THE NEED FOR HAVING AN OUTLINE OF SOUND WORDS

2 Timothy 1; 13, 14; 1 Corinthians 15: 1–10; Acts 19: 1–10; 20: 31, 32

JS What has been in my heart and mind, particularly in view of this occasion, is this word of Paul to Timothy, “Have an outline of sound words, which words thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Keep, by the Holy Spirit which dwells in us, the good deposit entrusted”. I am impressed with the importance of having this outline of sound words, the words that Timothy had heard from Paul, words that were in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Many of our younger brethren are growing up, and I wondered if this might appear of particular interest to them, especially to young brothers who are taking on services in connection with the preaching and ministry. Paul was handing things over to Timothy, and helping him in view of the difficult days that were contemplated in this epistle.

I wondered if we might seek to follow out something of this outline. We could not do it exhaustively on an occasion like this, but I suggested reading from 1 Corinthians 15 because of Paul’s reference there to the glad tidings, and how he follows through, what we may refer to as the facts of the glad tidings.

I thought in Acts 19 we see Paul’s service in view of bringing to light an assembly; the assembly at Ephesus which was a very special part of his handiwork. I just followed that up with a reference to chapter 20 where he is addressing the elders of the assembly at Ephesus and is committing them to God and to the word of His grace.

I thought we might get some help in enquiring together. There are many other things that could come into this outline of sound words, but I wondered if these two features, the glad tidings and the assembly, might be of particular value to us. If there are other things that the brethren feel should be included, I am sure we would be glad to get help together. I think it is important to see at this stage that this outline of sound words does not mean that things have to be fixed in the form of a creed or articles of faith; the words are to be in faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. I think they are to be held related to Christ as glorified; in some ways it is like, holding fast the Head. I trust the brethren may be free to enquire into this.

JTB(Gr) I think it might be helpful if you were to say something about the relationship between the glad tidings and the assembly.

JS Well, I think the glad tidings are foundational. In addition to the facts of the glad tidings in 1 Corinthians 15, it is important to follow them through in the teaching in the epistle to the Romans. I think that lays a good moral foundation in our souls, so we are then ready to go on to the truth of the assembly. A subject condition of soul is brought about that is ready for the truth of the assembly. Does that help at all?

JTB(Gr) Yes, it does. It helps us to see how the truth of the glad tidings must necessarily lead to the assembly.

JS It is very interesting that in the last chapter of Romans Paul refers to the mystery. I think he is anticipating that it would lead to the assembly. As we receive the glad tidings, it is not intended that we should be left as isolated units, but that we should be ready for integration into the great matter of the assembly.

JCG It would be very important for all of us to know the teaching as you outline it, starting with the glad tidings. What you have said as to what is “in Christ Jesus” would help; Paul’s glad tidings were really the glad tidings of the glory of God, were they not?

JS The appearing to him was from the Man in the glory; that gives its own distinctive character to his glad tidings.

WL What would you say about these sound words, the house of God and the glad tidings? Is there an order there?

JS I think there is, an outline of sound words; and the words had been heard from Paul. It is an important thing, especially in 2 Timothy days, that we have sound teaching, sound words, and I think these sound words that Paul had in mind were not only in the doctrine or teaching, but I think the exemplification of them had been in him personally.

WL Timothy would hear, no doubt, more from Paul than what is recorded in Paul’s epistles. The outline of sound words, you could not confine it to scripture, could you?

JS No, I think it is what he had heard “of me”, that is what had come out through Paul; there would be the basis in the Scriptures, but then at the time Paul ministered a good deal of the Scriptures probably had not been written. The Old Testament was there, of course, but there was a good deal that came out through Paul orally, and it was recorded in the Scriptures after.

WL Down through the years there has been a great deal that has come to light, which is indeed sound words, which largely has been refused.

JS I think we ought to be thankful that we are in an area where these sound words are appreciated. We ought to be very thankful for that, and I would encourage our young people to appreciate the distinctive character of the recovery in which, through grace, we have part. There has been a line of teaching in the present recovery of the truth, from Mr Darby onwards, that is on the line of these sound words, and I think we ought to be thankful for that.

