7. What is this new creation also called?
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be _born again_, he cannot see the kingdom of G.o.d." John 3:3.
8. Through what agency is this new creation, or new birth, accomplished?
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, _by the word of G.o.d_, which liveth and abideth forever." 1 Peter 1:23.
9. What is the first creative commandment recorded in the Bible? and what was the result of it?
"And G.o.d said, _Let there be light_: and _there was light_." Gen. 1:3.
10. What connection is there between the creation of light in the beginning, and the light of the gospel?
"For G.o.d, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give _the light of the knowledge of the glory of G.o.d in the face of Jesus Christ_." 2 Cor. 4:6.
11. Why were the people astonished at Christ"s teaching?
"And they were astonished at His doctrine: _for His word was with power_."
Luke 4:32.
12. What testified to the power of the word of Christ?
"And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for _with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out_." Verse 36.
13. What did Christ say is the seed of the kingdom of G.o.d?
"The seed is _the word of G.o.d_." Luke 8:11.
14. Where should the word of Christ dwell?
"Let the word of Christ _dwell in you_ richly in all wisdom." Col. 3:16.
15. What did Christ say of the unbelieving Jews respecting the word of G.o.d?
"_Ye have not His word abiding in you:_ for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not." John 5:38.
16. How does the word of G.o.d work in the believer?
"For this cause also thank we G.o.d without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of G.o.d which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of G.o.d, _which effectually worketh also in you that believe_." 1 Thess. 2:13.
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
The Centurion. "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed."
Matt. 8:8.
17. What nature is imparted through the promises of G.o.d?
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: _that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature_, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through l.u.s.t." 2 Peter 1:4.
18. By what are believers made clean?
"Now ye are clean _through the word which I have spoken unto you_." John 15:3.
19. How may a young man cleanse his way?
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? _by taking heed thereto according to Thy word_." Ps. 119:9.
20. How did G.o.d heal His people anciently?
"_He sent His word, and healed them_, and delivered them from their destructions." Ps. 107:20.
21. How did the centurion show his faith in the power of Christ"s word to heal?
"The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof: but _speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed_." Matt. 8:8.
22. What power has the word when hidden in the heart?
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, _that I might not sin against Thee_."
Ps. 119:11. See also Ps. 17:4.
23. Why did G.o.d humble Israel, and suffer them to hunger?
"And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, ... _that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live_." Deut. 8:3.
24. What is required beyond a mere hearing of the word?
"But be ye _doers of the word_, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22.
25. What is the result of doing G.o.d"s will?
"And the world pa.s.seth away, and the l.u.s.t thereof: but _he that doeth the will of G.o.d abideth forever_." 1 John 2:17.
The Life-Giving Word
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
The Raising Of Jairus"s Daughter. "His commandment is life everlasting."
John 12:50.
1. What is the nature of the word of G.o.d?
"For the word of G.o.d is _quick_, and _powerful_, and _sharper than any two-edged 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_." Heb. 4:12.