8, Correspondence.

From: The Believer's Monthly Magazine: Volume 2

W.C.— Who may not be received at the Lord’s Table? Reception at the Lord’s Table should be on adequate-testimony that the persons to be received are Christ’s, and are walking in ways of faith and godliness, In this manner Saul was received at Jerusalem (Acts 9:26, 27²⁶And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. ²⁷But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:26‑27)). Saints visiting an assembly where they are unknown should furnish themselves with letters of commendation (2 Cor. 3:1¹Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? (2 Corinthians 3:1)). Persons like Simon Magus, whose hearts are not right in the sight of God, have, of course, no part or lot in the matter (Acts 8:21²¹Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. (Acts 8:21)). Scripture also declares that certain classes of persons are to be excluded from fellowship, viz. (1) those guilty of immorality (1 Cor. 5); (2) those propagating false teaching (Gal. 5:8-12⁸This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. ⁹A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. ¹⁰I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. ¹¹And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. ¹²I would they were even cut off which trouble you. (Galatians 5:8‑12)); and (3) those not abiding in the doctrine of Christ (1 John 2:18-29¹⁸Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. ¹⁹They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. ²⁰But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²¹I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. ²²Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. ²³Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. ²⁴Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. ²⁵And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. ²⁶These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. ²⁷But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. ²⁸And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. ²⁹If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. (1 John 2:18‑29); 2 John 9⁹Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)). Let the honor due to the name of the Lord govern every decision in matters of this kind. Are fruit bearing and service the same? Hardly; generally speaking, the former includes the latter. Thus love and faith are fruit (Gal. 5:22²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Galatians 5:22)), but we also hear of the labor of love and the work of faith (1 Thess. 1:3³Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; (1 Thessalonians 1:3)); on the other hand, meekness and gentleness are fruit, but scarcely service. Fruit is the result of the new life God gives; service of the “gift” He gives.

“One thing I do.”— We are informed by some of our correspondents that the author of the verses on page 113 of the B.M.M. for May last was not J.N.D., though they appeared in print many years ago above his initials.

F.B.— Who are the unworthy (1 Cor. 11:27²⁷Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:27))? The text reads, “Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” You will observe it does not speak of any persons as being unworthy, but of eating in an unworthy manner. Irreverence, or forgetfulness of the presence of the Lord, was the sin for which the apostle rebuked the Corinthians. We ought always to beware of partaking of the bread and wine carelessly or thoughtlessly. Every Christian should commemorate the Lord’s death, but at the same time should take heed how it is done. See the solemn warnings that follow this verse.

H.W.P.— How are we to understand, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Rom. 8:1-10¹There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁵For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:1‑10))? Is he not yet sealed? In Rom. 8:1-10,¹There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁵For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:1‑10) the Spirit is viewed in regard to the effect He produces in the believer, but subsequently (11, etc.) as a distinct person indwelling and witnessing. So that when He is spoken of as the Spirit of Christ (vs. 9), He is looked at as giving the believer a moral likeness to Christ, without which a person is not His. Therefore it is not so much the Holy Spirit Himself that is in question here, as the effect of His presence in the believer. Now when sealing is spoken of, it is the Spirit Himself Who is the seal that God gives (2 Cor. 1:22²²Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:22); Eph. 1:13; 4:30¹³In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)
³⁰And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)). We do not think, therefore, that sealing is so much referred to in this passage, as the blessed office of the Spirit in conforming the Lord’s own to the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18¹⁸But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)). This likeness to Him is true of each and all who belong to Him. Is the “Spirit of life” (Rom. 8:2²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)) the resurrection life the Lord breathed on His disciples (John 20:22²²And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (John 20:22))? Surely so. Christ, the Prince of Life, Who knew no sin, overcame sin and death; and in His victorious resurrection that connection with sin and death to which He submitted for our sakes, ended with Him forever (Rom. 6:9, 10⁹Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. ¹⁰For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. (Romans 6:9‑10)). Such a life is imparted to us (the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus), thereby making us also free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)). How is the “righteousness of the law fulfilled in us” (Rom. 8:4⁴That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:4))? The righteousness of the law here means the righteous demands of the law, which are necessarily fulfilled in every person who walks after the Spirit. For “he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law;” since “love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:8-10⁸Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. ⁹For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ¹⁰Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:8‑10)). Jesus standing (Acts 7:55⁵⁵But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, (Acts 7:55)) and sitting on the right hand of God (Heb. 1:3; 10:11, 12³Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)
¹¹And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: ¹²But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (Hebrews 10:11‑12)). As you say, the attitude in which Stephen saw the Lord Jesus was plainly indicative of His readiness to return (Acts 3:20²⁰And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: (Acts 3:20)) as Israel’s Messiah, if the nation would repent. But they stoned Stephen; and immediately (Acts 8:1¹And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1)) the witnesses were driven from Jerusalem, and scattered everywhere. In Hebrews (written afterward), His seat on high is a proof of His accomplished work.

Poplar. — What is the voice of the Son of God (John 5:25²⁵Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. (John 5:25))? When the Lord Jesus speaks to a dead soul, He bestows life; it hears the voice and lives. Just as when the Lord called to dead Lazarus, the corpse lived and came forth. Hearing the preacher is very different from hearing this voice. It speaks within. It is only known to those who hear it. Have you not heard it? As to resisting the Spirit, see an example in Acts 7:51⁵¹Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51).

R.E.F.— Explain 2 Corinthians 6:17,¹⁷Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17) and also 1 Timothy 2:9, 10⁹In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; ¹⁰But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9‑10). The first is a most general call to entire separation from the world, and to remain without contact with what is unclean. It is not enough to come out; there must be not so much as a touch. We hope to insert a paper on this subject shortly (D.V.). “Modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9, 10⁹In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; ¹⁰But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9‑10)) is in contrast to the efforts of the worldly-minded to bring themselves into prominence by means of showy or eccentric attire. Neatness is a mark of every Christian lady.

E.N.— Hating father and mother (Luke 14:26²⁶If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)); would this apply to the first claims that the Lord has over me in everything, especially with regard to staying away from the Lord’s table sometimes, in order to be with and to please my relatives? We hardly think so. The Lord spoke of a time when the parents would deliver their children to death even, because they professed Christ. In such cases, obedience to Christ meant disobedience to parents. We do not know your circumstances, but we imagine it is a question of a different nature, if we understand it aright. Do not forget that the same word of the Lord that bids you remember Him at His table, commands you to honor and obey your parents (Eph. 6:1, 2¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. ²Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) (Ephesians 6:1‑2)). If they wish you to remain away sometimes, and you obey cheerfully, “this is well-pleasing unto the Lord” (Col. 3:20²⁰Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)), for in obeying them you obey Him. But depend upon it, sulks at home and smiles in the meeting is far from pleasing to the Lord. If your parents sought to prevent you from being a disciple of Christ at all, it would be quite another matter.