Correspondence: Mark 12:31-32; The Elect; Luke 23:31; S.S.vs. Gos.; Elders of Israel

From: Young Christian: Volume 24, 1934

Correspondence: Mark 12:31-32; The Elect; Luke 23:31; S.S.vs. Gos.; Elders of Isr

Luke 23:31 • 2 min. read • grade level: 8

Question: What is the unpardonable sin?” (Matt. 12:31, 32³¹Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. ³²And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (Matthew 12:31‑32)).

Answer: The only places where the “unpardonable sin” is referred to are the parallel passages in the three synoptic gospels. There it is connected with attributing the miracles of Christ to the power of Beelzebub. It is definitely and finally rejecting the testimony of God by the Holy Spirit.

“It signifies imputing to Satan that power of God which the Holy Spirit exercised then and afterward, and it bespeaks deep and settled hatred to God. Souls that give themselves up to such malice against the workers of all good are beyond pardon. Forgiveness is for those who repent and believe the gospel.”

Question: What does “Elect” mean? Who are “the Elect” in Scripture?

Answer: “Elect” means “chosen.” In Isaiah 42:1¹Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (Isaiah 42:1) and Matthew 12:18¹⁸Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18) the Lord Himself is the chosen one of God, God’s Beloved Son. In Matthew 24:31³¹And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31), it is the elect nation of Israel, chosen out of the nations to be a peculiar treasure unto Jehovah above all people (Ex. 19:5⁵Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: (Exodus 19:5)).

In 1 Timothy 5:21²¹I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. (1 Timothy 5:21) we have the elect angels also. Then we have the “elect” of the present time, those who compose the church (Eph. 1:4⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4); Col. 3:12¹²Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:12); 2 Thess. 2:13¹³But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (2 Thessalonians 2:13); Titus 1:1¹Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (Titus 1:1); 1 Peter 1:2²Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2)). This is the treasure and the pearl of Matthew 13:44-45⁴⁴Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. ⁴⁵Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (Matthew 13:44‑45). Election is the choosing of the persons; predestination is to the place or position of relationship they are to fill.

Question: Please explain Luke 23:31³¹For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? (Luke 23:31).

Answer: “The green tree” refers to that special time when the Lord was present in their midst. “The dry tree,” on the contrary, points to the future. It is as though He had said, “If they can act so now, in My presence, how will it be by and by?”

Question: If the Lord gives one the opportunity to teach a Sunday school class, would it be pleasing to Him for that one to absent himself from the regular gospel meeting for this work?

Answer: You have received the gospel for your own soul’s salvation; and hence, however precious it may be to hear the gospel preached, over and over again, we do not think you ought to let this stand in your way in seeking to lead others to the Saviour.

Were it a question of the Lord’s Table, it would be a totally different matter. No line of service ought to be allowed to hinder our attendance at the celebration of that most precious institution. Every rightly taught and spiritually minded Christian will assuredly give the Lord’s Table the paramount place.

Question: Did the elders of Israel see “the God of Israel?” (See Ex. 24:10¹⁰And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. (Exodus 24:10); John 1:18¹⁸No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18); 1 Tim. 6:16¹⁶Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:16)).

Answer: In Exodus 24:10¹⁰And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. (Exodus 24:10) the elders saw “the God of Israel,” who was pleased to take a form in which He could show Himself to man. But John 1:18¹⁸No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18) and 1 Timothy 6:16¹⁶Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:16) refer to God, in His eternal essence. NO mortal could see a spirit. There is no real difficulty in the passages.

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