Great Bible Students in the Bible

By Hiram Kemp

We cannot go without regular Bible study if we desire to be spiritually strong and healthy. Spending time in the Word of God will help us to not only come to know God better but to live the kind of lives that God requires of us. The inspired message of God was given to the prophets and apostles, and it has been preserved for our benefit (Ephesians 3:3-5). We are to desire the sincere milk of the Word so we can grow (1 Peter 2:2). The Bible is of no value to us until we study its contents and allow its teachings to become a part of us. We would greatly benefit if we found good role models to follow in the area of Bible study. If we could see the habits and practices of those who faithfully and diligently studied the Word and incorporate them into our own lives, we would be more capable and well-rounded students of the Bible. The Bible not only tells us it is from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that we should meditate on its contents (Psalm 1:2), but the Bible also provides us within its pages good examples of Bible students. Let us learn some valuable lessons from several great Bible students in the Bible.

Joshua: A Lifelong Student
of the Word (Joshua 1:8)

When Moses died, after leading God’s people for forty years, Joshua took his place (Joshua 1:1-4; Deuteronomy 31:1-8). As Joshua was entering his position as the new leader of Israel, God commanded him to be strong, courageous and studious. He was told to meditate on the Law of the Lord day and night and not to allow the Law to depart out of his mouth, so that his work would be prosperous (Joshua 1:8). Joshua’s success was tied to his relationship with the Word of God. If Joshua kept the Word of God in his heart and obeyed its message, his leadership endeavors would be prosperous (Psalm 1:2-3). Joshua would be assured of God’s presence and power as he led Israel into Canaan, fought foreign nations and organized the Israelites in their new home (Joshua 1:5-7, 9).

While we have no recorded instance of Joshua studying the Law of God, we know that he did. Joshua’s ministry is described as successful (Joshua 24:29-31). All the promises that God made to Israel concerning the Promised Land were fulfilled in Joshua’s days (Joshua 21:43-45). Joshua vowed to serve the Lord no matter who else did or did not follow suit or do the same (Joshua 24:15). It is clear that he took God’s words to heart and made meditating on the Word of God his regular practice. The success Joshua enjoyed and the victories Israel experienced during his time as their leader are a direct result of his faithful adherence to God’s Law. We will prosper in the work of the Lord to the degree that we do the same (John 14:15; 15:14). From the beginning of our walk with the Lord until the end, we should meditate on His Word and internalize its message. We should be diligent students, whether we are new Christians or seasoned members of the Lord’s church.

The Bereans: Daily
Students and Fact Checkers

When Paul and Silas came to Berea, they found the synagogue and began preaching and teaching, as it was their custom to do (Acts 17:2, 10). The Jews in Berea heard the preaching but did not take Paul and Silas’ word for it. They are described as those who searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were true (Acts 17:11). The Bereans were daily students of the Old Testament (Romans 15:4). They opened their copy of the Scriptures and read for themselves. Furthermore, they were trying to ensure that the things they were learning were true (Proverbs 23:23). In our day of fact-checking and fake news, we should learn from the admirable example of the Bereans.

We should not only strive to be daily Bible readers, but we should also listen attentively to sermons and Bible classes to ensure we are taught the truth, examining everything we hear in light of Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We should evaluate teachers and their doctrine so we are not deceived (1 John 4:1). The Bereans showed us the importance of regular and rigorous study as they studied to show themselves approved to God (2 Timothy 2:15).

Daniel: A Prophet
Reading Prophecy

We must not assume that the prophets were omniscient simply because God revealed select messages to them (2 Peter 1:20-21). They knew about the things God related to them, but they had to learn other things just like the rest of us (1 Peter 1:10-12). The prophets needed to study their Bibles so they could know the God of the Bible. Daniel was a great prophet of God who served in high positions in both the Babylonian and Persian Empires. Many are familiar with his commitment to the dietary laws in Leviticus (Daniel 1:8), his ability to interpret dreams (Daniel 2; 4) and his consistent prayer-life that led him to the lion’s den (Daniel 6), but Daniel was also a great Bible student. In Daniel 9:1-2, according to what Jeremiah wrote, Daniel realized in the first year of Darius that the captivity of God’s people in Babylon was ending, and they were heading back to Jerusalem. Daniel had obviously been reading Jeremiah 25:7-11, where Jeremiah’s prophecy is recorded. He realized that God was going to keep His promise and allow the Israelites to return to the Promised Land after seventy years in Babylon. In response to his accurate interpretation of Jeremiah’s prophecy, Daniel prayed a heartfelt and deep prayer of thanksgiving and penitence on his behalf and on behalf of the people. Daniel’s Bible study had two great benefits: he was able to lay hold on God’s promise, and he was driven to his knees in prayer. We should study the Word like Daniel and allow it to refresh our memories concerning God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

