| The Berean Expositor
Volume 33 - Page 120 of 253 Index | Zoom | |
The association thus established between the Holy Ghost and the Scriptures makes
useful an examination of John 14:-16: This we do not here enlarge upon, but, in lieu,
give the headings that formed the basis of one of the addresses given during the series.
The Holy Ghost, as the Spirit of truth, guided the Apostles into "all truth"
(John 16: 13); He recalled to their memory whatsoever the Saviour had taught them
(John 14: 26); He made clear the meaning of sayings not previously understood
(John 14: 26); He endowed the Apostles with a vision of the future (John 16: 13); He
led the Apostles on in the recognition of the glory of the Person of the Redeemer
(John 16: 14); and He confirmed the witness given by the Apostles (John 15: 26); He
enabled them to bear their testimony (John 15: 26, 27); He is named, three times over,
"the Spirit of truth" (John 14: 17; 15: 26; 16: 13); A power unseen by the world
(John 14: 17) and Who would abide with them for ever (John 14: 16).
In symbol, this overshadowing, inspiring, power of the Holy Ghost was given to the
Apostles when the Saviour "breathed" on them, as recounted in John 20: 21, 22; and His
full advocacy could be relied upon in the hour of trial (Matt. 10: 19, 20). Moreover, this
mighty, gracious, indwelling, illuminating power, is called "The promise of the Father"
(Luke 24: 49) without which the apostolic testimony at Jerusalem could neither have
begin nor succeeded.
#6.
The Preservation of the Inspired Documents.
pp. 32 - 35
In Psalm 12: there are two statements that we must notice about the words of the
Lord. The first assures us of their "purity", the second of their "preservation"
(Psa. 12: 6, 7). And so it is that next to the miracle of their production, must stand the
marvel of their preservation. When we come to consider that the Bible we read today is
substantially the self-same Book that was read nearly two thousand years ago, and when
we further call to mind the persecuting opposition and antagonism of both Church and
State to the Book and its readers, the Providence that has preserved it intact to this day is
beyond question one of history's greatest miracles. The history and preservation of the
O.T. falls into four periods:
(1)
From Moses to Ezra . . .
Approximate
1000 to 500B.100:
(2)
From Ezra to fall of Jerusalem . . .
to A.D.70.
(3)
The Talmud Period . . .
to A.D.500.
(4)
The Period of the Massorets . . .
to A.D.1000.
To follow in these pages the story of the preservation of the text throughout this length
of time would involve too many explanations and illustrations to permit of its being
undertaken, especially so far as the Talmudic and Massoretic periods are concerned.
There is, however, enough in the Book itself from the days of Moses to the days of Ezra
to show the care that was taken to preserve the Scriptures that were entrusted to the