# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1886_S45
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1886. 45

creature; this Word of God must prove its power on him. And that is the power of a light which is not first recognized as a light when another light from outside casts its gleam upon it, but which itself shines and illumines everything. Whoever, of course, wilfully closes his eyes will say: It is dark; and that is not to be wondered at. But where God's Spirit opens the eyes, there also the living knowledge of the divinity of Holy Scripture enters.

The following passages of Scripture teach us this: 2 Pet. 1:19: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." Psalm 119:105: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Verse 130: "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Psalm 19:8: "The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." 1 Thess. 1:5: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." 2 Cor. 4:2: "By manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." Eph. 3:3–4: "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." John 7:17: "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." John 10:26: "But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice." John 6:68–69: "Then Simon Peter answered him, LORD, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." 1 John 5:9–10: "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself." 1 John 4:6: "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us." John 3:31–34: "He that cometh from above is above all: ... and what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God." 2 Cor. 4:3–4: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."