BIBLE READINGS FOR THE HOME CIRCLE

1. Whom did Moses say the Lord would raise up?

"The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken." Deut. 18:15. See also verse 18.

2. What use of this prophecy by the Apostle Peter shows that it referred to Christ?

"For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me. . . . Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days." Acts 3:22-24.

3. In what language did Isaiah foretell Christ's birth?

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Isa. 7:14.

4. In what event was this prophecy fulfilled?

"Now all this was done [the birth of Jesus of the Virgin Mary], that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matt. 1:22, 23.

5. Where was the Messiah to he born?

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2.

6. When was Jesus born?

"Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king." Matt. 2:1.

7. Under what striking emblem was He prophesied of by Balaam?

"There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." Num. 24:17.

8. In what scripture does Christ apply the same emblem to Himself?

"I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." Rev. 22:16. See also 2 Peter 1:19; Rev. 2:28.

9. What prophecy was fulfilled in the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem?

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." Matt.2:16-18.

10. How was Christ's first advent to be heralded?

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." Isa. 40:3.

11. By whom was this fulfilled?

"And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? . . . He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias." John 1:19-23.

12. How was Christ to be received by His own people?

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not." Isa. 53:3.

13. How is the fulfilment of this prophecy recorded?

"He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." John 1:10, 11.

14. What was predicted of Christ's preaching?

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Isa. 61:1.

15. What application did Jesus make of this prophecy?

"And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. . . . And He began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." Luke 4:16-21. See Luke 7:19-22.

16. How, according to prophecy, was Christ to conduct Himself when on trial?

"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth." Isa. 53:7.

17. When accused by His enemies before Pilate, how did Christ treat these accusations?

"Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly." Matt. 27:13, 14.

18. What prophecy foretold of the disposal of Christ's garments at the crucifixion?

"They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture." Ps. 22:18.

19. What record answers to this prophecy?

"And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots." Matt. 27:35.

20. What was foretold of His treatment while on the cross?

"They gave Me also gall for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink." Ps. 69:21.

21. What was offered Christ at His crucifixion?

"They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink." Matt. 27:34. See also John 19:28-30, and page 127 of this volume.

22. With whom did the prophet Isaiah say Christ would make His grave?

"And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death." Isa. 53:9.

23. With whom was Christ crucified?

"Then were there two thieves crucified with Him, one on the right hand, and another on the left." Matt. 27:38.

24. Who took charge of Christ's body after it was taken down from the cross?

"A rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph. . . . went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. . . . He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock." Verses 57-60.

25. What experience in the life of a noted prophet indicated the length of Christ's stay in the grave?

"But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matt.12:39, 40.

26. What prophecy foretold Christ's triumph over death?

"For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption." Ps.16:10. See Acts 2:24-27.

The Successive Prophecies of Christ

Supposing one single man to have left a book of predictions concerning Jesus Christ as to the time and manner of His coming, and supposing Him to have come agreeably to these predictions, the argument would be of almost infinite force; yet here the evidence is stronger beyond all comparison; a succession of men for the space of four thousand years follow one another, without interruption or variation, in foretelling the same great event. A whole people are the harbingers of the Messias, and such a people as subsisted four thousand years to testify in a general body their assured hope and expectation, from which no severity of threats or persecutions could oblige them to depart. This is a case which challengeth in a far more transcendent degree our assent and wonder. -Pascal.

I. What does Jesus declare Himself to be?

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6.

2. In what condition are all men?

"But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin." Gal. 3:22. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.

3. What are the wages of sin?

"The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23.

4. How many are affected by Adam's transgression?

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men." Rom. 5:12.

5. What is the gift of God?

"The gift of God is eternal life." Rom. 6:23.

6. How many may receive this gift?

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that athirst come. And him that heareth say, Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.

7. In whom is the gift?

"This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11.

8. In receiving the Son what do we have in Him?

"He that hath the Son hath life." Verse 12.

9. What loss do those sustain who do not accept Him?

"And he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Verse 12.

