All Queries for this Class received before the 10th, will be answered, if possible, on the 1St of the following month, i.e., in three weeks.
Q. 234. (1) Kindly explain the difference between Matthew 27:3-103Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. 8Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; 10And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. (Matthew 27:3‑10), and Acts 1:28. (2) Kindly explain Mark 9:2929And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:29). W. H. A.
A. (1) See answer to Query 164 “Y. B.” vol. 2 (2) Prayer and Fasting: this is the expression of absolute dependence on and communion with God on the one hand, and complete separation from all natural power or earthly things generally on the other.
A. Ezekiel speaks of human righteousness (which indeed was all that was then revealed) any failure in which it is evident forfeits all right to life. John 15 speaks of outward attachment to Christ as a branch, the proof of the hidden and real link in this case being fruit-bearing. John 5 speaks solely of this vital hidden link, which is always eternal, showing itself in both righteousness and fruit-bearing.
A. Worshipper in Acts 19:3535And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? (Acts 19:35), means temple keeper; in John 4:2323But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (John 4:23), one who pays homage; in Hebrews 10:22For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (Hebrews 10:2), one who serves. A high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices, Hebrews 8:33For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. (Hebrews 8:3), priests offer gifts according to the law, 8:4, and we as priests offer 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), of three sorts, our praises, Hebrews 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) (herein being worshippers) our goods (ver. 16) and ourselves (Romans 12:11I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)). (2). Peter was converted (or turned to) Christ, as Messiah in John 1:4242And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:42), as Son of God, and the one object to follow in Luke 5:88When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (Luke 5:8), and again after failure, according to Luke 22:3232But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:32). See CONVERSION (Biblical Words, Y. B.) also Story of a Second Conversion, (Y. B. Vol. 1)
A. That every one, good and bad, should be tested by the perfect holiness of God. Where there was divine life, the fire would only consume the flesh; for when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world; with the wicked it is final condemnation. The good will also be salted with salt, i.e., the energy and preserving power of the holy grace of God, keeping us practically from the corrupting power of evil around.
A. Holiness becomes God’s house (now His professing people on earth) forever. See Psalms 93:55Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever. (Psalm 93:5), Ezekiel 43:1212This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house. (Ezekiel 43:12). Judgment begins with those who are nearest to God. He does not spare those who name the name of Christ, and do not depart from iniquity. Here, however, the judgment is on the whole mass of profession. Individual salvation is nowhere in question here. Ver. 18 is quoted from Proverbs 11:3131Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. (Proverbs 11:31), and goes on to show that if God begins with those who outwardly at least are near Him, what possible hope can those have who all their life have defied Him?
A. Probably the latter, otherwise the men would have died without a miracle, and of this there is no hint. No doubt they had labored incessantly without any visible means of support, no regular meal being taken during the whole of the period.
A. See answer to Q. 84, V. B., Vol. 2. The difficulty is solely occasioned by our not understanding the Jewish mode of reckoning the smallest portion of a day as a whole day, or day and night, according as 24 hours or 12 hours each are meant.
Q. 241. (1) Please explain why “the nail” in Isaiah 22, 23, is Christ, and in verse 25, “Antichrist” as stated in answer to Q. 112. (2) Also, please say what the first part of the parable in Luke 15:13-2113And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. (Luke 15:13‑21), refers to. C. M. B.
A. (1) The Lord here takes Shebna (ver. 15) as a picture of Antichrist to be displaced by Eliakim (ver. 20) type of Christ (ver. 22, 23) who displaces in like manner the nail that was in a sure place, viz., Antichrist (ver. 25). (2) The departure of the human race in Adam from God and the practical love of “the far country,” and one’s own way in each human heart (Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)), and the work of the Spirit bringing home the miserable condition to the soul, and leading it to turn to God (conversion the work of Christ is not brought out here, but in ver. 1-7.
A. If “a great house” be taken to mean the whole mass of religious profession, it is evident that the vessels to dishonor will mainly include those who take the place of vessels without any reality, i.e., mere professors.
