Correspondence: Rom. 8:16; Isa. 53:8; 1 Cor. 7:20; Beg. of Christ's Ministry?

From: Young Christian: Volume 15, 1925

• 4 min. read • grade level: 7

Question: One page 55, February “Young Christion,” on Romans 8:16¹⁶The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16) a fuller explanation is asked? H. C. S.

Answer: In the light of the New Testament, we see that all believers in God from the beginning of man’s history were born of God, but did not know, it was not given them to know, God as their Father. In Gal. 4:1-3¹Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; ²But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. ³Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: (Galatians 4:1‑3) they are compared to children underage, minors, and as thus born of God—they have a life that can receive the Word of God (John 1:12, 13¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12‑13)).

The first time our present relationship was unfolded, was in John 20:17¹⁷Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17) in the word to the disciples through Mary Magdalene. Romans 8:15-17¹⁵For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:15‑17) is the believer’s present portion as the family of God. The words “sons” and “children” are both used in this chapter; a careful looking at the context will show that sons of God indicates our position, and dignity, of full age; while “children of God” indicates the grace and relationship of children with God the Father. In Galatians 3:26²⁶For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26), it should be “sons” (as it is in contrast to those of full age), with minors under tutors and governors, who did not know the Father, saints who lived and died before Christ went on high.

In 1 John 3:1, 2¹Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1‑2), the right word is “children,” not “sons” there, for we are looked at in the love of the Father and the Son, as the Family of God.

It is quite true, even now that many people have faith, and, like Cornelius in Acts 10, their prayers and their alms are acceptable to God, but though thus horn, yet they do not know that Christ died for their sins. We could not call them Christians, but hope to see them looking to Christ alone, and there finding in Him the One who bore their sins on the tree; and will also receive the Holy Spirit, “and be able to rejoice in God their Father, and the Lord Jesus as their own Savior.”

Question: Please explain Isaiah 53:8⁸He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (Isaiah 53:8). O. T.

Answer: Verses 1-6, the remnant of believing Jews speaks. Then Jehovah speaks (7-9) of how men treated Him—arrested in the garden, treated with ignominy, shame and violence. He did not resist them, when treated as a transgressor. The thief now converted, declares His generation. He is cut off by giving Himself up to death. It was for others He died. Men appointed for Him a felon’s grave, but Jehovah took care of His body, that no corruption could touch it.

It helps our understanding of this part to divide it as follows—Isaiah 52:13-15¹³Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. ¹⁴As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: ¹⁵So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. (Isaiah 52:13‑15), Jehovah’s voice; 53:1-6, the saints’ voices; 7-9, Jehovah; 10, the saints; 11, 12, Jehovah.

Question: Does 1 Corinthians 7:20²⁰Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. (1 Corinthians 7:20) bind Christians to remain in the same worldly occupation as they were in when converted to God? D. C.

Answer: No. Read 1 Corinthians 7:18-24¹⁸Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. ¹⁹Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. ²⁰Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. ²¹Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. ²²For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. ²³Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. ²⁴Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. (1 Corinthians 7:18‑24). Some were circumcised, others were uncircumcised. Some were slaves, others were free men. If a slave may be freed, he was to use it. If he was a slave, he was Christ’s free man. If he was free, he was Christ’s slave. All of them were bought with a price, the blood of Christ. Therefore whatever place they filled, they were to abide with God. If they could not abide with God where they were, they must give up their sinful circumstances or occupation, to walk with Him.

We are free to be led by the Lord into whatever occupation we may be suited for.

Question: Did the sixty-nine weeks end with the beginning of Christ’s ministry, or His triumphal entry into Jerusalem? O. T.

Answer: It was the death of Christ that broke off Christ’s relation with Israel as their Messiah. There He was cut off and had nothing. One more national offer was given them in Acts 3, in answer to His prayer on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do;” but they threw His sent ones into prison, and murdered His witness—Stephen. Then the godly remnant at Jerusalem, as a community waiting for their Messiah, were all scattered by persecution, which the Lord sent to scatter them. They no longer had all things common. Since then, the church, the body of Christ, looks for its Head as Bridegroom to take His heavenly people home (as in 1 Thess. 4:13-18¹³But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. ¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. ¹⁵For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18)).

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