Bidor Gospel Centre

The Old Paths

20th May (Friday) – Returning to the Old Path of Biblical Scholarship21st May (Saturday) – Returning to the Old Path of Biblical Headship – Pt. 122nd May (Sunday) – Returning to the Old Path of Biblical Headship – Pt. 222nd May (Sunday) – Returning to the Old Path of Biblical Worship

Study 1: Returning to the Old Path of Biblical Scholarship

Introduction:1. The need to return to The Old Paths for Judah.

Jer. 6:16Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths,

where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But

they said, We will not walk therein.

a. The Certainty of Coming Judgment – Babylon’s invasion.

b. The Commander of Babylon was God.

c. The Condemnation of Jerusalem and the Calamity that would befall her.

6:1-3 cf. 4:5, 6

6:4-6a

6:6b-9, 10-15

1. The need to return to The Old Paths for Israel.

Jer. 6:16

d. The Call to Return to the Old Paths.

i. The people’s Refusal to Return – they had Rejected God’s Law.

ii. They Relied on their Rituals of Worship.

e. The Coming of the Babylonian Raiders and the Captivity of Judah.

f. They were Condemned – they Rejected the Lord now He was Rejecting them.

Jerusalem would be Razed!

6:16-21

6:16-19

6:20

6:21-30a

6:16b, 17b ct. 30

52:12-15, 27

(1) The Need to Return to The Old Paths for Judah. Jer. 6:16 (2) The Need to Return to The Old Paths for the Church.

II Thes. 2:15 - Brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

a) Know the Difference between the Day of Christ (KJV) and the Day of the Lord (NIV) 2:1, 2

b) Be not Deceived by the Delusion and Deception of the coming Antichrist. 2:3-12

c) They have been Discipled well in the Doctrines – stand Fast in and hold Firmly to them. 2:13-14 (-17)

• These Doctrines would be the…i) Traditions received by Word and in Writing 2:15 cf. 3:6ii) Ordinances delivered to the Corinthian believers. I Cor. 11:2, KJViii)The Teachings Passed on to them. I Cor. 11:2,

NIVNote: Traditions = Ordinances = Teachings = paradosis = transmission,

i.e. a precept; spec. the Jewish traditionary law:- -ordinance, tradition. Strong

Hence, the need to Return to…

The Old PathsTheme and Text: Jer. 6:16

STUDY 1 –THE OLD PATH OF BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIPA.THE NEW TRENDS OF DOWNGRADING THE WORD.•How a Man feels is More Meaningful than what Scriptures Say. •Devotional Preaching is more interesting than Doctrinal Precepts, cp. II Tim. 4:1-5•Modern “Message” Translations (inc. Paraphrases) are More Meaningful than obsolete Literal Translations.

STUDY 1 –THE OLD PATH OF BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIPA. THE NEW TRENDS OF DOWNGRADING THE WORD.

4. New “pocket” writings are more readable and Clearer than old voluminous Commentaries.

5. Experiential Eisegesis is more Edifying than Expository Exegesis.

6. The New Testament is Inspiring while the Old Testament is Irrelevant.

7. The Theory of Evolution Makes Sense while the Creation Story is a Myth - http://www.answersingenesis.org/

A. THE NEW TRENDS OF DOWNGRADING THE WORD.

B. THE OLD TRAILS OF DEPENDENCE ON THE

WORD.

1.A Return to the Old Paths Led to Revival and Reforms – a. Revival under Ezra/Nehemiah.i.The Reading of the Law.ii.The Respect for the Law.iii.The Revival under the Law.

Neh. 8:1, 98:1-3, 88:4-78:9-18

B. THE OLD TRAILS OF DEPENDENCE ON THE WORD. 1. A Return to the Old Paths Led to Revival and Reforms –

a. Revival under Ezra/Nehemiah

b. Reforms under Josiah. II Kgs. Chs. 22, 23i. Repairs to the Temple. 22:3-7 ii. Recovery and Private Reading of the Book

of the Law (Deut?) 22:8-10iii. Revelation of the Law in Prophecy. 22:11-20iv. Reading of the Law in Public and Rededication.

