Josiah Blake Tidwell - The Bible Book by Book
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Josiah Blake Tidwell >> The Bible Book by Book
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Date. It was written from Jerusalem, Alexandria or Rome some time
before A. D. 70, since the temple was still standing, 9:6-7; 10:1.
Analysis.
I. Christianity is Superior to Judaism because Christ through Whom
it was Introduced is Superior to the Messengers of Judaism, chs. 1-6.
1. He is superior to prophets, 1:1-3.
2. He is superior to angels. 1:4-2 end.
3. He is superior to Moses, including Joshua, chs. 3-6.
Three points in each of these comparisons are the same.
1. He is God's son.
2. He is man's Savior.
3. He is man's high priest.
Neither prophets nor angels nor Moses equal Jesus in these points.
There are two notable exhortations, (a) 2:1-4; (b) 5:11-6 end.
II. Christianity in Superior to Judaism because Its Priesthood is
Superior to that of Judaism, 7:1-10:18.
1. Christ its priest is superior to the priests of Judaism, 7:1-
8:6.
2. Its covenant is superior to that of Judaism, 8:7 end.
3. Its tabernacle is superior to that of Judaism, ch. 9.
4. Its sacrifice is superior to those of Judaism, 10:1-18.
III. Christianity is Superior to Judaism, because the Blessings it
Confers are Superior to those of Judaism. 10:19-11 end.
1. In the liberty of approach to God, 10:19 end.
2. In the superior ground of faith, 11:1-12:17.
3. In our coming to Mount Zion instead of Mount Sinai, 12:18 end.
IV. Practical Conclusion, ch. 13.
For Study and Discussion. (1) Description of Christ. 1:1-3. (2)
Christ's superiority to angels. 1:3-14. (3) Christ's humiliation for
our salvation, 2:9-18. (4) How is Christ superior to Aaronic priests,
3:14, 15; 5:1-7, 9; 7:28. (5) The two covenants, 8:6-12. (6) Typical
character of the old ordinances. 9:1-10:4. (7) Our assurance and hope,
6:13-20. (8) The danger of rejecting Christ, 10:26-31. (9) The benefit
of affliction, 12:4-11. (10) The comparisons of 12:18-29. (11) The
warning of 13.-8-15, (12) The exhortations of the book, as 2:1-4. Make
a list. (13) All the terms of comparison, as better and more
excellent. Make a list. (14) Every reference to Christ as high
priest. (15) Every reference to the Holy Spirit-What are his works and
where in the book is it taught?
James.
The Author. Three persons called James are mentioned in the New
Testament. One of these is James, the Lord's brother (Matt. 13:55),
who did not believe on Jesus until after the resurrection, Jno. 7:2-9;
Mar. 3:21, 31; Acts 1:13-14. This James occupies and important place
as pastor at Jerusalem, and made an important speech at the council of
the Apostles, Acts 15: 13-21. He is mentioned elsewhere, in Acts,
12:17; Gal. 1:19; 2:9-12. Josephus tells us that he was stoned to
death about 62 A. D. on a charge of departing from the Jewish law.
This James, the Lord's brother, is supposed to be the author of this
epistle.
To Whom Written. This letter was written to the Jews scattered
everywhere, 1:1, and evidently to Christian Jews, 2:1. Some of them
were rich, some poor, 2:1-10. They were lustful, greedy, and proud,
4:1-12, and were omitting to do the Lord's work as they should. 1:22-
27.
The Epistle. The chief characteristic of style is abruptness. Change
is made from one subject to another with no effort to connect them.
There is, therefore, no general subject, and a lack of close
connection between the points of analysis. "Faith without works is
dead" flashes in every section as a sort of bond of unity. It is
eloquent, stern and sincere, and has a distinct Jewish tone. It lacks
the doctrinal emphasis found in Paul and states the Christian faith in
terms of moral excellence and instructs them in the subject of
Christian morals. It is notable for its omissions. It does not have
the resurrection or ascension and only mentions Christ's name twice.
