Mighty in the Scriptures
C. Hodge, D. D. Acts 18:23-19:7 And he departed there, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God… I. THE SCRIPTURES ARE LIKE THE OCEAN. 1. No man can exhaust the stores of knowledge treasured in the mighty deep. It may be studied for a lifetime under different aspects. (1) In reference to its distribution and topography; its great expanse, as it spreads between Asia and America, between America and Europe and Africa, between Africa and India; its indentations, gulfs, bays, etc., and the effects which this distribution has upon climate, winds, rain, fertility, and hence on commerce and the destiny of the race. (2) As to its basin, its mountains and valleys, and the nature of its bottom. (3) As to the innumerable organisms with which it abounds, from the whale to the animalculae, and the changes produced by millions of insects, rendering luminous miles of its surface, or building up reefs, and islands, and continents from its deeps. (4) As to its tides, its currents, its prevailing winds. (5) As to its chemistry. (6) As to how to use it, and to avail ourselves of its power and resources. A man may have much of the other kinds of oceanic knowledge, and very little of this. We should not like to go to sea in a ship commanded by Dr. Guyot or Prof. Agassiz. 2. All this may be applied to Scripture. It may be studied under different aspects, and in each furnish inexhaustible stores of knowledge. It may be viewed — (1) As a history extending from creation, including its antediluvian, patriarchal, Jewish, Christian, and apostolic periods. A man might spend his life in getting a clear knowledge of its facts, then of the bearing of its facts on ethnography, civilisation, religion, and the destiny of nations. (2) In its organic relations; the relation of the Adamic period to the Abrahamic, of the Abrahamic to the Mosaic, etc., and the culmination of all in the Christian. (3) As to its doctrines; what it teaches of the nature and perfections of God, of His relation to the material and the spiritual worlds, of the distinction of Persons in the Godhead, of the Person and work of Christ, and of the Holy Spirit; what it teaches of man, of the plan of salvation, of the hereafter, etc. (4) As to its moral code, including our religious, social, and political duties. (5) As to the Church. (6) There is a knowledge due to the illumination of the Spirit, including spiritual apprehension, deeper insight into and firmer conviction of the truth. (7) Besides all these there is a familiarity with its language, a knowledge lodged in the memory, so that it can be readily quoted and applied. This is a great gift or attainment. 3. But as scientific knowledge of the ocean may be possessed without practical skill in navigation, so a man may possess a knowledge of Scripture history, etc., and yet not be mighty in the Scriptures. These are the materials which power uses, and without which he can accomplish nothing; but the power itself is the ability to use this knowledge effectively. This includes — (1) Mental ability; a clearness and power of the intelligence, to bring to bear the truths and facts of Scripture, so as to produce the desired effect, whether that be conviction of the truth, or submission of conscience, or obedience of the will. (2) Power of feeling. (a) Strong conviction of the truth and importance of what the Bible teaches. (b) Fervent desire that it should be recognised and obeyed. (3) Power of utterance. II. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURES. The whole power of a minister as such is a power in the Scriptures. This exists in different degrees, but it is all that any minister has, be it much or little. It is therefore the one object to be sought in preparing for the ministry, without which a minister, no matter what else he may have of knowledge or talent, will accomplish no good, and may do immense harm. III. THE DUTY OF BEING MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURES. It is our duty — 1. To obtain all the kinds of knowledge of Scripture above mentioned, especially committing it to memory, so as to be able to quote it abundantly, correctly, and appropriately. 2. To acquire the ability to use that knowledge. This is — (1) A mental discipline. (2) A spiritual exercise. (3) An art — the art of effective public speaking. (C. Hodge, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. WEB: He departed there, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.