In the plan of Bible study outlines as introduced in the last issue of The Ministry, we now come to the third outline, the purpose of which is to magnify and enlarge upon the condescension of Christ in stooping to become a member of the human family. This leaves the subject of " Christ Our Ransom " to be covered in Lesson No. 4, with thought wholly given to the fearful price which He paid to redeem us. Two lessons on " Christ as Our High Priest " prepare the way for the last lesson of the series, concerning " Christ, the Returning King of Glory." With this foundation well laid, I begin another series of studies on " The Saving Relationship Between Christ and the Believer," based on John 15, which I find very helpful in covering all points of faith, prayer, obedience, the work of the Holy Spirit, fruit bearing, et cetera.
Study No. 3
The Son of God — Associate Creator and Son of Man
1. Why should we take time to study the Bible revelation of God and His Son? John 17: 3. (Weymouth's Translation reads: " In this consists the Life of the ages — in knowing Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.")
2. At the time of creation, where was Jesus the Son? John 1: 1-3; Heb. 1: 1, 2.
3. What expression in the first chapter of Genesis reveals that God had an associate in the work of creation? Gen. 1: 26 (" us "— plural).
4. How were the Father and the Son related in the work of creation? 1 Cor. 8: 6.
5. How did the Father address the Son? Heb. 1: 8 (as God).
6. What revelation of this Son is made in the Old Testament? Prov. 8: 22, 27-30. (Verse 30 in A. R. V. reads: " Then was I by Him as a master workman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him.")
7. When man fell into sin, what did the Son of God do? Eph. 5: 2 (gave Himself to God a sacrifice and offering for us).
8. What did the Father do concerning this offer of His Son? John 3: 16.
9. Did it cost the Son anything to come to us as the gift of the Father? 2 Cor. 8: 9.
10. What were some of these riches? Heb. 1: 8 (scepter and throne) ; 1 Tim. 6: 16 (dwelling in light) ; Phil. 2: 6, 7 with Heb. 1: 3 (from form of God to form of man) ; Rev. 5: 11 (associations).
11. In what way did He make entrance into the human family? Heb. 2: 14; Gal. 4: 4.
12. When He became a man, was He of noble physical appearance? Isa. 53: 2.
13. How did man naturally feel toward Him? Isa. 53: 3; Ps. 69:10-12, 19.
14. Did Jesus sense the trouble and sorrow and hardships and trials common to mankind? Isa. 53: 4 (griefs and sorrows) ; John 4: 6 (wearied) ; Mark 11: 12 (hungry) ; John 19: 28 (thirsty) ; Luke 4: 2 (tempted of devil) ; John 12: 27 (soul troubled) ; Matt. 8: 20 (conscious of being homeless).
15. As a man, how did Christ get the victory over all those things? Heb. 5: 7.
16. Why did Christ endure all this humiliation? Matt. 20: 28; 1 Tim. 2: 6 (to become a ransom for all).
(For notes, see " Patriarchs and Prophets," pp. 33, 34; " The Desire of Ages," first chapter.)
Study No. 4
Christ Our Ransom
1. What made it necessary for man to be ransomed? Rom. 7: 14 (sold).
2. Who sold mankind into sin? Rom. 5: 12, 19, first part of verse.
3. What went out when sin took possession? Gen. 2: 16, 17; Rom. 6: 16, 23.
4. Whose spirit took possession of the human heart? Eph. 2: 2; John 8: 44.
5. Why was the death sentence not executed immediately, thus saving a world of trouble and suffering? John 3: 16; Eze. 18: 32; 2 Peter 3: 9.
6. What did Jesus do that we might escape from sin, Satan, and death? Mark 3: 27; Heb. 2: 14
7. Where did Jesus meet the strength of sin? 1 Peter 2: 24 (in His flesh).
8. What did He do by His sacrifice for sin in the flesh? Rom. 8: 3 (condemned it).
9. How did Jesus meet Satan, the tempter to sin? Heb. 4: 15.
10. Conquering sin and Satan, what had Jesus yet to meet? Isa. 53: 5, 6, 8; Heb. 2: 14.
11. By our sin, we had earned a Godforsaken death. How did Jesus feel as He approached death? Matt. 26: 38.
12. A few hours later, what cry escaped His lips? Matt. 27: 46.
13. For how many did He suffer? 1 John 2: 2.
14. Did Christ really die in the sinner's place? Rom. 5: 6 (for the ungodly) ; Rom. 5: 8 (for sinners) ; 1 Cor. 15: 3 (for our sins); 1 Peter 3: 18 (for the unjust).
15. Is the dominion of sin broken, are temptations overcome, and is the claim of death as punishment fully met by Christ? Gal. 3: 13; Titus 2: 14.
16. As the ransom price is fully paid by Christ, the Son of God, who may be saved? 1 John 2: 2.
17. Who will be saved? John 3: 16.
18. What condemns the soul of the ungodly now? John 3: 18, 19.
19. What is given the believer that the unbeliever does not possess? John 1: 12 (power); John 20: 31 (life).
20. How does the believer get rid of past sin? 1 John 1: 9.
21. For whom will every believer live? 2 Cor. 5: 15.
Los Angeles, Calif.
(To be continued)