Date and Place of Writing. It was no doubt written from Jerusalem
where he was pastor, but the date is much disputed. Some put it as
early as A. D. 40. Others among whom is Dr. Robertson say it was
written not later than A. D. 50. Still others put it about A. D. 61 or
62, just before the martyrdom of James. It is probably safe to say
that it was one of the very earliest of the New Testament books.
Analysis.
Salutation, 1:1.
I. Proper Attitude Toward Trials. 1:2-18.
II. Proper Altitude Toward God's Word, 1:19-27 end.
III. Various Warnings. 2:1-4:12.
1. Against respect of persons, 2:1-13.
2. Against barren professions of faith, 2:14-26.
3. Against the dangers of the tongue, 3:1-12.
4. Against false wisdom, 3:13-18.
5. Against quarrels, greed and pride. 4:1-12.
IV. Various Denunciations, 4:13-5:6.
V. Various Exhortations, 5:7-20 end.
For Study and Discussion. (1) From the following scriptures make a
list of all the things James advises us not to do: 1;6, 13, 16, 22;
2:1, 14; 3:1. 10; 4:1, 11, 13; 5:9, 12. (2) From the following
scriptures make a list of all the things James advises us to do; 1:2,
4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 22, 26; 2:8, 12; 3:13; 4:8. 5:7, 10, 12, 13, 16, 19.
(3) Make a sketch of heavenly wisdom, showing the different things
said about it, studying especially, 1:5-8 and 3:13-18. (4) Study the
ethics of speech and of the tongue, 1:19-21 and 3:1-12. (5) Life's
trial and temptations, 1:2-4, 12-15. (6) Make a list of ail the
figures of speech, especially similes and metaphors as "a doubter is
like a surge of the sea," 1:6. (7) James' rebuke of selfishness, 5:1-
6. (8) The utility and power of prayer, 5:13-18.
* * * * *
Chapter XXXVII.
First and Second Peter.
The Author. The author was the Apostle Peter, whose name before he
became a disciple, was Simon. He was born in Bethsaida and lived in
Capernaum where he followed the occupation of fishing. He was brought
to Jesus by Andrew, his brother, and became one of the leaders of the
Apostles, both before and after Christ's death. His career should be
studied as it is found in Acts. He was impetuous, brave and energetic,
and after the ascension performed many miracles.
First Peter.
Those Addressed. The sojourn of the dispersion (1:1) points to Jewish
Christians. They were strangers (sojourners) 1:1, 17; 2:11, who were
persecuted, 3:17; 4:12-19, but whose persecution came, not from the
Jews, but from pagans, 4:3-4. They had certain faults and wrong
tendencies, 2:1, 11, 12, 16; 8:8-12; 4:9; 5:2-3.
Purpose. To console them in their suffering, and to exhort them to
faithfulness and duty.
Date. Probably about 64-68 A. D. Certainly not after 70 A. D., as he
was not doubt put to death before then.
Analysis.
Introduction, 1:1-2.
I. Thanksgiving for the Blessing of Grace, 1:3-12.
1. For a living hope and an abiding inheritance, 3-5.
2. For joyful faith during trials, 6-9.
3. For salvation, 10-12.
II. Obligations Growing out of the Blessings of Grace, 1:13-4:19.
1. A right relation of the heart toward God and man, 1:13-2:10.
2. Right conduct in life relations, 2:11-3:12.
3. Right attitude toward suffering, 3:13-4:19 end.
III. Exhortations to Particular Classes, 5:1-9.
Conclusion 5:10 end.
