Question: Is it possible for one to be a believer in Christ, and not bear fruit? N.
Answer: “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” We are glad to see fruit, but fruit is for the Father, and He can see what we cannot see. Fruit makes no noise; it is the life of Christ seen in our behavior (Gal. 5:22, 23). Even Lot is called a righteous man (2 Peter 2:7, 8), but he was not a happy saint.
Question: What will become of the Jewish people who die without Christ in this present time? R.
Answer: “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him.” John 3:36.
Question: What will become of the Jews after the church is caught up to meet the Lord in the air? O.
Answer: Both Jews and Gentiles may hear the gospel of the kingdom, and become true subjects of the King of kings, and live to people the earth during the reign of Christ.
But the Jews or Gentiles and the professing church which will be left behind – all these who neglected, refused, or despised the gospel when they heard it – will fall victims to the strong delusion, and will be eternally lost.
Question: Please explain what Mark 11:25, 26 means? N. Y.
Answer: We can easily see in these verses that an unforgiving spirit is a sad hindrance to prayer. It is a remarkable thing that when we get into the presence of God, our failures begin to come up before us. And in this scripture we are exhorted to deal with every unforgiving thought against any person, that our prayers be not hindered.
We also see that such forgiveness is of a governmental kind. It is not eternal forgiveness. This we have once for all (Heb. 10:14), but it is what is needed to keep us going on in happy communion with the Father. It is therefore of great importance for us to see that we are not harboring unforgiving thoughts toward any.
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32.
Question: What are bishops, deacons, and prophets in the New Testament? A. N.
Answer: Bishops, elders, overseers, are the same (Acts 20:17, called elders; ver. 28, called overseers). Their character was to be as in 1 Timothy 3:1.7, and Titus 1:6-9. They were to look after the spiritual state of the assembly. It does not say how many were appointed.
Deacon is a servant to minister to needy ones, and to serve tables, as in Acts 6. Their character was to be as in 1 Timothy 3:12, 13. They were chosen and appointed by the apostles or their delegates Timothy and Titus, but not by the assembly. The Scriptures were not completed and collated at that time.
We have no appointment of elders and deacons now. We have no authority to appoint them, and the assembly now is broken outwardly into sects, which the Word of God deplores (1 Cor. 1:12, 13; 3:3-5).
A prophet now is only one speaking the truth. Prophesying now is speaking unto men to edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3, 29). We have no revelations now, for the Word of God is completed (Col. 1:25). There is no need therefore of tongues of interpretations. We are now living in the last day, and awaiting the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let our loins be girded and our lights burning.
Question: What meetings are assembly meetings where we can count on the Lord Jesus being in our midst? Please make it plain about any other meetings also. C. M. S.
Answer: All meetings arranged by the gathered saints where all, both sisters and brothers, are to be present, are assembly meetings with the Lord in the midst, as in Matthew 18:20.
The Lord’s day meeting to remember the Lord in His death, in worship and adoration, is the highest.
The prayer meeting ranks next; there we express our interest in all that are His, and desire mercies from Him.
The reading meeting is for instruction, yet we count on Him to teach us through whom He will. Sisters are to be silent.
Meetings for addresses where two or three only are allowed to speak (1 Cor. 14:29), there also we should wait on the Lord for His ministry.
Meetings for discipline, called specially by the assembly, are also to be carried out by the Lord’s presence as our authority, we waiting in prayer on Him for what is to be done in His name (Matt. 18:18-20; 1 Cor. 5:7, 12-13).
Brothers’ meetings are useful to conduct business matters, to consider questions that may arise, to gain information that needs to be brought before the assembly, but they have no authority to act. Their action, if any, is not the act of the assembly. We must therefore be careful not to set aside the authority of the Lord Jesus in the midst of His gathered saints. Brothers’ meetings are not assembly meetings.
Question: What does 1 Timothy 5:25 mean? C.
Answer: From verse 22 we see that carefulness was urged upon Timothy about those he might receive. If he laid hands on (that is identified himself with) people too quickly, he might find himself associated with evil workers. Verse 23 is remarkable as showing that God allows us to take what we think necessary for our health, and thus does not set aside the use of medicine for those who are afflicted. Then in verses 24 and 25 he returns to the subject of carefulness in receiving. Some men’s sins go beforehand, can easily be seen; others are not so easily seen, they follow after. And the same applies to the good works of some that are manifest; others who do not tell what kindnesses they do, but they cannot be hid. How wise the Scriptures are!
Question: Has the Lord Jesus Christ one Headship as the Creator, and another through resurrection? C. W.
Answer: Yes. In Colossians 1:15 to 17, His glory as Creator and Sustainer of the universe is unfolded, and there He is spoken of as “The firstborn of every creature”, or all creation. “Firstborn” means the highest or Head of it. He took part in it at His birth as Son of God (Psa. 2:7; Luke 1:35), that is, His holy humanity, God manifest in flesh. He was also the Son of God from all eternity with the Father (John 1:1.3; Heb. 1:10, 12).
Then in Colossians 1:18, He is the Head of the body, the assembly, that in all things He might have the pre-eminence (compare John 12:24). It is thus that He is the beginning of the creation of God (Rev. 3:14). As “the Faithful and true Witness” He is alone, but in resurrection we are raised with Him, and united to Him, – one Spirit with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17).