Bible

Lessons

Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole

earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
the city of the great King.
—Psalm 48:2

Volume 56, No. 1

January • February • March
2024

Quarterly Bible Lessons for Adults and Young People

Bible Lessons for Adults and Young People

Volume 56 January • February • March No. 1

Table of Contents
DATE LESSON TITLE PAGE

Jan 7 The Gospel Day...................……………………………………. 1

Jan 14 Resurrected to a Continual Reign………..…………………. 6
Jan 21 Prophecy of a King Fulfilled …………..…………............... 10
Jan 28 Christ, the Foundation of the Church .……..…………….. 14
Feb 4 The Name of the Church …...……….…….…………………… 19
Feb 11 Entrance Into the Church …………………..…………..……… 25
Feb 18 Restitution…………………………….…………..…………………... 30
Feb 25 Spirit-Filled Church ……………………………...………………… 34
Mar 3 Gifts and Callings …………………………………………………... 40
Mar 10 Unity of Believers ……...…………………………………………. 45
Mar 17 Guide for Believers …………...................……………....... 50
Mar 24 Purpose and Meaning of Christian Baptism ..………… 53
Mar 31 Observing the Ordinances ….………………………………… 59

Publishing the Bible truths in the interest of Jesus Christ and His Church.
In this issue, Reflections are contributed by: L. Busbee and M. Miles

NOTICE
The Bible Lessons are published by CHURCH OF GOD TODAY
Phone: (859) 319-9721. (Please leave text or voice message.)
Lessons are available free of charge online at
<www.churchofgodeveninglight.com/bible-lessons/>
and can be downloaded for printing in booklet or other format.

If you would like printed copies mailed to you, please contact

Bro. Kevin Sorrell, 5722 S Sooner Rd, Guthrie, OK 73044
Phone (405)-414-8646
THEME FOR SECOND QUARTER

Due to circumstances, we felt a need to publish a re-run of past

lessons. After looking at several past Sunday School quarterlies, this
particular series of lessons stood out. Revisions to accommodate for
space and our current format were made. I trust these lessons are a
blessing and a reminder that Bible teaching presented fifty years ago
is still true today! We are working on the second quarterly for next
year and look forward to sharing that with you next April.
—Bro. Clifford Cole

THE CHURCH

Our lessons this quarter [2nd quarter, 1974] will be mainly on the
church. Our first lesson begins with the fact that it was in prophecy in
the Old Testament that a new time was dawning and that would be
the gospel day. In that day Jesus was to come and establish His
church and the Holy Spirit would fill it. It would be a time when the
Gentiles also would see the light and flow into it with the believing
Jews.
In A.D. 32 Christ said, "I will build my church." We also know that
in A.D. 59 and some years afterward the apostles said, "Ye are God's
building” and are “…built up a spiritual house." Of course, we know
that John the Baptist, Jesus, and His disciples labored and many
believed. They were the material gathered together for the Holy
Spirit to fill on the day of Pentecost which set the church in
operation.
Christ is the door of the church and no man can shut that door.
The experience of salvation is the mode of induction into the church.
God places the members in the church as it pleases Him. Some of the
church members have gone on to heaven and others are here on
earth waiting for that time when they will be called to leave this
world. One of these days this world will pass away, and Jesus will
deliver up the kingdom to the Father.
—Sis. Marie Miles

1
JANUARY 7, 2024
THE GOSPEL DAY

Isaiah 12:1 And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise
thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away,
and thou comfortedst me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for
the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become
my salvation.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of
salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his
name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his
name is exalted.
Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD
will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people
shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken
it.
9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have
waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited
for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah 26:1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of
Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and
bulwarks.
2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the
truth may enter in.
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on
thee: because he trusteth in thee.
4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is
everlasting strength:
Zecheriah 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to
the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for
uncleanness.

MEMORY VERSE: And in that day there shall be root of Jesse,

which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles
seek: and his rest shall be glorious. —Isaiah 11:10

2
CENTRAL THOUGHT: We are now living in the gospel day and
have the privilege to see fulfilled in our lives the glorious blessings
prophesied by holy men of old.

WORD DEFINITION

Isaiah 11:10 Ensign: a flag, banner, or signal.

LESSON BACKGROUND

Peter tells us that the prophets inquired and searched diligently

what the Spirit did signify "when it testified beforehand the
sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow" (1 Peter 1:10-
11). In our lesson we note the expression "in that day" and behold
the glory that was to be upon God's people because of the sufferings
of Christ. The prophet was looking for a better day that would mean
the fulfillment of all of God's holy will. No doubt he had many
sorrows and disappointments due to the age he lived in, but the Holy
Spirit inspired his heart and moved him to foretell wonderful things
to come in that future day, which to us now in New Testament
salvation is a reality and an up-to-date experience.

DISCUSSION:

1. How was God's anger to be turned away?

2. What does it mean to draw water out of the wells of salvation?
3. The prophet said that it would be said, “this is our God,” and
“this is the Lord.” Of whom was this to be spoken?
4. Who will be kept in perfect peace and why?
5. How can we be scripturally sure that these prophecies were
fulfilled in the New Testament?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

The prophet in our lesson foresees, by the Spirit, a great day. We

must be persuaded by the Word of God that this great day dawned
with the advent of Christ and the accomplishing of His work of grace
in the earth. You will notice that our memory verse is quoted by Paul
in Romans 15:12, and the text in Isaiah 52:7 is quoted in
3
Romans 10:15. It is a darkened heart indeed and unenlightened by
the Holy Spirit that cannot behold these glorious truths fulfilled now
in the fulness of God's grace and salvation.
I remember my visit to Crater Lake in Oregon one year. In the
tops of the mountains was a most beautiful lake and a resort that
attracted the interest and pleasure of many people every year; but
that very place is declared to have once been an active volcano, a
scene of terror and death, spewing with fire and molten rock that
meant destruction to whomever came near. But once upon a time
the volcano blew itself out and its gaping hole was filled with cool
water that is bluer than the sky itself. This is a perfect likeness of
God. Before Christ came and trod the winepress of the wrath of God
to appease His holy displeasure with sinful man, God was too awful
and fearful to approach. His anger would not permit man to
approach into His awful presence. But now in Christ His anger is
turned away, and we see Him as the Father of mercies, and the God
of all comfort.
Christ has come and swallowed up death in victory for us. We,
too, shall stand one day in His resurrected likeness, and it will be
brought to pass concerning us the saying, "Death is swallowed up in
victory." We can and will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.
Now is this song sung in our hearts. We do have a strong city
with the walls of salvation shielding us from the onslaughts of the
enemy. We are kept in perfect peace for our mind is stayed on Him,
and we find in the Lord His unfailing strength.

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins,

And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

How wonderful that we have found that precious fountain of

cleansing for the soul! The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us
from all sin. The greatest message ever taken to men is proclaimed
in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. What an honor and high
calling to have a part in publishing the good news! What joy it is to
our hearts to know that God reigns over all! We who have received
this glorious vision do lift up our voices together and sing and
proclaim the fulness of His grace, and we who are thus enlightened
and anointed see eye-to-eye and are united in heart, soul, and mind.
—Bro. Leslie Busbee
4
REFLECTIONS

Man was driven from the garden of Eden. He had been created in
holiness and happiness, but sin entered his heart. Cherubims and a
flaming sword prevented his return to the garden, a sad scene to
behold. In sorrow he had to earn his support by labor. The ground
was cursed for his sake. In sorrow he must eat of it all the days of his
life. God looked down upon man's wretchedness and saw that his
"wickedness was great in the earth" and "it grieved him at his
heart" (Genesis 3, also chapter 6:5-6). In man's sinful state he cried
unto the Lord. God had mercy and promised him a Saviour to deliver
him from his wretched state.
To the prophets of Israel, men who walked close to God, was
given a vision in those prophetic days of the glorious dawning of a
great day when man would be freed from the prison house of sin.
Even in the vision they saw what would come to pass, and it caused
them to break forth with gladness. The prophet Isaiah said, "Arise,
shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon
thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross
darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory
shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and
kings to the brightness of thy rising" (Isaiah 60:1-2). When the
prophet said that the Gentiles shall come to the light, then we know
when that great day came to pass. We are in that great day. It came
when Jesus was born and brought salvation, which means
deliverance from sin to the people. Simeon, who was a devout man,
looking for that great day to come, took the baby Jesus in his arms
and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation" (Luke
2:25-82). He saw the dawning of a day of the fulfillment of all the
prophetic wonders of salvation. We are living in that gospel day.
Today is the day of salvation. Today we can have forgiveness of sins
and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Today, let us rejoice and be glad for
we can be purified and made holy by the cleansing Spirit of God. We
are not looking for another day to come upon this world wherein we
can have peace, because we can have it in our hearts today. Today
we can, with joy, draw water out of the wells of salvation and say,
“Praise the Lord"!
—M. Miles

5
JANUARY 14, 2024
RESURRECTED TO A CONTINUAL REIGN

Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the
patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is
with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn
with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the
flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that
his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having
received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed
forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith
himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God
hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and
Christ.
Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power
to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty
power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the
dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but
also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the
head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

MEMORY VERSE: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the

last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. —1 Corinthians 15:52

CENTRAL THOUGHT: The prophecy of Christ to sit upon David's

throne henceforth even forever "would have been nullified; but as

6
His body did not see corruption, He therefore continues to reign
upon the throne of David!” (The Kingdom of God)

WORD DEFINITIONS

Acts 2:29 David is called patriarch, as the founder of the royal

family. He was buried on Mount Zion where most of the kings of
Judah were buried (1 Kings 2:10); the tomb is still there today.
Acts 2:34 The Lord said unto my Lord: Thus distinguishing
between himself and his Lord, who could be no other than the
Messiah.

