, who sought His overthrow. Far better to be found firm and steadfast in the faith, than wandering away with the popular apostasy long foretold in the Word of God!

We do not stay to speak of the evident barrenness of modern theology; it is known well enough by those who are of the faith of God’s elect. But the fight of faith still remains for such in the presence of the subtle and sinful working of the mind of man against the faith itself. This working will go on with ever-increasing energy, till the apostasy of which God has forewarned us takes place. To close our eyes to this, is to shut out of our minds the God-given warning, which He knew was necessary for us to receive.

Let us, however, look a little at the faith itself, which is all-important, and at some of the different attitudes towards it, by taking up some of the Scriptures that speak of it. The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ draws nigh, and the great question is, How do we stand in relation to the faith? Not, How do we stand in relation to a sect, or a school, or a party?

What is the faith? It is the whole body of truth revealed by God at the beginning; that which was given of God once for all to the saints (Jude 3). As coming from its Divine source, it is (1) God’s revelation; as finding expression in Christ and in the Scriptures, it is (2) the truth; as a present unseen system in which believers are to stand fast, it is called (3) the faith; “The faith of God’s elect” (Titus 1:1).

To some who had become sectarian, and who questioned whether Christ spoke in the Apostle Paul, though they had been converted through his preaching, he wrote, “Examine your own selves if ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” A very healthy word indeed, even for today! Men may cry out for something new, and more advanced; but the real remain in that which God gave to the apostles at the start. They know that everlasting blessedness and glory with Christ await those who “abide in the faith” (Colossians 1:23, New Translation). One says: “We must move on with the new light.” Another: “We are looking now for a very new theology.” And yet another: “The twentieth century advanced thought is the thing.” But unmoved, the faith of the real rests in God’s perfect revelation: they abide in the faith once given.

We must not think, however, that this abiding is a sleepy affair. Very real indeed are the peace, and the rest, and the joy, that those know who abide in the faith grounded and firm. Nevertheless wakefulness and watchfulness must mark them. To become formal and lifeless is fatal, even though a name to live remains (see Revelation 3:1). The fact is, the lethal current of unreality rushes against the truth with rising force, gathering fresh energy and increased intensity from every check this mysterious working receives; this “mystery of lawlessness” which seeks to sap the foundations of the “mystery of the faith,” as God has told us. Therefore those who have truly received Christ Jesus the Lord need to be exhorted now, as others did at the beginning: “Walk ye in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7). And again: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong!” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Of course, there are always the weaker and the stronger in the faith; but those who are strong are to be considerate for the weak, and not simply please themselves, but seek to please others for their good. And instead of raising unessential questions, it is distinctly said: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye” (Romans 14:1). He is in the faith, and that is the one essential matter. It is in this that we are to be established. It is in this we are to be solicitous for one another’s edification. It is in this we are to stand fast. Merely saying: “I hold the faith,” is not satisfactory. We need to be rooted and founded in it. We must pray. We must have to do with God. The Scriptures given by the Spirit must be read in the power of the Spirit ungrieved, that we may be complete in all the Will of God.

1. IT HAS BEEN REVEALED. This revelation, however, was not fully made till after our Lord Jesus Christ had secured eternal redemption for us by His work on the Cross, and had ascended as Man to God’s right hand. Before He came, the law had been given at Sinai, with its system of outward observances, amidst displays of might and majesty which impressed both sight and sense. How different with the faith! Speaking of the past system in contrast to the present revelation, the apostle said to the Galatians, who were getting back to the bondage of the old and losing the liberty of the new: “Before faith came we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed” (3:23). Along with that came the freedom of sonship before God, as well as forgiveness and justification and a heavenly inheritance. Therefore he wrote further: “Faith having come, we are no longer under a tutor; for ye are all God’s sons by faith in Christ Jesus” (3:25-26, New Translation). No appalling sight meets the eye! No mighty thunders strike the ear! No smoking mountain, as if on fire, that might be touched! But God was manifested in a meek and lowly Man, now exalted to heavenly glory, and the faith is revealed and expressed in the Spirit’s vital words. It is complete, there is nothing more to be added. Indeed, the topstone of that revelation was specially given for us Gentile believers, to the same apostle: “Given to me towards you,” he wrote, “that by revelation the mystery has been made known to me” (Ephesians 3:3, New Translation); and, “the dispensation of God which is given me towards you to complete the Word of God; the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but has now been made manifest to His saints (Colossians 1:25-26, New Translation). What profound depths and what unscaled heights are to be explored in this Divine revelation, given that the Word of God might be complete! Our apprehension of it may indeed be feeble, but there is nothing lacking in the revelation itself. What grace Divine to give it to us!

