Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

How necessary learning is at present to interpret the sacred writings,
any man may see who reads with attention; but none can be so fully
convinced of this as he who undertakes to write a comment on the Bible.
Those who despise helps of this kind are to be pitied. Without them, they
may, it is true, understand enough for the mere salvation of their souls;
and yet even much of this they owe, under God, to the teaching of
experienced men. After all, it is not a knowledge of Latin and Greek
merely that can enable a man to understand the Scriptures, or interpret
them to others; if the Spirit of God take not away the veil of ignorance
from the heart, and enlighten and quicken the soul with his all-pervading
energy, all the learning under heaven will not make a man wise unto
salvation.
Paul was not brought into the Christian ministry by any rite ever used
in the Christian church. Neither bishop nor presbyter ever laid hands on
him; and he is more anxious to prove this, because his chief honour arose
from being sent immediately by God himself: his conversion and the
purity of his doctrine showed whence he came. Many since his time, and
in the present day, are far more anxious to show that they are legitimately
appointed by man than by God; and are fond of displaying their human
credentials. These are easily shown; those that come from God are out of
their reach. How idle and how vain is a boasted succession from the
apostles, while ignorance, intolerance, pride, and vain glory prove that
those very persons have no commission from Heaven! Endless cases may
occur where man sends, and yet God will not sanction. And that man has
no right to preach, nor administer the sacraments of the church of Christ,
whom God has not sent, though the whole assembly of apostles had laid
their hands on him. God never sent, and never will send, to convert
others, a man who is not converted himself. He will never send him to
teach meekness, gentleness, and long suffering, who is proud,
overbearing, intolerant, and impatient. He, in whom the Spirit of Christ
does not dwell, never had a commission to preach the gospel; he may
boast of his human authority, but God will laugh him to scorn. On the
other hand, let none run before he is sent; and when he has got the