JDG How do we acquire a knowledge of sound words?

JS Perhaps you could help us.

JDG I was wondering if it is by dedication, devotedness. But I wondered also if it would involve the spirit of wisdom and revelation from the Father, according to Ephesians 1.

JS Well, it does; that is specially needed when you come to the heavenly side of things in Ephesians. I think it is very important that we acquire the fundamental side of these sound words, through what has come to us objectively in the gospel, and through our experimental acquaintance with the truth; so that there is something morally established in our souls, and we are then able for the spiritual side of things related to the assembly.

JCG While the matter of the outline is quite definite as to the doctrine and the teaching, the fact is that it is an outline. Does that make way for the Holy Spirit to operate in freedom, bringing the liberty and the joy of the matter to us?

JS It is not cast into a mould, so to speak; it is very interesting that the next verse says, “Keep, by the Holy Spirit which dwells in us, the good deposit entrusted”. I think there is allowance for what the Spirit may do in the filling out of what we have by way of outline, and maintain the whole matter in life and freshness; so we do not attempt to put it into a creed or formula.

DBR Luke, in the commencement of his gospel, says, “concerning the matters fully believed amongst us”, Luke 1: 1. Does faith enter into it very largely; it says, “in faith and love”. Faith is a very important thing. The question has been raised as to how we acquire these sound words but would faith be an important matter?

JS I think faith would be essential; these things relate to faith. If matters are believed amongst us, it is very important for each one to believe these things; and then that our affections should be bound up with them too—in faith and love. I think the truth should be laid hold of in both ways.

DBR That would affect us in our constitutions. It says of the man in Acts 3 that he was sound; not only that he had sound words but he himself was sound. Would that be the product of the sound words?

JS It says, “the faith which is by him has given him this complete soundness in the presence of you all”, Acts 3: 16. It is interesting to see a man like that, and how he links on with Peter and John, he held them by the hand; you can see his affections entering into that.

GCMcK Is it right to think by the footnote that Timothy did not get an outline from Paul?

He got sound words from Paul, but he was to have an outline; that is that matters were formed in his own soul and mind. Would that be right?

JS I think we are intended to acquire this outline individually. I do not think Paul gave Timothy the outline; if that was the case it would be just like a creed or articles of faith; but I think he wanted Timothy to work this out in his

own soul, and then to keep it by the Holy Spirit. That is the only way we can keep this good deposit entrusted. I think we ought to appreciate the good deposit that has been entrusted to us.

GCMcK It would be a process then in Timothy’s soul. Paul said, “Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things”, 2 Timothy 2: 7. You might say these things that Paul had said entered into his mind and heart and he pondered them; in the end he could give you an outline of them.

JS Well, I think that is very important, that we do allow things into our minds and into our hearts and ponder them, consider them; so we may be at a meeting but then we just do not go away and forget about it; but think them over and see how they apply, how they come into our lives.

JSp It is a privilege, but a sense also of responsibility, to be the depository of these precious truths that have come to us. Do you think that would be essential?

JS I think that is what Paul was really seeking to exercise Timothy about, to take responsibility, to have the outline and to keep it by the Spirit. So, we are privileged in having so much that has come to us, and I think the responsibility is upon us to value that and treasure it. We who are older should give an example in showing that we do value and treasure these things. We seek to encourage our younger ones, not only in the words that are imparted, but by the example we may impart.

JTB(Ed) Does the outline suggest a certain framework or parameters over which we do not stray?

JS I think it guides us in that sense, so that we keep within the banks of the river.

JTB(Ed) I was just looking at Nehemiah 8, “all the people gathered together as one man to the open place that was before the water-gate” (Nehemiah 8: 1), and then “they read in the law of God distinctly out of the book, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8: 8). So, our gatherings provide an environment for substantial formation within the outline.

JS I think that is right. So that, while we have the outline, it is a guide for us, and a help in detecting other things that may be brought in, which do not fit. But it still allows plenty of scope, as you say, in the open place by the water-gate, scope for the Spirit to operate within it.

