Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 18

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

_Deity._ "But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, _O G.o.d_, is forever and ever." Heb. 1:8.

_Humanity._ "When the fulness of the time was come, G.o.d 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.-Another has aptly put this important truth concerning the union of the human and divine in Christ thus: "Divinity needed humanity that humanity might afford a channel of communication between G.o.d and man. Man needs a power out of and above himself to restore him to the likeness of G.o.d. 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 G.o.d 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 forevermore_, Amen; and have the keys of _h.e.l.l_ 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d for His unspeakable gift." 2 Cor. 9:15.

PART III. THE WAY TO CHRIST

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Prodigal Son. "When he came to himself, he said, ... I will arise and go to my father." Luke 15:17, 18.

Faith

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Joshua Commanding The Sun To Stand Still. "All things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:13.

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 a.s.sent to divine truth sufficient?

"Thou believest that there is one G.o.d; thou doest well: _the devils also believe, and tremble_." James 2:19.

4. What is required besides a belief in the existence of G.o.d?

"For he that cometh to G.o.d 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 G.o.d_." Eph. 2:8.

6. Why did G.o.d raise Christ from the dead?

"Who by Him do believe in G.o.d, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; _that your faith and hope might be in G.o.d_." 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 G.o.d_." Rom.

10:17.

9. What relation does faith bear to knowledge?

"_Through faith we understand_ that the worlds were framed by the word of G.o.d." Heb. 11:3.

10. By what principle is genuine faith actuated?

"In Jesus Christ neither circ.u.mcision availeth anything, nor uncirc.u.mcision; 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.