LESSON BACKGROUND

The first part of our lesson in Acts is Peter's sermon on the day of
Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled the church that gathered in the
upper room. People from about seventeen nations heard the gospel
story in their own language or tongue; this took place fifty days after
Jesus arose from the grave and had ascended to heaven.
Verses in Ephesians were written in 61 A.D. by the Apostle Paul.
He wanted the Gentiles to see the glory of Christ and partake of the
blessings brought to them through His death, resurrection, and
ascension.
The scriptures in Acts that speak about David's throne bring to
our minds the prophecy fulfilled in Psalm 132:11, "The LORD hath
sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy
body will I set upon thy throne." We then read in 2 Samuel 7:16
where the prophet Nathan speaks to David about the continuation of
his kingdom, saying, "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be
established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for
ever. Some false prophets admit that Christ is Lord, but deny that He
is now a king and sitting upon David's throne. Yet, we declare by the
Word of God that He is now King, and that the New Testament is the
law He has given to His church, which is composed of the subjects in
His spiritual kingdom on earth.
—M. Miles

7
DISCUSSION:

1. What day of the week did Jesus arise from the grave?
2. Is Jesus a king; and upon whose throne is He reigning today?
Who is His body today?
3. What kind of power will be "wrought" in "us-ward who believe”?
4. Where is Jesus reigning today and
5. When will Jesus come for His kingdom, and what will happen at
that time?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

The resurrection and exaltation of Christ, His name, origin, His

throne and reign are all connected and must be in one
dispensation—that is the present one. "And, behold, thou shalt
conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name
JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:
and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father
David" (Luke 1: 31-32). These words were spoken to Mary by the
angel, telling her of the birth of Jesus, etc. We do not have two
dispensations presented here, but only one. In Amos 9:11-12 we
read of the prophecy of David's throne. This same scripture is quoted
by the Apostle James in Acts 15:15-17 where he rejoices to see the
Gentiles chosen as a people for His name, in this dispensation.
(Isaiah 16:5 says that the throne and tabernacle of David are
identical.) Christ is now sitting upon David's throne in this
dispensation. Christ is our king (Jer 80:9; Heb 4:7;
Matt 21:1-9; John 18:36, 87). Christ acknowledged Himself as a king.
He has a kingdom and His servants are His subjects. Christ's kingdom
is not of this world. We are translated into the kingdom of His dear
son (Col 1:13; Rom 14:17). His kingdom is righteousness, and peace,
and joy in the Holy Ghost. After He reigns until He puts all enemies
under His feet, the last enemy being death, then the end will come.
Jesus will then deliver up the kingdom of God to the Father (1 Cor
15:22-24). Some false prophets teach that He will begin His reign just
at the time when He will deliver up the kingdom to the Father. But
we know Christ is reigning now as king and over us, His children in
this dispensation.
—M. Miles
8
FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The power that God wrought in Christ when He raised Him from
the dead was generated for a divine and eternal purpose. It is to be
used specifically for redeeming mankind from the fallen state of sin
unto a new life of righteousness and victory over sin and death. In
the world there are many different kinds of power, all of which are
produced for special purposes; most of the power is produced or
generated. The power of an endless life was produced and generated
in the operation of. God when He raised Christ from the dead. This
great power works a force of holy living in the hearts and lives of all
who turn from sin and its unholy ways and seek the heavenly way.
We must be aware of how exceeding great this power is. Its
potential reaches to the uttermost and does a perfect work. It is the
power of an endless life, a resurrected life. Man was enslaved in the
chains of spiritual death, separated from God because of the error of
his way. Sin and transgression held full control of his heart and mind.
He was condemned and lost before a righteous decree of the
judgment of God. A power was needed to restore man to his rightful
place again. An energy or force enough to quicken the soul of man
was required to enable him to live and serve God once again. And the
only power that could accomplish all of this was found in the
resurrection of Christ from the dead. When Christ for sinners and the
lost of the world became the sacrifice for their transgressions and
sins, God was willing to look away from the guilt of man and to
forgive him of all his offences. The suffering and death of Christ was
sufficient to atone for all of God's grievances with His creation; it put
the Son of God in a position for God Himself to exert the greatest
power ever known in this world, the power of the resurrection, the
power of an endless life.
How unaware Christ's followers were of what was taking place
when they saw their Lord nailed to the tree! To them, all was lost.
Each one of them went his way, disappointed and defeated. Their
Master was laid away in the tomb with a guard of soldiers to see that
He stayed there. Their weary and sad hearts were filled with despair
and dread as they huddled behind closed doors for fear of the Jews.
But on that glorious morn of the first day of the week, the tomb
was found empty. Christ was seen near Emmaus and in various other
places, revealing Himself that He was alive. And they that saw Him
9
knew that He was the Son of God. The truth of this wonderful gospel
inspires and warms the seeking soul now just as it did then; for the
Spirit of truth accompanies it and makes the heart to know Him as
the risen King of kings and Lord of lords. Yes, the power of His
resurrection is still being exerted, and all who seek Him with the
whole heart in response to the gospel can be saved forevermore.
—L. Busbee

JANUARY 21, 2024

PROPHECY OF A KING FULFILLED

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and
the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no
end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it,
and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth
even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O
daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just,
and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt
the foal of an ass.
10b And he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his
dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to
the ends of the earth.
Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and
were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus
two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and
straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them,
and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath
need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto
thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

10
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their
clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way;
others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the
way.
Mark 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed,
cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the
Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in
the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

MEMORY VERSE: The law and the prophets were until John:
since that time the kingdom of heaven is preached, and every man
presseth into it. —Luke 16:16

CENTRAL THOUGHT: We do not yet still look for Jesus Christ as

the Messiah and king, because He has already come. The
government is upon His shoulder. He is our king, reigning upon the
throne of David today.

WORD DEFINITION

Mark 11:9 Hosanna: Hebrew word signifying, “Save I beseech you.”

It is a form of acclamation, of blessing, or wishing one well.

LESSON BACKGROUND

God had commanded the kings of Israel not to multiply horses.

The kings who broke this command were miserable themselves and
scourgers to their people. Jesus came to fulfill the law. Had He, in His
title of King, ridden upon a horse, it would have been a breach of a
positive command of God; therefore, He rode upon donkey and thus
fulfilled the prophecy, keeping the precept unbroken. Judah had not
had a king since Zedekiah, and the prophecy of a king was now
fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (See Clarke’s Commentary) Only Jesus can
save from sin, satan, death, and hell. He is the righteous One and the
fountain of righteousness. Praise God for our king, Jesus Christ, who
is reigning on His throne today.

11
The prophecy of Zechariah of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on an
donkey was written 587 years before Christ. It is a glorious fact that
what God had said would come to pass did come to pass in His time.
He told us precisely when our king would come and set up a
kingdom, a prophecy which was fulfilled just as God said. We are not
looking for Him to come and do it all over again as some believe.
—M. Miles

DISCUSSION:

1. What did Isaiah tell us Jesus would do when He was born?

2. What did Zechariah prophesy would come to pass during the
time Jesus was here on earth?
3. Will we look for Jesus to come as king and fulfill Zechariah's
prophecy during a thousand-year reign?
4. When was Zechariah’s prophecy fulfilled? Does Matthew tell us
when Jesus was made king?
5. What does Mark tell us in our lesson?
6. Discuss the memory verse.

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

"Behold, Thy King cometh unto thee!" What a wonderful

declaration to mankind. Oh, that men and women would behold
Him, would but come and see! To behold Him as He really is in His
grace and power will cause the heart to greatly rejoice. For we see
Him "not in wrath or in terrors, but gentle as when in love and in
meekness He moved among men. And the voice of His love is the
same even now as at Bethany's tomb, or on Olivet's brow." We see
Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of
death crowned with glory and honor. We behold His glory, the glory
as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Behold
the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world! And as Pilate
declared: "Behold, the man!"
Thy king cometh! The Kingdom of God is near at hand. The Royal
Majesty of the Heavens has approached. Our souls are blessed as we
yield to His divine purpose and bow before His great majestic
presence. As they of old spread their garments in the way and sang,
"Hosanna in. the highest," so we prepare room for Him in our hearts,
12
believing and trusting in Him as our King. The blessed Son of God
who holds the highest place of honor and reward of God·approaches
and bids you come to Him, and He will give you rest. He is the King of
Glory, declared in the 24th Psalm as the Lord of hosts, the Lord
strong and mighty in battle. Behold the nail prints in His hands and
feet and the scars of the thorn-crown. Hear Him speak, "I am he that
liveth and was dead; behold I am alive forever more.
It is a wonderful theme, this truth concerning the King. Songs
have been written, sermons have been preached, books have been
published, and yet the half has not been told. We who believe in Him
and have Him revealed to our hearts rejoice with joy unspeakable
and full of glory. We are yearning for the day of His appearing. But
even now He is dear to our hearts and we ever seek His favor. We
want to walk in His blessed steps who did no sin, neither was guile
found in His mouth. In our hearts we crown Him King of our lives
now, and look to His wisdom to guide us in this world. We want to
be as the humble donkey and bear him forth to the world. Slow, sure
-footed, and seemingly stubborn (to the world because we do not go
along with them in their folly), we are happy to be chosen and
blessed in Him. He is our king, the righteous Saviour, and He has
spoken peace to our souls.
—L. Busbee

REFLECTIONS

Much has been said and needs to be said about home religion.
Religion in the home is an essential part of Christianity, and yet there
is no part of practical religion so woefully disregarded. Family prayer
and grace at meals are rare, even among those who are in church
work. Is it not true that in few homes heads are bowed and thanks
given at meals, and fewer still where the family gathers at morn or
eve to hear the father read God's Word or lead in prayer?
No doubt the chief reason for family quarrels, wandering
children, divorces, and domestic trouble in general is that there is so
little practical religion in the home. The early Christians show us
beautiful examples of home religion. The apostle wrote of "the
church which is in thine house. "The relationship between parents
and children grows pure and dear when they all bow together and

13
ask the peace of God to rest on their home. You may have come from
a home where a family altar was maintained, and such homes were
not uncommon years back. Remember how as a little child you often
had to sit through a long reading in the morning when you were
anxious to get out and play; or in the evening when your eyelids grew
heavy, and often you did actually fall asleep regardless of the
promptings of an affectionate, watchful parent?
The influence of a Christian home spreads throughout the whole
community. The home itself is happier and more cheerful. These
blessings radiate to others and bring sunshine into their lives. May
the family altar be reinstated or established, as the case may be, so
that the full measure of joy which the Savior has intended for us may
be realized.
—Selected

JANUARY 28, 2024

CHRIST, THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH

Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art
the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou,
Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee,
but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed
indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in
Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on
him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them
which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the
same is made the head of the corner,

14
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them
which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they
were appointed.
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of
God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made
us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath
translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins:
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who
is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he
might have the preeminence.

MEMORY VERSE: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I

lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner
stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
—Isaiah 28:16

CENTRAL THOUGHT: Christ, in His power to save the soul, is

made the foundation of the Church, which is His body and is a Rock
for all men to build their experience with God upon.

WORD DEFINITIONS

Matthew 16:16 Simon Bar-Jona: Simon, son of Jona; this was his
father's name.
I Peter 2:6 Elect: Chosen or choice.
Colossians 1:12 Meet: Worthy, or answering to.

LESSON BACKGROUND

God is calling and seeking the souls of men and women from the
world to come and be joined unto Him in a perpetual covenant. This
gathering of holy people is to be to Him a special, precious treasure.
15
So many times in the prophecies we read of the foretelling of the
building and operation of His Church. He does not dwell in temples
made with hands, but rather He seeks habitation within the heart of
man. He designs to fill man with His glory and lead him triumphantly
in the way of peace all his mortal days and also to receive him in
glory some blessed day. Such a structure will endure the fleeting ages
of time and the endless age of eternity. He must lay a foundation
that was choice and sure according to His pleasure. We see Him
accomplishing this great cause, a habitation that will endure forever.

