Part 1

Chapter 14,225 wordsPublic domain

God Hath Spoken

_By_ HARRIS DARK

_Published by_ GEORGE W. DEHOFF PUBLISHING COMPANY MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE

CONTENTS

I. God Hath Spoken 7 II. Generic and Specific Commands 19 III. Intolerance 32 IV. Where Did So Many Denominations Come From? 53 V. Which Church Is Right? 76 VI. Why Not Be Just A Christian? 102 VII. Excuses 113 VIII. An Erring Child of God 132 IX. The Sabbath 145 X. Seventh Day Adventism Reviewed 161 XI. Leadership 176 XII. Congregational Objectives and Activities 196 XIII. Congregational Objectives and Activities (_Continued_) 214 XIV. How Much Is Liberal? 233 XV. And Such Like 250 XVI. What Must I Do to Keep Saved? 269

I GOD HATH SPOKEN

Each author has his own individual literary style and critics of literature can identify the work of an author by the construction and diction of his writing. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible and he has a literary style peculiar to himself, which distinguishes his work from that of all human authors. There are certain literary characteristics in the Bible that are not found in any book written by man. It would be profitable to list a great number of them and show how they distinguish the Bible from every other book in the world.

One of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit’s literary style is the use of very long sentences, one of which I shall read for our text this morning. It is the opening sentence of the book of Hebrews: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

That is the reading of four verses but just one sentence. It is not easy to write such a long sentence that is easily understood, but this one is perfectly clear. If some high-school student were called upon to analyze this sentence and to underscore its principal clause, he would underscore these words, “_God hath spoken_.” These three words, “_God hath spoken_,” are the principal clause in this long sentence, and they express a very wonderful and a very profound truth. If you will just remember these three words and let them dwell in your heart, meditating upon them both day and night, the fullness of their meaning will unfold to you more and more as the days go by.

I God Hath SPOKEN

It’s a wonderful thing that God hath spoken. Just try to imagine what condition this world would be in if God had never spoken. What if he had not spoken to Adam, to Noah, to Moses, or to any of our forefathers down through the centuries?

As a clue to the conditions which would prevail if God had not spoken, consider the places on earth today where the Bible is unknown; where its influence has had only a very remote and indirect effect. In such places we find backwardness, ignorance, disease, darkness. By way of contrast, you may consider our own country where the Bible is better known; though far from being fully and faithfully followed. Here we have an effective system of public education, industrial and scientific advancement, a comparatively high degree of intelligence, numerous charitable organizations and institutions, or what may be summarily described as a high standard of civilization.

If such material blessings come to those who even partially respect the word that God has spoken, just think how wonderful its influence would be if every individual were a faithful student and faithful follower of his word. The word that God has spoken _makes a difference_! If it were not for his word, we would be in total darkness. “It is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps.” The learned Grecian philosophers, with all of their wisdom, were not able to figure out a way of life that would lead to happiness on this earth, to say nothing of leading to salvation in that world which is to come. If God had not spoken, we would not know where we came from, we would not know where we are going, and we would not know what to do in the meantime. We owe all of our progress, not only spiritually but otherwise also, to the fact that God hath spoken. Oh, we could learn from the material universe that God is; we could learn that some sort of a great being had brought into existence all of the things we behold but if God had not spoken, we would not know his will concerning us. We would not know what he wants us to do. We would not know about the Way that leads to happiness here and hereafter. So I want you to meditate upon the fact that God hath spoken. I believe that that meditation will beget within you a feeling of gratitude for God’s word, a greater appreciation of it, and, therefore, a more careful study of it and a more diligent adherence unto it.

II GOD Hath Spoken

Every word in our principal clause is significant. Not only is it important that God hath _spoken_, but it is important that _God_ hath spoken—that _God_ is the one who has done the speaking. Just think what that means! The great God of this universe, creator of heaven and earth and everything therein—God, who sprinkled the heavens with teeming millions of bright sparkling worlds, which we behold by night, and made these bodies of ours that are so wonderfully and fearfully constructed—God, who has all power and wisdom, and who is characterized by love, mercy, and tenderness—God, the everlasting God, hath spoken. God, the Holy and Living God of all the universe, hath condescended to speak unto us who are mere worms of the dust.