2. THE TRUTH EXPRESSES IT. That which in itself is true is expressed by the truth. The faith has been revealed, and the truth expresses that revelation. “The faith” and “the truth” are expressions often found in juxtaposition. If men depart from the faith, they turn away from the truth. Believers are to be “sound in the faith,” not giving heed to “Jewish fables and commandments of men, that turn from the truth” (Titus 5:14). The house of God, which embraces all true believers in Christ in the world, is the depository of the truth, as the assembly of the living God. The truth is put there; and it is the pillar and base of the truth.” The assembly witnesses to the truth which God has given to her; not to herself, for that would be the negation of true piety. Christ, who is the truth personally, is to be enshrined in her heart by faith. He expresses the true God. She is to express Him. We are told that the mystery of piety is great. “God has been manifested in flesh, has been justified in the Spirit, has appeared to angels, has been preached among the nations, has been believed on in the world, has been received up in glory. But the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall apostatize from the faith,” and these are at once contrasted with those who are “faithful and know the truth” (1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1-3, New Translation). If two men are named as having got astray as to the truth, then they “overthrow the faith of some” (2 Timothy 2:18). The truth is that in which we are to walk. Its teaching is according to piety. Its words are sound, and it produces practical results for God’s glory. Where this is refused, and disputes, and “envy, strife, injurious words, evil suspicions,” and such things are characteristic, then they are “destitute of the truth” (1 Timothy 6:5). And just as it is “the faith” which becomes the final test, so we are told, that those who are left to perish after Christ has taken the assembly from the earth, are those who received not “the love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). How important it is then that we should “believe the truth” love it, and practise it. The Spirit of truth is the power given for this, thanks be to our God and Father.

3. “THE FAITH OF GOD’S ELECT.” We are told that Paul was a servant of God, and an apostle of Christ according to this; also according to the “knowledge of the truth which is according to piety” (Titus 1:1, New Translation). He held his service and his apostleship according to the faith. This was important in his eyes. He likewise tells us that the service of the gifts given by the ascended Christ, is in view of all the saints coming to “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:13). Some may ask us, What is your faith in contrast to the faith of someone else? But he tells us, There is “one faith.” There are many religions, many superstitions, but only one faith given from God. In contrast to the outward observances of Judaism, “God’s dispensation” is “in faith” (1 Timothy 1:4, New Translation). This embraces a wonderful system of unparalleled importance, and we are to “further” it in every way possible. Therefore we see in this first letter to Timothy specially, what a tremendous test it becomes to those who profess the name of Christ. In chapter 1:19, some make shipwreck as to it. Those who serve are to hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience (3:9); and consequently they will obtain much boldness in the faith (3:23). The apostasy is from the faith (4:1). Timothy himself is nourished with the words of the faith (4:6). If anyone does not provide for his own, he practically denies the faith (5:8). Those who are gripped by the love of money pierce themselves through with many sorrows as they aspire after it and wander from the faith (6:10). Therefore, Timothy, the child of Paul in the faith, is exhorted to “strive earnestly in the good conflict of the faith” (6:12, New Translation), and his last word in this letter to him is: “Keep the entrusted deposit, avoiding profane, vain babblings, and oppositions of false-named knowledge, of which some, having made profession, have missed the faith. Grace be with thee.”

