Vol. 03, No. 52

Mt. Baker Beacon

Steven J. Wallace
12/29/24 - Mt. Baker Beacon 2024-Present

36,000 Scripture Quotations
Jarrod M. Jacobs

While studying the lives of Christians who lived in the first four centuries, I came across some facts that amazed and humbled me. I learned that Christians living in those times were very Bible-centered, focusing most of their writings on the New Testament. Biblical scholars like J. Harold Greenlee and Bruce Metzger have remarked that if the New Testament scrolls were somehow lost or destroyed, we could reconstruct the entire New Testament from these writings. Imagine that! These people’s writings were so focused on the gospel of Christ that one could reconstruct the New Testament from what they wrote! Interestingly, those who have studied these writings have counted no less than 36,000 Scripture quotations in these works![1]^{, 2}Specifically, men like…

Irenaeus, who lived about 120-205 A.D., recorded some 1,819 quotations from the New Testament in his writings. (Irenaeus was a student of Polycarp, a student of the apostle John.) His writings included quotes from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, I Corinthians, I Peter, Hebrews, and Titus.
Ignatius (50-110? A.D.) quoted from Matthew, John, Acts, Romans, I Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Galatians, Colossians, James, I and II Thessalonians, I and II Timothy and I Peter.
Clement of Alexandria (150-212 A.D.) quoted from the New Testament some 2,406 times in his writings! His works include quotations from 24 of the 27 books of the New Testament!
Cyprian (d. in 258 A.D.) cited about 740 Old Testament passages and 1,030 New Testament passages in his works.

Do not such facts humble us? When I read such facts as the above, I realized that there were many Bible quotations in those men’s writings because this is what they were teaching! They were not teaching and spreading men’s thoughts but the word of God. Of course, the best way to teach God’s word (then and now) is to include actual quotations from Scripture. Is there any wonder why the Ephesian letter says, “Whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4)?

When I learned those facts, it made me want to reexamine my preaching and writing. Am I quoting Scripture in my preaching and writing? Am I making sure others know that when I preach, write, and talk, I put the Lord’s word first? Jesus taught His followers to “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). This must happen in our public and private teaching! In addition, it makes me look around and notice what others are doing. Brethren, we see many who wish to emphasize Scripture less today. We know Satan and the world want less Scripture (even none), but what about those of us who are called out of the world (I Pet. 2:9)? What about those of us who are a part of the “royal priesthood”? Will we tolerate this? What did those men of the first four centuries see that those of us in the twenty-first century are not seeing? Could it be that we assume people know more of the Bible than they do? I think this is a definite problem today. I believe the opposite extreme is true as well. Some people do not wish to hear God’s word, and a segment of people are willing to scratch that itch (II Tim. 4:3-4)! Is it possible that “we” have become embarrassed by the gospel? Timothy was told, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner” (II Tim. 1:8). The apostle Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ …” (Rom. 1:16). Are we embarrassed to reveal our ignorance of the Scriptures (Hos. 4:6)? Either way, let us repent and be a people whose hearts and lives are filled with Scripture!

This article is a call to people to “let the word of Christ dwell in (us) richly in all wisdom …” (Col. 3:16) so that we may obey God! Therefore, let us demand God’s word be quoted and taught in our preaching, writing, and all aspects of our lives. Peter said, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God ...” (I Pet. 4:11). God’s people were once called “walking Bibles”. Can anyone venture a guess as to why that was? How might God’s people be described today?

--Adapted

[1] McDowell, Josh, Evidence That Demands A Verdict, p. 50-52.

²Bercot, David, Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up?

Editor’s note: These facts not only encourage us to be filled with the word of Christ but also settle our minds that we can trust the written copies of Scripture we have today.

“MISTAKEN”

(Mark 12:18-27)

While the Pharisees set aside God's commandments by elevating their traditions alongside Scripture, the Sadducees diminished the Hebrew Bible by accepting only the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy) as authoritative.

What did the Sadducees deny? (Luke 20:27)
On what two counts were the Sadducees mistaken? (Mk. 12:24)
True wisdom and understanding come from what? (Proverbs 2:6)
How is God’s word portrayed? (Psalm 119:105; 130)
What did Jesus say man must live by? (Matthew 4:4)
How did the Bereans listen to preaching? (Acts 17:11)
What did Timothy know from childhood, and what value was in this knowledge?
(2 Timothy 3:15)
What does Paul say is inspired by God, and what purpose does it have for us today (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)?

“THE SADDUCEAN SPIRIT”

(Acts 23:6-11)

Selective acceptance of Scripture shaped the mistaken understanding of the Sadducees. Yet, by recognizing only the first five books of Moses as authoritative Scripture, how did they end up rejecting these books?

What does Genesis call Abraham (Gen. 20:7)?
How is Miriam identified (Exo. 15:20)?
What was given to the high priests of Levi, and what purpose did it serve (Deut. 33:8-11; Exo. 28:30)?
According to Micah, who did God “send” before Israel after He brought Israel up from the land of Egypt (Mic. 6:4)?
Did Joshua and Eleazar have authority which others were required to heed (Num. 27:18-23)?
Whom did the Torah explicitly anticipate, and what does this imply about a position that accepts only the first five books of the Bible (Deut. 18:15-19)?
From Deuteronomy 18:15-22, what did the Torah:
1. Recognize (18:15-16)?
2. Approve (18:17)?
3. Point toward (18:18-19)?
4. Indicate (18:20-22)?

THOUGHT QUESTIONS: How does the Sadducean spirit live on today? Can you think of other ways than those mentioned in the lesson?