Sometimes we see a man on this earth who thinks himself too good to speak to some other man. Some folk will not speak to each other. We ought to stop and consider the fact that God hath spoken to us. Just think about how great he is, how holy he is, how pure he is, how powerful he is, and yet he condescended to speak unto us, who are weak and sinful creatures of earth! He wants us to hear him that we may enjoy the blessings that come from learning and obeying the word that he has spoken.

III God HATH Spoken

But the other word in our text is also important—the word “hath.” It is present perfect tense. It means that God has already spoken. Our text does not say that God is continuing to speak but that God _hath_ spoken, indicating that at the time this fact was recorded God’s revelation to the world through Christ had already been made. It had not all been put in written form, but the gospel had already been revealed. It was already in existence among men. The apostles had already been preaching for a number of years. At the time they finished committing the gospel to writing (about A.D. 96), it could truthfully be said that revelation was already complete.

Our text does not say “God is speaking,” or “God continues to speak,” or “God will speak,” but “God _hath_ spoken.” Of course, as far as you and I are individually concerned, as we read and study his word, we are still hearing his message. But the point is that that message was completely delivered unto the world nearly two thousand years ago. No additions have been made to it since then and no addition will ever be made to it. God _hath_ spoken. His message is complete. It is, therefore, final. Those who claim a later revelation are making a false claim. Those who are waiting for a future revelation are waiting in vain. This very simple clause with just three words in it indicates that God’s message to us through Christ is complete. God _hath_ spoken. This being true, we need not expect another revelation.

This truth is further emphasized by other statements in the Bible. For instance, in 2 Timothy, chapter 3, and beginning with verse 16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Or, as one version says, “that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” So the word God hath spoken is complete. It’s all we need. It furnishes the man of God completely unto every good work. Therefore, we need not expect any further revelation.

Notice the word “scripture.” The word “scripture” means that which has been written. The word that God hath spoken has been put in written form. We no longer receive it from the lips of the apostles, or from the lips of those who first proclaimed it unto the world. After God had spoken through them, they put his word in writing and it has been passed down to us through the ages that have followed. By the providence of God it has been translated into our own mother tongue so that we may read it and study it for ourselves. Our testimony then is not an oral one, but a written one.

In the 20th chapter of John, verses 30 and 31, we read, “And many other signs, truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that ye might believe.” Notice that word “written.” The source of our faith has been put in written form. This fact refutes the claim that God is speaking directly to people today. He _hath_ spoken. His word has already been delivered.

During my recent meetings in Georgia and North Carolina, I heard two men say that God had spoken to them audibly. One man said he was passing through a pine thicket one day and God spoke to him. I asked him what God said to him. He replied, “God told me I needed a saviour.” Well, God had already told him that, two thousand years ago. We have that revealed in the Bible. I have never talked to a man who could tell me what God had said to him unless he got it from the Bible. When a man thinks he hears God speak today, if anyone honestly thinks such a thing, he is simply recalling something that he has read in the Bible, or learned from somebody else who read it in the Bible. God’s message was completely delivered nearly two thousand years ago. Thus it is seen that every word of our topic is important. The Almighty God hath already spoken unto us.

IV Study the Bible

Now I want to draw a few conclusions from this great fact. In view of the fact that God has spoken, let us consider how we ought to study his word. Just think—it’s a message from God, a message from Heaven! It applies to you, personally and individually, just as much as it would if he were to speak to you this morning in audible tones and address you by name. Suppose, for example, he should call you by name and say, “Now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Why, I believe you would hasten to do it. But friends, he has already said it. In Acts 22:16, we find those very words and they are written to you.