FINALLY. How encouraging and stimulating it is to turn to what the champion of the faith tells us concerning himself in relation to it, as he is faced by the inrushing tides of opposition and corruption. Before he lays aside his well-worn weapon, this warrior of the Lord, this faithful minister of Christ, writes his last letter to his child in the faith, and says: “I have kept the faith.”

The last epistle in the Bible exhorts us to set ourselves definitely for the faith once given, in view of rising apostasy. Jude does not urge us to contend against the evil. That cannot be stayed. He tells us to earnestly contend for the positive faith in its primitive perfection. Many are wasting their time and energy in vainly fighting the evil, instead of fighting the fight of the faith; trying to put right that which cannot be rectified, instead of maintaining the good. They misread the word in Jude, who exhorts those who are called of God and beloved in God the Father, to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (verse 3).

Dissoluteness and corruption were increasing, and would continue to do so. Only when the judgment of God fell upon the wicked at the coming of the Lord would the evil be stayed. Therefore, he continues, “But ye, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (verses 20-21, New Translation). Very soon now He will take us out of the presence of the corruption and of the apostasy altogether, and put us in the presence of the glory with exceeding joy. To Him be “glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

The Five Unfoldings

The Holy Spirit gives us in the Gospels a complete fourfold picture of our Lord Jesus Christ; but He adds, through Luke, a further disclosure of Him, giving us a most necessary and wonderful complement to what is termed “The former treatise” (Acts 1:1) which had been set out “with method” or “order” (Luke 1:3). This may be said of all the precious Gospels, and they show us a perfect portrayal of our gracious Saviour and Lord; only the addition of Acts carries our thoughts not simply to the living One in resurrection, but right up to the heavenly glory where Stephen saw Him, as he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). From thence the pleasure of God prospers in His hands, whether in grace now or in government soon.

Since the presentation of the Lord on earth, the Spirit of God has disclosed the glorious counsels and purpose which centre in Him; and also illuminated the promises and prophecies concerning His kingdom, service, dominion and personal glory; likewise He has made known to us His exaltation to the right hand of God, consequent upon His rejection by man. The Gospels, therefore, along with the striking addition of Acts, unfold before our delighted gaze the all-varied beauties, dignities, distinctions and honours of the One who—because of His own greatness, grace and glory—alone could be the unfailing answer to the deep designs of divine love and wisdom.

1. First of all, have not our souls marvelled at the glowing words of psalmist and prophet as they speak of a kingdom on earth, with a glorious King, or Messiah, reigning in righteousness? when, with Israel at the centre, and the ordered nations around, having the multitudes of peoples beyond, there shall flow the satisfying mercies of true equity, peace and joy for all. And have not our hearts rejoiced at the prospect? Moreover, the meditative mind might reflect, that righteous kingdom order is an absolute necessity in a sinful world like this, if the further designs of God which are according to eternal counsels are to be brought to pass, and remark, who but the one that as the divinely promised “Son of David” could establish it? It is then the first Gospel of the New Testament which gives the beautiful answer to this in its opening words: “Book of the generation of JESUS CHRIST, SON OF DAVID.” No one else could recover Israel and set up the kingdom with regal right, ruling upon “the throne of His father David.” He who is named Jesus, or Jehovah Saviour—who is yet to save His own people (Israel) from their sins (Malachi 1:21)—is also named Emmanuel (“which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US”), and only such an One could perfectly bring to pass this necessary rule. The works of power and mercy recorded in this Gospel concerning “great David’s greater Son” show who was present in Israel at that time; and the same Gospel makes known also that as Son of Man He would build an indestructible assembly after His death, resurrection and ascension, in view of the coming kingdom. Its closing words consistently sustain the faith of those who serve the rejected King, for He has said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age. Amen.” This is fully in keeping with the truth unfolded in Matthew. The expression, “The Kingdom of the heavens,” so much used, is only found here, and is in complete accord with what the Spirit reveals concerning Christ through MATTHEW.

“Lord of glory, we adore Thee

Christ of God, ascended high!