JTB(Ed) Yes, it is fine that they gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading. I suppose our temple enquiry really is helpful in that regard, particularly for young people; they are given to understand the sense.

JS I think it is very important to understand the sense of things, and I thought perhaps reference to 1 Corinthians 15 would help us to see the importance of the glad tidings in that connection. If we do not have the glad tidings properly, there is not much hope of us coming into the truth of the assembly. So that, these were the glad tidings which Paul had announced to them; he is going over and repeating these things. He brought these things to Corinth and the result was he not only brought the glad tidings but he continued the work into the assembly. The truth of the local assembly was developed there at Corinth, but the basis for it was the glad tidings.

JMar In having an outline of sound words I was thinking of what was said in 1

Corinthians 13, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13: 1). It seems to be that the formation of love would lie behind correct speaking, an outline of sound words.

JS So that is why Paul says “in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus”; the words were taken up in that way. The chapter you refer to in Corinthians is important; the great chapter of love. “Follow after love” the apostle says, a way of more surpassing excellence.

TCM Would that bear on how he goes over these great truths of the glad tidings in 1 Corinthians 15; he always relates it back to “according to the scriptures”? That is how things are really truly sounded out, everything that is said and thought and believed is according to the Scriptures, do you think?

JS Well, quite so. It becomes the means of our testing what is said and that is important; the Bereans searched the Scriptures to see if these things were so (Acts 17: 11), to get them confirmed. That is an important thing for us, to search the Scriptures and see if we get confirmation in our souls. The Spirit would help us in that.

DBR Would you help a little in the scope that Paul covers here, “Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he was raised the third day, according to the scriptures”, and then He appeared to Cephas; there is a very great scope in that, is there?

JS I think so, so that we get the greatness of the work of Christ, that He died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Well, we have to start there, and that He was buried, and was raised the third day, according to the Scriptures, and then he appeared to Cephas, and we get these other appearings. I think it has in mind the glad tidings would be kept before us in a living way by these appearings. The last one came right down to Paul himself; that was an appearing from the glory evidently; there were His appearings in the forty days but also the appearing to Paul from the glory. I think it would have in mind that the glad tidings would be maintained amongst us in a living way.

DBR The fact that it speaks about our sins, dying for our sins and being buried, raised the third day—is Paul showing clearly that, in the work of Christ, God has cleared the whole ground; not only our sins but the man who sinned has gone; clearing the whole ground in view of our part in the assembly, do you think?

JS So that, having died for our sins, that deals with our guilt, and the burial means that God has cleared the ground, the man that offended has been put out of God’s sight.

RT Does the preaching of Paul’s glad tidings not necessitate an understanding of the assembly in the preacher?

JS Well, you can help us in that.

RT In Romans 16 Paul says, “according to my glad tidings and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery”. There is a living communication of things already existing on this earth, the understanding of which necessitates a knowledge of them in the preaching, do you think? The gospel goes out from the house.

JS I was just thinking of that when you spoke. The gospel went out from the house in the early chapters of Acts and the house had been formed by the Spirit’s coming. The gospel then went out from it. I think it is very important that, because if the gospel goes out from it, it is important that there is somewhere where persons who are the subjects of the gospel can be brought. I think that is what God has in mind.

JSp Have you any impression as to the order of these appearings?

JS Well, I do not know that I had too much in mind about that, perhaps you have something.

JSp Not particularly, but Peter is a kingdom man; that would be a very prime, initial impression, that the truth of the kingdom must be established in the soul. Would there be something in that? And then the twelve, moving on to what is collective?

JS It is interesting that we get the reference to Cephas here, a kingdom man, and I think that would be suitable material for the structure. The reference to the twelve, I think would be how things are worked out administratively; love would operate in the twelve, in the working out of the administration, do you think?

RG Do you think all of these persons would have some sense of the Man in the glory; He died for our sins according to the Scriptures; He was buried and was raised again, but He appeared from the glory? Do you think the fulness of the gospel, especially in our rooms, should bear the hallmark of coming from the Man in the glory?

