Four Means of Grace Reading Scripture. David Lipscomb and James A. Harding: The Nashville Bible...

Four Means of GraceFour Means of Grace

Reading ScriptureReading Scripture

David Lipscomb and David Lipscomb and James A. Harding:James A. Harding:

The Nashville Bible School (1891)The Nashville Bible School (1891)

David Lipscomb David Lipscomb

1831-19171831-1917

Editor, Editor, Gospel Gospel AdvocateAdvocate, 1866-1913, 1866-1913

Co-Founder, Co-Founder, Nashville Bible Nashville Bible School, 1891School, 1891

James A. HardingJames A. Harding

1848-19221848-1922

Evangelist, 1875-1891Evangelist, 1875-1891

Co-Founder, Nashville Co-Founder, Nashville Bible School, 1891Bible School, 1891

Founder, Potter Bible Founder, Potter Bible School, 1901-1912School, 1901-1912

Editor, Editor, The Way The Way and and The The Christian Leader and the Christian Leader and the Way,1899-1912Way,1899-1912

Salvation or Discipleship?Salvation or Discipleship?

I have observed that those speakers as a rule I have observed that those speakers as a rule secure the greatest number of accessions who secure the greatest number of accessions who dwell most upon dwell most upon escaping hell and getting into escaping hell and getting into heavenheaven, and least upon the importance of , and least upon the importance of leading lives of absolute consecration to the leading lives of absolute consecration to the Lord; in other words their Lord; in other words their converts are much converts are much more anxious to be saved than they are to follow more anxious to be saved than they are to follow Christ.Christ.

James A. Harding,James A. Harding, Gospel Advocate Gospel Advocate 27 (14 September 1887), 588 27 (14 September 1887), 588

Harding onHarding onUnconverted “Christians”Unconverted “Christians”

Our greatest trouble now is, it seems to me, a vast Our greatest trouble now is, it seems to me, a vast unconverted membership. A very large percent of the unconverted membership. A very large percent of the church members among us seem to have very poor church members among us seem to have very poor conceptions of what a Christian ought to be. They are conceptions of what a Christian ought to be. They are brought into the church during these high-pressure brought into the church during these high-pressure protracted meetings, and they prove to be a curse instead protracted meetings, and they prove to be a curse instead of a blessing. They neglect of a blessing. They neglect prayerprayer, the , the reading of the reading of the BibleBible, and the , and the Lord's day meetingsLord's day meetings, and, of course, , and, of course, they fail they fail to do good day by dayto do good day by day as they should. Twelve as they should. Twelve years of continuous travel among the churches have years of continuous travel among the churches have forced me to the sad conclusion that a very small number forced me to the sad conclusion that a very small number of the nominal Christians are worthy of the name.of the nominal Christians are worthy of the name.

James A. Harding, James A. Harding, Gospel AdvocateGospel Advocate 27 (9 Feb 1887), 88 27 (9 Feb 1887), 88

Acts 2:42 (NIV)Acts 2:42 (NIV)

They devoted themselves They devoted themselves

to the apostles‘ teaching and to the apostles‘ teaching and

to the fellowship, to the fellowship,

to the breaking of bread and to the breaking of bread and

to prayer.to prayer.


Whoever pursues these “habits” of grace “will Whoever pursues these “habits” of grace “will surely abide in Christ. These are God’s four surely abide in Christ. These are God’s four means of grace to transform a poor, frail, sinful means of grace to transform a poor, frail, sinful human being into the likeness of Christ.” human being into the likeness of Christ.” Whoever “faithfully uses these means unto the Whoever “faithfully uses these means unto the end of life cannot be lost.”end of life cannot be lost.”

James A. Harding, James A. Harding, The Way The Way 4 (26 February 1903), 401-2.4 (26 February 1903), 401-2.

Harding on Bible ReadingHarding on Bible Reading

The most important The most important thing in the world is thing in the world is daily, diligent, daily, diligent, prayerful study of the prayerful study of the divine word.divine word.

The Christian Leader and the The Christian Leader and the Way Way 22 (10 Nov 1908), 822 (10 Nov 1908), 8

Harding: Studying ScriptureHarding: Studying Scripture

What inefficient preachers, elders, deacons and What inefficient preachers, elders, deacons and churches need above all other things are faith, churches need above all other things are faith, knowledge and wisdom. The diligent, persistent knowledge and wisdom. The diligent, persistent study of the Word, combined with a whole-study of the Word, combined with a whole-hearted continuous, prayerful effort to walk hearted continuous, prayerful effort to walk therein, will supply the knowledge and develop therein, will supply the knowledge and develop the faith; and then one is in the proper condition the faith; and then one is in the proper condition of mind and heart to pray for wisdom, and to of mind and heart to pray for wisdom, and to receive it in answer to his prayer.receive it in answer to his prayer.