Heart and soul we bow before Thee,

Glorious now beyond the sky:

Thee we worship, Thee we praise—

Excellent in all Thy ways.”

2. And then, not only did we marvel at the promised splendours of the coming kingdom on earth, but have we not also often wondered as we have read of the many and great sufferings of One who is so strikingly shown in prophecy to be THE SERVANT OF JEHOVAH—the One whose work should bring pleasure and glory to God, even as Isaiah 42 to 53 foretold—“Behold My Servant” (42:1)? Yea, “Behold My Servant shall deal prudently. He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high” (52:13), and that after being “despised and rejected of men,” and after being bruised for our sins and put to grief by Jehovah; for, raised and glorified, “the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand” (53:10). This is the One God’s Spirit livingly pictures to us in the second Gospel. The Royal One of Matthew is seen as the Serving One of Mark! The King to reign come as the Servant to suffer! The crown and the kingdom preceded by the preaching of grace and salvation! Therefore without genealogy or special personal introduction, as in the other three, Mark’s Gospel commences thus, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”; and with diligent zeal we find Him rapidly prosecuting the work He had come to do. The word “straightway” occurs again and again, and gives character to this divinely directed writing, which fittingly closes by showing how the work is still going on, now Christ has risen and ascended, after having secured eternal redemption through His shed blood; thus the disciples “went forth, and preached everywhere, THE LORD WORKING with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” This reveals the living Lord Himself still serving along with those who had learned of Him, and so the suitable end is reached of the servant Gospel of MARK.

“Though in the very form of God,

With heavenly glory crowned,

Jesus a servant’s form assumed,

Beset with sorrow round.”

3. Not only was the glorious King and the kingdom pointed on to, also the servant of God’s providing, but vast and magnificent is the Son of Man’s dominion of which the Spirit of God spake through holy men of old. Lit up by the citation in the New Testament, Psalm 8 shows Him set over all (after having been made a little lower than the angels) crowned with glory and splendour, with everything placed beneath His feet! Daniel 7:13-14 mentions Christ as the Son of Man for the last time in the Old Testament; and both the kingdom and the dominion are spoken of. He is seen before the ancient of days, “And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Who is this wondrous Son of Man? Who is this promised One that is able to hold the Lordship of universal dominion? He must be Man as was foretold, yet not the created man, but the Son of Man!—not an angel, but truly man, of Adam’s race! If Matthew traced the Royal One from David the king, it is LUKE whom the Spirit uses to show us this SON OF MAN—the PERFECT MAN, “of Seth, of Adam, of God” (Luke 3:38)! He is seen to be the virgin “FIRSTBORN SON” (2:7), and yet “SON OF GOD” begotten of the Holy Spirit (1:35); also the “SAVIOUR, who is CHRIST THE LORD” (2:11), and heaven opened upon Him, and a voice said, “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I have found all My delight,” while as a dove the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (3:22). Truly He is the Son of David!

Truly He is the Son of Man to centre up in Himself all dominion! Truly He is also the Son of God! Yet, come down “a little lower than the angels,” He Himself said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected … be slain, and be raised the third day … Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and My words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels” (9:22, 26). And having shown Him to be Man in every beauteous perfection, this third Gospel gives us to see also His priestly grace; and it closes with “GREAT JOY,” and with responsive “PRAISING AND BLESSING GOD,” after Jesus was seen going up into heaven, blessing them with uplifted hands. This is the last view given us by the Gospel of LUKE.

“God’s counsels ere the world began

All centred in the Son of Man.

Him destined to the highest place,

Lord over all through sovereign grace.”

4. The fourth Gospel is the unfolding concerning GOD Himself!—

“God manifest! God seen and heard!

The heaven’s beloved One!”

Commencing by telling us of the eternal Word who “was God,” in verse 14 we are told, that same One “became flesh and tabernacled among us” (New Translation):

“Image of the Infinite unseen

Whose being none can know.”