DISCUSSION:

1. According to Matthew 16:16-18, what would you say the rock

was that He was to build His church upon?
2. What kind of stones are built up a spiritual house?
3. What is it that the disobedient stumble at?
4. How are we forgiven of our sins?
5. What is Jesus to have in all things?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

Jesus had just asked the disciples whom that men said that He
was, and it was answered that the opinions of men to His identity
were greatly mixed up. But to His question, "Whom say ye that I
am?" Peter responded emphatically: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of
the living God!” Jesus made it clear then that He had received this
only from above by revelation of the Father. "Upon this rock," Jesus
said, "I will build my church." And so it is even now. Christ's church
yet stands triumphant upon the rock of His own power and grace to
save and deliver from sin and reveal His glory to the soul of men. A
revelation of Christ to the humble heart becomes a solid rock
beneath one's feet in this world of sin and strife.
In coming to Him, we must remember that He is a living stone.
He is not a dead, cold fact stranded on the shores of the oblivious
years. He is ever living, a present reality; But in so being, He becomes
a stumbling block, as well as a rock upon which to build. What is it
that people stumble at in Christ? It is His commandments, His Word,
and His doctrine.

16
If there were no standard to conform to, no cross to bear, no
yoke to put on, no discipline to be engaged, I guess about everyone
who hears of Him would accept His free grace readily. But, no, there
is some submission and humbling down to be done, which not very
many souls are willing to do. What is He going to be to us? Will He
be a stone of stumbling and rock of offense, or a foundation upon
which to build our lives?
If and after we humble our hearts and receive the blessing of His
love, we are enraptured with great joy. We praise God for His
wonderful deliverance from sin and its seductive snares. We flee the
kingdom of darkness and find a transforming power to open up a
place for us in the kingdom of God's beloved Son. For this we always
give thanks and praise.
We recognize that His body is His Church in this world. We see
Him in full authority and control, the leading King that goes before us
and helps us win the battle for His sake. Praise the Lord for His
wonderful grace and power.
-L. Busbee
REFLECTIONS

When Jesus began to preach repentance to the people and many

began to believe and entered into the kingdom, then they
constituted material for the church. They gathered together on the
day of Pentecost and were filled with the Holy Spirit, thus the church
was set in motion, and was. fully organized.
The apostles are foundation stones, and of course Peter was one
of them. If we were held to apply that the "rock'' in Matthew 16:18
meant Peter, that still would not conflict with the scriptures since he
was one of the apostles. But we know that Jesus was speaking to
Peter, and his name was Cephas which means a stone. In Revelation
21:14, we read about the twelve being the foundation. But Christ is
the "chief corner stone" and the all-underlying foundation. We know
that the apostles were chosen to give to us the teachings that Jesus
gave to them through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, thus they
were a connection between Christ the Rock and the rest of the
building. Each one that is "born again and comes into the church
through the door, which is Christ, becomes a lively stone in the
building. What does he mean by lively stones? Have we not been
quickened and made alive after being dead in trespasses and sins?

17
Surely, we then are lively stones and are busy for the Lord. We have
been given the gospel message and have been sent forth to tell
others about Jesus' great love. We have our hearts filled with praises
and thanksgiving to the Lord. We have been translated out of the
kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. What a glorious
position each one has in the building of God. Let us be humble and
let Jesus shine our through our lives by carefully obeying His words,
thus making attractive the ways of the Lord.
−M. Miles

DOME ROCK

While spending my second summer in Palmer Lake, Colorado, I

decided to hike to Dome Rock, but instead of going the usual way,
which had been traversed so successfully many times before, I had
an impulse to try reaching it from behind.
This formation is of solid stone and seems to look disdainfully
down from a height of about 280 feet on the miniature trees as they
try in vain to rear their heads above it. While below, the trees do look
majestic as they wave softly in the breeze above our heads, and their
shade is cool and inviting. However, after climbing the path, which is
well worn and leads us quickly and surely to the top, but which is
very treacherous if we sidestep, how insignificant those trees look.
One no longer sees cool shade, but a tangled web.
I had been warned that I might not reach the top that way, but I
wished to reach the goal by following my own path. The one I took
was very good at first-wide enough for a firm. foothold, and very
little slant to it, and was well marked, However, as I pushed farther
up the mountain, it became narrow, crooked, and in many places
entirely lost in tangled masses of vines. Slippery pine needles made a
safe footing nearly impossible. As I toiled up the path, it became so
steep it was necessary to climb at an angle which was practically at
right angles to the base of the mountain.
About noon, overcome with weariness, I at last saw large
boulders ahead of me, and directly behind them Dome Rock
towered. After resting for several minutes, I scrambled over the
boulders, eager to begin the last lap of my hike-that of climbing the
remaining 280 feet to my goal. Stark terror gripped me as, looking
over the last rock to find a good stepping place, I saw a sheer drop of
18
several hundred feet. Across the narrow chasm Dome Rock gleamed
in the afternoon sun. There was no way to reach it but to go back and
take the well­worn, yet sure way to the top, which I had refused to
do.
My comparison is clear to you, I'm sure. I had used all my energy
to go a direction I felt was right. Weren't things going my way? I was
getting to the top−so I thought. Life is so much the same. God has a
well-marked path for us to take. We use all our time, talents and
heart to work things our way. We may have more money, better
homes, better clothes, and "better times" than the others−surely
things are working for the best! But analyze these "good times," use
of money and time. Are they not used often to bring glory to or
satisfy ourselves? Think of all the souls we could bring to Christ by
using our influence, time, and money for the Saviour.
You and I have also to think of our reaction when, on coming to
the end of our path, we see hell opening at our feet, Will I be
awakened in time? will you? The road back through Christ is open to
us always. Let us pray that it will not take death to show us our
mistake−too late.
May God open our eyes so that we will be able through Him to
make others see the great danger in living a life outside of His
glorious plan which leads to an eternal life at the top!
—D. McAdams

FEBRUARY 4, 2024
THE NAME OF THE CHURCH

John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to
heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy
Son also may glorify thee.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest
me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and
they have kept thy word.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which
thou hast given me; for they are thine.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the
world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own
name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we
are.
19
Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory,
to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the
flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to
feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own
blood.
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ
through the will of God.
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are
sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every
place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and
ours.
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor
to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not
meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of
God.
1 Timothy 3:5 For if a man know not how to rule his own house,
how shall he take care of the church of God?
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how
thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the
church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

MEMORY VERSE: The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the

righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
—Proverbs 18:10

CENTRAL THOUGHT: Since Jesus prayed that we be kept in His

Father's name, and since the family of God must go in His name, the
name of the Church is scripturally called the church of God.

WORD DEFINITIONS

Church: translated from the Greek word "ekklesia" which means

a calling out, a religious congregation or Christian community of
members on earth or saints in heaven or both; an assembly.
20
Name: The English word "name" is derived from the Greek word
"onoma" which has a root in the Greek word "ginosko" from which
the English word "know" is derived. We are led to believe that in
olden times a person's name lay much closer to their person and
character than it does today. A person's name represented their
character and authority and was a vital link in one's knowledge of
them.

LESSON BACKGROUND

In this lesson we seek to establish the truth of the Bible name for
the church. We quote from Jesus' prayer to the Father that His
disciples be kept in His name, and from Paul's statement concerning
the family of God. We have also brought in the different places in
the epistles where the church was so called in the name of God. Let
us also consider the power and authority of the Father's name, and
also the inheritance that is given to those who are kept in His name.
Let us remember that it is not the name God spelled G-O-D, but what
the name stands for and the personage back of it.

DISCUSSION:

1. Why did Jesus manifest the Father's name to His disciples, and
why did He pray that they be kept in His Father's name?
2. What does a person's name have to do with the person himself?
3. Why do we need names?
4. What were the overseers charged to do for the church of God?
5. The church of the living God is the pillar and ground of what?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

One of the Saviour's main burdens in His prayer to the Father

was the preserving of His disciples in this evil world after He was to
leave them. He knew that many things evil and destructive would
face the church as long as time would last. He was looking down
through the dark ages and perilous years of the march of time. He
was commending them to the greatest power of all, the power of His
Father and praying that they would be kept in His almighty name. He

21
designed that they be as one as He, the Son, and the Father in
heaven were one. As the song says, "Only one church of God, kept in
His name." Yes, even as a child is kept in his or her father's name as
he goes out into life, so the children of God in one family take the
name of their Father, God. In that name there is safety and great
inheritance. Whatever has our name inscribed to it can be easily
identified and associated with us. If our name can be taken from it,
all claim to our ownership is in jeopardy. Things of value like an
automobile, home, business, or money must surely have our name
affixed thereto. And so it is with the church of God. We are in His
name for our identification to Him, and also we are in His name for
eternal seal and protection in that great day of wrath. Only those
who have the Father's name in their foreheads will be permitted to
enter the gates of the celestial city. (Revelation 22:4)
The way that the New Testament writers referred to the Church
of God assures us that it is God's acceptable way of naming the
Church. They did not say, The Baptist Church, or the Episcopalian
Church, or the Christian Church, but they called it the church of God.
The congregation or assembly of believers who are born of God and
are in the Father's name make up what is really the church of God. I
believe it is proper to be diligent to make that little word "of'' sound
out. I have heard some say "Church-a-God.'' I know what they mean,
but they are leaving out an important word when they fail to sound
that little word, "of.'' What a wonderful privilege to be kept in the
Father's name!
One of the greatest and most striking likenesses of the church is
the term, "family.'' A family goes by the father's name. The whole
family in heaven and earth is named of God. Although it is in the
Saviour's name that we have access to God and find forgiveness for
sins and all the blessings of God, yet it is in the Father's name that we
are kept and assured of the final triumph of the Church. So let it not
be just a name, but let us comprehend the real value and meaning of
the name and live according to its standard.
-L. Busbee

22
REFLECTIONS

God was dealing with a man as he drove along. He had seen an

accident and several had gone into eternity. This caused him to be
very much stirred. He knew that he would have to leave this world
some day and where would he go? As he came to a town, he saw a
church building. The thought came to him that he needed to go to
church. He saw another church building and then another. The man
was confused. "Which church shall I go to?" he said aloud. "Which
one is right?" Would we be able to help this man to know what to do
about this state of confusion?
The prophecy of what was to come in the gospel day is noted in
Isaiah 4:1. We see it being fulfilled today. It reads thus: "And in that
day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our
own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy
name, to take away our reproach." Many groups today are calling
themselves the Church of God. People have read the Bible, seen the
name, and are using the name, but they are not living by God's Word.
They are like the women who wanted to take the man's name, but
they wanted to "eat their own bread, and wear their own apparel."
In other words, they wanted to live like they wanted to, but they
wanted the name of God. Oh, how sad this is! To truly be God's
people, we must take all of God's Word and live by it. We must be
"born again" and be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit and the
Word agree. God does have a church of God, and it is pure and holy.
God keeps the record and only sin will put one out. If one of God's
people is in the cage of sectism, he needs to come out and be freed
from man's bondage.
−M. Miles

WHICH CHURCH SAVES?

Must we become Protestants in order to be saved?

