Question: On 1 Timothy 5:19. C. W.
Answer: We must notice that Timothy was not only gifted (chap. 4:14), he also had authority from the Apostle to appoint elders and deacons and to put things right in the assembly. No one has this authority now from God. The only authority given in the Word of God is vested in two or three gathered to the name of the Lord (Matt. 18:18-20; 1 Cor. 5:4, 13).
What you call gossip and evil speaking is condemned in Scripture, therefore we need to watch our hearts to keep from it. (See Eph. 4:29, 31; Titus 3:2; James 3:2 to 14; 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1).
On the other hand when we know that we have been the subject of evil speaking, true or false, it matters not. Our pride and anger is stirred, and a feeling of resentment comes in. If we give place to it, we too are allowing the flesh, and the danger is that we will go farther wrong in standing up for ourselves. This would not be like the Lord “who when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered He threatened not, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (1 Peter 2:23).
Read Matthew 5:43 to 48, specially verse 44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Luke 17:3, 4; Matt. 18:21 to 35; Rom. 12:14, 18, 21; Eph. 4:2). It is hard to be evil spoken about, but we must think how the Lord was evil spoken about, and how He forgave His enemies, and told us to do the same. We sinned against Him ten thousand talents, and we will hardly forgive one hundred pence. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” We might make them happy, and our souls would be blest in doing so. This is the way the blessed Lord would have us do. We heartily sympathize with you, and pray that you will show your forgiving love to any who have hurt you, and if there is anything to confess, do it freely, then the Lord is with you at once.
“He that covereth His sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Prov. 28:13).
Question: What do the three appearings in John 20 and 21st chapters signify? G. C.
Answer: The Lord appearing to Mary Magdalene, and the message she carried to the brethren down to verse 23, refer to the present time, the church period.
The Lord appearing with Thomas present, refers to Israel who will not believe till they see Him coming in glory. (See such passages as Zech. 12:10, and Psa. 73:24 read “after the glory receive me”). “Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed” primarily refers to those who are saved in the tribulation period, that is, before Christ comes in glory.
The Lord appearing to the disciples when they take the great haul of fishes in the 21st chapter points to the millennial gathering, when the nets are not broken.
Question: How does the consecration of the priests in Israel apply to us? T. N.
Answer: Read Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8.
First, they were all washed with water—that answers to having a new life or being born again.
Aaron, when seen alone, clothed with the garments of glory and beauty is the type of Christ our great High Priest (verses 7,9). The oil poured upon his head without shedding of blood (Lev. 8:12), points to Jesus sealed with the Holy Spirit as the only one who did not need redemption, Himself the Redeemer.
When seen with his sons, they are the redeemed company of worshipers—the whole church of God. All were sprinkled with oil (verse 30). All our worship is by the Holy Spirit (Phil. 3:3), and it is all on the ground laid by the finished work of Christ (Heb. 9:21, 22).
The blood put on the tip of their right ear, on their right thumb, and on the great toe of their right foot, tells us that our whole person is consecrated to this holy service of Christ—our minds, our works, our walk, are for Him and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10-22, alludes to our priestly consecration as born of God, and sprinkled or cleansed by the blood. Each of us, as Christians, is a consecrated priest, our hands filled with Christ to present to God. But notice, there is no hindrance on God’s part to our worshiping in the holiest of all, but there may be on ours—a cold, worldly or careless walk, will shut us out. It also says,
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” (Heb. 10:22).
“Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” (Prov. 4:23).