Did MATTHEW trace his regal ancestry for the kingdom right back to David, to whom the promise was given? Did MARK show us the divine Servant in His few days of diligent toil for the pleasure of the Lord? Did LUKE trace his ancestry as Son of Man far away back to Seth and Adam, of God, in view of His taking up universal dominion? JOHN, passing outside official glories, takes us to what surpasses all else, infinitely further back still than the others—BACK INTO ETERNITY! Mark, not from Eternity! but in eternity! Not from the beginning! but “in the beginning was the Word!” He did not begin with the beginning, for the beginning began from Him—“All things received being through Him.” He was therefore the eternal One in eternity when the beginning began. “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Verse 18 tells us that He declared God who had not been seen before, for He was the Son in a unique sense, dwelling in the Father’s bosom, and could consequently declare Him so perfectly. He spake the words of God (3:34). To see Him was to see the Father (14:9). He was truly MAN, unfolding the truth to men. He said so (8:40)! but note His words in verse 58, “Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was I AM!” Certain of His miracles or rather “signs,” were selected, and were recorded as inspired in this Gospel—SIGNS to manifest who was here on earth! in order that eternal life might be ours in HIS NAME through believing (20:31). Yet, seeing it was the One who inhabits eternity that stooped to manifest Himself on this small planet, we may understand the final words of this book without difficulty: indeed, what else could be said of the works of such an One than this? “There are many other things which JESUS DID, the which if they were written one by one, I suppose that not even the world itself would contain the books written.” There can be no failure in regard to the kingdom, the service, the dominion and the glory when all depends upon such an One. When Thomas saw the risen Saviour with His wounded hands and side, He exclaimed, in faith, and with sincere homage,

“MY LORD AND MY GOD” (20:28).

This is fittingly recorded alone in JOHN.

“Worthy of homage and of praise,

Worthy by all to be adored:

Exhaustless theme of heavenly lays!

Thou, Thou art worthy, Jesus, Lord.”

5. The fifth—the additional unfolding of which we have spoken—gives us to behold by faith our exalted Lord glorified on high, carrying on from thence the work of grace, and granting power to this end. If John shows us God in Christ on earth amongst men, Acts shows us the Man Christ Jesus glorified at the right hand of God, GOD seen on earth in the one, and MAN seen in heaven in the other! It can be easily understood therefore why this added writing of Luke’s is given by the Spirit—added to the “former treatise,” not that it immediately links on with John, but rather with Luke and the previous two gospels.

Having secured eternal salvation and redemption by His sacrifice on the cross, the sight of Jesus, the Son of Man, at the right hand of God on high (7:55-56) is what gives character to Acts, and indeed to this whole present period. The Lord Jesus gave the Holy Spirit from thence. Indeed, though the fullness of the Spirit was His when on the earth, after He arrived at the glory above, He “RECEIVED” on behalf of the work below “the promise of the Holy Spirit,” and “poured out” the power for that work, which was seen and heard in its immediate effects (2:33). Christ has been on high ever since, and the Holy Spirit is still here. The salvation of sinners through faith, and the forming of the assembly (as the body of Christ united livingly to Him its Head on high) are some of the results now in grace, but the pouring out of the Spit it by the Lord upon all flesh will follow later (after the assembly is translated from earth), and that will be done in view of government (verses 17-20). When the Man Christ Jesus was exalted, He not only “received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit” for others, but “GOD MADE HIM” officially (what He was personally and in counsel before) “BOTH LORD AND CHRIST.” All the Gospels show Him to be this, for He came out of heaven, but the addition was a necessary unfolding to let us see what took place in heaven after He went there as MAN. Matthew may specially make Him known as the Christ, the Messiah, or God’s anointed King, and Luke as the Lord, the Son of Man; while Mark gives us to see Him as God’s servant, and Acts also thus speaks of Him, for chapter 3:36 should read, “His Servant” instead of His “Son” Jesus, and so 4:30 is “His holy Servant Jesus.” Even the gift of “apostles” takes a new character consequent upon His exaltation. There were apostles before, but “having ascended up on high,” He has “given some apostles” (Ephesians 4:8, 11). Peter was specially for the Jews, but Paul (apprehended from heaven and for heaven by the exalted Lord) was given the work among the Gentiles specially; and, in spite of his sufferings and imprisonment, this fifth unfolding ends by showing us the successful overruling of the exalted Lord of all, so that Paul is seen in the very citadel of the Roman Empire, preaching and teaching, “no man forbidding him.” This unhindered freedom, maintained by the glorified Lord on behalf of men, is the triumphant note which is sounded at the close of ACTS.