JS I think it is good to think of that; that is the distinctive character of Paul’s glad tidings; he had an appearing from the Man in the glory and it is a great matter we should keep before us; if we are preaching relative to a Man in the glory His work has been accomplished.

RG I was thinking of the time, you may remember, many years ago, when the notice board was changed. It used to refer to the glad tidings, or the gospel, but it was changed to the Word of God; that would involve the extensiveness of what is involved in the Man in the glory and what proceeds from Him, do you think?

JS In a way it is wider than the glad tidings; it would allow for what God may bring in in view of the conviction and conversion of souls and bring His mind in relation to things.

DAS Do you think the fact that He appeared to Cephas and then to the twelve, that the Lord would have in mind a continuation of what He Himself represented when He was here; so that there would be a solid foundation in the heart of Cephas and then the authority in the twelve? And we have to maintain that amongst us; a representation here of that blessed One who is now in glory.

JS That is just what is in mind, that what had been brought in through our Lord Jesus in the glad tidings should be continued. There were these persons who had to do with Him, and had these appearings; and the work would continue by their means.

JM I was going to remark that the immediate result of the Man being glorified was the gift of the Spirit, and, as you said before, what is in mind in the preaching of the glad tidings is to lead to the assembly. Therefore you would be quite justified in the glad tidings of bringing in the matter of the gift of the Spirit, do you think?

JS In a way, it is God’s objective in the glad tidings, that we should get the gift of the Spirit. We get certain things by faith, but then the enjoyment of them is by the gift of the Spirit.

JM The preacher would be quite justified in bringing in that as a part of what has been secured through the work of Christ.

JS Well, it is interesting that in John 4, the Lord Jesus seeks to arouse the interest of the woman by speaking of the living water, suggesting the Spirit.

GCMcK Appearing to five hundred brethren at once, it is almost as though moving on to assembly ground then, the thought of the brethren and the Lord appearing.

JS It is a very fine reference; He appeared to five hundred brethren at once. They must have been gathered together, and he says “of whom the most remain until now”; so there was the evidence of the Lord having appeared to them. They would be able to tell first hand of how the Lord came to them.

WL Are these things all part of the good deposit entrusted? I was thinking about that—entrusted—what has come down to us has been entrusted to us, and there is only one way to keep it, and that is by the Holy Spirit. It is not by tradition nor anything else, do you think?

JS I think so, this is all part of the good deposit entrusted. So the glad tidings are part of the good deposit, this kind of glad tidings; glad tidings that are not simply related to the relief of persons but glad tidings that have in mind securing of assembly material.

WL I wondered about that, and there is the announcing, “which I announced to you”, but then “which also ye received, in which also ye stand”. What do you say about that?

JS I think the announcing was Paul’s side; the receiving is on the part of those who hear, those who believe; the thing is actually received and then we stand in it. I think that is all very encouraging, so that as we are secured and brought into the benefit of the glad tidings, we should have in mind that we should stand in them.

WL Does that involve that matters are formed in us, it is not just head knowledge, is it?

JS It is away beyond head knowledge. If we seek to work out what has come to us in the glad tidings, involving the experimental side of things in Romans, that is away beyond head knowledge. It brings about some moral formation in our souls. That is why I referred to Romans in connection with this because we get the facts of the gospel here in 1 Corinthians 15. But then, for the teaching of the gospel, how it has come to us objectively, and how we work it out in the experience of our souls, you need to come to Romans for that—these great matters of the righteousness of God being established, the power of God and the love of God, justification and peace with God. These are great matters; then you come to baptism, you are to be free from the world, delivered from the flesh in you, and then you make way for the power of the Spirit in your soul. Finally it is intended to lead to the presenting of our bodies a living sacrifice. These are great matters and I believe they would enter into the outline.

JMar Does Paul give us an outline of sound words when he brings the Lord’s supper before us? What he received from the Lord. I feel affected by the substantiality of how he brings in the Supper.