Christian Leader and the Way Christian Leader and the Way 22 (15 Dec 1908), 8-9.22 (15 Dec 1908), 8-9.

Harding’s ConcernsHarding’s Concerns

Annual reading of the BibleAnnual reading of the Bible– By 1914, Harding had read the OT 60x and NT 130x.By 1914, Harding had read the OT 60x and NT 130x.

Reading the “entire Bible…consecutively”Reading the “entire Bible…consecutively”– To read Scripture as a narrative with a plotTo read Scripture as a narrative with a plot

Partisans “enjoy discussion rather than worship.”Partisans “enjoy discussion rather than worship.”– To read Scripture to encounter God rather than to win To read Scripture to encounter God rather than to win

an argumentan argument


To commune with God and be To commune with God and be transformed by his powertransformed by his power

To know his story and see ourselves as To know his story and see ourselves as participants in that storyparticipants in that story

To orient our lives toward the single To orient our lives toward the single purpose of kingdom living—to be the purpose of kingdom living—to be the presence of the kingdom in the world.presence of the kingdom in the world.

Communing with GodCommuning with God

The man of God reads the Book of God to The man of God reads the Book of God to commune with God, "commune with God, "to feel after him and find to feel after him and find him,him," to feel his power and his divinity stirring " to feel his power and his divinity stirring within him; to have his soul fired, quickened, within him; to have his soul fired, quickened, animated by the spirit of grace and truth. He animated by the spirit of grace and truth. He reads the Bible to enjoy the God of the Bible…reads the Bible to enjoy the God of the Bible…Such a one converses with God as one who Such a one converses with God as one who speaks by signs. His readings are heavenly speaks by signs. His readings are heavenly musings. God speaks: he listens.musings. God speaks: he listens.

Alexander Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Millennial HarbingerMillennial Harbinger 3ns 3ns (January 1839), 37(January 1839), 37




Lipscomb as Resident AlienLipscomb as Resident Alien

If the church ever attains to its primitive If the church ever attains to its primitive purity and efficiency it must be by a return purity and efficiency it must be by a return to this clearly established principle of the to this clearly established principle of the separation of all its members from worldly separation of all its members from worldly governments, and the consecration of the governments, and the consecration of the affections, time, means and talents of all affections, time, means and talents of all its members to the up building of the its members to the up building of the church of God and the salvation of the church of God and the salvation of the world.world.

Civil GovernmentCivil Government, 128., 128.




To orient our lives toward the single To orient our lives toward the single purpose of kingdom living—to be the purpose of kingdom living—to be the presence of the kingdom in the world.presence of the kingdom in the world.

Harding on Kingdom LivingHarding on Kingdom Living

If every Christian in the world should run If every Christian in the world should run his business, whatever that may be, solely his business, whatever that may be, solely for the advancement of God’s kingdom; if for the advancement of God’s kingdom; if he should consider himself as being in the he should consider himself as being in the world simply and solely for that purpose, world simply and solely for that purpose, what a wonderful change we would have what a wonderful change we would have in the world.in the world.

The WayThe Way 3 (4 April 1901), 4 3 (4 April 1901), 4


PrayerPrayer




1831-19171831-1917




1848-19221848-1922





















It is a good rule to It is a good rule to pray regularly four pray regularly four times each day, times each day, morning, noon, morning, noon, evening, and night, evening, and night, and other times when and other times when occasion requires it.occasion requires it.

The WayThe Way, 4 (17 July 1902), 123., 4 (17 July 1902), 123.

Harding on PrayerHarding on Prayer

God is as ready to answer prayer as ever; it is God is as ready to answer prayer as ever; it is easy for him to do it as it ever was; there is not a easy for him to do it as it ever was; there is not a good thing that he is not willing, ready and able good thing that he is not willing, ready and able to give in answer to the prayer of faith; but it is to give in answer to the prayer of faith; but it is more probable that prayers of faith are very more probable that prayers of faith are very scarce. Here is an enormous power, the scarce. Here is an enormous power, the mightiest that can be used by a mortal, that few mightiest that can be used by a mortal, that few of us use as we could and should.of us use as we could and should.

Christian Leader and the WayChristian Leader and the Way, 19 (19 Sept 1905), 8., 19 (19 Sept 1905), 8.

