Ques. 97. "If the righteous scarcely be saved," does this mean that the righteous may be lost? 1 Peter 4:18 J. W.
Ans. We have salvation presented in three aspects in Scripture. We need always to examine the context, to tell which way the Word applies it.
1st. We have salvation as a present possession, and this can never be altered. (See Eph. 2:8 7 2 Tim. 1:9.)
2nd. We are looking on to the Lord's coming, when our bodies will be changed; then full salvation is reached. It is called the day of redemption. (Rom. 8:23; Eph. 4:30; Rom. 13:11; Phil. 3:20, 21; 1 Thess. 5:9, 10; 1 Peter 1:5.)
3rd. We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:12, 13.) It is to this class 1 Peter 4:18 belongs. It means saved through difficulties along the path, under the government of God. Our failures do not affect our eternal salvation, for it is secured by Christ. (John 14:19.) The Jews looked for temperal deliverances; we look for soul salvation in our trials. Not kept from them but kept during them. Receiving the end of our faith, soul salvation. (1 Peter 1:9, Luke 21:19.) We can count on the Lord to keep our souls in peace and victory for Him. (Phil. 1:19, 20.)
Nothing, can touch the life that is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3; also Phil. 1:6); but we need daily help and guidance, and carefulness not to hinder or grieve the Holy Spirit. This is the fear and trembling lest we should hinder God's work in us.
Ques. 98. In Acts 2:5, are the nations and Jews different? W. I.
Ans. Yes, Nations, Gentiles and Heathen are the same. Israel or the Jews are not reckoned with the Nations. (Num. 23:9; Deut. 32:8.)
But at this time (Acts 2) there were Jews scattered among the nations. Many of these pious Jews had come up to Jerusalem to worship and were present to hear the gospel preached for the first time.
We could not call the Eunuch of Ethiopia a Gentile, but a Jewish proselite, who also came to Jerusalem to worship. (Acts 8:27.) Those who received Christ, were henceforth Christians.