We must be reminded of what God said He would do and all that He has done (Romans 8:28). Our faith will increase as our Bible intake increases (Romans 10:17). Moreover, when Bible study is done properly, it should result in prayer. We should be thanking God, asking for His forgiveness, seeking guidance to apply the message and asking for courage to apply what we have read (James 1:5-8). Daniel was a prophet, but he was also a student of the prophets. We should adopt his practice of study, proper interpretation of the text and fervent prayer.

Jesus: Embodying the Word

John described Jesus as the Word (John 1:1). Jesus is God’s message to the world, clothed in flesh (John 1:14). Although Jesus is divine, He became a human being and was a superb student of the Word. We may assume Jesus never had to study because He was omniscient (John 2:24-25), but the Bible depicts Him as interacting with the Word. At twelve years old, He was sitting in a Bible study, asking questions and giving amazing answers (Luke 2:46-47, 52). The first time we read of Him in the synagogue, He turned to Isaiah and read the prophet’s message, which He also fulfilled (Luke 4:16-22; Isaiah 61:1-3). He responded to each temptation from Satan by quoting the Book of Deuteronomy (Matthew 4:1-11). He died with the Psalms on His lips (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1; 31:5; Luke 23:46).

Jesus not only embodied the Word in His life, but He frequently spoke the Word of God from the Old Testament. The Word was hidden in His heart, which kept Him from sinning (Psalm 119:11; Hebrews 4:15). The only sinless Man who ever lived had a healthy acquaintance with the Word of God. If we desire to be successful in the fight against sin, we should become regular students of the Word. If Jesus needed the Bible to get through this life, so will we. Let us learn from His example. Let us know the Bible, quote the Bible in times of hardship and, most of all, live out its message (1 John 2:3-5).

The above article was taken from the Gospel Gazette at the following URL: https://gospelgazette.com/gazette/2022/aug/page10.html

Did Jesus Begin His Ascension While in a Physical Body?

By Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Some time ago a gentleman presented what he thought was an “insurmountable problem” for
the Christian who claims that “Jesus physically rose from the grave in essentially the same body
that was crucified on the cross” (see Lyons, 2004, emp. added). Allegedly, since God is spirit, Who
lives in the spiritual heavens, it was necessary for Jesus to die a second time in order to shed His
earthly body. And, since there is no mention of Jesus shedding this body before ascending into
heaven, one supposedly cannot justifiably conclude that He physically rose from the grave.
A brief consultation of Scripture, however, reveals that such argumentation is extremely
irrational. First, if Almighty God could create that which is visible from that which is invisible
(Hebrews 11:3; cf. Genesis 1), then it is logical to conclude that the same omnipotent God can turn
a physical body into a celestial, immortal body simply by willing it to happen. Recall that Jesus once
turned water into wine simply by desiring it to happen (and not by adding grapes, sugar, food
coloring, etc.—John 2:1-10). What’s more, He miraculously healed a centurion’s servant (who was
not even in His presence), by merely willing it to “be done” (Matthew 8:13). Could this same Jesus
not choose to change into His glorified, celestial body at some point before sitting down “at the right
hand of God” in heaven (Mark 16:19)? Could the Father not simply will it to be done? To ask is to
answer. continued on last page…