“Ye servants of God, the Saviour proclaim,

And publish abroad Has wonderful Name,

The Name, all victorious, of Jesus extol,

He’s Lord in the glory! He’ll rule over all.”

PAUL said to Timothy, “The grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded” in calling him, a persecutor, and using him in His service. This overbearing Pharisee learned he was “the chief of sinners,” and he was fitted by divine grace to carry the glad tidings of forgiveness and salvation to sinners of the Gentiles. The same grace glorified itself in MATTHEW, who was scorned as a publican (or tax-gatherer) disloyally serving a foreign king, Caesar. Grace made him loyal to the true King, Jesus, and used Him to preach His kingdom, and to write the gospel of the King. MARK was the servant who failed as such—turning back; he “went not with them (Paul, Barnabas) to the work” (Acts 15:38); but grace fitted such an one to serve the true Servant in His work, and to write His Gospel. LUKE—one of the “far off” men, called out from the despised “dogs of the Gentiles”—the only Gentile used of the Spirit to write any part of the inspired volume—clave to the apostle of the Gentiles, and wrote the Gospel of the perfect Man—the Son of Man, also ACTS, where we see the exalted Man sending His herald to Gentile men afar off in sin and degradation. Then how wonderfully divine grace is glorified in taking up JOHN to tell us of God made known in Jesus of the love of God told out in Him; to show us the Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, giving a place to a disciple in the bosom of the Son; and that disciple had been a Boanerges, marked once by a spirit foreign to that of His Lord. Grace, however, mellowed him, and the Spirit guided him to write the Gospel of love eternal, love unchanging, of God, who is love, made known in the Son—of the eternal Word become flesh, “FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.”

The Gift of the Spirit

Answer to Correspondence—Why was the gift of the Holy Spirit made so prominent in the early preaching?

The question raised is an important one. Prominence was necessarily given to the gift of the Spirit at the beginning, for that had been the subject of prophecy, and godly souls rightly expected this outpouring; and when at Pentecost some mocked because of the stirring scenes and marvellous manifestations connected with the Spirit’s presence, and others amazed and in perplexity asked what it all meant, Peter stood up with the eleven and exclaimed, ‘it was just the sort of thing the prophet Joel had foretold, (Acts 2:1-17). It was not, however, till later, as we shall see, that the truth of the Spirit forming the saints of the present time into one body was unfolded. The full fulfilment of Joel 2:28-32 is yet future, when God will take up Israel again.

Before ascending to the right hand of God the Lord Jesus also spoke of the coming of the Spirit, and, in a special way, as giving power for witness.

At the beginning the Holy Spirit came upon about one hundred and twenty from Christ glorified, and the effects of His presence were wonderfully manifested, as we have said. Passing over the present period when the assembly is being builded by the rejected Son of Man, the Spirit will be given in the abundance of blessing indicated by the prophets; and “the powers” of that “age to come,” which accompanied the Lord and His apostles (Hebrews 2:4; 6:5), shall publicly obtain in that glorious time. Meanwhile, those who have believed on Christ are indwelt by the Spirit of God, and are thus vitally united one to another and to their glorified Head in heaven, “for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” Moreover, it is important to remember, the body of each individual who has received the Spirit is the temple of the Holy Ghost; therefore it is to be used in sanctification, and for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Promise had been made that the gift of the Spirit should take place; but, as long as the Lord Jesus was on earth, that promise remained unfulfilled, for redemption had not been secured; and we are told, “the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:39); but it was said, the Father would send Him; also the Son would send Him; and, He would Himself come (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13). Thus the Trinity was immediately concerned in that great event, which was fulfilled at Pentecost, when the hundred and twenty were “baptized with the Holy Spirit,” when they received “the promise of the Father” of which Christ had spoken. Correctly speaking, that was the gift of the Spirit. He was given to believing Jews at that time. The gift was afterwards extended to believing Samaritans, who were a mixed people (Acts 8:12-17), and then to pure Gentiles (10:44). This extension is explained by Peter in chapter 11:15, “The Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning”; and again, “God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ” (11:17). It was not a fresh baptism of the Spirit, but the extension of it through Peter’s ministry; whereas, the baptism at Pentecost was direct, without any man’s ministry.

