Hearing The Word Of God
Hearing The Word Of God [1]
is an ordinance of divine appointment ( Romans 10:17; Proverbs 8:4-5; Mark 4:24). Public reading of the Scriptures was a part of synagogue worship ( Acts 13:15; Acts 15:21), and was the practice of the Christians in primitive times. Under the former dispensation there was a public hearing of the law at stated seasons ( Deuteronomy 31:10; Deuteronomy 31:13; Nehemiah 8:2-3). It seems, therefore, that it is a duty incumbent on us to hear, and, if sensible of our ignorance, we shall also consider it our privilege.
(1) As to the manner of hearing, it should be constantly ( Proverbs 8:34; James 1:24-25); attentively (Luke 21:48; Acts 10:33; Luke 4:20; Luke 4:22); with reverence ( Psalms 89:7); with faith ( Hebrews 4:2); with an endeavor to retain what we hear ( Hebrews 2:1; Psalms 119:11); with an humble, docile disposition ( Luke 10:42); with prayer (Luke 18).
(2) The advantages of hearing .are information ( 2 Timothy 3:16); conviction ( 1 Corinthians 14:24-25; Acts 2); conversion ( Psalms 11:7; Acts 4:4); confirmation ( Acts 14:22; Acts 16:5); consolation ( Philippians 1:25; Isaiah 40:1-2; Isaiah 35:3-4). (See Preaching).