10. In what other way is this same truth stated?

"He that believes on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36.

11. After one truly receives Christ, whose life will be manifested in him?

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in, me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20.

12. In what condition are all before they are quickened with Christ?

"God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ." Eph. 2:4, 5.

13. What is this change from death to life called?

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23.

14. When man first transgressed, what was done to prevent him from living for ever in sin?

"And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever. . . . So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Gen. 3:22-24.

15. What is declared to be one purpose of Christ's death?

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Heb. 2:14.

16. Through whom will Abraham receive the promise of the future inheritance?

"The Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land." Gen. 12:7.

17. How many were embraced in God's promises to Abraham?

"And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed." Acts 3:25.

18. To whom does the "seed" in these promises refer?

"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Gal. 3:16.

19. What would make the death of Christ in vain?

"If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Gal. 2:21.

20. Why have all been reckoned under sin?

"But the Scripture bath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." Gal. 3:22.

21. How then do all become children of God?

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Verse 26.

22. With whom are the children of God joint heirs?

"If children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." Rom. 8:17.

1. For what purpose did Christ come into the world?

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

2. Why was He to be named Jesus?

"Thou shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." Matt. 1:21.

3. Is there salvation through any other?

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

4. Through whom are we reconciled to God?

"All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." 2 Cor. 5:18, 19.

5. What has Christ been made for us, and for what purpose?

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Verse 21.

6. How dependent are we upon Christ for salvation?

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: . . . without Me ye can do nothing." John 15:5.

7. What three essentials for a Saviour are found in Christ?

Deity. "But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever." Heb. 1:8.

Humanity. "When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law." Gal. 4:4.

Sinlessness. "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." 1 Peter 2:22.

8. How did Christ show from the Scriptures that the promised Saviour of the world must be both human and divine?

"While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He? They say unto Him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son?" Matt. 22:41-45.

NOTE -This important truth concerning the union of the human and divine in Christ, has been well expressed in these words: "Divinity needed humanity that humanity might afford a channel of communication between God and man. Man needs a power out of and above himself to restore him to the likeness of God. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ."

9. What two facts testify to the union of divinity and humanity in Christ?

"Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." Rom. 1:3,4.

10. How complete was Christ's victory over death?

"I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive f or evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Rev. 1:17,18. See Acts 2:24.

11. How complete is the salvation obtained in Christ?

"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. 7:25.

12. What should we say for such a Saviour?

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." 2 Cor. 9:15.

1. What is faith declared to be?

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb. 11:1.

2. How necessary is faith?

"Without faith it is impossible to please Him." Verse 6.

3. Is mere assent to divine truth sufficient?

"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19.

4. What is required besides a belief in the existence of God?

"For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6, last part.

5. From whom does faith come?

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Eph. 2:8.

6. Why did God raise Christ from the dead?

"Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." 1 Peter 1:21.

7. What is Christ's relation to this faith?

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Heb. 12:2.

8. What is the basis of faith?

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Rom. 10:17.

9. What relation does faith bear to knowledge?

"Through faith we understand that the worlds were frame by the word of God." Heb. 11:3.

10. By what principle is genuine faith actuated?

"In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." Gal. 5:6.

11. Of what is faith a fruit?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." Verse 22.

12. What in the early church showed living faith?

"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love." 1 Thess. 1:3.

13. What is necessary in order that the preaching of the gospel may be profitable?

"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." Heb. 4:2.

14. How does Abraham's experience show that obedience and faith are inseparable?

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Heb. 11:8.

15. With what, therefore, is the faith of Jesus joined?

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.

16. In what other statement is the same truth emphasized?

"But wilt thou know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20.

17. How is faith brought to perfection?

"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" Verse 22.

18. What is the result of faith's being put to the test?

"The trying of your faith worketh patience." James 1:3.

19. What relationship to God is established by faith?

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26.

20. How do the children of God walk?

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor. 5:7.

21. Upon what condition may one expect answers to prayer?

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." James 1:6.

