Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
November 19, 1970
NUMBER 28, PAGE 8b-9a

How Readest Thou?

Ernest A. Finley

In response to a question concerning eternal life, Jesus said, "What is written in the law? how readest thou?"

What better answer may one give to any question related to one's soul's welfare than that which is written in the law of God? God has not left us in darkness concerning any vital question related to our salvation.

Does The Lord Require Faithful Attendance At All Services?

"What is written in the law? how readest thou?" I am sure that your Bible reads the same as mine. It says, "not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh" (Heb. 10:25).

On What Particular Day Are We To Assemble To Engage In God's Worship?

If one reads it like it really is, he will note that the early church regularly assembled each Lord's day. This was their divinely authorized custom. "And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight" (Acts 20:7). I can not read this and make it mean that the Sabbath is still binding. Can you?" "How readest thou?" I hope you read it and understand it in harmony with truth.

IS BAPTISM ACCEPTABLE WHEN PERFORMED BY SPRINKLING OR POURING — OR IS IMMERSION ESSENTIAL?

"What is written in the law? how readest thou?" Does not your Bible, as well as mine, read in such a way as to indicate that baptism is a burial and a resurrection?" We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life." I cannot read this and make it mean anything but immersion. Can you?

If A Man Thinks A Way Is Right In Serving God And Conscientiously Follows It, Will He Not Be Approved Of God? "What Is Written In The Law? How Readest Thou?"

Let us be careful here that we not try to make God think as we want Him to think. Through Solomon, God says, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12).

Does Christ Extend Salvation To Those Who Simply Have A Trusting Faith Or Must One Obey Him As Well In Order To Be Saved?

"What is written in the law? how readest thou?" While the Bible does not teach that the church saves, does it not teach that those who are saved constitute the church - Christ is the Saviour of the body He died to save? Hear Paul: "For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body" (Eph. 5:23). Can you read these words and still believe that being in the body of Christ, the church is unrelated to salvation?

Does God Encourage Every Man To Study The Bible For Himself With The View In Mind Of Understanding God's Will To Man?

"What is written in the law? how readest thou?" It is worthy of note that Luke commended the attitude of the Bereans in searching the scriptures as they listened to Paul's teaching to ascertain whether or not the things he taught were true.

"Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). God's Word, then, must be the final court of appeal. This is exactly what Jesus meant when He said, "What is written in the law? how readest thou?"

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