Harding on InterventionHarding on Intervention

Mark you it does not matter how much you Mark you it does not matter how much you may read the Bible, nor how much you may read the Bible, nor how much you delight in it and go by it, this will not delight in it and go by it, this will not prevent the other train from smashing into prevent the other train from smashing into yours, if there be no superhuman yours, if there be no superhuman intervention—no overruling providence. I intervention—no overruling providence. I am so glad God has not withdrawn himself am so glad God has not withdrawn himself and left us to our own resources.and left us to our own resources.

Christian Leader and the Way 19 (1 August 1905), 8.Christian Leader and the Way 19 (1 August 1905), 8.

Harding on the SpiritHarding on the Spirit

Does the Holy Spirit do anything now Does the Holy Spirit do anything now except what the Word does? Do we get except what the Word does? Do we get help, any kind or in any way, from God help, any kind or in any way, from God except what we get by studying the except what we get by studying the Bible? . . . Does God answer our prayers Bible? . . . Does God answer our prayers by saying, ‘Study the Bible’?by saying, ‘Study the Bible’?

The Way The Way 4 (17 July 1902), 123 4 (17 July 1902), 123

Harding on SufficiencyHarding on Sufficiency

Scripture does not teach that the Bible Scripture does not teach that the Bible alone thoroughly furnishes the man of God alone thoroughly furnishes the man of God for every good work, but that the Bible in for every good work, but that the Bible in addition to what had already been given addition to what had already been given does so . . . I am as far as the East is from does so . . . I am as far as the East is from the West from believing that neither God, the West from believing that neither God, Christ, nor the Holy Spirit can help us Christ, nor the Holy Spirit can help us except by talking to us.except by talking to us.

Christian Leader and the WayChristian Leader and the Way 20 (6 Feb 1906), 8-0 20 (6 Feb 1906), 8-0

Harding on Divine DynamicsHarding on Divine Dynamics

I feel sorry for those who are afflicted by these I feel sorry for those who are afflicted by these dreadful, blighting, semi-infidel materialistic dreadful, blighting, semi-infidel materialistic notions, that leave God, Christ, the Holy notions, that leave God, Christ, the Holy Spirit . . . wholly out of the Christian’s life--for Spirit . . . wholly out of the Christian’s life--for those who think all spiritual beings left us when those who think all spiritual beings left us when the Bible was finished, and who think that we the Bible was finished, and who think that we now have to fight the battle alone. Some of now have to fight the battle alone. Some of these people pray, but what they pray for is these people pray, but what they pray for is more than I can tell, unless it is for the ‘reflex more than I can tell, unless it is for the ‘reflex influence’.influence’.

Christian Leader and the Way Christian Leader and the Way 20 (19 June 1906)20 (19 June 1906)

Suggestions on the Practice of Suggestions on the Practice of Prayer from the Gospel of LukePrayer from the Gospel of Luke

1.1. Pray Alone—personal time with GodPray Alone—personal time with God

““Jesus often withdrew to lonely places Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).and prayed” (Luke 5:16).

““Jesus went out to a mountainside to Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” pray, and spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12).(Luke 6:12).


1.1. Pray Alone—personal time with GodPray Alone—personal time with God

2.2. Pray in Community—public prayer is a witness to a Pray in Community—public prayer is a witness to a community’s commitment to God.community’s commitment to God.

- The temple is a “house of prayer” (19:46)- The temple is a “house of prayer” (19:46)- Jesus prayed with the twelve (11:1-4; 22:17-20)- Jesus prayed with the twelve (11:1-4; 22:17-20)- Jesus prayed on the cross (23:24).- Jesus prayed on the cross (23:24).


1.1. Pray Alone—personal time with GodPray Alone—personal time with God2.2. Pray in Community—public prayer is a witness to a Pray in Community—public prayer is a witness to a

community’s commitment to God.community’s commitment to God.3.3. Pray in Small Groups (3-5 people).Pray in Small Groups (3-5 people).

- Jesus “took Peter, John and James with him and - Jesus “took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray” (Luke 9:28).went up onto a mountain to pray” (Luke 9:28).

Harding on SufferingHarding on Suffering

We should pray to God to give us whatever is We should pray to God to give us whatever is best for us, wealth or poverty, honor or best for us, wealth or poverty, honor or humiliation, health or sickness, life or death; humiliation, health or sickness, life or death; being sure that whatever he gives to his dutiful being sure that whatever he gives to his dutiful child will be a blessing; resting in the faith that child will be a blessing; resting in the faith that for all that we sacrifice or suffer for him we may for all that we sacrifice or suffer for him we may expect a hundredfold reward, even in this expect a hundredfold reward, even in this present time.present time.

