5/10/76

DOCTRINE OF MEMORY

A. Definition.

1. Memory is a vital function of the mentality of the soul related to one’s capacity for life, happiness and absorption of doctrine.

2. It is the mental capacity of retaining unconscious traces of conscious impressions and of recalling those traces to consciousness with attendant perception.

3. Memory includes the power of retention and recollection.

4. Therefore, memory is a combination of retention and recollection. Memory obviously is a part of capacity for life.

5. Memory is also the function of the mentality of the soul in identification and perception of what has been previously learned.

6. Memory also includes the concept of people living in your soul. It is the perpetuation of thinking about people you love.

7. Another facet of memory is commemoration, which is the perpetuation of knowledge of people or any event.

8. There are principles of memory such as the communion table. This is when we recall through the ministry of the Holy Spirit those doctrines pertaining specifically to the uniqueness of Christ and His work on the cross, and we relate it to our entrance into the plan of God.

B. Memory is a part of personal love toward God, Eccl 12:1. You should store good memories as a defense against reversionism, Ps 145:7-10.

C. The mature believer is a pleasant memory to others, Phil 1:3; Prov 10:7.

D. Communion is designed to remember the Lord until the Rapture, Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25. Memory and thanksgiving are also related.

E. Bible doctrine in the memory center of the soul must have number one priority, 2 Pet 1:12-13. Repeated Bible teaching produces memory of doctrine. Stability comes from remembering the doctrine you have learned.

F. Memory of reversionistic discipline produces misery, while memory of supergrace blessing produces happiness, Lam 3:16-24.

G. Doctrine in the memory center is designed to orient the believer to logistical grace. Ps 103:2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not His benefits.”

H. The importance of doctrine in the memory center is taught in Ps 119:16, 83, 93, 109, 141; Prov 4:5. You cannot apply doctrine unless you remember it. Acquire doctrine, but don’t forget it.

I. Memory is also used as an anthropopathism. Memory is ascribed to God to encourage the believer about divine faithfulness. God has not forgotten you.

J. Negative aspects of memory.

1. Judging and maligning other believers destroys the blessings of memory, Job 13:2-12. 2. For the unbeliever, memory has regrets beyond death, Lk 16:25.

3. Too much drinking causes a ruler to forget his responsibilities, Prov 31:4-5.

4. The memory center has the job of recalling sins, Num 5:15; Heb 10:3. This is necessary for the use of rebound.

5. The exercise of the fifth cycle of discipline blots out the memory of that nation in history, Ex 17:14.

6. Reversionism is not remembered, Job 18:17. 7. The reversionistic believer does not remember the Lord, especially when under the sin unto death, unless he changes his attitude, Ps 6:4-5.

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R. B. Thieme, Jr. Bible Ministries 5139 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77056 (713) 621-3740

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