The Gospel Day Part 15

In Ex. 30:19-21 and 40:30-32 we learn that G.o.d inst.i.tuted an ordinance or ceremony of was.h.i.+ng feet. This was not the mere custom of was.h.i.+ng feet, but was a Jewish rite and served among other rites and ceremonies to distinguish them as G.o.d's own peculiar people. When the Son of G.o.d set up the kingdom of grace, this priestly ceremony was blotted out and a new ordinance of feet-was.h.i.+ng was inst.i.tuted. See John 13. This was not the ancient universal custom of was.h.i.+ng feet. That still continues the same as eating and bathing. It is not the Jewish ordinance, because they were all nailed to the cross; but it is a humble ordinance the Savior inst.i.tuted for his people saved from sin in this blessed gospel day. The Lord's people love this precious ordinance. Jesus set the example and intends his own to do as he did. "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." John 13:14, 15. Jesus set the example in baptism and intends for us to follow. Mat. 3:15, 16. He set the example in partaking of his newly inst.i.tuted supper and intends for us to walk in his steps. 1 Cor. 11:25.

Since the word _ought_ is used some appear to rejoice in the thought that it is not obligatory. I, for one, ever since the Lord made me a Christian, have always been willing and glad to do just what I _ought_ to do. We scarcely think a man loves G.o.d when he refuses to do what he knows he ought to do. "Ye ought to support the weak." Acts 20:35. "Men ought always to pray." Luke 18:1. "We ought also to love one another." 1 John 4:11. "Ye also ought to wash one another's feet." John 13:14. Let us as professed followers of Jesus live and do what we _ought_ to do. Happy are ye if you do, but what shall be the result if you refuse? "Therefore we _ought_ to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard." Heb. 2:1.

Will you do as you ought? Because the widow did what she ought she was recommended to the care of the church. 1 Tim. 5:9, 10.

Chapter IX. Divine Healing.

The thirty-fifth chapter of Isaiah is a prophecy beautifully extolling the glories and virtues of Christ's redemptive works. "The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." "It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our G.o.d.... Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing."

In Isaiah sixty-one, is another prophecy of the Savior: "The Spirit of the Lord G.o.d is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Isa. 61:1, 2. Where this text is quoted in the New Testament, there is added, "and recovering of sight to the blind." Luke 4:18. This addition is found in the LXX.

Again the prophet speaking of Christ said, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastis.e.m.e.nt of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5. The evangelist in speaking of the prophecy of Isa. 53:4, 5, says, "When the even was come they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Mat. 8:16, 17. In verse thirteen is recorded the healing of the centurion's servant: "Go thy way, and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." When Jesus saw the mother of Peter's wife lying sick of a fever, he touched her hand and the fever left her, and she arose and ministered unto them. Ver. 14, 15.

In the ninth chapter of Matthew is recorded the instance of the healing of the man sick of the palsy, and of a woman who had been diseased for twelve years, and of the raising to life of the daughter of a certain ruler; also the restoring of the sight of two blind men. Jesus saith unto them, "Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened." "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."

Ver. 35.

John, when in prison, hearing of the works of Jesus, sent two of his disciples who asked the Savior, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" Now John was acquainted with the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the Christ, so Jesus said to the disciples, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them." Jesus told them that he was doing just what was prophesied that Christ should do when he came, then this must certainly be he and we need not look for another. Throughout his ministry the Savior continued to cast out devils and to heal the sick. He gave his twelve disciples power "against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." Mat. 10:1. Not only did he give the twelve such power over Satan and sickness, but in sending out the seventy he said: "And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of G.o.d is come nigh unto you." Luke 10:8, 9.

Before Jesus ascended to the Father he commissioned his disciples to preach the gospel, saying, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be d.a.m.ned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:15-18. Jesus was the "light of the world," because he had power over sin and disease. The church becomes a light in the world in proportion to her power and purity, and when she reaches the zenith of her power the same power is exercised by her as by the Lord himself. After commissioning the disciples to preach, Jesus was "received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of G.o.d. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." Mark 16:19, 20. Although Jesus had ascended to heaven, yet it is said that he was working with them as they preached the word. Here was the secret of their power, "workers together with G.o.d."