JS Quite so. That is an important thing and would come into the outline; what he had received from the Lord, that was distinctive to Paul. Others had received it previously from the Lord in the days of His flesh but Paul had it from Christ in glory.

JMar Would it be right to say it is the highest presentation of the Supper?

JS Well, I do not feel qualified to say too much about the degrees of presentation but it is a very precious one.

JMar He adds some very affecting words, “until he come”, 1 Corinthians 11: 26.

JS It is part of the good deposit, it has come down to us. There has been recovery to the truth of the Lord’s supper; a few brethren gathered together in the beginning of the recovery to celebrate the Lord’s supper, and that has remained with us; we are very thankful for it, and it would enter into this great matter of the outline, and, of course, the service of God connected with it which we have been helped to see.

JCG Do you think that the Supper and the service of God is the outflow from persons who have absorbed the sound teaching? I was thinking of the fact that in Paul’s discourse, he discoursed first at length (Acts 20: 7), and then it is followed by the Lord’s supper. That would be some example for us, would it?

JS It is very interesting how they were assembled to break bread (Acts 20: 7); they did not actually break bread until after Paul’s discourse, and I think it would help us to see that we take the Lord’s supper in the light of Paul’s ministry.

JCG Does that bear on what you drew attention to in Acts 19 as to the teaching at Ephesus; the reasoning and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God would be at the basis of that, would it?

JS I thought so, in looking at the scripture in Acts 19 as to Ephesus, we see Paul’s service there. We get the mention of Corinth first, Paul had been at Corinth before then and had established features of the truth of the local assembly. Then, when he came to Ephesus there were other things brought in, though it is interesting that he raises the question immediately, “Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye had believed?” That comes back to our previous enquiry about the Holy Spirit. I think it would be normal, not automatic, but normal as a result of the gospel to get the gift of the Holy Spirit. I say not automatic, because it is quite clear if you follow the history in the Acts that there were times when the Spirit was given in different contexts; but if anyone does not have the Spirit, is not conscious of having the Spirit, they can ask for it. I think we have the liberty to do that. In view of what Paul had in mind as to the assembly, I think he is really raising this question to show that the reception of the Spirit is essential for our entering into the truth of the assembly.

RG So we have the fact given as it says, “having passed through the upper districts”. Do you think as he passed through those districts he was in communion with the Spirit, relative to all that Christ was securing for Himself in the assembly? And now when he comes here that is his main concern, that there might be persons that would be able to be built in to that wonderful edifice that was coming to light.

JS It is at Ephesus that he particularly develops the great truth of the assembly and what is for Christ.

GAB Would the relationship between the gift of the Spirit and the work of Christ set out in the glad tidings be confirmed by the type in Exodus 17, where the smitten rock produced the water?

JS I think it is a good thing to keep before us; the gift of the Spirit should be made known in the glad tidings—the work of Christ and the gift of the Spirit. You get confirmation in such an Old Testament scripture as you quote, and I think the reception of the Spirit is what Paul is emphasising here; that there is a consciousness of persons having the Spirit in view of what he is going to unfold here at Ephesus.

NJH Would the apostle in his ministry have continuity primarily in mind and the Spirit would be required for that? He says, “I have planted” (1 Corinthians 3: 6) for instance—he would have that in mind that the Spirit was essential to continue matters in Ephesus.

JS So, it is quite clear that the Spirit was made way for at Corinth, but we are on to a particularly spiritual line in what is in mind at Ephesus. I think that is maybe an indication to us of why so many references are made to the Spirit in the epistle to the Ephesians. It requires spiritual conditions for bringing out the truth of the assembly and an answer to it in formation. Then the truth of baptism is introduced, putting them on the ground of the death of Christ publicly. They were baptised to the name of the Lord Jesus, which is interesting because it is leading in affection towards the assembly.

WL I wondered if the understanding of the significance of baptism would be necessary for the Holy Spirit to be free with us.

