Search the Scriptures

Newsletter #333 July 2006 When you have problems, dont forget to search the Scriptures for answers. In Mark 13:23 Jesus said, Behold, I have foretold you all things. Indeed, everything we need to know may be found in Gods Word. No matter what your problem might be, you will find the answer in Scripture. There is no better counsel than Gods Word. Lets begin our study in the Book of I Peter. I Peter I:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Those who have searched the Scriptures wont be surprised by the second appearing of Jesus Christ. Many others will be worshipping antichrist, when Christ returns. I Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: You havent seen Jesus, yet you believe. The Holy Spirit has touched your heart, and you know He is real. You have searched the Scriptures, and found them true. I Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: The prophets of the Old Testament foretold the coming of Messiah. You know Who He is, and you arent going to be deceived by the fake. You have searched the Scriptures, and you are going to be with Christ forever. I Peter 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Psalms 22, written almost a thousand years before the crucifixion, foretold of the sufferings of Christ. You know the prophecies of the prophets always come true, because they didnt speak the words of men, but the Word of God. I Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Even the angels stoop down to have a look, and they rejoice every time that a lost soul is found. I Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Focus your mind on Gods Word. Dont be as a reed shaken in the wind by first this doctrine and then another. What is the revelation of Jesus Christ? He told you in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 what is going to happen and what He expects of you. It is written. Search the Scriptures. I Peter 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as He Which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. No one is perfect. Our very best is as filthy rags compared to the holiness of God. But our Father really loves those who try to do what is right by His Word. Searching and studying His Word brings us closer to Him. I Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, Who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans word, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: We are judged by our works. As we sojourn in the flesh here on earth, we should pass the time revering God.

I Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: The traditions of men cant save you, but the precious blood of the Lamb is able to save you. I Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, The Messiah was foreordained in the first earth age. The events leading up to and after His coming are made known to us through Gods Word. There is a false messiah coming, and we have the second advent, when the true Messiah returns, still ahead. Search the Scriptures. Turn with me to the Book of John. Jesus had healed a man on the Sabbath. The religious leaders wanted to kill Him. Jesus tells them they arent believers. John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him That sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Shortly after the crucifixion, Jesus went to those that had died before He paid the price on the cross (I Peter 3:18-20). Why? To offer then the same opportunity for salvation that you and I have, today. John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; 27 And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man. The Son of man, Jesus, is the only begotten Son of God. The Word became flesh. John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Again, dont let this throw you. Christ went to those who had died before the crucifixion to offer them salvation. If you hate the name of Christ, and you want God removed from your vocabulary, you are flirting with damnation. John 5:30 I can of Mine own Self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father Which hath sent Me, 31 If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. If God had not sent Jesus Christ, He would have been a fake. God did send Him, and His witness is true. John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of Me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of Me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. John the Baptist was the forerunner. He witness was true. Johns message to the people was, Repent. John 5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. Light destroys darkness. Truth destroys falsehoods. John had a great message. He baptized many. John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, Which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape. How could this be? Through the prophets, of course. John 5:38 And ye have not His word abiding in you: for Whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not. Not only did they not believe Him, they wanted to kill Jesus for doing good works. John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.

The prophets foretold of the coming of Messiah. Have you read? Have you searched? Those who were trying to kill Him hadnt. John 5:40 And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in My Fathers name, and ye received Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. The Kenites He is dressing down here will receive the antichrist. Why? He is truly their father (John 8:44). Turn with me to Chapter 7 as we continue our study. John 7:41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scriptures said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? The people are trying to figure out Who Jesus was. The Pharisees are still trying to kill Him. Jesus was of Nazareth which is in lower Galilee. He was born in Bethlehem. John 7:43 So there was division among the people because of Him. 44 And some of them would have taken Him, but no man laid hands on Him. The Pharisees and chief priests wanted Him, but their officers were afraid to lay hands on Him, because of the truth and light that came forth from His teaching. John 7:45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought Him? The chief priests and Pharisees wanted Him arrested. John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this Man. The officers were afraid of the crowds that had gathered to hear Jesus teach and witness the miracles He performed. John 7:47 Then answered them the Pharisees. Are ye also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him? Be careful not to follow what rulers think just because they are rulers. Sometimes rulers and Pharisees are wrong. How are we to know they are wrong? Search the Scriptures. John 7:49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. This is an insult. The Pharisees are saying You uneducated people dont know anything. Just listen to us. John 7:50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) 51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? Nicodemus was of the Pharisees, but he knew the words of Jesus were the truth. Sharpen up for me. There is going to be a test. John 7:52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. Now comes the test. Do you believe that no prophet would be from Galilee. I mean, the Bible says as much right there. But let me ask you something. Who said this? The Pharisees said this. Are you going to believe the Pharisees, who wanted to murder Christ, or are you willing to search the scriptures? I know you answered, Lets search the Scriptures. If the Pharisees had truly searched, they would have found that Jonah and Hosea arose out of Galilee, and perhaps Elijah, Elisha, and Amos. If they had read Isaiah Chapter 9, they would have known a great light would come out of Galilee. That light is the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. There was no greater Prophet. In His Service,

Arnold Murray