Notice again this sentence, “God hath spoken unto _us_.” His words are addressed to us and they apply to you and me. Every word in the will of Christ, the new testament or covenant, applies to us, and we ought to regard it as a personal message from God Almighty unto us. Surely that thought ought to inspire us to read the Bible every day. I don’t believe anyone who has any regard for his own welfare and any respect for Jehovah, can meditate upon the fact that God hath spoken without being moved to study God’s word more diligently. God hath revealed to us his word. Therefore, we ought to read it and study it.

V God’s Word Is Final

Furthermore, friends, we ought to regard it as final and complete and as the standard of truth, the standard by which all of our religious questions are to be decided. This conclusion is fundamental and very important. It needs to be emphasized. If you talk to the people of this world and see how many different human standards they are relying upon, you can see the importance of settling all religious questions by the divine standard, the word that God hath spoken through Christ.

I want to use a simple illustration. Suppose three men measure the length of this room and one of them uses a yardstick 35 inches long, another uses a yardstick 36 inches long and the other a yardstick 37 inches long. They won’t get the same answer because they are not using the same standard. The same is true in the field of philosophy and religion. If each man uses a different yardstick, nothing but confusion and division can possibly be the result.

And, friends, that is just exactly what is wrong with this world today. One man uses the “Pope” at Rome for his yardstick. He says that whatever the “Pope” says is right. He measures everything by that. Then I come along and measure by the Bible, the Word of God, and he and I get different answers. Somebody else takes the church to which he belongs as his standard of measurement. People say, “My church teaches so and so,” and “My church practices so and so.” I have even had them come to me and say, “What does your church believe on this point? What does your church teach here?” They simply mean, “What does the group of people with which you are associated have to say about this matter?” Over and over again I have them ask me, “What do you _think_ about it?” I have heard that expression many, many times during the last four weeks.

Well, you can see how all these different yardsticks will get different answers. One man wants my opinion about it, that’s his yardstick; somebody else uses his church’s opinion as his yardstick; another takes what his parents think about it; still another takes tradition as his yardstick; and someone else takes simply the way he feels about it. I hear them say, “Well, I like it, and therefore it must be all right,” or, “It seems good to me.” I recently heard a boy try to justify his going to a particular church on the basis that it made him feel good. Well, those are just all irregular standards. They are not standards. People who reason like that are using the wrong unit of measurement.

Friends, God hath spoken and when God speaks all the world should be quiet and listen. We should take his word as final. It should be the standard by which we decide all questions, and until the world can agree upon the word that God has spoken as its yardstick, as its unit of measurement, as its standard for determining truth, we shall continue to have division and confusion in this world. So I want to impress you with the fact that _God hath spoken_. Let us go to that word to find the answer to every question that pertains to religion. In fact, I might just say the answer to every question, for almost all questions are answered in the Bible, at least in a general way. If we would apply the principles of its teachings, all of our domestic and social problems would be solved. Our industrial and political problems would be solved. Our international problems would be solved, if all people would learn what God hath spoken and follow it.

VI Will You Obey His Word?

I hope you are impressed with the fact which God hath spoken. Are you willing to hear that word? Friends, the word that God has spoken tells us that we must believe, in order to be saved. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to God” (Heb. 11:6). Faith is the very foundation of Christianity, so much so the Bible says, “The just shall _live_ by faith” (Rom. 1:17). We are to walk by faith and not by sight.

The word which God has spoken says that “Except ye repent ye shall likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). This word which God has spoken unto us through his Son, Jesus, tells us that if we confess him before men he will confess us before his Father who is in heaven. But if we deny him, he will deny us before his Father who is in heaven (Matt. 10:32, 33). Then, friends, this same word which God has spoken says, “Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord, our God, shall call” (Acts 2:38, 39).

This word which God has spoken tells those who have been baptized and have gone astray, to come back repenting and confessing their faults and praying for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). This word which God has spoken promises that he will not let us be tempted above that we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:13). This word that God has spoken tells us to be faithful unto death and he will give us a crown of life incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away (Rev. 2:10; 1 Pet. 1:4).