22. To what parts of the ancient armour is faith compared?

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Eph. 6:16. "Putting on the breastplate of faith and love." 1 Thess. 5:8.

23. What chapter in the Bible is devoted to faith?

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews. In verses 33-38 are summarized the victories of the heroes of faith.

24. What gives victory in our conflicts with the world?

"This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4.

25. What is the ultimate purpose of faith?

"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your soul.,;." 1 Peter 1:9.

1. Who are called to repentance?

"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32.

2. What accompanies repentance?

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations." Luke 24:47.

3. By what means is sin made known?

"By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.

4. How many are sinners?

"We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin." Verse 9.

5. What do transgressors bring upon themselves?

"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." Eph. 5:6.

6. Who awakens the soul to a sense of its sinful condition?

"When He [the Comforter] is come, He will reprove [convince, margin] the world of sin." John 16:8.

7. What are fitting inquiries for those convicted of sin?

"Men and brethren, what shall we do?" "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 2:37; 16:30.

8. What replies does Inspiration return to these inquiries?

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved." Acts 2:38; 16:31.

9. What will the truly repentant sinner he constrained to do?

"I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin." Ps. 38:18.

10. What is the result of godly sorrow?

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation." 2 Cor. 7:10.

11. What does the sorrow of the world do?

"The sorrow of the world worketh death." Same verse.

12. How does godly sorrow for sin manifest itself?

"For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." Verse11.

13. What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and Sadducees when he saw them come to his baptism?

"0 generation of vipers, who bath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Matt. 3:7.

14. What did he tell them to do?

"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." Verse 8. NOTE - "There can be no repentance without reformation. Repentance is a change of mind; reformation is a corresponding change of life."-Dr. Raleigh.

15. When God sent the Ninevites a warning message, how did they show their repentance, and what was the result?

"And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not." Jonah 3:10.

16. What leads sinners to repentance?

"Or despises thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom. 2:4.

1. What instruction is given concerning confession of sin?

"Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty; then they shall confess their sin which they have done." Num. 5:6, 7.

2. How futile is it to attempt to hide sin from God?

"But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out." Num. 32:23. "Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance." Ps.90:8. "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Heb. 4:13.

3. What promise is made to those who confess their sins?

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

4. What different results attend the covering and the confessing of sins?

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Prov. 28:13.

5. How definite should we be in confessing our sins?

"And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he bath sinned in that thing." Lev. 5:5.

NOTE-"True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty."-"Steps to Christ," page 43.

6. How fully did Israel once acknowledge their wrong doing?

"And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king." 1 Sam. 12:19.

7. When David confessed his sin, what did he say God did?

"I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." Ps. 32:5.

8. Upon what did he rest his hope for forgiveness?

"Have mercy upon me, 0 God, according to Thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Ps. 51:1.

9. What is God ready to do for all who seek forgiveness?

"For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee." Ps. 86:5.

10. What is the measure of the greatness of God's mercy?

"For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him." Ps. 103:11.

11. How fully does the Lord pardon when one repents?

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55:7.

12. What reason is given for God's readiness to forgive sin?

"Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger for ever, because He delights in mercy." Micah 7:18. See Ps. 78:38.

13. Why does God manifest such mercy and long-suffering toward men?

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.

14. What prayer did Moses offer in behalf of Israel?

"Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of Thy mercy, and as Thou has forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now." Num. 14:19.

15. What reply did the Lord immediately make?

"And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word." Verse 20.

16. When the prodigal son, in the parable, repented and turned toward home, what did his father do?

"When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." Luke 15:20.

17. How did the father show his joy at his son's return?

"The father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." Verses 22-24.

18. What is felt in heaven when a sinner repents?

"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents." Verse 10.

19. What did Hezekiah say God had done with his sins?

"Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but Thou has in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for Thou has cast all my sins behind Thy back." Isa. 38:17.

20. How completely does God wish to separate sin from us?

"Thou wilt cast-all-their sins into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:19. "As far as the east is from the west, so far bath He removed our transgressions from us." Ps. 103:12.

