12, Correspondence.

Making Mistakes. We have been told that there is a mistake at the bottom of page 259 (last issue). We do not at all wish to be found among those referred to there as “making no mistakes.” That class is of ancient origin, and was composed of such as trusted in themselves that they were righteous (Luke 18:99And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: (Luke 18:9)), and consequently needed no repentance (Luke 15:77I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)). But we understand the scripture in these passages to be giving the persons’ own opinion of themselves, and that opinion was not worth much. We have heard persons say that they never made mistakes; but we had only their own word for it. We would prefer to have heard them sown their faults and forsake them; but this practice is not at all as common as may be supposed. Let us confess our mistakes that they may be turned to our profit, and not be “wise in our own conceits; “such was the sense meant to be conveyed in the sentence objected to.
R.M. —Preaching in cycling costume. Probably this was done without thought, and if the person were spoken to kindly and graciously he would perhaps desist, when he knows several are grieved. We have nothing to say against the bicycle when legitimately used as a means of ‘bodily exercise, or as a mode of expeditious traveling. Nothing can be said in its favor however when used immoderately, As to riding on the Lord’s day, we should fear lest we might be confounded with the crowds of worldly persons who spend that day in pleasure-seeking, having no regard for the Lord’s name.
W.E. —Does the Lord’s expression, “It is finished” refer to the scripture, “I thirst” (John 19:28-3028After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:28‑30))? Surely not. We confess we have no sympathy with views which destroy the moral grandeur of these words of our Lord in which He, the Son of God, declares the completion of His work of redemption. In vs. 28, we have the fulfillment of each detail stated. (All things were now finished). In vs. 30, the work is viewed as a comprehensive whole and said to be finished (perfect). In John 17:44I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. (John 17:4) it is said to be finished (aorist). vs. 28 and 29 deal with the quotation from the Psalm, but vs. 30 gives us the Lord’s final word and act; and who shall measure their profundity? Lord’s table and Lord’s supper. Briefly the difference in the expressions seems to be that the Lord’s table is where the Lord is allowed exclusively to rule and govern by His word, and the Lord’s supper is where the solemn significance of the bread and the wine is duly realized by those who partake. 1 Corinthians 10 refers to where it is eaten, and 1 Corinthians 11 to how it is eaten.
S.T.J. —Please explain Mark 15:2525And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. (Mark 15:25) and John 19:1414And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! (John 19:14). Mark shows six hours and John three on the cross. The seeming discrepancy is removed by observing that in John we have time reckoned by the Roman mode, and in the other gospels by the Jewish mode. The Romans counted the day from midnight (as we do) so that the sixth hour in John would be six hours after midnight, or six a.m. This was the hour when Jesus was delivered up to be crucified and led away from the judgment seat. Mark refers to the hour, later than this, when the Lord was actually placed on the cross; this, he says, was the third hour. Now the Jews counted from sunrise, or six a.m. The third hour, therefore, in this case was nine a.m. At the ninth hour (three p.m.) the Lord gave up the ghost, making six hours on the cross (Mark 15:25, 3425And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. (Mark 15:25)
34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)). There is nothing in John contrary to this.
A.J.K. —Will you please explain the “unity of the faith” etc. (Eph. 4:1313Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13))? This defines the purpose for which gifts (apostles, prophets, etc.) are bestowed in the church. True ministry is given to instruct us in the same thing (i.e., the truth as now revealed). All believing this truth will constitute the “unity of the faith.” If you observe that knowledge is the subject of the apostle here it will help to understand the passage. The “perfection” is the maturity of knowledge, as in Heb. 5:14; 6:114But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)
1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (Hebrews 6:1). The knowledge is of Christ especially, as He is now made known in the New Testament, and referred to in this passage as “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Compare “fathers” (1 John 2:1313I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. (1 John 2:13)). Briefly then, ministry is the means by which we grow to a state of manhood as regards the truth concerning Christ, and that state is the “unity of the faith.”
E.O. —Will you kindly define the difference between supplications, prayers and intercessions (1 Tim. 2:11I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1))? We give the words of another; “‘Supplication’ implies earnestness in pressing the suit of need; prayer’ is more general and puts forth wants and wishes; ‘intercession’ means the exercise of free and confiding intercourse, whether for ourselves or for others.” Thus the terms cover so many varieties of prayer. It may be noted that “prayer” in 1 Tim. 4:55For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:5) is the same word as is given as “intercessions” here; and in the following places it is the same as is here translated “supplications” (Luke 1:13; 2:37; 5:3313But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (Luke 1:13)
37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. (Luke 2:37)
33And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? (Luke 5:33); Rom. 10:11Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (Romans 10:1); 2 Cor. 1:11; 9:1411Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. (2 Corinthians 1:11)
14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. (2 Corinthians 9:14); Phil. 1:4,194Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, (Philippians 1:4)
19For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (Philippians 1:19); 2 Tim. 1:33I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; (2 Timothy 1:3); Heb. 5:77Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; (Hebrews 5:7); James 5:1616Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16); 1 Peter 3:1212For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)).
E.A.S. —Does the spirit of a dead saint go immediately to God? Yes (Eccl. 12:77Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)); in New Testament words it goes “to be with Christ” (Phil. 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)). Stephen, falling asleep, said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:5959And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7:59)). To be “absent from the body” is to be “present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:88We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)). It is immediately, because the Lord said to the robber, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:4343And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)). What is the meaning of “being raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:4444It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:44))? The spiritual body is a body suited for heaven, as the “natural” body was suited for the earth. It is the body of glory like Christ’s which the raised and changed saints will receive at the Lord’s coming (Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)).
W.C. —Do the “dead in Christ” (1 Thess. 4:1616For 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: (1 Thessalonians 4:16); 1 Cor. 15:2222For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)) include Old Testament saints? Surely; because there are but the two classes, viz., those “in Christ” and those “in Adam” (1 Cor. 15); and only the former partake in the “resurrection of life.” “Each one “in Christ” belongs to that new creation (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)) of which Christ is the head. These two families are similarly distinguished in Romans 5:12-2112Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:12‑21) in connection with righteousness. If Abel was in Christ’s family for righteousness (Heb. 11:44By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)), was he not also for resurrection? There are privileges peculiar to the church, but the “better resurrection” is not one of them (Heb. 11:3535Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (Hebrews 11:35)). The first “all” (1 Cor. 15:2222For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)) includes all men; the second “all” refers only to all saints. Notice that we read of those who “die in the Lord” after the church is gone from the earth (Rev. 14:1313And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13)). These are raised to share Christ’s reign (Rev. 20:44And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)).