For Study and Discussion. (1) Peter's loyalty to Christ. (a) He makes
everything depend on Christ, his cross (1:18-19; 2:24; 3:18), his
suffering (2:21; 3:18; 4:13), his resurrection (1:3), his
manifestation (1:7-13), his exaltation (3:22; 4:11; 5:10). (b) He
calls Christ a living stone, 2:4-8. (c) He clings to Christ's
teaching, submission to rightful authority (2:13-16), forgiveness of
others (4:8; Matt. 18:22), humility (5:5). (2) The mercy of God our
hope 1:3-7. From this passage list what is said of spiritual
inheritors and their inheritance. (3) How to obtain the Christian
ideal, 1:13-21. (4) Spiritual development. 2:1-10. (5) Various deities
of society, 2:13-17; of domestic life 2:18; 3:1, 7; of Christian
brotherhood, 1:22, 2:1-5; 3:8-9; 4:8-11; 5:1-5. (6) The work of the
different persons of the Trinity. (7) The words precious, joy and
rejoicing, mercy, love and faith.
Second Peter.
The Occasion. The occasion of the epistle is found in the harm being
done to the church by false teachers, who were of two classes, the
libertines and the mockers about whom he warns.
Purpose. Its purpose was to exhort them to Christian growth and to
warn them against false teachers.
Comparison with First Peter. It has no reference to Christ's death,
suffering, resurrection and ascension. Glance through 1 Peter again to
see how often these are mentioned. The spirit manifested is one of
anxiety, severity, and denunciation, white in 1 Peter it is one of
mildness, sweetness and fatherly dignity. It connects the second
coming of Christ with the punishment of the wicked, while 1 Peter
connects it with the glorification of the saints. Its key-note is
knowledge, while that of 1 Peter is hope.
Some Teachings. (1) To be holy, not to secure an inheritance, but
because we already have it. (2) To love the brethren, not to purify
our soul, but because it is pure. (3) That we sacrifice, not as
penance, but as an expression of praise.
Analysis.
Introduction, 1:1-2.
I. Progress in the Christian Life, 1:3-21 end.
1. An exhortation to growth, 3-11.
2. Reasons for these exhortations, 12-21.
II. False Teachers, Ch. 2.
1. The evil teachers and their followers, 1-3.
2. Their punishment, 5-10.
3. Their character, evil ways and end, 11-32.
III. The Second Coming of Christ, 3:1-13. He will bring both blessings
and destruction.
Conclusion, 3:14-18.
For Study and Discussion. (1) What our salvation involves, 1:5-11. (2)
The characteristics of the false teachers, 2:1-3, 10, 12-14. (3) The
certain punishment of these false teachers, 2:4-6, 15, 16, 21, 22. (4)
The exhortations of the book such as to sobriety, 1:13. (5) The
predictions of the book.
* * * * *
Chapter XXXVIII.
First, Second and Third John and Jude.
First John.
Author and Date. It was probably written from Ephesus, 80 or 85 A. D.
though some put it as early as A. D. 69, while others put it as late
as A. D. 95. The author nowhere indicates his name, but through all
the centuries it has been attributed to John, the beloved disciple.
For information concerning him see lesson twenty-eight.
The Readers. It was doubtless written primarily to the churches of
Asia Minor in which John by reason of his work at Ephesus had a
special interest. It is evident that those addressed were of all ages
and were hated of the world. They were inclined to worldliness and to
the danger of looking too lightly upon sin. They were also in danger
of being led into doubt by those who denied the deity of Jesus.
The Style. It is more in the form of a sermon or pastoral address than
of an epistle. It is written with a tone of conscious authority. The
thought is profound and mystical, but the language is simple both in
words and in sentences. The arguments are by immediate inference.
Their are many contrasts, parallelisms and repetitions with no figures
of speech except perhaps the words light and darkness.
The Purpose. The chief purpose was to tell them how they might know
that they had eternal life, 5:13. The accomplishment of this purpose
would also assure the fulfillment of the secondary purpose stated in
1:3, 4.
Theme. The evidence of eternal life.
Analysis
Introduction, 1:1-4.
I. How Those Who Possess Eternal Life will Live, 1:5-5:12.
1. They will dwell in the light, 1:5-2:28.
2. They will do righteousness, 2:29-4:6.
3. They will live a life of love, 4:7-5:3.
4. They will walk by faith, 5:4-12.
II. What Those who Live such Lives may Know, 5:13-20.
1. That they have eternal life. 13.
2. That their prayers are answered, 14-17.
3. That God's people do not live in sin, 18.
4. Their true relation to God and to Christ, 19-20.
Conclusion, 5:21.