21. How did the people respond to the preaching of John?

"Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." Matt. 3:5, 6.

22. How did some of the believers at Ephesus testify to the sincerity of the confession of their sins?

"And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver." Acts 19:18, 19.

23. Through whom are repentance and forgiveness granted?

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts5:30,31.

24. What is the only unpardonable sin?

"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Matt. 12:31, 32.

NOTE-As the Holy Spirit is the agent that convicts of sin and brings the offer of pardon through the Word, the denial of the Spirit's work is the refusal of pardon. In other words, the only unpardonable sin is the sin which refuses to be pardoned.

25. Upon what basis has Christ taught us to ask forgiveness?

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matt. 6:12.

26. What spirit must those cherish whom God forgives?

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Verses 14, 15.

27. What exhortation is based on the fact that God has forgiven us?

"And be you kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Eph. 4:32.

28. In what condition is one whose sins are forgiven?

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputes not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." Ps. 32:1, 2.

THERE's a wideness in God's mercy
Like the wideness of the sea;
There's a kindness in His justice
Which is more than liberty.

There is welcome for the sinner,
And more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Saviour;
There is healing in His blood.

For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man's mind,
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word;
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord.
- Frederick W. Faber.

1. How did Jesus emphasize the necessity of conversion?

"Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:3.

2. In what other statement did He teach the same truth?

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3.

3. How did He further explain the new birth?

"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." Verse 5.

4. With what comparison did He illustrate the subject?

"The wind blows where it lists, and thou hears the sound thereof, but cannot not tell whence it comes, and whither it goes: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit." Verse 8.

5. What change is wrought in conversion, or the new birth?

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)." Eph.2:5.

6. What is one evidence of this change from death to life?

"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death." 1 John 3:14.

7. From what is a converted sinner saved?

"Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James 5:20. See Acts 26:14-18.

8. To whom are sinners brought by conversion?

"Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me. . . . Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee." Ps. 51:10-13.

9. In what words to Peter did Jesus indicate the kind of service a converted person should render to his brethren?

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31, 32.

10. What other experience is associated with conversion?

"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Matt. 13:15.

11. What gracious promise does God make to His people?

"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him." Hosea 14:4.

12. By what means is this healing accomplished?

"He [Christ] was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5.

13. What takes place when one is converted to Christ?

"Wherefore if any man is in Christ, there is a new creation: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17, R.V., margin. See Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-21; 26:1-23.

14. What is the value of merely outward forms?

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor un-circumcision, but a new creature." Gal.6:15.

15. Through what was the original creation wrought?

"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." Ps.33:6.

16. Through what instrumentality is conversion wrought?

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides for ever." 1 Peter 1:23.

17. What change is wrought by beholding Jesus?

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18.

Note-A beautiful statue once stood in the market-place of an Italian city. It was the statue of a Greek slave girl. It represented the slave as tidy and well dressed. A ragged, uncombed little street child coming across the statue in her play one day, stopped and gazed at it in admiration. She was captivated by it. She gazed long and lovingly. Moved by a sudden impulse, she went home and washed her face and combed her hair. Another day she stopped again before the statue and admired it, and got a new idea. Next day her tattered clothes were washed and mended. Each time she looked at the statue she found something in its beauties to admire and copy, until she was a transformed child. By beholding we become changed.

18. What are the evidences that one has been born of God?

"If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone that does righteousness is born of Him." "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God." 1 John 2:29; 4:7.

19. What is true of everyone who believes in Jesus?

"Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." 1 John 5:1.

20. What do those born of God not do?

"We know that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not." Verse 18.

21. What indwelling Power keeps such from sinning?

"Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; f or His seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." 1 John 3:9. See 1 John 5:4; Gen. 1 39:9.

22. What will be the experience of those born of the Spirit?

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." ROM. 8:1.

1. What ordinance is closely associated with believing the gospel?

"And He said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned." Mark 16:15, 16.

2. What did the Apostle Peter associate with baptism in his instruction on the day of Pentecost?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Acts 2:38.

