H.J. Vine
Henry James Vine (1857 - 1930). English Bible teacher, author, and Plymouth Brethren leader born in London. Converted in his youth, he joined the Brethren assembly at Fore Street, Exeter, and was mentored by figures like George Müller. A self-educated scholar of Greek and Hebrew, he began preaching in the 1870s, traveling across England, Scotland, and Ireland to teach at conferences and assemblies. Vine authored numerous articles and books, including The Work of Christ and contributions to The Witness magazine, emphasizing dispensationalism and Christ’s preeminence. Known for his gentle demeanor and expository clarity, he influenced thousands within the Brethren movement. Married with children, he lived modestly, often supporting missions. In later years, he focused on writing from Bournemouth, where his home became a hub for Bible study. His teachings, preserved in Brethren archives, remain influential among conservative evangelicals. Vine’s emphasis on scriptural precision and humility shaped a generation of Bible students.
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H.J. Vine preaches about the inevitability and importance of change in the life of a true believer, drawing parallels from nature and the transformation of a rough stone into a precious diamond to illustrate the process of spiritual growth and sanctification. He challenges the notion of clinging to self and resisting change, emphasizing the need for believers to be continually transformed from glory to glory by the Spirit they have received, reflecting the image of the unchanging and perfect Jesus Christ.
Changing
The usual indiscriminate condemnation of change is a great mistake. Truly, some change for the worse; but there is change of the right and necessary sort, which is a mark of the true believer. From the cold dark winter, the weather changes to the bright, fresh spring and warm summer: from the decaying seed in the earth, the shoot springs up, changing to bud and beautiful blossom: from that deep mine, a rough stone is brought up; in the hand of man, it changes until its sparkle and brilliance proclaim it to be a precious diamond. Is the believer to know no change? Brought out of darkness into light, out of death into life; quarried from sin and Satan’s power, and blessed in Christ Jesus through His blood: is he not also to be changed from glory to glory by the Spirit he has received? Why should self be clung to so tenaciously? Why this talk, ‘I am just myself and can be no different? I do not believe in changing!’ Is self to be so much admired? Are there not to be great changes with us? Yes, verily! and such changes will take place rapidly, as we admire the moral glory of our Lord Jesus Christ instead of self; as in liberty of thought we look on “the glory of the Lord,” we shall be changed greatly, “transformed (metamorphosed) according to the same image from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:18, N.Tr.). There is no veil now to cover the glory. There is no need of “a glass,” or a mirror. The glory shines in the face of Jesus. He alone knows no change. He is perfect. He is always the same. Blessed be His Name.
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Henry James Vine (1857 - 1930). English Bible teacher, author, and Plymouth Brethren leader born in London. Converted in his youth, he joined the Brethren assembly at Fore Street, Exeter, and was mentored by figures like George Müller. A self-educated scholar of Greek and Hebrew, he began preaching in the 1870s, traveling across England, Scotland, and Ireland to teach at conferences and assemblies. Vine authored numerous articles and books, including The Work of Christ and contributions to The Witness magazine, emphasizing dispensationalism and Christ’s preeminence. Known for his gentle demeanor and expository clarity, he influenced thousands within the Brethren movement. Married with children, he lived modestly, often supporting missions. In later years, he focused on writing from Bournemouth, where his home became a hub for Bible study. His teachings, preserved in Brethren archives, remain influential among conservative evangelicals. Vine’s emphasis on scriptural precision and humility shaped a generation of Bible students.