Friday: Further Study
Luke, the writer of the Gospel that bears his name, was a medical missionary. In the Scriptures he is called the beloved physician. Colossians 4:14. The apostle Paul heard of his skill as a physician, and sought him out as one to whom the Lord had entrusted a special work. He secured his co-operation, and for some time Luke accompanied him in his travels from place to place. After a time, Paul left Luke at Philippi, in Macedonia. Here he continued to labor for several years, both as a physician and as a teacher of the gospel. In his work as a physician he ministered to the sick, and then prayed for the healing power of God to rest upon the afflicted ones.
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Thus the way was opened for the gospel message. Luke’s success as a physician gained for him many opportunities for preaching Christ among the heathen. It is the divine plan that we shall work as the disciples worked.-Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 140-141.
Discussion Questions:
- If Luke in writing his Gospel took into account previously published materials, how are we to understand the inspiration of the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16)? How does inspiration work? See Ellen G. White, The Inspiration of the Prophetic Writers, Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 15-23.
- The virgin birth is of God’s making, marked by His mystery, majesty, and mission. It is truly beyond human understanding too. But the question is So what? How many secular things are beyond human understanding, as well? If God does exist, and He has the power to create and sustain the universe, why should something like the virgin birth be beyond His power? Only those whose worldview is limited to natural laws alone (at least the ones we now currently understand) could, a priori, dismiss the idea of a virgin birth. In contrast, those whose worldview incorporates the supernatural should have, a priori, no reason to reject it. After all, look at what the angel said to Mary after giving her the incredible news: For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37).
- An American TV interviewer is reported to have said that if he had an opportunity, the person he would most like to interview would be Jesus, and he would ask Him just one question: Are You indeed born of a virgin? Why is that question, and the answer to it, so important?
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A virgin birth is the only explanation for Divine birth! Only God could fix the rift that sin caused in our/His relationship. Sin wronged God therefore only He could "fix" it! Man could not save himself, God stepped in to keep us with Him,
If in the past persons scoffed at pregnancy without sex. They can't now when doctors all over the world are performing artificial insemination procedures. If mortal man can produce a virgin birth, what of the God of the universe who Himself created mankind and all life?
All who have a genuine desire to know the truth will believe. Those who don't won't.
If you get someone to believe in the immaculate conception he/she would come to believe in the God-man that came in the bosom of a virgin went through the 9 month gestation, lived among men died on a cruel cross, buried in a borrowed tomb on Friday, rest in the grave on Sabbath and on Sunday morning rose and is now interceding on the behalf of His people. You see with God all things are possible
Just a thought on the last question that the interviewer wanted to ask Jesus.
Are You indeed born of a virgin? Why is that question, and the answer to it, so important?
What would Jesus say?
My answer to that would be found in the following verse;
Luke 24:27 (KJV)"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."
I believe that all who have a knowledge of the bible and make it to heaven will not be asking that question because the bible will have already answered it for them and their faith would have received it as truth (Isaiah 8:20).
But we shall read from the testimonies that Jesus will put to the world for both the righteous and the wicked a last grand theater to show the scenes in the Great controversy and Gods Plan of Redemption. This takes place after the millennium when the New Jerusalem descends down to earth.
{Great Controversy88 666.2}
"Above the throne is revealed the cross; and like a panoramic view appear the scenes of Adam's temptation and fall, and the successive steps in the great plan of redemption. The Saviour's lowly birth; his early life of simplicity and obedience; his baptism in Jordan; the fast and temptation in the wilderness; his public ministry, unfolding to men Heaven's most precious blessings; the days crowded with deeds of love and mercy, the nights of prayer and watching in the solitude of the mountains; the plottings of envy, hate, and malice which repaid his benefits; the awful, mysterious agony in Gethsemane, beneath the crushing weight of the sins of the whole world; his betrayal into the hands of the murderous mob; the fearful events of that night of horror,—the unresisting prisoner, forsaken by his best-loved disciples, rudely hurried through the streets of Jerusalem; the Son of God exultingly displayed before Annas, arraigned in the high priest's palace, in the judgment hall of Pilate, before the cowardly and cruel Herod, mocked, insulted, tortured, and condemned to die,—all are vividly portrayed..." Read the whole chapter.
Just as Gabriel's words to Mary, "With God nothing is impossible" God instead of showing the history from a book will display them before the eyes in clear vision all that transpired. This is part of the things that God is preparing for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2: 9).
Praise be to God!!!!
Thank you very much for bringing Sabbath school lessons into my pocket. I can now read and study God's words at any time. May our good Lord bless u in all areas of your life.