Not at all, my friend. I wouldn't waste any time trying to convert
you to Protestantism.
But do you not believe that either the Roman or the Greek
Catholic Church can save, do you?
Certainly not!

23
Well then, I am a Roman Catholic and my friend here is a
member of the Greek Orthodox Church, neither of which, you say,
can save. And you, you are a Protestant. Do you not want us also to
turn Protestant?
I do not. I have never asked any Catholic, Greek or Roman to turn
Protestant.
You haven't? I don't understand! Do you not believe that
Protestantism can save?
No, I do not.
You don't? I am amazed! What then?
Protestantism has no more power to save than has Catholicism,
my friends.
What then-how can a man be saved? There are only the three
great Christian Churches, are there not?
I repeat, my friends, that neither the Roman Catholic, the Greek
Orthodox, nor the Protestant church can in any way save your souls.
Wait a minute. No church can save, but-JESUS CHRIST can!
JESUS!
Yes, my friends, you are saved, not by the church, either Catholic
or Protestant, but through a person, and that person is the Lord Jesus
Christ, God's only begotten Son.
Can it be possible? And to think that we have never heard this
before!
It would do you no good to become Protestants, for there are
thousands of Protestants who are not saved, thousands who have
embraced Christianity who have never accepted the Christ of
Christianity.
Is that why we have not found peace? Is there no peace in
Catholicism?
No, friend, and none in Protestantism, either. Peace is found only
in Jesus. Religion cannot save, but Christ can.
But, are you sure of this, Sir?
Neither is there salvation in any other [Protestantism or
Catholic]. God says: "For there is none other name [Greek Orthodox,
Roman Catholic, or Protestant] under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved."
"Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He [not the Catholic priest
nor the Protestant minister, but He−Jesus Christ] shall save His

24
people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
What, then, must we do?
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, "for''
as many as received HIM to them gave He power to become the sons
of God" (Acts 16:31 and John 1:12).
And will He receive us?
"Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
He loves you. Yea, He died for you. Your sins He bore as He hung
on Calvary. Then come, accept Him; trust His atoning death. Take
Him now as your-Saviour, for He will "have mercy" and "abundantly
pardon."
We thought we were saved because we were good Catholics; but
you have opened our eyes, and we know now that Jesus is the only
Saviour, and the only One who can forgive sins.

−Selected

FEBRUARY 11, 2024

ENTRANCE INTO THE CHURCH

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be

saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for
the sheep.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath
sent me draw him.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to
salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh
death.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins
may be blotted out.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God.
25
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born
of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so
is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Psalm 87:5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was
born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this
man was born there. Selah.

MEMORY VERSE: Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I

say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
—Luke 13:24

CENTRAL THOUGHT: There is only one way to get into heaven

and that is through Christ. He is the door to the church.

WORD DEFINITION

Luke 13:24 Strait: Narrow, difficult, or strict."

LESSON BACKGROUND

We notice in the first two verses that Jesus calls Himself the door
and then changes the thought and calls Himself the good shepherd.
Only through His death, resurrection and ascension to the right hand
of God could He be the door and also be the good shepherd. Only
because Jesus gave His life for us and then became the good
shepherd for us can we be ready to enter that place prepared for the
faithful few. Jesus is the good shepherd who is standing with
outstretched hands saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Notice that godly sorrow will
bring repentance when the Father, through the Holy Spirit, draws us
to Jesus. When we come through the door—or are born again—and
become a new creature in Christ, we are then in the church of God.
Our names are written in heaven's book.
—M. Miles

26
DISCUSSION:

1. Who is the door and the good shepherd?

2. Who draws us to Jesus to be saved?
3. Does Holy Spirit conviction give us power to quit our sins?
4. What does it mean to be born again?
5. Can we be saved without having godly sorrow, and what is the
difference between godly sorry and just being sorry about
wrongdoing?
6. Who keeps the record of all who are in the church?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

In reading the Bible we notice that the devil tries to counterfeit

everything that God has or does. We read about the good shepherd,
but we are right away reminded about the hireling or the false
shepherd in John 10:12. Surely, we need to be watchful whom we
follow. We then notice that Jesus says, "I am the door," and our
memory verse speaks about the strait gate.
Jesus also warned about the gate that is wide and broad, telling
us that it is the way that leadeth to destruction. The devil is opposing
everything God has done or tries to do to help people find the right
way, which leads to heaven. We need to be aware of the many false
teachers and prophets that are in the world which "come as angels of
light" to deceive souls. Some false prophets speak a lot of truth, but
mixed in there may be deception.
Thank God, if we are honest and will read the Word of God with
an eye singled to find truth, we will be led by His Spirit into all truth.
Praise God for that faithful Spirit of God that deals with honest souls
in the world today. The Father, God, through the Holy Spirit deals
with a sinner. As they listen and yield to that Spirit, He points them to
Christ. There, they see Christ standing with outstretched arms saying,
"Come unto me." Your sins are many and they have become a great
load upon your mind, conscience and body. You need deliverance.
The Holy Spirit has convinced you of this, so as you look to Jesus, you
see Him as the Saviour from your sins. You see Him as the One who
died on the cross and bore the punishment for your sins. Then He
arose from the grave and today He is sitting at the right hand of the
Father interceding for you. The Holy Spirit has brought you to the
27
door, which is Christ. He is the door into the Church. There you
repent of your sins with godly sorrow. Jesus forgives you and you are
'born again. You become a new creature in Christ Jesus. You forsake
your sins and turn with all your heart to the Lord. As God looks down
upon your broken and contrite spirit and sees your godly sorrow, He
forgives you of your sins. How wonderful this is! What a glorious
privilege it is to have our sins blotted out. They are cast from us as far
as the east is from the west; they are remembered against us no
more; we are free from them.
God keeps the record of everyone that is born into the church of
God. He writes your name down in that big book. Only if you sin
again will your name be blotted out; but God has grace to keep us
from sinning as we go on and are filled with the Holy Spirit, who gives
us power. (Read Exodus 32:32, 33.) When God’s book is opened in
that last day we want your name to be there. John saw a vision of
this books being opened and He said, "Whosoever was not found
written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation
20:15). Oh, how important it is that we are born into the church of
God and have our names written in the book of life when the final
judgment comes! Jesus told His disciples to "rejoice because your
names are written in heaven."
—M. Miles

REFLECTIONS

Any structure, place, or thing of any value is most honorably

entered by way of a door, gate, or entrance. To enter our houses we
pass through a doorway, which was built along with the house. To
enter our automobiles, we open the door. To enter this world we are
born by a natural birth. To enter a country or nation, one must pass
through the customs gateway. Honorable entrance is gained through
being allowed to enter by way of the door or gateway.
The church of God can only be entered by passing through the
door. Our lesson clearly explains what this door is. Christ Jesus is that
door whereby we enter through repentance from sin and faith in His
blood and being born again by the Spirit of God. This is the only true
and just way of entering into the house of the Lord. In this life there
are structures and places one can enter illegally and perhaps escape
detection and arrest. But not so with the kingdom of God. “The
28
kingdom of heaven is preached, and every man presseth into it." You
and I must enter in through the door if we desire entrance into the
favor of God.
The ark that Noah built had a door. Through this door Noah and
his family entered the ark. Think what a sad and serious time it was
for the people outside the ark when the waters were rising and they
were not permitted to gain the safety of the ark because "the Lord
had shut him in.''
Jesus said to the church of Philadelphia that He had the key of
David, and that it was He that openeth and no man shutteth; and
shutteth, and no man openeth. Because of their faithfulness to Him,
He set before them an open door, and no man could shut it. Oh, may
this be true with every one of us. This is serious. If we refuse to obey
Him and fail to follow Him, He will close us out. We cannot enter
except through the door, and the door is now standing open for all
who will seek the gracious way according to His Word.
—L. Busbee

CHRISTIAN ENTERING THE NARROW GATE

Christian got up to the gate. Now, over the gate there was
written, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." He knocked,
therefore, more than once or twice, saying:
"May I now enter here? Will He within open to sorry me, though
I have been an undeserving rebel? Then shall I not fail to sing His
lasting praise on high."
At last there came a grave person to the gate named Goodwill,
who asked who was there, and whence he came, and what he would
have?
Christian: Here is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the city
of Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion that I may be delivered
from the wrath to come; I would, therefore, sir, since I am informed
that by this gate is the way thither, know if you are willing to let me
in.
Goodwill: I am willing with all my heart, said he; and, with that,
he opened the gate.
So, when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull.
Then said Christian, "What means that?" The other told him, "A little
distance from this gate there is erected a strong castle, of which
29
Beelzebub is the captain; from whence both he and they that are with
him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, if haply they may
die before they can enter in." Then said Christian, "I rejoice and
tremble." So when he was got in, the man of the gate asked him who
directed him thither.
Christian: Evangelist bid me come hither and knock, as I did; and
he said that you, sir, would tell me what I must do.
Goodwill: An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut
it.
—Pilgrim's Progress

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

RESTITUTION OF BELIEVERS

Luke 19:1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the
chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the
press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see
him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him,
and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day
I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was
gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the
half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from
any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this
house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was
lost.
Ezekiel 33:15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he
had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity;
he shall surely live, he shall not die.

30
2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye
sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea,
what clearing of yourselves.
Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that
which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

MEMORY VERSE: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but
whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
—Proverbs 28:13

CENTRAL THOUGHT: The Lord forgives us of our sins, but

wherein we have wronged another or taken something that did not
belong to us, we are duty bound to clear it with them as we did with
God.

WORD DEFINITIONS

Luke 19:3 The press: The crowd.

Luke 19:4 Sycamore tree: A tree with short trunk and wide
lateral branches.

LESSON BACKGROUND

"Jericho, the city of palm-trees (Deut. 34:3) is about six miles

from the Jordan and fifteen miles from Jerusalem... In later times
Jericho became a great and wealthy town, being fertilized by its
abundant springs (2 Kings 2:21) and enriched by its palms and
balsams….The trade in balsam was extensive, and Zaccheus was
evidently superintendent of the tax-collectors who had oversight of
the revenue derived from that article” (Hom. Commentary).
The time of the winning of Zaccheus was just a few days before
Jesus went to Calvary to die for our sins. It is touching to know that
even though our Lord knew His time had almost come to die, yet He
was seeking out the lost. As far we know, Zaccheus was the last
convert before the cross. The penitent thief who was on the cross
next to Him was the last one.
—M. Miles

31
DISCUSSION:

1. Do we know anyone today that is like Zaccheus before he was

saved?
2. Will Jesus go where He is not wanted, and will He stay with a
person who does not want Him?
3. What does real Bible salvation cause a person to want to do?
4. What about restoring something you have stolen when the
person is dead?
5. Is a person generally thought more of after they correct
something they have done than before?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

We never know what is in the heart of people. Sometimes we

look at a rich, elegantly dressed person, who seems to have an air
about himself of shrewdness and self-complacency and think that
surely he never takes time to think about God. Or, we might see the
deeds (which are wicked) of a person seemingly having no regard for
honesty, and think that he is too deep in sin for God to reach. But let
us remember that God's Word tells us that the "grace of God that
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." Titus 2:11. Underneath
all that front that people display, the Spirit of God has access to their
heart. He is able to plant a seed of desire to see Jesus. Zaccheus felt
that desire and a stirring within his heart that he probably hated to
acknowledge at first, even to himself. But the fame of Jesus being a
friend of the publicans had reached his ears, and we find him yielding
to the desire that had grown within him. As he came to the place
where Jesus was to pass, he could not see this friend because of the
great multitude. Being short, he climbed up into a tree. His desire
caused him to lose his worldly dignity. He was so anxious to see
Jesus that he forgot about those who might laugh at him.
Oh, that people today would become so anxious to seek after
Jesus that they would forget what their worldly friends might say or
think of them! Only those who humble themselves will find Jesus. Be
assured that when humble people start seeking after Jesus, He is
seeking after them. Jesus has come to seek those who are lost. And
be sure, if He is wanted, He will be there. The result of Zaccheus
seeking after Jesus brought salvation to his heart and into his home.