23:1-3v.Josiah’s Reforms (Passover instituted) 23:4-27

1. A Return to the Old Paths Led to Revival and Reforms – 2. The Requirement needed to Return to the Old Paths of

Biblical Scholarship – A Search of the Scriptures.a. A Diligent Search of Scriptures:b. Search the scriptures…they are they which testify of

Me. John 5:39c. the prophets have 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 which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1 Pet 1:10, 11

iii. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11

a. A Diligent Search of Scriptures:b. An Intelligent Study of Scripture

Study to show thyself approved unto God…2 Tim 2:15

i. a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV

ii. a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. NIV

iii.a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. NRSV

iv.Note: study = spoudazo, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:-- do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study. Strong

In his preface to the English Bible of 1535, Miles Coverdale had this to say about

studying and understanding the Bible:

• “It will greatly help you to understand Scripture if you [1] mark not only what is written, but [2] of whom, [3] to whom, [4] with what words, [5] at what time, [6] where, [7] to what intent, [8] with what circumstances, [9] considering that which goes before and [10] that which follows.”

3. The Result of Returning to the Old Paths of Biblical Scholarship

– Revelation of the Wonders of the Word.

a. Biblical Amazing “Puzzles” in the Word:i. Bible Numerics. Bible Numerics Defined:• Bible Numerics is the study of numerical patterns in the

Bible (particularly involving the number seven and the use of particular numbers to represent certain concepts. It was pioneered by Ivan Panin from around 1890 until his death in 1942.

• [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_Numerics] http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/panin2.htm

a. Biblical Amazing “Puzzles” in the Word:i. Bible Numerics –

Bible Numerics Defined: Bible Numerics Demonstrated:

• Pt. 1: The Hebrew Alphabet –

Numeral Values and Gen. 1:1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qn3I78Mwi0

• Pt. 2: The Greek Alphabet –

Numeral Values and John 1:1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8L4fon-ngU

The Sevens in Scripture• Let's take the number seven as an illustration of the way the patterns work.

Seven is the most prolific of the mathematical series which binds scripture together. The very first verse of the Bible "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen 1:1), contains over 30 different combinations of seven.

• This verse has seven Hebrew words having a total of 28 letters 4 x 7. The numeric value of the three nouns "God", "heaven" and "earth" totals 777. Any number in triplicate expresses complete, ultimate or total meaning.

• Also tightly sealed up with sevens are the genealogy of Jesus, the account of the virgin birth and the resurrection. Seven occurs as a number 187 times in the Bible (41 x 7), the phrase "seven-fold" occurs seven times and "seventy" occurs 56 times (7 x 8).

• In the Book of Revelation seven positively shines out: there are seven golden candlesticks, seven letters to seven churches, a book sealed with seven seals, seven angels standing before the Lord with seven trumpets, seven thunders and seven last plagues. In fact there are over 50 occurrences of the number seven in Revelation alone.

• There are 21 Old Testament writers whose names appear in the Bible (3 x 7). The numeric value of their names is divisible by seven. Of these 21, seven are named in the New Testament: Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea and Joel. The numeric values of these names is 1554 (222 x 7). David's name is found 1134 times (162 x 7).

• Eight is the number of new life or "resurrection". It is the personal number of Jesus. When we add together the letter values of the name Jesus in the Greek we get 888. Jesus was called The Christ, the numeric value of this title is 1480 (185 x 8). He was Saviour which has the value 1408 (2 x 8 x 88).

• Jesus is also Lord which again is a multiple of eight being 800 (100 x 8). Messiah has the numeric value 656 (82 x8). Jesus also called himself the Son of man. The term occurs 88 times and is valued at 2960 (370 x 8).

• There are eight individual cases of resurrection spoken of in the Bible apart from Jesus. Three occur in the Old Testament, three in the gospels and two in Acts. It was on the eighth day or the first day of the new week that Jesus rose from the dead. The Holy Spirit also came down from heaven on the eighth day

Bible Numerics Defined: Bible Numerics Demonstrated:

Bible Numerics used to prove or Disprove a text: Examine the Numeric Facts and Features of the Text: Isaiah 9:3 – Did God increase the joy of the nations?