3. In reply to his inquiry concerning salvation, what was the Philippian gaoler told to do?

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31.

4. What followed immediately after the gaoler and his family had accepted Christ as their Saviour?

"And he took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." Verse 33.

5. In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed away?

"And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16. See Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.

6. By what means are sins washed away?

"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." Rev. 1:5.

7. Into whose name are believers to be baptized?

"Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Matt. 28:19, R.V.

8. When believers are baptized into Christ, whom do they put on?

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Gal. 3:27.

9. Into what experience are those baptized who are baptized into Christ?

"Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" Rom.6:3. Note -Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In baptism public testimony is given to the effect that the one baptized has been crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly represent these facts of experience, and that is immersion, the mode followed by Christ and the primitive church.

10. How is such a baptism described?

"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." Verse 4.

11. How fully are we thus united with Christ in His experience of death and resurrection?

"For if we have been planted, together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection." Verse 5.

12. What will follow this union with Christ in His death and resurrection?

"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him." Verse 8.

13. In what working of God is faith to be exercised in connection with baptism?

"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." Col. 2:12.

14. At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus set for the benefit of His followers?

"Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him." Matt. 3:13.

15. What remarkable experience attended the baptism of Jesus?

"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: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Verses16,17.

16. What promise is made to those who repent and are baptized?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.

17. What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had preached Jesus unto him?

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized?" Acts 8:36.

18. In order to baptize the eunuch, where did Philip take him?

"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." Verse 38.

19. How did the people of Samaria publicly testify to their faith in the preaching of Philip?

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Verse 12.

20. What instruction did the Apostle Peter give concerning the Gentiles who had believed?

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." Acts 10:47, 48.

21. How perfect is the unity into which believers are brought by being baptized into Christ?

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Cor 12:12,13.

22. After being united with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection, what should the believer do?

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Col. 3:1.

LORD, in humble, sweet submission,
Here we meet to follow Thee,
Trusting in Thy great salvation,
Which alone can make us free.

Naught have we to claim as merit;
All the duties we can do
Can no crown of life inherit;
All the praise to Thee is due.

Yet we come in Christian duty,
Down beneath the wave we go;
0 the bliss! the heavenly beauty!
Christ the Lord was buried so.
-Robert T. Daniel.

1. What message of entreaty has God sent to us through His appointed messengers?

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.

2. Through whom is this reconciliation made?

"All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." Verse 18.

3. What was required in order to effect this reconciliation?

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Rom. 5:10.

4. What basis for reconciliation was made by Christ's death?

"Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself." Col.1:20.

5. Through whom is the reconciliation received?

"We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement [reconciliation, margin]." Rom. 5:11.

6. BY what union does Christ reconcile both Jew and Gen. tile to God through the cross?

"And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby." Eph. 2:16.

7. In what prophecy was the work of reconciliation foretold?

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity." Dan. 9:24.

8. In thus reconciling the world unto Himself, what attitude did God take toward men?

"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." 2 Cor.5:19.

9. What rendered it possible for God to treat sinners thus?

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isa. 53:6.

10. What was Christ made, to release men from sin?

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21.

11. How was He treated?

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isa. 53:5.

12. What did John declare concerning Him?

"Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away [bears, margin] the sin of the world." John 1:29.

13. To what place did Christ carry these sins?

"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed." 1 Peter 2:24.

14. What is the great purpose of Christ in His work of reconciliation?

"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight." Col. 1:21, 22. "I will arise and go to my father." Luke 15:18.

1. In whom has God made us accepted?

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings . . . in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him . . . to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved." Eph. 1:3-6.

2. What great gift comes with our acceptance of Christ?

"And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and 1 will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40. See also John 17:2.

3. What is the first and primary evidence of our acceptance with God?

"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son. . . . And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:9-11. NOTE -The primary basis of all faith and acceptance is the Word of God-that which God Himself has said. To receive and believe this is the first essential to salvation-the first evidence of acceptance.

4. Why did John write his testimony concerning God's love and purpose in giving Christ?

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." Verse 13. "These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." John 20:31.