The following analysis made with the idea of the theme being
"Fellowship with God" (1:3-4) is very suggestive.
Introduction, 1:1-4.
I. God is Light and our fellowship with him depends upon our walking
in the light, 1:5-2:28.
II. God la Righteous and our fellowship with him depends upon our
doing righteousness, 2-29, 4:6.
III. God is Love and our fellowship with him depends upon our having
and manifesting a spirit of love, 4:7-5:3.
IV. God Is Faithful and our fellowship with him depends upon our
exercising faith in him, 5:4-12.
Conclusion. 5:13-21 end.
For Study and Discussion. (1) The different things we may know and how
we may know them. Make a list giving reference, as, "know Him if we
keep His commandments" (2:3). (2) Make a list of the things defined in
the following scriptures, and give the definition in each case: 1:5;
2:25; 3:11, 3:23; 5:3; 5:4; 5:11; 5:14. (3) The several figures and
attributes of God, as light, righteousness and love. (4) The
requirements of deeds of righteousness, 1:6, 7; 2:9-11; 3:17-23. (5)
God's love for his children, 3:1-2; 4:8-11, 16, 19. (6) Christians'
duty to love one another, 2:10; 3:10-24; 4:7-21; 5:1-2. (7) The
propitiatory death of Jesus Christ, 1:7; 2:1-2; 4:10. (8) Difference
between Christians and non-Christians, 3:4-10. How many times do each
of the following words occur? Love, light, life, know, darkness, hate,
righteousness, sin, liar and lie, true and truth.
Second John.
It is a friendly, personal letter, written some time after the first
letter, to the "elect lady" who, as I think, was John's friend, and
not a church or some nation as has sometimes been argued. The aim is
evidently to warn his friend against certain false teachers.
Analysis.
1. Greeting, 1-3.
2. Thanksgiving, 4.
3. Exhortation to obedience. 5-6.
4. Warning against anti-Christs, 7-9.
5. How to deal with false teachers, 10-11.
6. Conclusion, 12-13.
For Study and Discussion. (1) The character of the children of the
elect lady. (2) Evidence of real discipleship. (3) How to deal with
false teachers.
This also is a private letter written, some time after First John, to
his personal friend, Gaius. There was some confusion about receiving
certain evangelists. Gaius had received them while Diotrephes had
opposed their reception. He commends Gaius for his Christian
hospitality and character.
Analysis.
1. Greeting, 1.
2. Prayer for his posterity, 2.
3. Commends his godly walk, 3-4.
4. Commends his hospitality, 5-8.
5. Complaint against Diotrephes, 9-10.
6. Test of relation to God, and worth of Demetrius, 11-12.
7. Conclusion, 13-14.
For Study and Discussion. (1) The character of Gaius and Diotrephes.
(2) Christian hospitality. (3) Such words as truth, sincerity and
reality.
Jude.
The author is named as Jude, the brother of James. He probably means
the James wrote the epistle of that name and is, therefore, the Lord's
brother.
Purpose. False teachers were boldly teaching their heresies in the
meetings of the congregation. These men were also very immoral in
conduct and the epistle is written to expose their errors and to
exhort his readers to contend for the true faith and to live worthy
lives. In many points it is very similar to the second letter of
Peter.
Date. It was probably written about A. D. 66. At any rate it must have
been written before A. D. 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed, as Jude
would hardly have failed to mention that event along with other
examples of punishment, 5-7.
Analysis.
Introduction, 1-4.
I. The Fate of Wicked Disturbers, 5-16.
1. God punishes the wicked, 5-7.
2. He will destroy these men, 8-16.
II. How to Contend For the Faith, 17-23.
1. Be mindful of the enemies, 17-19.
2. Be strong (built up in the faith), 20-21.
3. Maintain an evangelistic spirit, 22-23.
Conclusion, 24-25.