32
He was so overjoyed at having Jesus with him that he willingly said
that "half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything
from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."
The love of Jesus melted his heart. It touched his pocketbook,
and it ran back into his life and pointed out where he had wronged
Jesus by taking from others that which did not belong to him. Oh, to
be like Jesus, was the cry of his heart. He saw something sweeter
than the money or things he had stolen from others.
If we love Jesus as we ought, we won't have to be told to give
Him our all and take back that which we have robbed. We will want
to clear up our life and keep it clear. The true spring of self-sacrifice is
the reception of Christ's love. Now Zaccheus was truly a son of
Abraham. He was already a Jew, but this was a greater blessing. He
was now of a true spiritual descent. A Jew or Gentile becomes a "son
of Abraham" when he is born again.
Restitution was taught under the law of God given to Moses.
Exodus 22:1 reads, "If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep and kill it, or
sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a
sheep." Those who do not clear up their past lives will not prosper in
the Lord.
—M. Miles

REFLECTIONS

One minister presented the picture of restitution in a man's life

in this way: He drew a series of crooked turns and humps which
suddenly changed and straightened out into a straight line. Our life
straightens out, he said, when we come to the Lord and are saved.
But what about all the people caught in those turns and humps?
They have to be seen about too. And surely this is true. The Bible
plan for us to be saved is a perfect plan. It covers every essential
point, and making restitution is one of those essential points. If we
are truly sorry for our sins when we come to the Lord for forgiveness,
it will not seem unjust or too hard to ask forgiveness of our
fellowman or give back something that we took by fraud. We want
our life clear. We will love the souls of our fellowmen and will not
want one thing standing in their way. Oh, how we will want to make
up for all the grief and sorrow we have caused our. neighbor, our
loved one, or our brother! Sin not only blots our lives, but also it

33
affects others, and we owe to others a recompense of any wrong and
harm that we have caused. It glorifies God for us to go to the person
we have wronged and in an humble manner beg their forgiveness
and explain to them what made the change in our life. It is a great
testimony. There is no price too great for a clear conscience.
I have been told that in Washington there is a fund or depository
for money sent by individuals across this land of ours who want to
clear up something in their life and know not how to do it except to
send some payment to the government. I was in a certain store and
saw a dollar bill framed with a writing attached. It was a letter from a
man who sent the dollar paying back for something he stole in that
store many years prior. The owners were so struck with such·
honesty that they deemed it worthy of being framed and placed for
all the public to behold.
One great mark of a Christian is honesty in the sight of God and
in the sight of men. If you are ever in a store and find that the clerk
short-changed himself, the Lord wants you to go back to the store
and correct it. I remember the time that I paid a car repair bill for a
little over $30.00 and later I found the $30.00 in my wallet. It
bothered me, but I felt certain that I had paid the bill. However, to
be sure, I went to the garage and asked about it and found out that
somehow I had absentmindedly put the money back into my wallet
after taking it out and laying it down on the counter. The clerk was so
overjoyed that he took me in to see the big boss, and I had the
opportunity of witnessing for the Lord to him. It surely pays to
straighten our life and keep it straight as we go.
—L. Busbee

FEBRURARY 25, 2024

SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH

Malachi 3:1b And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come
to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight
in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand
when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers'
soap:

34
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall
purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they
may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you
that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto
you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will
guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but
whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you
things to come.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:47b And the Lord added to the church daily such as should
be saved.
Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant
unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they
were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

MEMORY VERSE: What? know ye not that your body is the

temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and
ye are not your own? —I Corinthians 6:19

CENTRAL THOUGHT: The work of the Holy Spirit is to cleanse the

church (Eph. 5:25-26), and to fill each member in the church, which is
the body of Christ, with His presence to be their guide.

35
WORD DEFINITIONS

Malachi 3:1b Sit as a refiner: Alludes to a refiner of metals who

sits by the fire and increases the heat when he sees it necessary and
watches the progress of his work. When, by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
we are purged of sin, there is yet a continual process upon our souls
as we face life with its new perplexities.
Acts 2:47 Church: The Bible definition of “church” is the body of
Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Acts 4:31 Filled: To take up the whole of; occupy; to put as much
as possible into.

LESSON BACKGROUND

The prophecy in Malachi speaks of Jesus' coming and the

"refiner's fire" which is the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 8:11, John the
Baptist notes that those who believe on Jesus shall be baptized "with
the Holy Ghost, and with fire." Fire purifies metal and the dross is
skimmed off. the top and thrown away. This was a prophecy over
four hundred years before Christ's coming. On the day of Pentecost,
there were 120 assembled together, waiting to be filled with the Holy
Spirit; this was fifty days after Jesus had ascended to heaven.
We will not be confused if we will think of the word “tongues”
used in the New Testament as languages. In 1 Corinthians 14 when
the word "unknown" is used, it is printed in italics. "Italics" is a
differently shaped design of type and means that the translators
supplied the word; it was not in the original. When we read it as
"languages'' it will be understandable according to truth.

DISCUSSION:

1. What is a Spirit-filled church? If the Holy Spirit is in each person

and each one is letting Him be their guide, what kind of a service
will we have when we meet together?
2. What was the spiritual condition of those who were together on
the day of Pentecost waiting for the infilling of the Holy Spirit?
3. What is the definition of sanctification?
4. In a congregation where everyone speaks the English language,
do we heed the gift of tongues, or languages, manifested?

36
COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

How wonderful it is to know that in the great plan of God He

never left one thing undone that we needed. God knew that we
would need more than just our volitional sins forgiven. The Holy
Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and his work is compared to
the cleansing of anything by fire. He is spoken of as the "fire burning"
in one’s heart. When we have that fire burning in our very souls, then
those things that touch our lives will be burned up by the Holy Spirit
and we will. have power to face them. .Any ill feeling that the devil
would try to bring to us from an injustice will be burned up by the
Holy Spirit, and we will be able to forgive and commit that person to
God.
Jesus' work, when here, was to gather together those who would
be ready for the coming of the Holy Spirit; a Holy Spirit that would fill
the church and cleanse it. We read in Ephesians 5:25-26, "Husbands,
love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave
himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing
of water by the word." The word sanctify means to "set apart" and
also "to purify." So we are thankful that on that day when the 120
were assembled, they were "set apart'' as God's special possession.
They were given power to witness for God. We remember how Peter
sinned because he didn't have power to stand by Christ when He was
brought to trial. Peter denied that he even knew Him. (Matthew
26:69-75.) After Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, we find him on
that day boldly declaring that they had crucified the Holy One. He
was bold through the working of the Holy Spirit power within him.
We find that the Spirit-filled church went forth and through the
anointing of the Spirit upon them many souls were born into the
church, and God added daily to the church "such as should be
saved." Thank God for the Spirit-filled church today that is in
operation.
—M. Miles

REFLECTIONS

For a church to be a Spirit-filled church, all the members, each

one of them, must be Spirit-filled. This comes down to each
individual. God designs that each and every member of His body be

37
filled and anointed with the Holy Spirit with the exception of the
newborn babes that have just recently been converted. But even to
them the message is given not to tarry but go forth toward the Spirit-
filled and perfected life in God. To draw back from this will mean
spiritual ruin and defeat. He does not want a soul to go for years and
years before it begins to seek the Lord for the infilling of the Holy
Spirit. But rather the justified soul should early begin to seek the
Lord, consecrating his or her life, all on the altar for God and His
cause. We should seek for this with all our heart, making living for
God the number one thing in our lives. Being filled with the Holy
Ghost and being sanctified are one and the same thing, no matter
how mixed-up people with darkened hearts will argue to the
contrary. Much confusion exists in the minds of many people on the
subject of Bible sanctification, but it need not be so. The scriptures
are so plain when we view them in their true setting. Jesus, praying
for the disciples before He was taken from them, said to the Father,
"Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth. For their sakes I
sanctify myself that they all might be sanctified through the
truth” (John 17:17, 19). Oh, one cannot read and behold the
recorded life of Christ and truly deny that His followers are all willed
to be filled with the Spirit.
Of all the doctrines of the Bible, the devil surely hates this one.
He knows that once a soul gets light on sanctification, seeks it, and
obtains the experience, he, as the adversary of men's souls, is
defeated. If he can keep it veiled in mystery or have doctrines
floating around to confuse the mind, he is very glad, for many hearts
are hindered from entering into the blessed Canaan rest of
sanctification and being filled with the Spirit. Other souls that this
particular person might be a blessing to through being sanctified will
be hindered also. But praise the Lord for those who will press their
way through all the confusion, whom the Lord will lead unerringly to
the blessed land of promise and full salvation! They will bear the
splendid fruits of the Canaan land and rejoice in its grace, year in and
year out, day in and day out. We must seek for this experience with a
thirsting quest that will take nothing short of complete victory for an
answer. This is God's plan and purpose, the mystery that has been
from the ages past and is now revealed to His servants to be
preached and experienced.
—L. Busbee
38
If you can hear the whispering about you
And never yield to deal in whispers, too;
If you can bravely smile when loved ones doubt you
And never doubt, in turn, what loved ones do;
If you can keep a sweet and gentle spirit
In spite of fame or fortune, rank or place,
And though you win your goal or only near it,
Can win with poise or lose with equal grace;

If you can meet with unbelief, believing,

And hallow in your heart a simple creed;
If you can meet deception undeceiving,
And learn to look to God for all you need;
If you can be to fathers and to mothers
Chums in joys and comrades in distress;
And be unto others as you'd have the others
Be unto you—no more, and yet no less;

If you can keep within your heart the power

To say that firm, unconquerable “No";
If you can brave a present shadowed hour
Rather than yield to build a future woe;
If you can love, yet not let loving master,
But keep yourself within your own self's clasp,
And not let dreaming lead you to disaster,
Nor pity's fascination loose your grasp;

If you can lock your heart on confidences

Nor ever needlessly in turn confide;
If you can put behind you all pretenses
Of mock humility or foolish pride;
If you can keep the simple homely virtue
Of walking right with God—then have no fear,
That anything in all the world can hurt you—
And, you'll be a man—you'll be a woman, dear.