5. What witness does the true believer in Christ have that he is accepted of God?

"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son." 1 John 5:10.

Note - Faith and feeling should not be confounded. Faith is ours to exercise in the Word of God, regardless of our feelings, and often in opposition even to our feelings. Many fail to accept the pardon and assurance of the acceptance of Heaven, because they do not take God at His word, but instead turn their attention to. their changeable moods and feelings. Faith always precedes the joyful feelings which naturally result from the assurance of forgiveness and acceptance. This order is never reversed.

6. How only do any become children of God?

"Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26.

7. What is the foundation of faith?

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Rom. 10:17.

8. What assurance has the believer of his union with God?

"Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit." 1 John 4:13.

9. What three definite witnesses of acceptance are mentioned by John?

"There are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." 1 John 5:8.

10. How does the Spirit witness to our acceptance with God?

"Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Gal. 4:6. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Rom. 8:16.

11. Of what is Christian baptism an evidence?

"As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Gal. 3:27. NOTE - In baptism, the water and the Spirit both bear witness to God's acceptance. He who at Christ's

baptism said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," witnesses to the acceptance of every sincere believer at his baptism.

12. To what does the blood of Christ witness?

"These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. . . . If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:4-7. "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Eph. 1:7. See also Rev. 1:5,6.

13. When may we find acceptance with God through Christ?

"I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day Of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.

14. To whom, therefore, should we ascribe glory and honor?

"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen." Rev. 1:5, 6.

15. What is another evidence of divine acceptance?

"You know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." 1 John 3:14.

16. What blessed assurance is given all believers in Christ?

"And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus." Phil. 4:7.

ARISE my soul, arise, Shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding Sacrifice In my behalf appears;Before the throne my Saviour stands, My name is written on His hands.

Five bleeding wounds He bears, Received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers, They strongly speak for me.
Forgive him, oh, forgive! they cry,
Nor let the contrite sinner die! ---CharlesWesley.

1. What is the ground of justification on God's part?

"That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:7.

2. What is the means through which this justifying grace is made available to the sinner?

"Much more then, being now justified by His [Christ's] blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Rom. 5:9.

3. How is justification laid hold upon?

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Rom. 3:28.

4. What is the only way sinners may he justified, or made righteous?

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the, works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Gal. 2:16.

5. What concrete example makes clear the meaning of this doctrine?

"And He brought him [Abraham] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness." Gen. 15:5, 6.

6. How is the righteousness thus obtained described?

"And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Phil. 3:9.

7. Upon what basis is justification granted?

"And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification." Rom. 5:16.

8. Upon what basis does the reward come to one who works?

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt." Rom. 4:4.

9. Upon what condition is faith reckoned for righteousness?

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Verse 5.

10. How does grace, as the ground of justification, exclude righteousness by works?

"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." Rom. 11:6.

11. In what way are both Jews and Gentiles to be justified?

"Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith." Rom. 3:29, 30.

12. What statement testifies to Abraham's faith in God?

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief ; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform." Rom. 4:20, 21.

13. What did this bring to him?

"And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness." Verse 22.

14. How may we receive this same imputed righteousness?

"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead." Verses 23, 24.

15. Why must justifying faith lay hold upon both the death and the resurrection of Christ?

"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Verse 25. See 1 Cor. 15:17.

16. What is inseparable from the experience of justification by faith?

"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38, 39.

17. How has Christ made it possible for righteousness to be imputed to the believer?

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Rom. 5:19.

18. What prophetic declaration foretold this truth?

"In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory." Isa. 45:25.

19. What other prediction asserts the same great truth?

"By His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities." Isa. 53:11.

20. What does the imputed righteousness of Christ enable God to do, and still be just?

"To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus." Rom. 3:26.

21. By what name is Christ appropriately called?

"Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that 1 will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer. 23:5, 6.

22. What blessed experience follows upon the acceptance of Christ as our righteousness?

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.

