Vol 01 - The Bible Students' Class

The Bible Students’ Class Since last month the following have expressed a desire to join t is Class, and we accordingly give their numbers:- 131 A. G. G.

132 C. C. & R. M.

133 M. W. The subject selected for this month is- Christ our Example. The subject matter is to be drawn from the New Testament only, and should be arranged as follows:- First, the particular Christian grace illustrated.

Secondly, the act or words of Christ that illustrate it.

Thirdly, the passage in which the act or words are recorded.

We trust that this subject may be worked out not only with the usual completeness, but with earnest prayer that it may be engraved on our hearts more deeply than over, that each member of the Class may become a better " epistle of Christ." The sub-division is arranged as follows:- Mat 1:1-25; Mat 2:1-23; Mat 3:1-17; Mat 4:1-25; Mat 5:1-48; Mat 6:1-34; Mat 7:1-29, by 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 122.

Mat 7:1-29; Mat 8:1-34; Mat 9:1-38; Mat 10:1-42; Mat 11:1-30; Mat 12:1-50; Mat 13:1-58; Mat 14:1-36, by 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 123.

Mat 15:1-39; Mat 16:1-28; Mat 17:1-27; Mat 18:1-35; Mat 19:1-30; Mat 20:1-34; Mat 21:1-46, by 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 124.

Mat 22:1-46; Mat 23:1-39; Mat 24:1-51; Mat 25:1-46; Mat 26:1-75; Mat 27:1-66; Mat 28:1-20, by 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 125.

Mark 1:1-45; Mark 2:1-28; Mark 3:1-35; Mark 4:1-41; Mark 5:1-43, by 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 126.

Mark 6:1-56; Mark 7:1-37; Mark 8:1-38; Mark 9:1-50; Mark 10:1-52, by 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 54, 55, 127.

Mark 11:1-33; Mark 12:1-44; Mark 13:1-37; Mark 14:1-72; Mark 15:1-47; Mark 16:1-20, by 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 128.

Luk 1:1-80; Luk 2:1-52; Luk 3:1-38; Luk 4:1-44; Luk 5:1-39; Luk 6:1-49, by 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69.

Luk 7:1-50; Luk 8:1-56; Luk 9:1-62; Luk 10:1-42; Luk 11:1-54; Luk 12:1-59, by 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79.

Luk 13:1-35; Luk 14:1-35; Luk 15:1-32; Luk 16:1-31; Luk 17:1-37; Luk 18:1-43, by 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87.

Luk 19:1-48; Luk 20:1-47; Luk 21:1-38; Luk 22:1-71; Luk 23:1-56; Luk 24:1-53, by 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95.

John 1:1-51; John 2:1-25; John 3:1-36; John 4:1-54; John 5:1-47; John 6:1-71; John 7:1-53, by 1, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 133.

John 8:1-59; John 9:1-41; John 10:1-42; John 11:1-57; John 12:1-50; John 13:1-38; John 14:1-31, by 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111.

John 15:1-27; John 16:1-33; John 17:1-26; John 18:1-40; John 19:1-42; John 20:1-31; John 21:1-25, by 2, 3, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121.

Acts to Ephesians, by 70, 71, 112, 129, 132.

Philippians to Revelation, by 130, 131, 132, 88, 113.

We now give the results of last month search, according to the division of the subject. One of the papers we have received on the "Humility of Christ " is so complete, that we have printed it entire, with the addition of a few details from the other papers.

PRIDE Its History- In the sight of God it is- Hateful and an abomination, Pro 6:16-17; Pro 16:5.

Sin, Pro 21:4.

It proceeds from- The heart of man, Mark 7:22.

It is found in- Those who depart from God, Lev 26:19; Rom 1:21. The wicked, Hab 2:4-5.

Antichrist, 2Th 2:4. Satan, 1Ti 3:6.

It is especially to be guarded against by those who- Are young, 1Ti 3:6. Rich, 1Ti 6:17. Learned, 1Co 8:1.

It is characteristic ofThe last days, 2Ti 3:2. False teachers, 1Ti 6:3-4. The world, 1Jn 2:16. Was one of the sins of Sodom, Eze 16:49. Its varieties-Haughtiness of heart, loftiness, arrogancy, Jer 48:29, scornfulness, Isa 29:20; of countenance, Psa 10:4; of heart, Pro 16:5; of spirit, Ecc 7:8; of birth, John 8:33; of religious privilege, John 9:28; of intellect, Rom 1:21. Its characteristicsPersecutes the poor, Psa 10:2; Seeks not God, Psa 10:4; Rises against God, Psa 86:14; Despises the righteous, Psa 119:51; Forges lies, Psa 119:69; Despises the humble, Psa 123:4; Stirs up strife, Pro 28:25; Lacks uprightness, Hab 2:4; Exalts itself against God, Zep 2:10, 2Co 10:5; Rejects the Truth, 1Ti 6:3-4; Speaks evil of dignities, Jas 3:14; Defiles a man, Mark 7:20.