—Selected

39
MARCH 3, 2024
GIFTS AND CALLINGS

Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according

to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led
captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace
that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to
the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth,
on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do
it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth
mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the
same Spirit.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another
the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to
another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to
another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit,
dividing to every man severally as he will.

MEMORY VERSE: But now hath God set the members every one
of them in the body as it hath pleased him. —1 Corinthians 12:18.

CENTRAL THOUGHT: The body of Christ is one, but all the

members do not have the same office; for it is the Holy Spirit that
distributes to every man the gift and calling that is pleasing to God
and beneficial to the church.

40
WORD DEFINITIONS

Ephesians 4:11 Apostle: Delegate, ambassador of the gospel; a

commissioner of Christ with miraculous powers.
Ephesians 4:11 Prophet: Foreteller, or an inspired speaker.
Ephesians 4:11 Evangelist: Announcer of good news.
Ephesians 4:11 Pastor: Shepherd, or one who feeds and cares for
the flock.
Ephesians 4:11 Teacher: Instructor.
Romans 12: 8 Exhortation: Solace, consolation, a calling near and
inviting.
I Corinthians 12:11 Severally: Individually.

LESSON BACKGROUND

God is gracious, as well as wise, to plan and ordain gifts and

callings for men who are redeemed and called by His holy purpose. In
the beginning, man was placed in the garden to dress and to keep it.
Here was responsibility and faithfulness. In the New Testament
church, through the avenue of the Holy Spirit, is given to the children
of God various functions, offices, and gifts. It is important that we be
not ignorant of the spiritual gifts and the function of each in the body
of Christ and the work of the Lord. God looks down into man's heart
and weighs his capabilities and what he can handle, and distributes
to each accordingly. With each one working in the capacity that God
has called and given, the work progresses and souls are blessed in
the body and in the world. In this lesson consider the different gifts
and callings of God, and count it a privilege and an honor to be
chosen to be in the body of Christ, regardless of what the Lord may
bestow upon us.

DISCUSSION:

1. Unto what is the church likened unto in this lesson?

2. Are we privileged to choose in what capacity we will serve the
Lord?
3. Who is it that bestows the gifts in their proper places ?
4. How is this done?

41
5. What is the attitude that one should hold who is endowed with a
spiritual gift?
6. Can you take each gift and visualize the benefit and profit of each
one?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

Not everyone is gifted and anointed in the same manner with the
same thing. There are diversities of gifts and callings. When Christ
arose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God, He
received of the Father gifts to be distributed by the avenue of the
Holy Spirit to His own. It rests solely in the wisdom of the Father as to
whom the gifts are given and what gift is given to each individual.
There is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, and one God. We
are called in one hope. But to everyone is given the portion of grace
that the gift of Christ measures or distributes. This clearly illustrates
the personal contact and knowledge that the Saviour has of all His
own. He knows their downsitting and their uprising, their capabilities
and their inabilities. According to what He knows they can properly
and successfully handle will He bestow divine gifts.
Each function of the members of the natural body is different,
but altogether they cooperate to make life and health possible. So it
is with Christ's body, the church of God. God sets the members in the
body as seemeth good in His sight, and we know His ways are best.
He had a work to give Paul to do, a work that He saw that Paul would
be able to handle. Perhaps Ananias, when he was instructed to go
and pray for Saul to be healed and go forth for Christ, might have
been tempted to think, "Well, Lord, why could you not send me on
that kind of mission?" I do not think that he entertained such a
thought. He knew that God was running His own business.
Every function in the church is there, not because of human
talent or esteem or ability, but is placed as a divine gift upon the
faithful heart and life of the respective child of God. There is nothing
to glory in as far as the human is concerned. It is of God and God
alone. It is given not for praise or exaltation of the individual, but
rather that it might profit the entire body. In enjoying, using, and
being thankful for the gifts, we must not lose sight of the giver. Much
is said in these days of the gifts, and many get carried away with
these things. But Jesus warned us not to rejoice because of the devils
42
being made subject to us (or for any other divine power), but rather
that our names are written in heaven.
We are exhorted in our lesson to wait on the gifts and prophesy
and to exercise ourselves according to the proportion of faith that
has been distributed unto us. The word of wisdom is much needed in
our time and so is the word of knowledge. Notice how these two are
mentioned first. Could it be that this means that they are just that
much more important? We surely need much wisdom, counsel, and
solace, do we not? And the most wonderful thing is that God
tempers the body together so that all these gifts, though different,
worketh for the one and self-same purpose of glorifying God and
benefiting the souls of men.
—L. Busbee

REFLECTIONS

There are a number of gifts in the body of Christ. Each one has its
place and is very important. When a person is filled with the Holy
Spirit, he is then given a gift. Many times the devil will be right there
to push a person ahead of God's plan for him, and that person many
times becomes discouraged.
Zeal without knowledge is a hindrance to souls. The Bible says,
"For I bear them record, that they have a zeal of God, but not
according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2). Yet, on the other hand, we
do not want to dampen zeal. I am afraid that not very many have
enough zeal, but zeal is a beautiful work and very profitable when it
is according to knowledge. God will give that knowledge, but one
must wait in prayer upon the Lord to have it. We notice in the life of
the Apostle Paul that after his conversion and being filled with the
Holy Spirit that he went into Arabia and spent three years before he
went up to Jerusalem. Then he spent fifteen days with Peter and also
conferred with the other apostles. God was preparing him for a work.
Many times we have seen in the lives of others how God was
preparing them for a work that was not known to them, but as they
moved on they moved right into greater responsibilities and a
greater work for God as they kept humble.
There are many gifts that are not mentioned in the Bible, but
there is a work for all.
—M. Miles
43
DOES YOUR LIFE RING TRUE?

You may testify in public that you love the Lord,

You may sing aloud His praises and proclaim His Word;
You may tell of sins forgiven just as others do;
But the question comes, my brother: Does your life ring true?

How about your daily conduct as you come and go?

Are you careless in your dealings? Does your grocer know
He can trust you for the payment when your bill comes due?
True religion bears this testing: Does your life ring true?

Are you kind to those who hate you, helping when you can?
Are you patient and forgiving towards your fellow-man?
Are you doing unto others as you'd have them do
Were they in your stead, my brother, Does your life ring true?

People see as well as hear you: more than words and deeds;
When your life and lips speak discord, who respects your creeds?
'Tis·the faithful, daily witness of the blood-washed, who
Give to God the glory due Him, for their lives ring true.
—Author unknown

MARCH 10, 2024

UNITY OF BELIEVERS

John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also
might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe
that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that
they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in
one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast
loved them, as thou hast loved me.
44
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus.
Acts 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached
through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the
next day: for it was now eventide.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go,
finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people:
for all men glorified God for that which was done.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and
reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God
with one accord.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart
and of one soul:
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which
is the bond of perfectness.
1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body;
but that the members should have the same care one for another.
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there
be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together
in the same mind and in the same judgment.

MEMORY VERSE: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for

brethren to dwell together in unity!
—Psalm 133:1

CENTRAL THOUGHT There is no true and perfect unity without

heart-purity, and there is no true heart-purity without Bible unity and
there is no true Bible holiness without both.

WORD DEFINITION

Ephesians 4:3 Unity: To make into one; to become one;

consolidate; unite.

45
LESSON BACKGROUND

Our first verses were part of the prayer of Jesus to His Father for
His disciples and all that believed on His name through their labors,
which would be us today.
The part of scripture in Acts was written by Luke and is an
account of the early church being persecuted. Some of the disciples
were put in prison because a man was healed who had been born a
cripple. It stirred the rulers because it was told that through the
name of Jesus the man had been healed. After they were threatened
they went back to their company who, with one accord, prayed for
them. When they heard how God had delivered the disciples from
the rulers they rejoiced. There was unity among them. They were of
"one heart and of one soul.''
The other scriptures we have chosen were written by the Apostle
Paul. In 1 Corinthians 12:11-27, the Apostle Paul uses an example of
the human body to show the unity of the body of Christ.
—M. Miles

DISCUSSION:

1. What is the difference between the bringing together of many

human organizations or churches and real Bible unity?
2. What did Jesus say in His prayer that would make perfect unity
among believers?
3. What are we commanded to do to keep the unity of Spirit?
4. Did the disciples go to their homes and worldly friends when
they were released from prison?
5. What is the mortar that holds the "lively stones" together in
God's building?
6. What are we to do with those who cause division?
(Romans 16:17)

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

Our subject is so great that only a few scriptures could be chosen

to study. We thank God for the wonderful unity of the saints of God.
Even though two people might be strangers, if both have the Spirit of
God dwelling in them, it won't be long after they meet that they have
46
a fellowship and a bond of love that makes them flow together.
There is nothing like it in this world of social mixing. One person got
on a train. He wondered if anyone else on the train was saved and
loved the Lord. He said out loud, "Praise God," and way in the back of
the train someone said, "Amen." They made their way to each other
and had a good time talking about the good things of the Lord. They
were not strangers in the Lord. They both knew the same God. They
both were filled with the same Spirit, and they both were interested
in the same thing, and that was to please the Lord. What a glorious
truth this is, and only God can make it so!
In some of the last hours of our Lord's time here on earth, He
thought about His disciples and all of those who would believe on
Him down through the years to come. His prayer to His Father was
"that they all may be one." Jesus had told the Father that the
disciples and believers had believed on Him; that they were not of
this world and had been kept in His name, but He still prayed,
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth…that they all may
be one” (John 17:19, 22). Heart purity will bring oneness. Paul, in
writing to the brethren in Corinth, mentioned their strife and
preacher-preference and attributed it to the fact that they were still
"carnal." They needed that carnality to be destroyed so they could be
of "one mind and one soul."