There are contrasts which should be noticed in these three cases. They show that there is no rule to be laid down. The one hundred and twenty had evidently been baptized with water during the Lord’s life on earth, long before they received the Spirit. The Samaritans, heard the gospel through Philip and were baptized, but not till Peter and John visited them did they receive the Spirit.

On the other hand, He came upon the Gentiles, in the house of Cornelius, while Peter was preaching before they were baptized.

An exceptional instance during the early transitional period is recorded in Acts 19:1-7. Paul found about twelve men who had heard and been baptized with John the Baptist’s baptism—the baptism of repentance. The Apostle spoke to them, and baptized them to the name of the Lord Jesus. The Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. They were previously quite ignorant of the gift of the Spirit, for when Paul asked them, “Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed?” they replied, “We did not even hear if the Holy Spirit was come.” There is no ground in this case for saying that there are true believers on Christ today who have not received the Spirit at all; for it is Christ who is preached now, and not the baptism of John; that is, where the gospel is really preached.

The above cases are all special, but we are told in Ephesians 1:13, what is the normal way today. The word of truth, the gospel of salvation is preached, and those who hear and believe in Christ are sealed by the Spirit. Immediately there is faith in Christ thus presented the Spirit seals the believer in Him. The reading should be, not “after that ye believed,” but simply “having believed.” It is important to see this. The believer who receives the Spirit now is consequently made a vital member of the assembly of which Christ is the Head. He is a member of His body, belonging not merely to a religious organization, but to a living organism—the body of Christ. “There is one body and one Spirit.” The truth as to this was given of God later, through the Apostle to the Gentiles. We do well to understand and respond to this inclusive truth.

The Lord Jesus, however, foretold the normal character of His mission in John 14:15-16. He should be for us that other Comforter, the Spirit of Truth during the absence of the Son; He should bear witness to Christ; and, whilst on the one hand He brings demonstration of sin, righteousness and judgment; on the other, He guides believers into all truth, not speaking from Himself, but glorifying the Son, and showing us those things of which the Son is the Centre.

The Holy Ghost is still here. His infinite power and energy are unabated, He indwells each individual who is redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. He glorifies the Son of God, not speaking from Himself, He still uses the preaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. Men, women and children who are reached are born of water—the word—and the Spirit. Repentance has been granted to them unto life eternal. Salvation and forgiveness are theirs through our Lord Jesus Christ; and, if rightly directed and instructed, they will grow in grace and deepen in the knowledge of Himself; progressing in the understanding of the blessings and the acceptance which is theirs in Him; realizing in a positive way their oneness with all saints—“for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”; rejoicing, in spite of defective preaching and wrong teaching, that they are complete in Christ, who is above all; boasting in Him, notwithstanding all ecclesiastical pride, tyranny, or failure, for He is the Head of the assembly, the body which includes every true believer. He gave Himself for the assembly. He is coming to present it to Himself all glorious; and, while we long to see Him, and the Spirit and the bride say, Come—may there be an overflowing Spirit-given testimony to a needy world, saying, “Whosoever will let him take the water of life freely!” The word of the Son of God abides still: “He that believes on ME, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow RIVERS of living water. This He spake of THE SPIRIT.”

This ends our reading for this session. Until next time, have a great day, and God bless.