23. What does Christ thus become to the believer?

"For He is our peace, who bath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." Eph. 2:14.

24. On what basis is there no possibility of justification for the sinner?

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.

25. How does the death of Christ bear testimony to this?

"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Gal.2:21.

26. What is proved by any attempt to be justified by the law?

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Gal. 5:4.

27. Why did Israel fail to attain unto righteousness?

"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone." Rom. 9:31, 32.

28. What is revealed by the law?

"By the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.

29. What bears witness to the genuineness of the righteousness obtained by faith, apart from the deeds of the law?

"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets." Verse 21.

30. Does faith set aside the law of God?

"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Verse 31.

31. What scripture shows that the righteousness which is received by grace through faith must not be made an excuse for continuing in sin?

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Rom. 6:1, 2.

32. Does faith exclude works?

"But wilt thou know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20.,

33. What is the evidence of genuine, living faith?

"Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." Verse 18.

34. What, then, are the visible proofs of genuine justification by faith?

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." Verse 24. See also verse 22.

35. What great exchange has been wrought for us in Christ?

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21. Note - Said Luther: "Learn to know Christ and Him crucified. Learn to sing unto Him a new song---to despair of yourself, and to say to Him: Thou' Lord Jesus Christ art my righteousness, and I am Thy sin. Thou hast taken what was mine, and hast given me what was Thine; what Thou wast not Thou didstbecome, in order that I might become what I was not."-D'Aubigne's "History of the Reformation," book 2, chapter 8.

Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;
Father, impute His life unto me.
My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,
Cover with His life whiter than snow.

Deep are the wounds transgression has made:
Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.
Oh, to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,
Safe from the law that now judgeth me

Longing the joy of pardon to know;
Jesus holds out a robe white as snow:
Lord, I accept it! leaving my own,
Gladly I wear Thy pure life alone."

Reconciled by His death for my sin,
justified by His life pure and clean,
sanctified by obeying His Word,
Glorified when returneth my Lord. -F. E. Belden.

1. What is assured to the believer in Christ?

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

2. What is revealed in the gospel?

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Rom.1:17.

3. What has Christ brought to light through the gospel?

"To hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim. 1:10.

4. How closely are righteousness and life thus united?

"In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." Prov. 12:28.

5. What does he find who follows after righteousness?

"He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor." Prov. 21:21.

6. Through what does grace reign unto eternal life?

"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 5:21.

7. What is the very life of the Spirit?

"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." Rom. 8:10.

8. What are the commandments of God declared to be?

"All Thy commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119:172.

9. What did Jesus declare God's commandments to be?

"And I know that His commandment is life everlasting." John 12:50. NOTE - Life and righteousness are thus shown to be inseparable.

10. What does the prophet Jeremiah declare Christ to be?

"And this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer. 23:6.

11. What does Christ declare Himself to be?

"I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6.

12. How is righteousness received?

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:17.

13. How is eternal life bestowed?

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

14. What did Moses set forth as the basis of righteousness?

"And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us." Deut. 6:25.

15. What did Christ indicate as essential to eternal life?

"And He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou

wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17.NOTE -The righteousness of God, which is obtained by faith in Christ, brings with it the life of God, which is inseparably connected with righteousness; and the life of God, which is bestowed upon man as a gift through his faith in Christ, is a life of righteousness---the righteousness, or right-doing, of Christ.

1. What inspired Prayer sets the standard of Christian experience?

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:23.

2. How necessary is the experience of sanctification?

"Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord." Heb. 12:14, R.V.

3. What encouragement is held out as an aid in attaining this experience?

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification." 1 Thess. 4:3.NOTE - Whatever is the will of God concerning us can be realized in our experience if our wills are in harmony with His will. It is therefore a matter of great encouragement to know that our sanctification is included in the will of God.

4. What distinct purpose did Christ have in giving Himself for the church?

"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." Eph. 5:25, 26.

5. What kind of church would He thus be able to present to Himself?

"That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Verse 27.

6. In the experience of sanctification, what attitude must one assume toward the truth?

"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the t