JS So in the teaching in Romans, we get baptism in chapter 6, and the point in baptism is to separate us from the whole world’s system—it is to bring us into accordance with the death of Christ, so it is not only to be a formal thing, the actual act of baptism, but we should take on the teaching of it, so that we are practically separate from the world.

DCB What you brought before us in Corinthians referred to the Lord’s death and burial and resurrection as the basis of the glad tidings. Does this suggestion of baptism bring in these three matters of death, burial and resurrection as the basis for assembly?

JS So we are baptised to His death, in the likeness of His death, and even as He has been raised so we should walk in newness of life, do you think?

DCB Yes, it means that it is not looked at simply as having taken place in Christ Himself, but it has its application to me practically.

JS That is the point of it, it comes into the experimental part of Romans; so if we have been baptised, probably most in this room will have been baptised, the question arises.

Now what was the point of that? It was that I should no longer find my life in this world where Christ has been rejected, but I should walk through this world in newness of life. There should be a different kind of life coming into expression in me.

RT Is that why the school of Tyrannus comes into the chapter? It says they were reasoning daily; separation took place but then they reasoned daily in the school of Tyrannus. Is that where formation comes into the soul?

JS It is very interesting that the great matter of separation does come in here, because it was what made way for the truth of the assembly to be developed. There was a certain help in leading up to it. Paul was free to speak about the kingdom of God, but some were hardened and disbelieved speaking evil of the way before the multitude, and then He separates the disciples and the teaching goes on in the school of Tyrannus. So, I think we can see in that how this great matter of separation is essential if we are to come rightly to the truth of the assembly.

GBG Twice in this section you get “the word of the Lord”; what is the point of that?

JS Well, I think it would have in mind the way that the Lord’s supremacy would come out, His dominance. I think it would make way for that, do you think?

GBG In Joshua it says, “for as captain of the army of Jehovah am I now come”, Joshua 5: 14. I wondered if that linked with “the word of the Lord”, what was in mind and in view; the Lord has in mind in Ephesus to bring out what related to His purpose, and none can stand in the way of “the word of the Lord”, is that right?

JS Quite so. As captain of the hosts he was taking over in view of the people coming into the inheritance; this is really what is in mind. It is not opened up in the teaching here, but the teaching must have gone on at Ephesus, and in a way it was the greatest of Paul’s handiwork. I know we have the epistle written to the Ephesians later, but this assembly at Ephesus was the acme of Paul’s handiwork.

NJH It says, “he left them and separated the disciples”; would that show that Paul was going to maintain sanctity of ministry?

JS What was in your mind?

NJH Well, it says “he left them and separated the disciples”; he would have his own responsibility for what he had received from the Lord, and he would want that to be kept sanctified in his soul. Is that right?

JS So he took this movement, he left them and separated the disciples; this movement had a separating effect, and he was reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. I think he had then liberty to go on unfolding the truth of the assembly. This took two years.

JSp The suggestion of the men being about twelve; do you think that may suggest the thought of them being baptised by one Spirit into one body, what is potential there to work out things in a mutual, beautiful way related to the body of Christ?

JS That is very important, being baptised by one Spirit into one body. So we are prepared to be submerged in view of fitting into the one body. Then another thing that follows is that we “have all been given to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12: 13), so we are satisfied with our place in the body. I learn what my place is in the body and I am satisfied with it; I am not trying to emulate someone else.

JCG We are therefore brought into the liberty of the Spirit in an assembly environment. I was thinking of the difference here between what was said earlier, what you brought in as to the baptism in relation to the Holy Spirit which might set us free, would you say, from worldly things and the like? But this is more religious, is it? This arose because of what took place in the synagogue, and it may be that there is a further test amongst us in relation to what is religious in our connections with other persons. We need to make sure we are clear about that if we are going to be free in the liberty of the body and the assembly.

JS I think it is helpful to see it is in the second epistle to Timothy that the great house is referred to. It is a matter for every one who names the name of the Lord withdrawing from iniquity, separating from systems where there is unrighteousness. Then a further step is in separating from vessels to dishonour and pursuing righteousness, faith, love, peace with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. You find your company that way.