Q. 243. Hebrews 10:2929Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29). Who are those who “have trodden underfoot the Son of God,” and how were they sanctified by the blood of the covenant, and who are the people in Hebrews 13:1212Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (Hebrews 13:12), said to be sanctified by the blood of Jesus? E. M.
A. Refer to Y. B., vol. 1, p. 219, also Q. 146, Y. B,, vol. 2. These apostate Jews in embracing Christianity, took the place of being separated to Jesus the Nazarene by His blood. Jesus suffered without the gate for this purpose, that a company might be separated to Himself. We must ever, however, distinguish between taking up a profession or position, and being really saved by living faith in Christ.
Q. 244. Kindly explain “prophesying” and “prophecy,” in 1 Corinthians 14:22, 2422Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (1 Corinthians 14:22)
24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: (1 Corinthians 14:24), and if the first has reference to believers and the second to unbelievers. C. M. LE P.
A. Believers only prophesied in the New Testament. Tongues were for a sign of Divine power in the early Church. Prophesying was directly for edification. Hence a meeting wholly taken up with tongues would be most unprofitable, whereas if taken up wholly with prophecy, the power of the word would reach consciences, though there might be no “tongues” to show the Divine power.
A. This refers to the Sabbath. The principle, however, is good for the Christian, not on the Lord’s day only, but every day of the week.
Q. 246. Please say why the words of the inscription on the cross vary in the different Gospels? H. N.
A. The only answer we can give is that the full title on the cross was, “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” of which, as is frequently the case in other facts, each Evangelist states a part, none alone giving the whole. Thus Matthew omits “of Nazareth;” Mark, the whole first clause, “This is Jesus of Nazareth;” Luke, “Jesus of Nazareth;” and John the words, “This is.”
A. See answer to Q. 223, Y. B., July. If more is wanted write again.
A. It means with regard to righteousness. The new version reads, “he will convict the world in respect of sin and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The sin was the world’s in crucifying Christ; the righteousness, that of God in putting Him at His right hand, to save now, or to judge hereafter, and both in righteousness; of all this the Holy Ghost is witness.
A. “Power,” in these verses is better translated “a right to.” The apostle was chewing (verse 11) that he had a right to claim temporal support for himself, and if necessary, for a wife, as an apostle and teacher.
Q. 250. Kindly say what kind of life the unbeliever will have throughout eternity, and what body he will have. J. C.
A. We do not know anything more than that he will have a perpetuity of existence in unutterable misery, and that the body will be immortal. Eternal life properly speaking, belongs to the Christian alone, and means much more than existing forever, which is equally true of the unbeliever, only those who are in Christ have eternal life, the others, although existing forever, shall not see life. (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).)
Q. 251. Will you kindly explain the passage “In his humiliation his judgment was taken away.” S. B.
Q. 252. Do the servants in Matthew 25 include mere professors? M.
A. Certainly, all who take the place of servants of God, whether true Christians or not.
Q. 253. Was it Philip, the Apostle or the Evangelist (one of the seven) who preached at Samaria and to the eunuch? A. B.
A. The Evangelist; who disappears at Caesarea in 8:40, not to be seen again till many years after (21:8) when we find him spoken of with four daughters that prophesied.
A. The passage expressly says that God’s name in relationship to the patriarchs was El Shaddai, (God Almighty), just as now His name to us is “Father.” We may use the other, as Abraham did, but Jehovah was not the special name of God to him as it was here for Israel, whereas God Almighty was.
A. The whole bearing and testimony of Christ before Pilate.
A. The fast was the great day of atonement in the seventh month, answering to the middle of our September. Hence the autumnal gales and wintry weather were now to be expected.
A. (1.) To the latter. (2) Between Jew and Gentile. (3.) It means both in a godly way, and in consistence with God’s claims. These words give the manner and the limit.
A. Romans 8:99But 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. (Romans 8:9) refers to the new life in us by the Spirit. We get the Spirit dwelling in us as a person, lower down in verse 16. The indwelling of the Spirit as a person is an additional privilege to the new life. The disciples had the former before the Lord died, but not the latter till after He was risen. The Spirit dwells in all those who, according to Ephesians 1:1313In 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), have believed the gospel of their salvation, i.e., have peace with God.