The WayThe Way 3 (27 Feb 1902), 370 3 (27 Feb 1902), 370

Lipscomb on SufferingLipscomb on Suffering

All the events connected with our lives are more All the events connected with our lives are more completely under his guidance and direction, and are completely under his guidance and direction, and are more fully controlled and overruled by him than were more fully controlled and overruled by him than were those of any other people in the world…The failure to those of any other people in the world…The failure to recognize God’s hand in the events that befall us, recognize God’s hand in the events that befall us, causes us to complain, whine, repine over the causes us to complain, whine, repine over the misfortunes—as we consider them—of life, and to misfortunes—as we consider them—of life, and to indulge in bitter, wicked, envious thoughts toward others, indulge in bitter, wicked, envious thoughts toward others, and to live in anxiety and dread as to the present and the and to live in anxiety and dread as to the present and the future.future.

Gospel Advocate Gospel Advocate 10 (21 January 1869), 49-5010 (21 January 1869), 49-50

Robert H. Boll’s PrayerRobert H. Boll’s Prayer

O my Father, deliver me from the domination of O my Father, deliver me from the domination of money. My heart is deceitful above all things and money. My heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick, only thou canst know the depth desperately sick, only thou canst know the depth of it. Without realizing that it was so, I was on my of it. Without realizing that it was so, I was on my way to become a professional. And now, Father, way to become a professional. And now, Father, forgive thy penitent servant, and guide his forgive thy penitent servant, and guide his wayward feet unto thy paths. Make me wholly wayward feet unto thy paths. Make me wholly free from the fear of man and the fear and love free from the fear of man and the fear and love of money. Help thou mine unbelief! of money. Help thou mine unbelief!

Living MessageLiving Message 4 (14 August 1924), 332 4 (14 August 1924), 332

Boll Prayer (Continued)Boll Prayer (Continued)

May I by thy grace love thee, even thee alone May I by thy grace love thee, even thee alone and supremely; and because I love thee may I and supremely; and because I love thee may I love thy truth, and the souls of men. Enable me love thy truth, and the souls of men. Enable me to lay all my burdens and concerns as to this to lay all my burdens and concerns as to this world’s affairs upon the God who will in no wise world’s affairs upon the God who will in no wise fail nor in any wise forsake them that rest their fail nor in any wise forsake them that rest their trust on him; and then go forth to do all thy will, trust on him; and then go forth to do all thy will, even thine, unto the end.even thine, unto the end.

Living MessageLiving Message 4 (14 August 1924), 332. 4 (14 August 1924), 332.


FellowshipFellowship




1831-19171831-1917




1848-19221848-1922




















Acts 2:43-47Acts 2:43-47

Everyone was filled with awe, and many Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts and broke bread in their in the temple courts and broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42Acts 2:42 Acts 2:43-47Acts 2:43-47

Apostle’s Apostle’s TeachingTeaching

Apostles worked miracles and Apostles worked miracles and taught in the Temple dailytaught in the Temple daily

Fellowship Fellowship ((koinoniakoinonia))

Disciples held everything in Disciples held everything in common (common (koinakoina) and sold their ) and sold their possessions for the needypossessions for the needy

Breaking Breaking BreadBread

They broke bread in their homes They broke bread in their homes dailydaily

PrayerPrayer Gathered for prayer in the Temple Gathered for prayer in the Temple and gathered at home praising Godand gathered at home praising God


Send bread now, Send bread now, brethren, and brethren, and afterward the Bibles afterward the Bibles and preachers.and preachers.

Gospel AdvocateGospel Advocate, 9 (13 June , 9 (13 June 1867), 476.1867), 476.

Lipscomb on FellowshipLipscomb on Fellowship

Our fellowship for one another must be of this Our fellowship for one another must be of this character . . . The man that can spend money in character . . . The man that can spend money in extending his already broad acres, while his extending his already broad acres, while his brother and his brother’s children cry for bread – brother and his brother’s children cry for bread – the woman that can spend money in purchasing the woman that can spend money in purchasing a stylish bonnet . . . merely to appear a stylish bonnet . . . merely to appear fashionable, while her sister. . . [is] shivering with fashionable, while her sister. . . [is] shivering with cold . . . are no Christians . . . notwithstanding cold . . . are no Christians . . . notwithstanding they have been baptized for the remission of they have been baptized for the remission of sins.sins.