Are you willing this morning to listen to the word which God hath spoken? I am not asking you to listen to me or to listen to any group of people, but to listen to the word of God. He said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” If you are willing to hear and to heed that word that God hath spoken, then come forward while we sing and make your wishes known.

II GENERIC AND SPECIFIC COMMANDS

Our topic this morning is “Generic and Specific Commands.” This subject may sound like a very technical one; but it is, in fact, a very practical one. A study of this topic is valuable, not merely for its own sake, but also because it throws light on many other questions, and is designed to help in the study of some lessons which are to follow:

The Bible teaches that man must not add to, or subtract from, the word of God. For instance, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deut. 4:2).

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19).

I A Problem in Application

These Scriptures show very plainly that _one must neither add to nor subtract from the word of God_. This fundamental principle is taught in both the New Testament and the Old Testament. However, some have difficulty in applying this teaching to many questions arising today. Because of this difficulty we find people who object to such things as a baptistry in the church building, Sunday morning Bible classes, individual cups, song books, collection baskets, etc. These objections arise from a misunderstanding of the basic principle announced in the Scriptures just quoted. We hope that what is to follow will help.

First of all, let it be understood that a commandment authorizes everything essential to obeying that commandment. For instance, the commandment to meet and worship God authorizes a place and an hour of meeting. The Bible does not tell us where to meet to eat the Lord’s supper or upon what hour of the day to meet, but the very commandment to observe this institution authorizes some place and some hour for the meeting.

This leads us to consider the difference between a generic or _general_ commandment and a _specific_ one. A generic commandment is one that authorizes or commands a certain action, but does not give the details as to how that commandment shall be carried out. The difference between generic and specific commandments must be recognized in applying the Scriptures that have been mentioned. Let it be remembered that a commandment may be mixed, partly generic and partly specific. It may be generic with respect to certain details which it comprehends, and specific in reference to others.

II Examples

1. The best way I know to make these distinctions clear is by giving a number of examples. God told Noah to build an ark. He specified the kind of wood that should be used. He told Noah to use gopher wood. That authorized gopher wood and eliminated every other possible kind of wood. Since God specified that gopher wood should be used, it would have been wrong for Noah to have used any other sort of wood. It would have been a sin for him to have used cedar wood, or oak, or any other kind which might be named. God also told Noah to put a door in this ark, in the side of it. But he did not tell him in _which_ side to put it. Hence, the commandment to build an ark was generic as to the side in which the door should be located.

God specified the dimensions of the ark. He told Noah to build the ark 300 cubits long. It would have been a sin, therefore, for Noah to have built it 301 cubits long or 299 cubits long, or any other length except the one which God specified. God also told Noah to build some rooms in this ark, but did not tell him how many to build. This commandment, therefore, was generic as far as the number of rooms was concerned. On that point Noah was free to build the number of rooms which he thought was best.

Of course, he had to build some number. The very command to build _rooms_ authorized some number of rooms, but God did not specify the number so Noah was free to exercise his own judgment in that respect. God specified the animals that were to be taken into the ark. He told Noah to take certain ones but he did not tell him which animals to take into the ark first. You see, therefore, that the commandment to build the ark was specific in some respects and was generic in other respects.

2. The commandment to offer a passover sacrifice may also be used as an illustration. If God had merely commanded the Jews to offer an animal, that would have left them free to offer any sort of animal which they chose. But he specified that they should offer a lamb, which meant either a sheep or a goat. It was also specified that it should be of the first year, a male, and without blemish. These details were specified with the commandment. It would have been a sin for the Jews to have ignored any of these specifications. In those days the word “lamb” was understood to mean either a sheep or a goat. The Jews were free to offer either, but they had to heed the specifications that it be of the first year, without blemish, and of the male sex.

3. Coming to the New Testament for an illustration, we refer to the great commission as recorded by Mark in the 16th chapter of his book, verses 15 and 16: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.”