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Berean Expositor Volume 1
Platform and Programme.
"I believed, and therefore have I spoken."
"Seeing then that we have such a hope, we use great plainness of speech."
pp. 60-61
We believe that a word or two would not be amiss, and will certainly answer the queries of
some of our readers as to the Purpose, Plan, Platform, and Programme of this little Pamphlet.
We believe implicitly, and as a matter beyond dispute, that the original Hebrew and Greek of the
Old and New Testaments are fully and verbally inspired. "All Scripture (graphe, meaning that
which is written) is God-breathed" (II Tim. 3: 16). We desire, as grace may be given, to "search
the Scriptures daily," and to publish the results regardless of the approval or the disapproval of
any. Let it be once understood, the Bible is infallible, but the searcher is not. There will
doubtless be much of human error, but we write as a Berean expositor, for Berean readers,
trusting that they will test every statement by the Word of truth.
We do not intend to apologize for the Bible, nor for any teaching which may from time to time
be brought to light. While we would seek to avoid any appearance of callousness, and would
endeavour not to wound the feelings of our brethren, yet we intend, the Lord being our Helper, to
turn back for nothing. We desire the same spirit, in at least some measure, that underlies the
words of Paul, "None of these things move me." Some readers have written words of
encouragement, some of warning and censure. We thank them all, but would publicly ask them
to refrain from warning us as to "tendencies," &100:, &100: We wish it to be plainly understood that
we desire to be kept absolutely regardless of tendencies, &100:, if the consideration of such would
prevent us from honestly prosecuting our search in the wonderful Word of God.
We are told that we are robbing the Lord's children of their Bible, and of much of their
possessions, by our teaching that the mystery was not revealed until after Acts 28: We are
told that our article dealing with Rom. v savours of "Universalism" and other "isms." We shall
be told that we are on "dangerous ground" with regard to the question of the "Immortality of the
soul"; we care not for these things, all we ask is that every reader will "search and see whether
these things are so." If the soul is immortal--good, let us believe it; if not--still good, let us
reject it. We cannot go further with Rom. 5: and Genesis 3: until this subject is settled.
One thing more. We wish it to be understood that we are not attempting in this day of
corporate failure to organise a primitive church, nor to start another "Meeting," or circle of
"Fellowship." We do not refrain by reason of indifference, but from our understanding of the
Word of truth. The Bible Readings that are given at different places are purely Bible Readings
and nothing more, the truth received thereat working its own way in each individual case. All
believers are welcome, and some who do come represent widely differing sections of
Christendom. We impose no code or terms of fellowship, but we have the joy of seeing widely
differing brethren drawn together by the bonds of truth, and of seeing some who were enslaved in
the fetters of tradition realizing the force of the words, "the truth shall make you free."
The enemy is advancing, we have put on the armour of God; let us not "bite and devour one
another," but gathering around the glorious truth of God, "Let us stand fast to the freedom
wherewith Christ has made us free."