ARV - "Thou hast multiplied the nations; thou hast increased their joy.“ KJV - "Thou has multiplied the nations, and not

increased their joy.“1 Cor. 13:3

RV – “if I give my body to be burned” Wescott and Hort – “if I give my body so that

I may glory”

a. Biblical Amazing “Puzzles” in the Word:i. Bible Numerics.

ii. Bible Mathematics:

Pt. 2: The Greek Alphabet – Numeral Values and John 1:1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8L4fon-ngU

Pt. 3: pi and exponential constant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loEo4l1TUiA

Cp. http://www.biblemaths.com/

God Counts!

• Gen. 1:1 produces the digits of the constant pi and John 1:1 produces the digits of the constant

exponentiation e• Gen. 1:1

• Pi = The number of letters x their product The number of words x their product

= 28 x 23887872… = 3.142 (d.p.) 7 x 30415352578417576…

God Counts!

• John 1:1

• e = Number of letters x their product Number of words x their product

• e = 52 x 843625145… = 2.718 (3 d.p.)

17 x 949930221…

a. Biblical Amazing “Puzzles” in the Word.b. Biblical Accurate Prophecies fulfilled in recent times.

i. The World Terrorises in Turmoil! For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Mt. 24:7a ii. The Earth Trembles and Quakes. there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes. Mt. 24:7biii. The Earth Tosses and Roars! "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

Lk. 21:25, NIV 

i. The Earth Terrorises ii. The Earth Tremblesiii. The Earth Tosses

iv. The World Threatens Jerusalem! Zech. 12:2, 3 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about…in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people. Cp. Zech. 12:9; 14:2, 3, 14

The Lord said: All these are the beginning of sorrows. Mt. 24:8

v. The Ultimate Destruction on the Day of the Lord. Zech. 14:12 …Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? II Pet. 3:10-12

a. Biblical Amazing “Puzzles”b. Biblical Accurate Prophecies c. Biblical Authentic Pictures (Types) or The Authenticity of Pictures (Types)

i. Melchizedek – A Type of Christ In His Priesthood – the King-Priest.

Heb. 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 17, 21 cf. Gen. 14 In His Perpetuity – Eternal: no beginning and no

ending. Heb. 7:1-3ii. The Tabernacle. In the Plan – Outer Court, Holy Place, Holy of Holies In the Pattern – Measurements and Materials of the

Entrances – the Christ. In the Position of the Furniture – the Cross.

c. Biblical Authentic Pictures (Types) or The Authenticity of Pictures (Types)

i. Melchizedek ii. The Tabernacle

iii. Moses Striking of the Rock twice cf. Christ, the Rock. I Cor. 10:4

Striking the Rock for the first time. Exo. 17:6Speaking to the Rock the second time.

Num. 20:8Smiting the Rock twice and the Penalty.

Num. 20:10-12

a. Biblical Amazing “Puzzles”b. Biblical Accurate Prophecies

c. Biblical Authentic Pictures (Types)

d. Biblical Awesome Paradox:  Can birth precede labour? Isa. 66:7, 8

• Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things?

• Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

STUDY 1 – THE OLD PATH OF BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIP

A. The New Trends of Downgrading the Word.

B. The Old Trails of Dependence on the Word.

1. A Return to the Old Paths Led to Revival and Reforms.

2.The Requirement needed to Return to the Old Paths of Biblical Scholarship.

a.A Diligent Search of Scriptures.

b. An Intelligent Study of Scripture.

STUDY 1 – THE OLD PATH OF BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIP

3. The Result of Returning to the Old Paths of Biblical Scholarship – Revelation of the Wonders of the Word.

a.Biblical Amazing “Puzzles”.i. Bible Numerics.ii. Bible Mathematics.

b. Biblical Accurate Prophecies.c. Biblical Authentic Pictures.d. Biblical Awesome Paradox.

Return to the Old Paths –

• Conclusion: II Tim. 3:16, 17

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,

• for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

• That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.