Love is like the mortar that holds the blocks in the building
together. So we need perfect love to have perfect unity. In our lesson
the disciples wanted the first thing to go to their company and those
who believed on Jesus Christ. They were their people. They were knit
together with love and were of "one heart and of one soul.”
Does the human body have disunion and inharmony? Of course
this is impossible. The Apostle Paul compares the unity of believers
with the unity in the natural body. We are all members of the one
body of Christ. This represents a perfect picture of true unity among
the members of Christ.
—M. Miles

REFLECTIONS

Two of the things that Jesus prayed to the Father for concerning
His disciples in John 17 was for them to be sanctified and for them to
47
be one. In Hebrews 2:11, we read that ''both he that sanctifieth and
they who are sanctified are all of one.'' It is impossible for anyone to
scripturally deny that all who are truly saved and sanctified and who
are being led by the Spirit are one. Paul rebuked divisions and strife
in his day and branded them as fruits of carnality. It is the design of
the New Testament plan of salvation for carnality to be destroyed
out of the heart and the Holy Spirit in all His fruits and workings
enthroned. This alone will bring the unity that Christ prayed for. Men
suppose today that they must legislate and organize to bring about
this unity, but their efforts are vain.
Humility is a vital ingredient in the recipe of unity. Any element
of pride and self-esteem will keep the heart from flowing together
with another. There must be a disposition in the soul that esteems
the other better than himself. This involves having the mind of Christ,
who humbled Himself to such depths of humiliation. This brings us to
another ingredient: self-denial and the cross. Strife comes through
efforts of carnal self-preservation or self-exaltation. When this
element is destroyed from the soul, all cause of division is gone.
Another ingredient is love, divine love. If we really love our neighbor
and our brother as we should, we will pursue peace with him or her.
Charity, as our lesson declares, is the bond of perfectness, and Peter
stated that it would cover a multitude of sins. Another ingredient is
the peace of God which is to rule in our hearts. To this we are called
in one body. We are to pursue peace and endeavor to live in peace
with all men, especially so with our brethren.
It has been brought out that there are three phases of unity.
There is unity of the Spirit, unity of the faith, and the unity of
cooperation. Yes, there is a practical side to this. We might be united
in heart by the Holy Ghost, but if we do not watch, we can fail to
work together as we should in the work of the Lord. Paul and
Barnabas were in the unity of the faith and the unity of the Spirit, but
the contention became sharp between them as to whether they
should take John Mark with them on their journey. I am not going to
say just who was at fault here, but it is to be noted that John Mark
was some fleshly kin to Barnabas. How easily things like this can
cause us to fall short of the unity of cooperation.
—L. Busbee

48
ONE LITTLE HOUR

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us"
(Romans 8:18).

One little hour for watching with the Master,

Eternal years to walk with Him in white;
One little hour to bravely meet disaster,
Eternal years to reign with Him in light;
One little hour to suffer scorn and losses,
Eternal years beyond earth's cruel frowns;
One little hour to carry heavy crosses,
Eternal years to wear unfading crowns;
One little hour for weary toils and trials,
Eternal years for calm and peaceful rest;
One little hour for patient self-denials,
Eternal years of life where life is best;
Then, souls, be brave and watch until the morrow,
Awake, arise, your lamps of purpose trim;
Your Savior speaks across the night of sorrow,
Can you not watch one little hour with Him?
—Selected

MARCH 17, 2024

GUIDE FOR BELIEVERS

John 6:63 [Jesus said to His disciples] It is the spirit that

quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto
you, they are spirit, and they are life.
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked
no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?
thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have
eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words
shall not pass away.
49
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time
is.
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works.
Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and
Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the
synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that
they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women
which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

MEMORY VERSE: But he answered and said, It is written, Man

shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of God. —Matthew 4:4

CENTRAL THOUGHT: The Bible is our guide. It should be read

slowly, frequently, and prayerfully, because it is to us as our
compass, or map, to show us the way to heaven.

WORD DEFINITION

Acts 17:11 Searched: To examine carefully; probe; to look

through in order to find what God requires of us so we can please
Him and be ready when He calls us to leave this world.

LESSON BACKGROUND

The first verses of our lesson in John, as well as Mark, were

spoken by Jesus to a number of His disciples. The verses in 2 Timothy
were instructions given to the young convert, Timothy. The verses in
Acts were written by Luke, which are an account of the visit of Paul
and Silas to Berea, a Gentile city.

50
DISCUSSION:

1. What is the Word of God to us?

2. Who tells us how to have eternal life?
3. Why is it so important that we study the scriptures?
4. What did Paul tell Timothy the scriptures were given for?
5. Discuss some false teachings that are given out today by false
teachers.

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

If there is any one thing that we should treasure the most, it is

the Bible and the privilege we have to read and learn of the grace
and the love of God. I once heard a story about a father who gave his
son a choice of two things that was to be given him. The choice was
between a ten-dollar bill, and a Bible. The son gave it some serious
thought. He thought of the many things he could buy for himself with
the money and how he would enjoy it. But he thought of the value of
the Bible and how it would teach him how to live and be ready to
meet the Lord in death or at the last day. He finally decided to take
the Bible, much to his father's delight. He joyfully presented his son
with the Bible and watched him take it and sit down to read and look
therein. As the boy was leafing through the Bible, reading here and
there, he came upon a ten-dollar bill inserted in the pages. He went
on further and found another, and another. How true this is! If we
will seek the way of life over and above the material things, the Lord
will take care of the temporal things also.
I have been much inspired with some of Robert Pollock's
speaking of the Bible. He was but a young man when he wrote these
lines: "They had the Bible. Hast .thou ever heard of such a book? The
author, God Himself; The subject, God and man, salvation, life and
death—eternal life, eternal death—dread words! whose meaning has
no end, no bounds—Most wondrous Book! Bright candle of the Lord!
Star of eternity! the only star by which the bark of man could
navigate the sea of life, and gain the coast of bliss securely; only star
which rose on Time, and, on its dark and troubled billows, still, as
generation, drifting swiftly by, succeeded generation, threw a ray of
heaven's light, and to the hills of God, the everlasting hills, pointed
the sinner's eye. Evangelists, apostles, men inspired and by the Holy
51
Ghost anointed, set apart, and consecrated to declare to earth the
counsels of the Eternal One. This book—this holy book, on every line
marked with the seal of high divinity, on every leaf bedewed with
drops of love divine, and with the eternal heraldry and signature of
God Almighty stamped from first to last. This ray of sacred light, this
lamp, from off the everlasting throne, Mercy took down, and in the
night of time stood, casting on the dark her gracious bow; and
evermore beseeching men, with tears and earnest sighs, to read,
believe, and live.
And many to her voice gave ear, and read, believed, obeyed; and
now, as the Amen, True, faithful Witness swore, with snowy robes
and branchy palms surround the fount of life, and drink the streams
of immortality, forever happy, and forever young.”
—L. Busbee

THE BIBLE-YET IT LIVES

Generations follow generations—yet it lives.

Nations rise and fall—yet it lives.
Kings, dictators, presidents come and go—yet it lives.
Torn, condemned, burned—yet it lives.
Doubted, suspected, criticized—yet it lives.
Damned by atheists—yet it lives.
Scoffed at by scorners—yet it lives.
Exaggerated by fanatics—yet it lives.
Misconstrued and misstated−yet it lives.
Ranted and raved about—yet it lives.
Its inspiration denied—yet it lives.
Yet it lives—as a lamp to our feet.
Yet it lives—as a light to our paths.
Yet it lives—as a gate to heaven.
Yet it lives—as a standard for childhood.
Yet it lives—as a guide for youth.
Yet it lives—as an inspiration for the matured.
Yet it lives—as a comfort for the aged.
Yet it lives—as food for the hungry,
Yet it lives—as water for the thirsty.
Yet it lives—as rest for the weary.
Yet it lives—as light for the heathen.
52
Yet it lives—as salvation for the sinner.
Yet it lives-as grace—for the Christian.
To know it is to love it.
To love it is to accept it.
To accept it means life eternal.
—Willard L. Johnson

MARCH 24, 2024

PURPOSE AND MEANING OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM

Matthew 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto

John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of
thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for
thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of
the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw
the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 28:19 [Jesus said to His disciples] Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 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. Amen.
Acts 8:36b And the [Ethiopian] eunuch said [to Philip], See, here
is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went
down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
baptized him.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are
risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath
raised him from the dead.

53
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in
God.
1 Peter 3:20b Once the longsuffering of God waited in the days
of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight
souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us
(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a
good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

MEMORY VERSE: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism

into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
−Romans 6:4

CENTRAL THOUGHT: Baptism by immersion into water is a figure

of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, testifying that
we who are thus baptized are partakers of the risen life of Christ both
now and forever.

WORD DEFINITIONS

Matthew 3:13 Baptized: Greek word which means to completely

whelm or submerge, to dip or immerse.
I Peter 3:21 Figure: The word figure in our lesson in the Greek is
our word "anti­type" which means "corresponding to" that is, a
representation or counterpart. Noah's passing safely through the
flood was a type of which baptism is the corresponding fulfillment.

LESSON BACKGROUND

As our lesson reveals, baptism goes away back to Noah. He and

his family were saved (carried safely through—Greek) by water.
Psalm 24:2 tells us that God founded the earth upon the floods and
established it upon the seas. In the creation, He divided the waters
from the waters. The world that then was (because of sin) being
overflowed with water, perished. It is a very worthy comparison, our
deliverance from death and being saved from drowning in water.

54
Baptism illustrates this: Moses, to be spared from death, was
placed in the river at the mercy of God. The Egyptian princess who
found and saved him called him Moses, which means “drawn out of
water.” Paul said in 1 Co 10:2 that Israel "were all baptized unto
Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” Look at how God miraculously
helped them to cross the angry depths of the sea unharmed!
Jesus said that the only sign to be given to the wicked generation
was the sign of the prophet Jonas. He likened His death and burial to
the ordeal and miraculous delivery of Jonah from the deep and the
whale's belly. Jonah said, "All thy waves and thy billows are gone
over me."
The entire theme of baptism points to the death, burial, and
glorious resurrection of our blessed King of glory. When we are taken
down into the watery grave and put beneath the water, it means that
we are turning our backs on sin and the world and are looking
forward to a new life for Him in this world and a life in glory with
Christ when we leave this world.
—L. Busbee
DISCUSSION:

1. What was John's reason for not wanting to baptize Jesus?

2. Why did Jesus command to be baptized in the name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?
3. What is the prescribed method of baptism: sprinkling, pouring, or
immersion? Why?
4. When should a person be baptized?
5. Does baptism literally wash away your sins?
6. Just how does baptism save us?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

It is a sacred scene to behold in the account of the baptism of our

Saviour. It was needful and right for Him to fulfill the Father's law. He
is our example of humility, meekness, and obedience. The baptism of
John for the remission of sins pointed toward the death, burial, and
resurrection of our Lord. And Jesus came to be baptized of John with
this in mind. It was the Father's great will to purchase and redeem
the souls of men from the pit of darkness and sin, and lift them from
the waters of sorrow and death. It was through Jesus that this was
55
to be accomplished, and it was accomplished through His death on
the cross, and His glorious resurrection from the tomb.
We should not only be willing to submit to baptism, but we
should desire it even as the Ethiopian eunuch desired it. "What doth
hinder me from being baptized?" How eager we should be to fulfill
the Father's will also.
Baptism in water is not washing away our sins, but it does have
something to do with remission of sins. Were it not for the essence
of baptism there would be no remission. Being baptized should not
be just a form or a ritual. It should be carried out with great meaning
and serious and sacred thought. Ananias told Paul when he came to
pray for him: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord"
(Acts 22:16). So many take that scripture and assuredly gather that
you wash away your sins when you are baptized. But careful and
prayerful consideration of the setting of this reveals something else.
The Greek says, "Wash away your sins, having called on the name of
the Lord.'' It was a command to Saul to leave his sins for the blood to
cover and launch out in the life of a Christian.
Thus we see that baptism is yet a part of the soul's progress with
the Saviour. When we get a clear picture of its meaning, it becomes a
joy to us to follow the Lord in this sacred ordinance. Just as Noah was
carried safely through and delivered from the waters of the flood,
even so we shall be saved from the wrath of God that will be poured
out upon us in the last day. This is done through the power of His
resurrection. We are living this new life in Christ now.
–L. Busbee

