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 27:3-10, and Acts 1:28. (2) Kindly explain 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.
Q. 235. Will you kindly explain Ezekiel 18:24, and John 15:2, and v. 24? S.
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.
Q. 236. (1) Is there any difference between a priest and a worshipper? (2) When was Peter converted? In John 1:42, or Luke 5:8? C.
A. Worshipper in Acts 19:35, means temple keeper; in John 4:23, one who pays homage; in Hebrews 10:2, one who serves. A high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices, Hebrews 8:3, priests offer gifts according to the law, 8:4, and we as priests offer spiritual sacrifices, 1 Peter 2:5, of three sorts, our praises, Hebrews 13:15 (herein being worshippers) our goods (ver. 16) and ourselves (Romans 12:1). (2). Peter was converted (or turned to) Christ, as Messiah in John 1:42, as Son of God, and the one object to follow in Luke 5:8, and again after failure, according to Luke 22:32. See CONVERSION (Biblical Words, Y. B.) also Story of a Second Conversion, (Y. B. Vol. 1)
Q. 237. What does salted with fire mean, Mark 9:49? S. B.
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.
Q. 238. Will you please explain 1 Peter 4:17, 18? E. P.
A. Holiness becomes God’s house (now His professing people on earth) forever. See Psalms 93:5, 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 11:31, 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?
Q. 239. Kindly explain Acts 27:33. Was nothing eaten, or only no proper meal taken? R. S. H.
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.
Q. 240. How were the words of the Lord in Matthew 12:40 verified? M. S.
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 15:13-21, 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 53:6), 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.
Q. 242. Are “vessels to dishonor” 2 Timothy 2:20, unsaved persons, or Christians mixed up with evil, religious or otherwise? R. S. H.
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 10:29. 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 13:12, 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, 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.
Q. 245. Kindly say if Isaiah 58:13, 14, refers to the Lord’s day? J. M. M.
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.”
Q. 247. What does Luke 14:26 mean? W.
A. See answer to Q. 223, Y. B., July. If more is wanted write again.
Q. 248. Will you kindly explain John 16:8.
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.
Q. 249. Please explain 1 Corinthians 9:4,5. D. E.
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 3:36.)
Q. 251. Will you kindly explain the passage “In his humiliation his judgment was taken away.” S. B.
A. The quotation is by the Evangelist from the Septuagint or common Greek version of the Old Testament. The marginal reading in our Bible (Isaiah 53:8) makes all clear.
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.
Q. 254. In Genesis 15 we read, “Lord God, (Adonai Jehovah), and in verse 4, “the word of the Lord,” (Jehovah). In what sense then is Exodus 6:3 true? J. B. S.
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.
Q. 255. Please explain what 1 Timothy 6:13 refers to. M. W.
A. The whole bearing and testimony of Christ before Pilate.
Q. 256. Why was sailing dangerous when the fast was past (Acts 27:9). A. A. R.
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.
Q. 257. (1.) Does the “redemption of the purchased possession” (Ephesians 1:14) mean the gathering in of sinners, or refer to our heavenly possession of which the Spirit is the pledge? (2.) Does “making peace” (Ephesians 2:15) mean between God and man, or Jew and Gentile? (3.) What does “in the Lord” mean? (Ephesians 6:1), also “as is fitting in the Lord?” (Colossians 3:18.)
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.
Q. 258. If one is born again is he not indwelt by the Spirit according to Romans 8:9? C. K.
A. 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 1:13, have believed the gospel of their salvation, i.e., have peace with God.