Leads toShame; Pro 11:2; Contention, Pro 13:10; Destruction, Pro 16:18; Abasement, Pro 29:23; Hardening of the heart, Dan 5:20; Self-deception, Jer 49:16. Shall bePunished with death, Deu 17:12; Judged, Job 26:12; Brought down, Psa 12:3; Psa 18:27; Obadiah 1:4; not suffered, Psa 101:5; Rebuked, Psa 119:21; Duly rewarded, Psa 94:2; Destroyed, Pro 15:25; Humbled, Isa 5:15; Trodden under foot, Isa 28:3; Marred, Jer 13:9; Abased, Dan 4:37; Burned up, Mal 4:1. Is resisted by God, 1Pe 5:5.

Woman’s pride of Dress, and God’s judgment thereof, Isa 3:16.

Examples of Pride- Religious and Spiritual Pride- Cain, Gen 4:1-26;

Judah and Jerusalem, Jer 13:9-10;

King (little horn) Dan 7:25;

King (of fierce countenance), Dan 8:25;

Capernaum, Mat 11:23.

Scribes, Pharisees, Mat 23:1, &c.; The young ruler, Mark 10:17;

Heathen, Rom 1:21;

Jews, Rom 2:17;

Corinth. Church, 1Co 4:8;

Laodicean church, Rev 3:17.

Pride shown by Ambition-

Eve, Gen 3:6; The builders of Babel, Gen 11:4;

Miriam, Num 12:1-16;

Korah, Dathan, Abiram, Num 16:1-50;

Adonijah, 1Ki 1:5;

Disciples, Mark 9:33; Mark 10:35.

Pride of Position- Pharaoh, Exo 5:2;

Israel, Deu 8:14-20;

Michal, 2Sa 6:23;

David, 1Ch 21:1-30;

Naaman, 2Ki 5:11;

Uzziah, 2Ch 26:16;

Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 23:25;

Haman, Est 5:11;

Shebna, Isa 22:16;

Ammon, Jer 49:4;

Edom, Jer 49:16;

Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 4:30;

Belshazzar, Dan 5:23;

Nineveh, Zep 2:15;

Herod, Acts 12:1-25.

Pride of Power- Israel, Deu 1:43;

Egyptians, Exo 18:11;

Goliath, 1Sa 17:1-58;

Sennacherib, 2Ki 19:23;

Amaziah, 2Ki 14:10;

Assyria, Eze 31:10-11;

Egypt, Eze 30:6.

Pride of Person- Absalom, 2Sa 15:1-10;

Ahitophel, 2Sa 17:23;

Jezebel, 2Ki 9:30;

Daughters of Zion, Isa 3:16;

Satan, Isa 14:13;

Ephraim, (Israel), Isa 28:1-3.

Pride of Possessions- Hezekiah, 2Ki 20:13;

Moab, Jer 48:7;

Tire, Eze 28:2-10

HUMILITY.

What God thinks of it.

He exalts, Job 5:11; hears, Psa 9:12; Psa 10:17; guides and teaches, Psa 25:9; does not despise, Psa 51:17; saves, Psa 76:9; has respect, Psa 138:6; lifts up, Psa 147:6; beautifies with salvation, Psa 149:4; gives grace to, Pro 3:34; Jas 4:6; protects in the day of anger, Zep 2:3; dwells with, Isa 57:15. The humbleAre ill-treated by the wicked, Job 24:4; Isa 32:7; receive wisdom, Pro 11:2; are upheld by honor, Pro 29:23; shall increase their joy in the Lord in the day of blessing, Isa 29:19; shall be exalted, Mat 23:12; shall find satisfaction in God, Psa 22:25; shall inherit the earth, Psa 37:11; Mat 5:5; shall receive riches, honor, and life, Pro 22:4.

HumilityIs before honor, Pro 15:33; is commended, Pro 16:19; is to be sought, Zep 2:3; a fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:23; should characterize the believer’s walk, Mic 6:8; Rom 12:3; Eph 4:2; Php 2:3; 1Ti 6:11; 1Pe 5:5; should characterize women, 1Pe 3:4.

It is needful that the proper application of these passages should be borne in mind.

False humility is to be avoided as leading to pride,Col 2:18; Col 2:23. Examples of HumilityWe would remark that we have not included in the examples of humility, those who had by their ways displeased God, but who in consequence of warnings received, or judgment actually carried out had humbled themselves under His hand. The course of such can scarcely be said to have been characterized by humility-see the cases of Ahab, Nebuchadnezzar, and others.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST

Shown (1st) by placing Himself in humiliating circumstancesHe made Himself of no reputation; took upon Him the form of a servant; was made in the likeness of men, Php 2:7. Was made of a woman, Gal 4:4, In the likeness of sinful flesh, Rom 8:3. Being found in fashion as a man; He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross, Php 2:8. Was made a little lower than the angels, Heb 1:9.

Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, 2Co 8:9. Was born in a stable and laid in a manger, Luk 2:7.

Lived in the despised village of Nazareth, Mat 2:23; John 46. Was subject to Joseph and Mary, Luk 2:51.

Called the carpenter’s Son, Mat 13:55.