Gospel AdvocateGospel Advocate, 9 (28 Feb 1867), 171-172, 9 (28 Feb 1867), 171-172

Jesus and the PoorJesus and the Poor

This is the work for which the church was This is the work for which the church was established . . . The church must be educated to established . . . The church must be educated to the true appreciation of its proper work and the true appreciation of its proper work and solemn obligation that rests upon it to perform solemn obligation that rests upon it to perform that work . . . Jesus Christ personified himself in that work . . . Jesus Christ personified himself in his poor brethren. He stands to-day [his poor brethren. He stands to-day [sicsic] ] personified in the gaunt and hollow face, sunken personified in the gaunt and hollow face, sunken eye, and half-clad emaciated form of widowed eye, and half-clad emaciated form of widowed mothers and of hungry, starving children.mothers and of hungry, starving children.

Gospel AdvocateGospel Advocate, 8 (24 July 1866), 473-474, 8 (24 July 1866), 473-474

Jesus and the PoorJesus and the Poor

Christ is personified in his poor, helpless brethren, Matt. Christ is personified in his poor, helpless brethren, Matt. xxv: 40. In them, Christ appeals for help to himself. Who xxv: 40. In them, Christ appeals for help to himself. Who realizes this? . . . Let us realize that every helpless, realizes this? . . . Let us realize that every helpless, needy one of our brethren is the personification of Christ needy one of our brethren is the personification of Christ to us appealing for help. He is our Christ, to be kindly to us appealing for help. He is our Christ, to be kindly welcomed and generously treated. Shall we cast our welcomed and generously treated. Shall we cast our Christ from our doors and let him become a beggar from Christ from our doors and let him become a beggar from others . . . ‘Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the others . . . ‘Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’

Gospel AdvocateGospel Advocate, 12 (17 March 1870), 253., 12 (17 March 1870), 253.

Luke-Acts on the PoorLuke-Acts on the Poor

The mission of Jesus is to declare “good news to the poor” (Luke The mission of Jesus is to declare “good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18)4:18)

Disciples are to “sell you possessions and give to the poor” (Luke Disciples are to “sell you possessions and give to the poor” (Luke 12:33).12:33).

The kingdom of God is care for the poor rather than a life of luxury The kingdom of God is care for the poor rather than a life of luxury (Parable of the Rich and Lazarus in Luke 16)(Parable of the Rich and Lazarus in Luke 16)

The ministry of disciples is to “do good” (Luke 6:35; Acts 9:36; The ministry of disciples is to “do good” (Luke 6:35; Acts 9:36; 10:38).10:38).

The fellowship of disciples is the sharing of their resources for the The fellowship of disciples is the sharing of their resources for the sake of the needy and the kingdom of God (Acts 2:43-44; 4:32-35)sake of the needy and the kingdom of God (Acts 2:43-44; 4:32-35)

Nashville Bible School Nashville Bible School and the Poorand the Poor

““We differ from many other schools in that We differ from many other schools in that we freely admit all who are not able to pay we freely admit all who are not able to pay free of charge. Our Master preached the free of charge. Our Master preached the gospel to the poor; we are trying to imitate gospel to the poor; we are trying to imitate him.” him.”

Harding, Harding, Gospel AdvocateGospel Advocate 39 (3 June 1897), 338. 39 (3 June 1897), 338.

Nashville Bible SchoolNashville Bible Schooland the poorand the poor

““When a student cannot pay tuition and his When a student cannot pay tuition and his friends cannot or will not do it for him, we friends cannot or will not do it for him, we receive him without it, with the receive him without it, with the understanding that he will pay it, without understanding that he will pay it, without interest, as soon as he becomes able to interest, as soon as he becomes able to do so. If he never becomes able, our do so. If he never becomes able, our service to him is a gift.”service to him is a gift.”

Seventh Announcement Seventh Announcement (1898), p. 8(1898), p. 8

Nashville Bible SchoolNashville Bible Schooland Kingdom Missionand Kingdom Mission

““The gospel is to the poor, for the poor, and they The gospel is to the poor, for the poor, and they are the chief helpers of God in carrying forward are the chief helpers of God in carrying forward his work in the earth. It is wrong for them to wait his work in the earth. It is wrong for them to wait for or expect the rich to do it. It would do them for or expect the rich to do it. It would do them good to do this work chiefly themselves. The good to do this work chiefly themselves. The school is for the benefit of the common people.” school is for the benefit of the common people.”

Lipscomb, Lipscomb, Gospel AdvocateGospel Advocate 45 (26 Feb 1903), 136: 45 (26 Feb 1903), 136:

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Four Means of Grace Reading Scripture. David Lipscomb and James A. Harding: The Nashville Bible...

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