and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Hebrews 2:3, Part 4
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. (Hebrews 2:3)
What a wonder, to see and hear the Son of God — (1st John 1) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; — to walk the same roads, to sleep under the same stars, and to look into the eyes of eternity, what a wonder. The Apostle John declared, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life, the reality in his soul that he had touched God, what a wonder. And so the Spirit of God brings that to the hearts and souls of those who love the Lord Jesus Christ; that man has touched the manifestation of God in the flesh. Immanuel has been handled by His creation, what a wonder to vast and deep for our minds to comprehend; yet the one who gave Himself for us also walked among us. He spoke the words of life that we might live in Him, how precious is the thought that man touched God. These were the men who confirmed the very words of the Lord Jesus to us; whether it was John, Peter, James, Paul or others, these words were the actual words that Jesus spoke, what a wonder.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)
And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:27)
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:14)
All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.(John 16:15)
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)
The promises of God are unchangeable, they are bound by His eternal word; therefore, when the Lord spoke to His disciples, and promised that He would send a Comforter, and the Comforter would lead them into all truth, and bring to remembrance the very words that the Lord Jesus had spoken, and so it was accomplished. When we read the gospels we need to be aware that this is further revelation from the Person of God in Jesus Christ. I refer back to the Old Testament, the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 3, verse 17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. I referred back to Ezekiel to show more than just inspiration. Ezekiel penned the very words that came out of the mouth of God; as Moses and others, and then we have in the gospels, God Himself speaking to us as the Son of God. The unfolding revelation of God from Adam until now has been ministered and given by the Lord of glory. It has been maintained and preserved by the Spirit of God, and it is sealed forever in heaven by God the Father. God has revealed Himself in many different ways and in many different times. (Heb 1:1) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. The Spirit of God brings to remembrance the very words of the Lord Jesus Christ. These men, when they were listening to Him, had no idea of the monumental part they would play in God’s plan. In 1st John 1:1 the Apostle reflected on that time, I’m sure that the Spirit of God, at the moment he penned the words, warmed his heart; there must have been many times when John sat and mused over the very words that he had heard from the mouth of God. These men were chosen by divine authority, they were kept by that same authority, and the Holy Spirit of God maintained that authority over them so that they were in the complete and precious will of God.
The Lord Jesus knew the heart of each one of these men; we are familiar with His ministry, especially to Peter; all were known and their hearts were searched by the Person of Christ. After the Lord was caught up into heaven, He had promised He would send a Comforter, the spirit of truth. The Spirit of God would not only bring to remembrance the very words that were spoken by the Lord, but would lead them to further revelation and all truth. It would be the Holy Spirit of God within them, confirming the words that they had heard, that the accuracy of their writings would be under the power of the Holy Spirit Himself.Â
Could not the Spirit of truth keep the truth in His Word?
I now refer to the world of recording one’s voice; being on the radio for years, it was needful to record the messages, and forward them on to the various radio stations, and what was on the tape, and later on disks were the exact words and voice of the speaker. Even today, if I play one of those messages, the same words come forth, what a wonder in this electronic age. And this has been accomplished by fallen man, how much more the accuracy of the Spirit of God bringing to remembrance the very words of the Lord Jesus Christ; and also giving further revelation to those who had penned and kept the word of God. At the end of the canon of Scripture, did the Holy Spirit quit? No. His work since the completion of the Word of God has been to preserve it in all truth; and to raise up men to declare the accuracy of the Word of God once delivered to the saints. In Ezekiel, the Lord declared that Ezekiel should write the words that he heard from the very mouth of God. Higher criticism would try to interject into our thoughts that God is incapable of keeping the words that He spoke to Ezekiel. I think Ezekiel would disagree with them, as would the Apostles, and also this writer.
Man, in Adam, likes to entertain the thought that God is incapable of keeping His Word, deep in their hearts they cannot stand the thought of God having pre-eminence over them, and over all their thoughts and over all their actions. They are continually assaulting the given Word of God, given by His mouth, and His breathe, and kept by the Holy Spirit of God. Does this deter or stop the Holy Spirit? No. When one of the Lord’s servants passes into heaven, the Holy Spirit raises up another, whether young or old, the Spirit of God is able to move the heart and the voice to preserve the eternal integrity of the Word of God.
Contending for the Word of God is the mind of Christ. For in the Word of God, Christ is revealed, and one must be completely committed to upholding every word in the canon of Scripture; I’m sure the Holy Spirit moves in the heart of each one who has this commitment to uphold all things written in Scripture. The world and the apostate community of the Church laugh them to scorn who uphold the Scriptures in this manner; however, they do not warm the heart of this writer, it is the Spirit of God who warms the heart. We, as the sons of God, can draw comfort from the Scriptures. (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. For us, who love the Lord, the words in our Bible are precious, they have been brooded over for many millenniums by the Holy Spirit, can a God who has created all things let one of His words fall to the ground. Since God has numbered the hairs on my head, and cares for the sparrow, how can He not keep His word in all purity — for He has tried it in the fire seven times. The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)
Paul continued the declaration in Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Paul revealed to us that both the Old Testament and the New Testament are intertwined, they are one continuous thought of God Almighty presenting Himself in all His majesty. Paul states that what was written aforetime was written for our learning, this was to give us comfort and hope in our God. Peter wrote in 2nd Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Notice how Peter qualified these men; the qualification was that they were holy men; and therefore, the Holy Spirit of God was able to move them so that they would give forth an inerrant word, and the word spoken and written came forth as they were led of the Spirit of God. We are aware that in the last days that perilous times will come (and has come) and that men will depart from the faith ( and have departed from the faith), and in that departure they will deny and try to malign the written word of God.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1st Timothy 4:1)
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1st Timothy 4:2)
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2nd Timothy 3:1)
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (2nd Timothy 3:2)
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (2nd Timothy 3:3)
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (2nd Timothy 3:4)
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2nd Timothy 3:5)
These are those who will deny the Scriptures, they will turn their backs on the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will glorify themselves rather than the Son of God; you see in their twisted reprobate minds they think that they are more important than their Creator. This is a sad state to be in, and the only deliverance from this state of mind and heart is the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have always believed that as God tries the hearts of men, there is a time when that last trying time comes, and that is the final call of God to that individual. I have no time table, and I have no authority or explanation of that time, but in my travels and in my dealings with Adam, I have seen the last call of God to many. I urge you today, if you know not the Lord Jesus Christ, to fall on your knees and repent of your sins, and trust Christ for your eternity. If I had one million years to read and study and receive from the word of God by the Holy Ghost, all the wonders concerning the Person of God, it would only be the beginning of the journey. Do we like Robert Murray McCheyne weep over the word of God, desiring to see the mysteries of Christ? Does the Spirit of God convict our hearts of what little we know of God’s word? Is there any comfort in this present evil world for us when we are not of this world? The only comfort is what we find in Christ and in His word. As the Lord Jesus said, not one jot nor one tittle of the word of God shall fall to the ground. God the Father has glorified His Son and the word of God has glorified His Son, and the Spirit of God has glorified His Son; should not the children of God, those who are joint heirs with Christ glorify their Savior in this present evil world.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)
Amen.
© Copyright 2015, Michael Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)