Worked as a carpenter, Mark 6:3. Had not where to lay His head, Mat 8:20. Was subject to hunger, Mat 4:2. Was tempted by Satan, Mat 4:1, &c. Was with the wild beasts in the wilderness, Mark 1:13. Was subject to weariness, John 4:6. Was a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, Isa 53:3; Luk 19:41; John 11:35; See also Mark 3:5; Mark 7:31; Mark 8:12; Mark 14:34; Luk 22:44; Mat 26:38; Luk 19:41; John 12:27; Psa 69:20; Psa 69:29; Lam 1:12; Lam 3:1-17; Luk 22:44.

Lived in dependence on God, Mat 4:4, &c.

Made Himself subject to the law of God, Gal 4:4. To the laws of government, Mat 17:24-27. Was lowly, riding upon an ass, Zec 9:9.

Became a servant, Isa 52:13, &c.; Luk 22:27; John 13:1-16. Asked favors from others, Luk 5:3; John 4:7.

Came not to be ministered unto but to minister, Mat 20:28. Was strengthened by an angel, Luk 22:43.

Made His grave with the wicked, Isa 53:9.

Shown (2nd) in submitting (1) to rejection (2) to insult from Satan and from man- (1) To Rejection. Was rejected at Bethlehem, Luk 2:7;

Nazareth, Luk 4:28-29; John 4:44;

Jerusalem, John 5:18; John 7:1; John 8:59; John 10:31;

Capernaum, Mat 11:23-24; Chorazin, Bethsaida, Mat 11:21;

Samaria, Luk 9:52-53; By His own (Israel) John 1:11; By Gentiles, Mat 27:26, &c. By men, Isa 53:3; By the world that was made by Him, John 1:10; By His brethren, John 7:5.

(2) To insult, suffering, opposition, and hatred.

He was called Beelzebub, Mat 10:26. A gluttonous man, a winebibber, Mat 11:19. A friend of publicans and sinners, Mat 11:19. A sorcerer, Mat 9:34. A Samaritan, John 8:48.

Calls Himself so, Luk 10:33. A demoniac, John 7:20; John 8:48; John 8:52; John 10:20. A blasphemer, John 10:33, &c. A sinner, John 9:24.

Ignorant, John 7:15; Luk 22:27-28. A liar, John 8:13. A man not of God, John 9:16. A lunatic, John 10:20.

He was received without common hospitality, Luk 7:44-45. His preaching was derided, Luk 16:14. No man received His testimony, John 3:1-36 He endured the contradiction of sinners, Heb 12:3; Mark 9:19, &c.

He was hated, persecuted, and disobeyed, John 15:18-25.

He came in His Father’s name, and was not received, whereas the antichrist, who comes in his own name, will be received John 5:43.

He became a proverb, Psa 69:11. The song of the drunkards, 69:12. A reproach of men; despised of the people, Psa 22:6. His people Israel saw no beauty in Him, Isa 53:2.

They hid their faces from Him; they esteemed Him not, Isa 53:3.

He was to them as a worm, and no man, Psa 22:6.

They laughed Him to scorn, shooting out their lips, and shaking the head, Psa 22:7; Mat 9:24; Mark 5:40; Luk 8:53, &c.

They gaped upon Him with their mouths, Psa 22:13.

They looked and stared upon Him, Psa 22:17.

He was forsaken by His disciples, Mark 14:50. A derision to all His people, and their song all the day, Lam 3:14.

He gave His cheek to the smiters, Lam 3:30.

He was denied by His disciple, Mark 14:66-72.

He was filled full with reproach, Lam 3:30.

He gave His back to the smiters, His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair, He hid not His face from shame and spitting, Isa 1:6.

He was smitten with a rod upon the cheek, Mic 5:1.

He suffered shame and dishonor, Psa 69:19.

He was betrayed with a kiss by His own disciple, Mat 26:1-75 He was sold for thirty pieces of silver, Mat 26:15.

He was seized as a thief, with swords and staves, Luk 22:52.

He was bound, John 18:12, &c.

He was falsely accused, Mat 26:60.

He was accused of sedition, Luk 23:2.

He was spit upon, buffeted, and mocked by the Jews, Mat 26:67, &c.

He stood to be judged before the Roman governor, Mat 27:11.

Barabbas, guilty of murder was preferred to Him, Mat 27:20, Luk 23:25.

He was stripped, dressed in a gorgeous robe, with a crown of thorns, a reed for a scepter, was mocked, was spit upon and smitten by Gentiles, Mat 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; Luk 23:11. Was scourged, John 19:1.

Made to bear His cross, John 19:17.

Gall and vinegar given Him to drink, Psa 69:21.

Crucified between two thieves, Mat 27:38, &c.

Whilst on the Cross, reviled, railed upon, mocked, and derided by chief priests, scribes, soldiers, and thieves, Mat 27:39-49.

They wagged their heads at Him, Mark 15:29.

He was pierced after His death, John 19:34. His departure was rejoiced over, John 16:20. His citizens hated Him, and sent a message after Him, saying, " We will not have this man to reign over us," Luk 19:14, compare Acts 7:54--60.

Lastly, when He comes, He will gird Himself, make those sit down to meat who have watched for Him, and will serve them. Luk 12:37.