JCG Very good, that is helpful. In a practical way there has been an exercise among some of the younger ones that, especially in relation to burials for example, we should be clear that we would not go to other places of religion, like a church or another place where there was a sect, because that would compromise the fellowship. This is the point of Paul separating the twelve in view of the teaching of the assembly, that we might be pure in relation to it.

JS So as to what you referred to as to going to burials at places of religion, well, are we going back to something that, in principle, we have left? We are not unfeeling if persons are taken, persons die, maybe relatives, we are not unfeeling about that; we may go along to their house and sympathise with them, maybe even have liberty to pray with them, and express right feelings towards them, but then we do not compromise the truth by attending burial services where we cannot have fellowship.

RG Luke generally, when he refers to the Spirit refers to Him as the Holy Spirit, and it is interesting that three times there is a reference to the Holy Spirit before we get separation here. Do you think it suggests that the Holy Spirit could never be free in the synagogue and so Paul separates the disciples, where there might be an area where the Holy Spirit would be free?

JS We have great liberty with the Spirit, but let us not forget He is the Holy Spirit. He would keep before us this great matter of holiness and what is suitable to the presence of God.

DBR We need to think of the word here, “Wherefore watch”, perhaps we are sometimes lacking in being alert; we need to learn to watch that the importance of these things is not lost. I was thinking that baptism in its moral teaching really leads us to the truth of fellowship, and we must recognise that there is authority in fellowship; we are under authority, we are under regulation.

JS We are under the Lord’s authority, He has to do with the fellowship, so it is a matter of recognising the Lord’s rights, and the Lord’s claims and the obligations of the fellowship. It is very interesting Paul had said to these elders that he had not shrunk from announcing to them the whole counsel of God, the whole scope of the truth, what he would have in his soul by the way out outline. But it comes down to this as to what may arise, or be brought in, in difficult days.

RT Should we appreciate then the labours of those who have gone before to clear the ground for us? Paul says, “remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not”, what labours have gone into the recovery of the truth, have there not?

JS Well, I think we should remember that and appreciate it too; it is part of what has been entrusted to us, what has come down through the labours of these men. Persons have sacrificed and given up their lives, so that these things should come to us.

WL What our brother says is most important. One has the impression that the days we are in are days when the principles of the recovery that we have been brought into, through God’s grace, are at stake.

JS I think it is very important therefore that we should have this outline of sound words, and that we should be helped by the Holy Spirit to keep what has been entrusted.

DBR We need to recognise something of the secrets of soul history that have entered into it as well; it says, “remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not admonishing each one of you with tears”. The inwards of Paul were involved in it and, as has been said, all that has come to us in the days of recovery would involve men who have been affected inwardly by the truth. It has not just been a form of empty doctrine, but persons have been with God in what has come out.

JS I think that is very important and Paul appreciated that in Timothy, how he took account of his tears and his genuine feelings for how the saints were getting on. Now it comes down to ourselves, what godly concern we have for the maintenance of the truth in its integrity.

JCG Then it is carried forward too. Paul says, “these entrust to faithful men, such as shall be competent to instruct others also”, 2 Timothy 2: 2. That was your exercise at the beginning that younger men entering into service, in the preaching of the glad tidings and ministry, should follow this way that Paul has outlined.

JS It does not say ‘gifted’ men exactly, it is “faithful” men; persons who value and treasure what has come to us, and are prepared to hold it in fidelity to Christ and to pass it on; not only by way of teaching but by way of example. I think that is very essential at the present time, that if we have the truth in some measure in our souls, to ensure that the example of our lives is consistent with it.

Reading at Grangemouth
26 May 2007

KEY TO INITIALS

D. C. Brown

J. C. Gray

T. C. Munro

G. A. Brown

N. J. Henry

D. B. Robertson

J. T. Brown (Gr.)

W. Lamont

D. A. Steven

J. T. Brown (Ed.)

G. C. McKay

J. Spinks

R. Gardiner

J. Marshall

J. Strachan

G. B. Grant

J. Mitchell

R. Taylor

J. D. Gray