Again Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Mat. 28:19, 20. The Lord here gives promise to be with them unto the end. Although he ascended, yet he says, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18. The Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost came and dwelt in the midst of G.o.d's church in the same authoritative power over sin and demons that Christ exercised before his pa.s.sion. He now comes in the power of the Holy Spirit, performing great deeds of wonder through his church. The church only was visible, therefore became the light of the world. After Pentecost the disciples did as Jesus commanded. They began to preach the gospel, and Jesus working with them, many souls were saved. Peter and John on one occasion "went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes on him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising G.o.d. And all the people saw him walking and praising G.o.d." Acts 3:1-9. This miracle of divine healing was done by faith in the name of Jesus. Ver. 16. The Lord was with his disciples confirming the preaching with signs following.

In the ninth chapter of Acts is recorded an instance of the dead being raised to life. Dorcas, who was a good woman, was taken sick and died. Two men were sent for Peter, who when he was come was brought into the upper chamber: "and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed: and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up: and when he had called the saints and the widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord." This was when the church was the light of the world; when the whole pure gospel was preached for the gospel's sake, and men lived humbly before G.o.d, and were workers together with him.

Paul escaping the waves was cast upon the island of Melita. He says, "The barbarous people showed us no little kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold." And when he had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. Acts 28:1-4. Now was the promise given in the commission to prove true? Jesus said, "They shall take up serpents." Here Paul had taken one up. Should he trust in the promise of the Savior, or resort to some antidote? It is said, He shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm. The natives were astonished and G.o.d was glorified. Had Paul sought and obtained relief by medical means, whatever brought the relief would have been worthy the praise. He was living solely for the glory of G.o.d, and by trusting in G.o.d and G.o.d protecting him it was thus that G.o.d was glorified.

The "gifts of healing" were placed in the church. See 1 Cor. 12:28. As late as the year 60 A.D., twenty-seven years after the Lord had ascended, James tells us what to do when sick. He says, "Is any among you afflicted?

let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you?

let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." Jas. 5:13-15.

Thus the Lord worked in the midst of his people in the morning of the gospel day. He gave them grace and power to live the same holy, humble life he lived. He gave them power to cast out devils and to heal the sick.

By performing the works and living the life of Jesus the church was a city set upon a hill, which could not be hid-a light in the world.

Chapter X. The Soul.

Man as we behold him is not all there is of man. He is a wonderful being.

He stands in the highest order of G.o.d's creation.

He Is A Compound.

Man was created a physical and spiritual organism. He possesses an animal and a spiritual life. Thus he is connected with two worlds. The physical creation is termed the "outward man," and the spiritual, the "inward man."

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4:16. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of G.o.d, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 2 Cor. 5:1.

"Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance." 2 Pet. 1:13.

In the quotation from second Corinthians the p.r.o.noun "we" is applied to the inward man, and the "earthly house of this tabernacle" is spoken in reference to the outward man. In the quotation from second Peter the p.r.o.noun "I" has for its antecedent the "inward man," and tabernacle refers again to the outward man.

The Outward Man Is Denominated "Body."

In the fifth chapter of Mark's gospel there is recorded an instance of a woman who was diseased and suffered many things of many physicians in the outward man. She came to Jesus and touched his garment and she felt in her body she was healed of the plague.

The Inward Man Is Denominated "Soul."

By the one text given above it is plainly to be seen that the outer man is the body. Many additional texts could be given but we consider it unnecessary, because all at once believe it.

But why not as readily believe one text which calls the inner man the "soul"? Some will not. This is the inconsistency of man. We will quote more than one. "When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord."

Jonah 2:7. "But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn." Job 14:22. "And the man of G.o.d said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her." 2 Kings 4:27.

The Inner Man Is The Responsible Man.

"Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" Micah 6:7. Since it is the soul that sins, of necessity the soul becomes the responsible man.

Sin Produces Death To The Soul.

"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezek. 18:4.

The Value Of The Soul.

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mat.

16:26. Here the "soul," the "inner man," is considered of greater worth than this world. He who secures the eternal safety of his soul has accomplished more than he who should gain this whole world.

The Soul Does Not Lose Consciousness When The Body Dies.