banner

Last Updated on :
Saturday, November 22, 2014

 

sp spacer

CONTENTS

spacer

Key To The Understanding Of The Scriptures
BY H.P. MANSFIELD


spacer
spacer
spacer
spacer

PAGE 2

The key to the understanding of the Bible is of a unique character. It is easily obtained, yet few possess, it; it reveals the way of life eternal,

Yet few desire it; it is within the grasp of all to find, yet few seek it.

The key to the understanding of the Bible, can become the proud Possession of men and women of character. It requires of them a determination to investigate the Gospel message, and embrace it. It calls upon them to reject preconceived ideas about salvation, and with independence of mind, ponder the principles of Divine revelation.

The Key Lost By Religious Leaders.

"Woe unto you lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourself, and them that were entering in ye hindered" (Luke 11:52).

In these words, Christ condemned the cold, formalised religion of his day, as being both repulsive and destructive. The leaders had rejected the crystal-clear teaching of Truth, and had dispensed with the key to knowledge. Worse, by their false teachings, they "prevented" others, from using it, who might otherwise have benefitted by the knowledge of Truth. Christ urged his hearers to avoid such an influence (Matt. 23:30).

The Key Possessed By Christ.

 

"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death" (Rev. 1:18).

The Lord has the keys, or power, over life and death. Through him, alone, is the means of salvation. He proclaimed the Gospel without fear or favor, and reminded his disciples that he also possessed the "key of David" (Rev. 3:7) - the symbol of power, authority and kingship. Paul maintained that the "Gospel was the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16), and without this, humanity gropes in the darkness of ignorance, and in the shadow of death.

The Key Given to the Apostles.

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 16:19).

The Apostles had the ability to understand and proclaim the Gospel of the coming Kingdom. This constituted the basis of the community of believers, who are "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Eph. 2:20).

 

The Key Available To All.

 

. . . His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1: 3).

The knowledge of the Gospel is the key to life eternal. Peter declared that it is through this means that we can attain unto "divine nature" (see verse 4), and an inheritance in the Glory of the Age to Come.

The key to the understanding of the Scriptures is the key to happiness and contentment in this life, as well as to glory and immortality in the future.

 


spacer