Ques. When does Acts 2:17 apply? A. S.
Ans. Joel 2:28-32 will be fulfilled in the millennial reign of Christ. In Acts 2 it is quoted to show that these men were not drunk, as was supposed, but, that the Holy Spirit was causing them to speak with tongues, that all the nations present might understand the gospel. It was of the same kind, but it was not the fulfillment of these Scriptures.
Ques. What is the difference between filthiness of the flesh, and filthiness of the spirit?
(2 Cor. 7:1.) J. D.
Ans. In Chapter 6:14-18, we have outward separation from association with the world in its religion and its ways. In Chap. 7:1, we are exhorted, having these promises of God's care over us, to cleanse ourselves, not only in our outward walk and associations, but also with regard to our relationship, with purity of thought. This is needed for communion with God, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (See also 2 Tim. 2:22.)
Ques. What does 1 Cor. 7:14 mean?
A. G. R.
Ans. God respects the children of believers, even where only one of the parents is converted, and expects that parent to own His name. and to claim God's promise for the children’s training and salvation. (Acts 16:31.)
The unbelieving parent is sanctified by the believing one. This is in contrast with the marriages in Ezra 10, and Neh. 13. In these, God did not own the marriages, or the children. In 1 Cor. 7:14, God owns the marriage, and desires that the children may be trained for Him. Sanctification means the act of setting apart. Here it does not mean salvation. God does not approve of believers and unbelievers yoking themselves. It is quite wrong for a believer to engage himself,, or herself to an unbeliever (Amos 3:3, 2 Cor. 6:14-18.)
Ques. Please explain Ruth 4:7.
Ans. The shoe plucked off, and given to Boaz, expressed the man's inability, and he gave up all claims on the estate to Boaz, which means "strength". This is a picture of Rom. 8:3,4. "What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh", has been more than met by Christ, and what He has done.
Ques. What about useful denominational schools for the children? Should we send our children into what we have separated from?
N, S. C.
Ans. If it was right, and in obedience to the Word of God, that we separated from sects, to be gathered to the Name of the Lord Jesus, it would be building up what we destroyed, and so making ourselves transgressors. (2 Cor. 6:17, 18; Gal. 2:18.)
We may seem to lose some benefits for the present life, if we obey the Word, but in the end, we are benefitted by strict obedience. In 1 Sam. 15, Saul, the king, spared the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord. God rejected him as king for this; it was not obedience.
See also how God honored the Rechabites for their obedience to their father's command. (Jeremiah 35) We are never wrong in paying attention to the Word, and obeying it.
“Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psa. 119:11.
It was the path in which the Lord walked: "Obedient unto death, and that the death of the cross.”
Ques. Does the Sabbath day in Gen. 2:1-3 point on to the eternal state, or to the Millennial reign of Christ? (Isa. 66:23; Col. 2:16, 17.)
A. S.
Ans. In Gen. 1:26-28, we see in figure Christ and the Church, reigning over the earth, that is the time spoken of in Isa. 66, when the Sabbaths will again be observed, and in Col. 2:16, 17, still shadow things to come.
We, as the Church on earth now, have Christ, the body, or substance of all the shadows. He is our rest now (Matt. 11:28), yet in Heb. 4, we look on expecting the time when God's rest comes, that is, the eternal state, to have our part in it, when "All taint of sin shall be removed, All evil done away; And we shall dwell with God's Beloved Through God's eternal day.”
Ques. Does the Word of God forbid us to possess musical instruments? D. C.
Ans. No. Christians are left free to be led by the grace of God which has saved them, and to be constrained by the love of Christ to live, not to themselves, but to Him who died for them, and rose again. (Rom. 12:1, 2.) We may use our music for the Lord, though it is first seen in Cain's world (Gen. 4:21), and Satan uses it to blind many. (Job 21:6-14.)
In Christian worship as found in scripture, instrumental music has no place. "They that worship God must worship Him in spirit, and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." (John 4:24; Phil. 3:3.)
In Israel's worship to Jehovah as an earthly people, we find choirs and instruments, wind and stringed instruments, with timbrels and cymbals (Psa. 150), also in idolatry. (See Dan. 3.)
We find all kinds of instruments employed, but not in Christian worship "Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." (Heb. 12:13.)