Answers to November Questions

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
WE are very pleased with the earnest way so many of you have answered our questions during this year. We have also received several nice letters from our young friends, ant very happy indeed are we to know from your own selves that you do love the holy word of God, and that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ for time and for eternity. As we take leave of one another for 1831, we affectionately commend you to God and the word of His grace, and we are sure you will never, never regret having diligently sought in the sacred word the answers to our questions upon it.
1. (a) Acts 2:99Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (Acts 2:9). The gospel was not preached to the Gentiles until Acts 10. (b) Hosea 2:23,23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. (Hosea 2:23) "I will say to them which were not My people, Thou art My people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."—2. As "strangers and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:1111Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:11)); as 'those to whom Christ had left an example, that they should follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)); as those who were to "pass the time of their sojourning here in fear" (1 Peter 1:1717And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: (1 Peter 1:17)) — 3. They were (a) elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father; (b) through sanctification of the Spirit; (c) unto obedience of Christ; (d) and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:22Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2))— 4 (a) He bids them be "clothed with humility." (1 Peter 5:55Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5)) (b) He speaks of "suffering wrongfully" as "thankworthy (1 Peter 2:1919For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (1 Peter 2:19)); of those suffering for righteousness' sake as happy" (1 Peter 3:1414But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (1 Peter 3:14)), bids them "rejoice" in being "partakers of Christ's sufferings," (1 Peter 4:1313But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:13)) and says that one who "suffers as a Christian" should "not be ashamed," but glorify God. (1 Peter 4:1616Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:16).) (c) "By the power of God, through faith, onto salvation." (1 Peter 1:55Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5).) (d) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8).) (e) "Be ye sober, and watch unto prayer." (2 Peter 4:7.)—5. Because God had promised that the Jews should be prosperous in this world, unless they were disobedient.—6. Paul (2 Tim. 4:6-86For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6‑8)) Stephen (Acts 7:55-6055But 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, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:55‑60).) —7. Spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)); the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:1515By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)).— 8. The costly price of their redemption. (1 Peter 1:18, 1918Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18‑19).)