Second, the Bible never suggests that the angels who appeared on Earth in the past in human
form had to “die” in order to get their former celestial bodies back. Before the destruction of Sodom
and Gomorrah, Jehovah and two of His angels appeared in human form and ate a meal prepared by
Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18:8). The two angels later entered Sodom and ate another meal with
Lot before warning him to flee the wicked city (Genesis 19:3). Would anyone advocate that these
angels (and even Jehovah Himself) had to experience physical death before re-entering their
heavenly home? If not, why would one conclude that Christ needed to die again physically (following
His resurrection) before ascending up into heaven?
Finally, Jesus did not have to die a second time in order to transform into His celestial body
anymore than Christians (who will be alive when Jesus returns) will have to die before receiving
their celestial, immortal bodies. The apostle Paul addressed this very point in one of his epistles to
the church at Corinth.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does
corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet
will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this
corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54,
emp. added).
He also wrote to the church at Thessalonica about this subject.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and
with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we
shall always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, emp. added).
According to Paul, there will be Christians living on Earth when Jesus returns. Before entering
heaven, these individuals will not have to die first. Rather, God simply will “change” their bodies into
“incorruptible” bodies “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” Exactly how this
is going to happen and what these bodies will be like, we are not told. What we do know is that
those living when Jesus returns will not have to go through a “death and burial” before getting these
new bodies.
To argue that Jesus’ resurrection was not a physical, bodily resurrection based upon the
assumption that He would have had to die again (in order to put off that old body) before ascending
into heaven simply is not a biblical, rational argument. Based upon the above scriptures (and others
—cf. 2 Kings 2), one can be assured that in the past God has chosen to change the spiritual into
physical and physical into spiritual simply by willing it to happen. What’s more, He will do so again at
the end of time when those “who are alive and remain” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) will “be changed” (1
Corinthians 15:51) and “caught up…in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians
4:17).

REFERENCES
Lyons, Eric (2004), “Did Jesus Have the Same Physical Body After His Resurrection?,” [On-line], URL: https://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/585.
The above article was taken from the following website: https://apologeticspress.org/did-jesus-begin-his-ascension-while-in-a-physical-body-1825/

What is that in Your Hand?

In Exodus 3 we read about Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush. From the beginning of
this book it is apparent to the reader that Moses is someone God is grooming to be a useful servant.
Unfortunately, Moses doesn’t think he is a worthy candidate for service. He’s full of excuses for why God
should choose someone else. Exodus 4 opens up with Moses saying he’s worried about people not
listening to him, or believing what he says. God then responds to Moses with this question – “What is that
in your hand?” Moses replies, “A rod.”
The rod/staff Moses was holding would be about 6 feet in length. Some may have described it as a
big dead stick, but this rod/staff is what identified Moses as a shepherd. It would have been used to both
guide and guard the sheep under his care. It represented who he was and what he did for a living. You
may have a pen in your hand because you are a writer, perhaps a hammer in your hand because you are a
carpenter, or perhaps a knife because you are a surgeon? Others may not be skilled with these
instruments but you are. You may not even view the item in your hand as very powerful, but when God is
behind you, these instruments can accomplish whatever God wants them to accomplish.
Just think of all God accomplished through Moses with that rod/staff. Before Pharaoh’s magicians
Moses threw the staff down and it became a snake that ate other snakes. If you look at the various
plagues brought upon Egypt in Exodus 7-12 you will notice the staff was involved in turning the rivers to
blood, and much more. It was the staff that Moses lifted over the Red Sea to divide the waters and allow
the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Exodus 14:16). In Exodus 17:8-16, it is referred to as the “rod of God”
as Moses holds it up and victory is given over the Amalekites.
What has God placed in your hand? Do you view yourself as a steward of God’s possessions? Do
not be tempted like Moses to think you cannot be useful to God, or that your possessions and talents are
nothing more than a dead stick. God can use a small stone to slay a giant. He can use a small amount of
food to feed thousands. He can use you as well. What your hand is holding is not very special if it is ONLY
in your hand. However, in God’s hand, it can be used to honor and serve Him in ways our finite minds
cannot imagine.

Get Inside!

By Thomas Baxley

In the days of Noah, God warned of a flood that was going to come and consume the world. There
was a way to escape the flood; God instructed His servant Noah to build a boat, which could be boarded.
Salvation was simple: Get inside! A millennium later, God told Moses to carry a message to Pharaoh, but
Pharaoh didn’t heed the message. Subsequently, he and his people suffered the ten plagues. The last
plague was the death of the firstborn male, but people in Egypt were told they could escape the plague by
covering their doorways with blood. Salvation was simple: Get inside! The Bible declares that one day we
will stand before God and give an account of our lives, and if we are not saved, we will be cast out. The
Bible also declares that those who are baptized into Christ and who remain at home with God will spend
eternity in God’s presence. Salvation is still simple: Get inside!
[Editor’s Note: Comparable to Noah’s ark – figuratively, of course – the Lord’s church is the ark of safety,
today. Get inside! On the birthday of the church in Acts 2, believers were told to repent and to be baptized
for the remission of their sins (vs. 37-38; cf., Mark 16:16). That day about 3,000 souls submitted to Christian
baptism (v. 41), and Jesus added them to His church (v. 47). Get inside! ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]

The above article was taken from the following URL: https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2022/Feb/
page4.html