A LESSON FROM TWO FATHERS

One of my earliest interests was my father's bookcase with all its

delightful volumes. Daddy often read aloud to his family, but I looked
forward to the day when I would be old enough to go to school and
learn to read, so that I might better share in his pleasure in the
books.
No doubt Daddy was just as eager for that day of more complete
sharing as he let me look at the pictures and illustrations in some of
the books, somehow trusting my childish fingers to use the necessary
care for proper handling. Of course, I was taught that certain rules

56
went with this privilege and that I must abide by them.
One of my favorites was a book that was profusely illustrated by
a then well-known artist whose drawing even a child could enjoy. I
looked through this book often.
A pencil was another thing that I needed to make life complete. I
needed one to make endless scribbling and to try to balance it over
an ear as I had seen Daddy do. Again my parents granted my wish
and gave me a tiny stub of a pencil—and necessary rules to protect
the walls and other things from my "literary'' efforts.
All went well for some time, and then one day while looking at
my favorite book, I was overcome by temptation and I marked on
several of the illustrations and even on some of the text.
My act was immediately discovered and the book was taken
away. Daddy took the pencil from my guilty fingers and said sadly,
"Pearl is just not old enough to know how to use a pencil properly."
He tossed the poor little stub into the fire and it was consumed
before my eyes. I did not know that on a recent trip to town he had
purchased a new pencil especially for me. At that very moment it
reposed in a compartment of his desk, waiting for the moment when
he could present it to me. But this was certainly not the time.
Like Cain, I thought my punishment was more than I could bear.
But even greater than the loss of the book and of my cherished
pencil was the knowledge that I had broken my father's rules and
betrayed his trust in me.
At my first opportunity I got the book down from the shelf again
and tried to erase the marks that I had made. I had no eraser but
used a dampened fingertip to rub the spots. I succeeded in removing
some of the marks—along with the print and even some of the
paper. My mother rescued the book at this point and explained that
the marks must remain just as I had made them, lest I do even
greater damage.
Only a few days later Daddy seated himself at his desk and
opened it to reveal all the fascinating pigeonholes, nooks, and
crevices that so enticed me. As usual, I gravitated toward this center
of interest and he had only to speak to have me up in his lap. He
asked if I had learned my lesson and I assured him that I had. Then he
gave me the new pencil that he had so desired to give me all that
time. Perhaps his joy was even greater than mine, but my joy seemed

57
complete. I had been restored to Daddy's confidence, for he had
demonstrated his forgiveness by trusting me again with his books
and a pencil of my very own.
A few years ago when it became necessary to divide the
household things after the death of our parents, you may be sure
that one thing I really cherished was that battered old book. Today
those pages still bear the scars of my disobedience but also call back
the memories of a loving and forgiving father. What a picture, in a
small way, of our loving Heavenly Father! He too is eager for the day
when He can share the blessings of His heavenly kingdom with His
children. He grants us daily previews of some of those blessings while
we are not able yet to grasp the whole of them. He has provided the
Unspeakable Gift for us and eagerly awaits the time when He can
bestow it on our penitent hearts.
How useless it is for us to try to erase our own sins! Though some
scars may remain as reminders to us, our Heavenly Father forgives
and forgets them and restores us to His confidence and trust. All
praise to His matchless name! And a special thank-you for the
Christian fathers in this world who help us to better understand the
love of the Heavenly Father!
—Selected by H. P. Huskey

MARCH 31, 2024

OBSERVING THE ORDINANCES

Matthew 28:20 [Jesus said] Teaching them [believers] to observe

all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
John 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and
took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash
the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he
was girded.
John 13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his
garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what
I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also
58
ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have
done to you.
1 Corinthians 11:23 For I [Paul] have received of the Lord that
which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in
which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat:
this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of
me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had
supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye,
as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do
shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup
of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the
Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that
bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

MEMORY VERSE: Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember

me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
–1 Corinthians 11:2

CENTRAL THOUGHT: The gospel, which is the grandest of all

institutions, has not left us without its memorial days and
observances.

WORD DEFINITIONS

John 13:14 Ought: To be held or bound in duty or moral

obligation. Opheilo—"To owe; to be indebted; to be bound to the
performance of some duty; to be obliged; to be under
obligation” (Greenfield).
John 13:15 Example: A person or thing to be imitated; model.
John 13:15 Should: Obligation or duty.
I Corinthians 11:2 Ordinance: An observance commanded.

59
I Corinthians 11:24 Remembrance: Keeping in mind;
recollection; memorial, token.

LESSON BACKGROUND

Family, national, or universal customs and observances are

optional because they are non-essentials. But all ordinances of God
are established either by positive precept or by example. Thus, we
find that feet-washing and The Lord's Supper are essential to keep.
To disregard them would be to disobey a commandment.
The ordinance of feet washing recorded in the 13th chapter of
John was a new institution. There is positively no identity between it
and anything else ever practiced before. People washed their feet for
cleanliness before entering a tent or house, but this was different.
In all the Christian nations religion has established its memorial
days. "The Lord's Day" is the greatest memorial day of the gospel, in
honor of the resurrection of our glorious Lord. "The Lord's Supper'' is
in commemoration of His solemn death.
Our lesson in 1 Corinthians was written 26 years after the old
Passover service had ended. The early church was still commanded
to keep this ordinance. The four gospel writers have delivered to us
accounts of the Lord's supper being instituted. Matthew was an
eyewitness, while Mark and Luke were apostolic men and received
the account from the apostles themselves. Paul declared that he
received this ordinance direct from the Lord.
—M. Miles

DISCUSSION:

1. Are we to only do part of the things that Jesus commanded us to

do?
2. What ordinances does the church keep today that Jesus
instituted?
3. What blessing is derived from observing the ordinance of feet
washing?
4. What is the blessing derived from the ordinance of the Lord's
supper?

60
COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

Our first verse tells us to "observe all things" that Jesus

commanded us to do. Observing feet washing is one of those "all
things." The command was, "Ye also ought to wash one another's
feet." (Notice our word definition of ought.) We obey the command
that "men ought always to pray" Luke 18:1, but many feel that this
"ought" is a nonessential. We are sure that our Lord and Saviour
would not have any part in a nonessential act when He was nearing
the solemn hour of His death. He knew that on that very night He
was to be betrayed into the hands of sinners and be soon put to
death.
In the early church, we read about the qualification of widows in
the church that were to be cared for and one of them was, "if she
have washed the saints' feet." Many duties are to be done to care for
others, but this is a command for one saint to wash another saint's
feet. If they were not referring to the ordinance of feet-washing they
would not have just mentioned that it should be saints' feet.
Jesus knew man's frailty and that with the cares of life they might
forget. In His wisdom He left us the memorial of the Lord's supper so
that we would take time to reflect and remember what Jesus did for
us. As we partake of the Lord's Supper we think of Gethsemane and
hear His groans and pleadings that the cup of death would pass and
then we hear Him saying, "Not my will, but thine be done." As He is
put on the cross and in our mind's eye we see them drive the nails
into His hands and feet, our hearts melt with love for such love
shown to us. He took our punishment. He was innocent, but we were
guilty. How we do love Him when we think of the great cost and
sacrifice that He paid for our salvation! Together the saints send up
their praises unto that lovely Saviour to whom all praise and honor
are due. It brings such humility and draws the saints together into
one bond of fellowship as they do this "in remembrance" of our Lord.
—M. Miles

REFLECTIONS

It is very necessary concerning the Bible teachings on ordinances

(as well as concerning any other Bible doctrine) to be careful not to
be unbalanced in either direction. A man uninspired by the Spirit of
61
God can easily drift to the right hand or to the left. There have been
those who, in their effort to steer clear of formality and rituals, have
rejected all ordinances. Then there are those whose religion is chiefly
made up of the observance of ordinances such as these in our lesson,
who are void of the real essence of what they stand for. Let us be
balanced and know that these ordinances are instituted of God for
the saints of God to keep faithfully, but let us also know that the
keeping of these ordinances without the Spirit and purpose of the
Maker who gave them will not avail to give the intended blessing to
the soul.
The brazen serpent was fashioned by Moses in obedience to God
for use in a time when the children of Israel were being bitten by
serpents. It was good to be used in its time, but later when Israel
found this serpent and began to worship it, God was sorely
displeased. Hezekiah destroyed this brazen serpent and pointed the
people to the one true worship of God. When God was dealing with
Israel as a literal nation, He instituted various ordinances that they
were to keep, such as the Feast of the Passover, Tabernacles,
Pentecost, and others. But when Christ came and fulfilled all these
things by His death and resurrection from the dead, they were no
longer needed. From then on, the saints were given new and better
ordinances to remember and keep.
But in keeping these new ordinances, we must endeavor to keep
in mind their true purpose and the spirit back of their giving. In feet-
washing, the truth manifested in carrying it out has to do with true
brotherhood and humility one to another. This brotherly attitude is
the very nature of the Spirit that Christ possessed. It must reign in
the human heart toward all men, even toward enemies and those
who are not right. In considering the setting of the feet-washing
ordinance, it is very likely that Judas Iscariot was there, and it is also
very likely that Jesus washed his feet. It seems rather that Judas
made his exit before the Lord instituted the Lord's supper, however.
Be that as it may, and be what the other person may be in his own
heart, the instruction is for us: Let a man examine himself. It is not
for me to say you are unworthy, or for another to make such a
judgment on me. We are for our own profit counseled to judge
ourselves. It is very evident that if we partake of these ordinances
without the real experiences that they call for in our very heart and

62
life, we are doing it to our own damnation. We are thus guilty of the
body and blood of the Lord, for we have not allowed His Spirit to
work these graces into our souls.
—L. Busbee

CROWNED OR CRUCIFIED?

I stood alone at the bar of God,

In the hush of the twilight dim,
And faced the question that pierced my heart:
What will you do with Him?
Crowned or crucified? Which shall it be?'

I looked on the face so marred with tears

That were shed in His agony,
The look in His kind eyes broke my heart,
Twas full of love for me.
The crown or the cross it seemed to say;
For or against me—choose thou today.

He held out His loving hands to me,

While He pleadingly said, Obey!
Make Me thy choice, for I love thee so,
And I could not tell Him, Nay.
Crowned, not crucified—this must it be;
No other way was open to me.

I knelt in tears at the feet of Christ,

In the hush of the twilight dim,
And all that I was, or hoped, or sought,
Surrendered unto Him.
Crowned, not crucified—my heart shall know,
No King but Christ who loved me so.''

—Florence E. Johnson

63
Special Note:
To recycle your Sunday School quarterlies to be shipped overseas,
package and mail to:

Love Packages
220 Union Street
Butler, Illinois 62015

64