For Study and Discussion. (1) Make a list of all the words and phrases
occurring in threes, as mercy, love, peace, or Cain, Baalam, Korah.
(2) Make a list of all the different things taught about the evil
workers mentioned, 8-10, 12, 13. 16, 19. (3) What the apostles had
foretold concerning them.
* * * * *
Chapter XXXIX.
Revelation.
Author. John, the Apostle, while in exile on the Isle of Patmos, 1:1,
4, 9; 22:8.
Date. About 95 or 96 A. D.
The Book. (1) It is a book of symbols and imagery, and constantly
creates excitement and wonder. (2) It is a book of wars, but war
always ends in peace. The word war occurs seven times in Revelation,
and only seven times in all the rest of the New Testament. (3) It is a
book of thunder, but the thunder and earthquake die away and are
followed by liturgies and psalms. (4) It is a book of the rewards of
the righteous. This is seen in the letters to the seven churches, and
in the victories of the right in all conflicts and wars of the book.
(5) It is, therefore, a book of optimism. Everywhere God overcomes
Satan, the Lamb triumphs, Babylon falls, etc.
Its Interpretation. There are several classes of interpreters, as
follows (1) _The Praeterist_, who thinks it has been fulfilled in its
primary sense. He makes all the prophesies and visions refer to Jewish
history down to the fall of Jerusalem, and to the history of Pagan
Rome. (2) _The Futurist_, who interprets literally and thinks all the
events of the book are to come just before or just after the second
coming of Christ. (3) _The Historical or Continuous School_. These
think some have been fulfilled, some are now being fulfilled, and some
will be fulfilled in the future. (4) _The Spiritualist_, who objects
to the other three classes of interpreters because they make so much
of the time element. He lays stress upon the moral and spiritual
element of the book and reads the book "as a representation of ideas
rather than of events."
Value. The chief value of the book seems to lie in its testimony to
the faith and hope of persecuted Christians and in the comfort and
inspiration it has brought to sorrowing and oppressed souls of every
age. It points outthat there will be an end of conflict, that God and
the Lamb will triumph that the enemies of our souls will be punished
and that the followers of God will be rewarded with eternal reward.
Analysis.
Introduction, 1-8.
I. The Seven Churches, 1:9-3 end,
1. A preparatory vision of Christ, 1:9 end.
2. The addresses to the churches, Chs. 2-3.
II. The Seven Seals, 4:1-8:1.
1. A preparatory vision of the throne, Chs. 4-5.
2. Six seals opened in order, Ch. 6.
3. An episode-sealing God's servants, Ch, 7.
4. The seventh seal opened, 8:1.
III. The Seven Trumpets, 8:1l end.
1. A preparatory vision, 8:2-6.
2. Six trumpets sounded in order, 8:7-9 end.
3. An episode-Little book, measuring the temple and two witnesses,
10:1-11:14
4. The seventh trumpet sounded, 11:15 end.
IV. The Seven Mystic Figures. Chs. 12-14.
1. The sun-clothed woman, Ch. 12.
2. The red dragon, Ch, 12.
3. The man-child, Ch. 12.
4. The beast from the sea, 13:1-10.
5. The beast from the earth, 13:11-18.
6. The Lamb on Mount Sion, 14:1-13. Three angels.
7. The son of man on the cloud, 14:14-20. Three angels.
V. The Seven Vials, Chs. 15-16.
1. The preliminary vision, Ch. 15-a song of victory.
2. Six vials poured out in order, 16:1-12.
3. An episode, 16:13-16. The spirits of the devil gather the kings
of the earth to the battle of Armageddon.
4. The seventh vial poured out, 16:17-21 (end).
VI. Three Final Conflicts and Triumphs, 17:1-22:5.
1. The first conflict and triumph, 17:1-19:10.
2. The second conflict and triumph, 19:11-20:6.
3. The third conflict and triumph, 20:7-22:5.
VII. The Epilogue Conclusion, 22:6-21 end.
1. Three-fold testimony to the truth of the vision. Angel, Jesus.
John, 6-8.
