Learning To Inquire And Search Diligently The Scriptures

...receiving the end of your faith, 

even the salvation of your souls.

Of which salvation of prophets had inquired

 and searched diligently who prophesied

of the grace that should come unto you:

searching what, or what manner of time

the Spirit of Christ was in them did

signify, when it testified beforehand

those suffering of Christ, and the glory

that should follow. 

IPeter 1: 9 -- 11

     When translating from one language to another it is important to use good grammar and this is the case when you see italic words in Scripture and as long as they do not deter him from what the original language was indicating that it is okay to use italics to make clear what others know without having those words.

     I began with verse 9 to remind us that the end of our faith is the beginning of eternal life, our salvation.  This should bring joy to our hearts even in the midst of any trial for persecution due to the exercise of our faith.

     Peter points out that the prophets search the Scriptures diligently about the grace that was to come so we can see that the Old Testament speaks of the coming of Jesus Christ.  In fact those porphets even spoke about the sufferings of Jesus Christ of also but His glory that would follow. The prophets had revealed to them but they didn't fully understand this revelation but now this revelation is unfolded so that we buy the report of the Bible writers the Gospel.  In fact, this revelation comes to us by means of the Holy Spirit that was sent down from heaven:"Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister these things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the holy ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into" (I Peter 1:12).

     It is easy, especially in the present world were as Christianity is being denigrated  to become disheartened but this also was the case when Jesus was put to death on the cross where they yet had come to fully realize that Jesus would rise again from the dead as promised. One of the narratives after the resurrection of Jesus was on the road to Emmaus where Jesus spoke with and commune with those disheartened followers.  Jesus did not immediately reveal himself until he reminded them of the witness of Moses and the prophets.  Why?  Well, first of all the scriptures were the Old Testament and as Jewish people are they are very knowledgeable about those scriptures.  Therefore, Jesus knew that they would understand his death, burial, and resurrection until they understood what the scriptures revealed about the Messiah.  Together they walked along the road to Emmaus: "He expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). The resurrection of Jesus was not some sort of vision, some sort of apparition, or some transcendental experience for Jesus was alive, even ate with them, and walked with them (vv.  30 -- 31).

     The foundational tenets of Christianity is a nonnegotiable historical record, one that is available for investigation.  The evidence that will be found in this investigation is that of the eyewitness testimonies that documents the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.  But to just know the facts is not enough.  A person must come to believe (John 20: 31).  Authentic Christians have the assurance that by placing their faith in Him that they will dwell with God for ever (Psalm 23: 6).

     Even the angels desire to look into these facts for unto us these things have been directly revealed and by the ascension of Jesus into heaven the angels have come to understand the facts and reason why He was sent to Earth. We have every reason to deny ourselves and pick up our cross and follow Him: Will you do it?

As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice,

     the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness and soul, as long as I have life within me, the breath of God

     in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness,

and my tongue will other no deceit.  I will never admit

     you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my

integrity.  I will maintain my righteousness and never 

    let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me

as long as I live.

                                   Job 27: 2 -- 6

May the words of Job be your words

Richard L. Crumb