Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1912 — THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLTN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLTN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDIES

SINS NEVER TO BE FORGIVEN. Mark iii, 20-35—July 7. “This is the condemnation, that light is corn* into the world and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil, n —John iii, 19. THE BAPTIST declared of V Jesus, "lie must increase, but I ■ must decrease.” After John was put into prison Jesns’ ministry became more public, through the numerous works performed by Him. Multitudes followed the Great Teacher, and His friends became solicitous. The SeribeS and Pharisees considered themselves the representatives of the Jewish orthodoxy, qualified to pass upon everything theological; the public waited for their message, saying, "Have any of the Seribes and Pharisees believed on Him?" lienee Jesus declared that These representatives of Divine things were doubly responsible, for they would neither enter into disciplesliip themselves, nor would they permit the public to do so. That Jesus dhl many miracles could not l>e disputed, and that on many oc-

casions He cast out demons could not be denied. The Scribes explained this, however, by saying that Jesus had collusion with Beelzebub (Satan), ami that by his power He was able to cast out demons.

Hut Josns answered that true that Satan had turned was opposing his own minions, the demons, then it proved that his kingdom would soon fall. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit, The fact that today many religious systems practice faith-healing is claimed to he a mark of Divine approval, on the strength of our Lord's words. Yet we have, In opposition to their assertions, to remember that those who claim to exercise this power very generally deny the existence of the Gospel of Christ. Some of them deny that man is a sinner, and declare that there is no such thing as sin. Practically all of them deny the redemptive value of Christ’s death, and that lie will come again and establish His Kingdom and through it bring to mankind the promised blessings of restitution to human perfection.—Acts Hi, 19-21. There is only one answer to make to the claim that these faith-healings prove the truth of these various antagonistic doctrines, and that answer is tlie one which Jesus here states. If their faith-healing power be not of God it must he of the Adversary; apd-if it he of tin- Adversary It proves that he is upholding false and contradictory doctrines, and that the collapse of his dominion is nigh. Tills view is impressing itself upon Ilible students. Addressing the Pharisees, who charged Him with being Satan’s prime minister and agent. Jesus declared that all manner of sin and blasphemy which men commit are forgivable, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus did uot say that the Scribes and Pharisees had committed this sin; He did, however, give the warning reproof that those who could thus see the righteousness of His teachings, how He gloiiiied God in Ills words and actions, ami could t hen impute all of this to Satan, must be perverse in their hearts, and if so, they would be in danger of eternal condemnation, the Second Death; they would be like “natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed.”—ll Peter il. 12; Acts ill. 23. “Hath Never Forgiveness.” The IHble teaches that the penalty of Adam’s sin was death, but that under

Divine providence the work of Jesus is to release all mankind from that death sentence and give to all an opportunity of returning to harmony with God by bringing all to a clearer knowledge <)f the Truth. To some this knowledge comes now, with the privilege of be-

coming members of the Bride class. But with the world the period of Messiah’s Kingdom will be the testing time, and their privilege will be to attain human perfection, otherwise to be cut off in the Second Death. Meantime, whatever light they may be enjoying will be either helpful or injurious, as they shall deal with it. Those who violate their consciences and ignore the light which they enjoy and sin against it, will find themselves proportionately degraded when they shall come under the Kingdom influences and tests. Brotheri, Sisters and Mother. Today’s study closes with the Master’s explanation of the class to which He acknowledged relationship. An opportunity of showing the multitudes the basis for His sympathy came when Jesus’ mother and brethren on the outside of the throng sent Him word that they desired to see Him t How beautiful the lesson of the Great Teacher’s breadth of spirit, regardless of caste and class, when He said, “Who is My mother and My brethren?” And then, looking toward His disciples who were sitting near Him taking iu His teachings; He said. “Behold. My mother and My brethren! for whosoever will do the will of God, the same is My brother and My sister and My mother."

"By Beelzebub He casteth out devi[?]

“Behold My mother and My brethren."