2. Directions of the angels concerning the prophecy, 9-10.
3. The moral of the book, 11-17.
4. John's attestation and salutation, 18-21.
For Study and Discussion. (1) The vision of Jesus, 1:9 end. (2)
The letters to the seven churches: (a) Which churches are given noting
but praise? (b) Which nothing but blame? (c) Which both praise and
blame? (d) What is commended and what condemned in each. (3) The
twenty-four elders, four living creatures, sealed book and the Lamb,
Chs. 4-5. (4) The sealing of God's servants, Ch. 7. (5) The little
book, Ch. 10. (6) The measuring rod and two witnesses; 11:1-14. (7)
Each of the seven mystic figures, Chs. 12-14. Describe each. (8)
Mystery Babylon, Ch. 17. (9) Song of triumph over Babylon, 19:1-10.
(10) The judgment of Satan, 20:1-10. (11) The description of the
general resurrection and judgment, 20:11-15; 22:10-15. (12) The
description of heaven, Chs. 21-22. (13) Verify the following points of
similarity in the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven vials, (a)
that heaven is opened and a preliminary vision before each series, (b)
that the first four in each series refer especially to the present
natural world, while the last three in each series refer more
particularly to the future or spiritual world, (c) that in each series
there is an episode after the sixth which is either an elaboration of
the sixth or an introduction to the seventh. (14) Compare these three
series again and note, (a) that they portray the same events in
similar language, (b) that the victory of the righteous and the
destruction of the wicked are portrayed in each, (c) that the victory
of the redeemed predominates in the first (seals) while the
destruction of the wicked predominates in the last (vials). (15) In
the series note the progress in the severity of punishment, (a) one-
fourth afflicted in the first (seals), (b) one-third afflicted in the
second (trumpets), (c) all are destroyed in the third (vials). (16)
From the following scriptures make a list allowing how nearly the same
thing is affected in each of the seven trumpets and vials, (a) 8:7 and
16:2, (b) 8:8 and 16:3, (c) 8:10-11 and 16:4-7, (d) 8:12 and 16:8-9,
(e) 9:9-11 and 16:10-11, (f) 9:13-21 and 16:12-16, (g) 11:15-18 and
16:17-21. (17) The contrasts and resemblances of the trumpets and
vials.
Trumpets. 1. Hail, fire blood cast on earth, one-third of the trees
burned.
Vails. 1. The Vial poured out on the earth, affliction upon the
followers of the beast.
Trumpets. 2. One-third of the sea made blood, one-third of its
creatures and of its ships destroyed.
Vails. 2. The whole sea made blood, and every soul therein destroyed.
Trumpets. 3. One-third of the rivers made bitter, many men destroyed
Vials. 3. All the rivers made blood and vengeance upon all men.
Trumpets. 4. One-third of the sun, etc., smitten, one-third of the day
darkened.
Vials. 4. The whole sun smitten, men are scorched, they blaspheme and
repent not.
Trumpets. 5. The stars of heaven fall into the pit; locusts sent
forth; men seek death.
Vials. 5. The throne and kingdom of the beast smitten, men suffer and
blaspheme and repent not.
Trumpets. 6. One-third of the men destroyed by the armies of the
Euphrates; men do not repent. Episode: God's two witnesses witness for
Him and work miracles. War against them by the beasts.
Vials. 6. A way prepared for the kings beyond the Euphrates. Episode:
The dragon's three unclean spirits witness for him and work miracles.
War by the world at Armageddon.
Trumpets. 7. Voices in heaven, judgment, earthquake, hail, etc.
Vials. 7, Voice in heaven, fall of Babylon, earthquake, hail, etc.
(18) The benedictions and doxologies of the book. (19) Things taught
about Jesus. (20) Things taught about Satan.
END.
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