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.
Download
Topic
Sermon Summary
H.J. Vine preaches on the story of Joseph and his brothers, highlighting how their fear and lack of peace stemmed from not truly knowing Joseph's character and intentions. Similarly, older believers may struggle when they neglect to deepen their knowledge of the Lord and Savior, leading to unrest in their souls. Just as Joseph assured his brothers of his care and God's greater plan despite their past wrongs, believers are encouraged to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ to experience perfect peace.
Scriptures
Fear Ye Not
After their father’s death Joseph’s brethren lost their peace, and fear seized upon them. They judged Joseph according to the thoughts of their own hearts, thinking that, after all, he would requite them for the evil they had done unto him. Again Joseph wept when they came confessing their sin to him, and again he told them he would care for them and nourish them (Gen. 50:21). This loss of their peace showed they had not increased in the knowledge of Joseph himself since he had made himself known unto them, for had they done so they would never have harboured such wrong thoughts concerning him. And it is just this which explains the unhappy condition of soul which sometimes overtakes older believers. They may have gathered up a great deal of knowledge concerning various things, but the knowledge of God’s Son—of their Lord and Saviour—has been neglected. Peter, in his second Epistle, speaks of idleness and unfruitfulness as regards the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of one having “forgotten the purging of his former sins” (2:9), but he closes with an exhortation to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. This will keep the heart and mind in perfect peace. Joseph had told his brethren it was God and not they who had sent him to Egypt (45:8), and God had done so in view of their salvation. And now again he lets them know that he was fully aware that they “thought evil,” but “God meant it unto good” (50:20), to bring to pass the salvation of much people. Beautifully prefiguring our Saviour’s love, Joseph’s WAS AN UNCHANGED LOVE; and he said, “Now therefore FEAR YE NOT: I will nourish you and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
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.