Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the KING JAMES VERSION ( KJV ); being entitled: The Scofield Study Bible. The following quotation is taken from this version of the Holy Bible: "The last fifty years have witnessed an intensity and breadth of interest in Bible study unprecedented in the history of the Christian Church. Never before have so many reverent, learned, and spiritual men brought to the study of the Scriptures minds so free from merely controversial motive. A new and vast exegetical and expository literature has been created, inaccessible for bulk, cost, and time to the average reader. The winnowed and attested results of this half-century of Bible study are embodied in the notes, summaries, and definitions of this edition. Expository novelties, and merely personal views and interpretations, have been rejected." [ See HOLY BIBLE, SCOFIELD STUDY SYSTEM, AUTHORIZED KING JAMES VERSION, NEW YORK, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, The Scofield Reference Bible, Copyright 1909, 1917; copyright renewed, 1937, 1945 by Oxford University Press, Inc., p. iii. ]
Jesus ( see Mark 16:9 ) said the following in Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Moreover, Acts 2:38, 41, and 47 read as follows: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." The phrase "gladly received," in Acts 2:41, implies that no one is to be forced into being baptized. Baptism is required in order to be saved, but each individual must be persuaded to be baptized, and not forced to do so.
2 Corinthians 5:10, 11 read as follows: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ). Furthermore, Proverbs 25:15 reads as follows: "By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ). Proverbs 25:15 ( NIV ) reads as follows: "Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone."
With Proverbs 25:15 in mind, princes ( or rulers ) are those who would be accustomed to having things their way ( so to speak ). According to Proverbs 25:15 ( NIV ), patience is one thing that is required in order to persuade someone to do something. Additionally, we find in this verse in the Holy Bible, the phrase "a gentle tongue can break a bone." What does this phrase mean?
To begin with, we must realize that the force necessary to break a bone is significant. Secondly, the phrase "a gentle tongue," refers to gentle speech. Thus, being successful at persuading someone to do something requires gentle speech. Therefore, the phrase "a gentle tongue can break a bone," means that gentle speech will have a significant impact, with regard to persuading someone to do something.
If we consider the word "ruler" ( or "prince" ) in a figurative sense, Proverbs 25:15 would apply to someone who is stubborn or strong-willed ( accustomed to having his or her own way ( so to speak )). Thus, in order to persuade a stubborn, or strong-willed, person to do something requires patience and gentle speech. With all of the above-given information in mind, if we are to persuade a stubborn, or strong-willed, person to be baptized into Christ ( see Acts 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ), Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ) and Galatians 3:27, for example ), we must have patience and use gentle speech.
The Bible video ( associated with following link ) has been included for you, the reader, to view. Please click on the link below:
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwt40y5qiELlT0ZCT29fSkdvU0k/edit?usp=sharing>.If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>
NOTE: The New Testament church is the church of Christ ( see Matthew 16:18 and Romans 16:16, for example ). Moreover, the disciples "were called Christians first in Antioch" ( see Acts 11:26; KJV; The Scofield Study Bible, for example ): they were not called Stoneites or Campbellites. [ See Handbook OF Denominations IN THE UNITED STATES: NEW TENTH EDITION, MEAD, FRANK S., Abingdon Press, NASHVILLE, Copyright 1985, 1990, 1995 by Abingdon Press, pp. 94, 95. ]
