Baltimore School of the
Bible, organized in
1931, provides fundamental biblical teaching which is evangelical
in its beliefs, nondenominational in its
scope, evangelistic in
its purpose and missionary in its outlook.
The School has three (3) locations in the Baltimore
area- Park Avenue, Central Presbyterian Church in
Towson, and Brooklyn Bible Chapel in Brooklyn. For more information, visit our website at
www.bsotb.org or call the School at 410-523-4362.
John Valiquet
I was born in the inner city of Baltimore, Maryland. I currently live with my wife in Perry Hall, Baltimore County.
I came to know Jesus as my personal Savior on December 13, 1973. This took place in my bedroom one evening
and was the result of the seed of the Gospel planted in my
heart by a missionary three years before and halfway
around the world. Not knowing anything about the Bible,
God directed me to the Baltimore School of the Bible to attend the first year classes in
the 1974-75 school year. After receiving that foundation, God led me to attend Washington Bible College from which I graduated in 1979. My wife and I attend Fork
Christian Church in Harford, Co.
Baltimore School Of the Bible 1712 Park Ave. Baltimore, MD 21217 Office: 410-523-4362 Website: www.bsotb.org
THERE IS PROFIT TO
BE FOUND IN THE
SCRIPTURES
With the roller coaster ride that the stock market
has been on for the last week, many are thinking,
is there any profit in investing? With unresolved
national problems facing our country, some think,
is there any profit in voting? And, with the violence we see in the world today, one may think,
“One thing we can be sure of is
that there is profit in the study of
the Bible, God’s Living Word.”
is there any profit in social reform programs?
One thing we can be sure of is that there is profit
in the study of the Bible, God’s Living Word.
In fact the Word says this itself: “All Scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness, that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good
work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
This portion of Scripture tells us that there are four areas in which it is profitable for us. First is in doctrine. This word in the Greek is
“instruction” and has a stress on the “information that is given.” The doctrines that we find in the Bible tell us what is right! That is, they
tell us how we should live to experience a profitable life. Joshua, the leader of Israel after Moses, wrote this: “This Book of the Law
shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is in
For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8. A profitable life comes from
holding to the right and shunning the wrong and the Word of God gives us the discernment to do this.
it.
This second step in this climb toward prosperity is reproof. This word is not often used in our language today and from the
Greek can be rendered “conviction.” We use it in the legal sense as to when one is “convicted” of a crime. And
in this aspect, the Bible tells us what is wrong! In the book of Romans, Paul wrote: “…for all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. To sin is to do that which is against the nature and desire of
God. Because of sin, which all have committed, there is a separation between God and man. Just as one
who is convicted in a court of law, the penalty must be exacted, unless the judge should
intercede.
The third step is correction. A full definition of this Greek word would be: “restoration to
an upright or right state.” That is the Bible tells us how to get right! Paul goes on to
say in the book of Romans: “The wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a. This
death is eternal separation from God. However, God did intercede. We see this
interception as Paul continued to write in Romans 6:23b: “…but the
gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” The key
word in this last portion is that of gift. A gift is something that is offered freely by
one to another. One must understand here that a gift is not earned, deserved,
or bought; but it must be received. Paul explains: “But God demonstrates His
own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. The reception of God’s gift is what the Bible refers to as Salvation. Paul
explained how this is done in Romans 10:9: “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your
that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved.”
heart
Our last step is that of instruction in righteousness. The word instruction here indicates a “process of teaching.” The word righteousness from the Greek can be rendered “the way in which a man may attain a state approved of God.” In other words, the Bible teaches
us how to stay right. When one receives the salvation offered by Christ he is changed and filled with the Spirit of God. “Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. We
now have the ability to deny self and obey God. It is the indwelling Spirit of God that enables us to do this: “Walk in the Spirit, and
you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16. And Ephesians 5:9-10 says: “…(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness,
righteousness, and truth) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”
A profitable life can be had from the Word of God which shows us: what is right, what is wrong, how to get right, and how to
stay right!
The Baltimore School Of the Bible * 1712 Park Avenue * Baltimore, MD 21217 Office: 410-523-4362 Website: www.bsotb.org