Question: What is the unpardonable sin?” (Matt. 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 42:1 and Matthew 12:18 the Lord Himself is the chosen one of God, God’s Beloved Son. In 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. 19:5).
In 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. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2). This is the treasure and the pearl of 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 23:31.
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. 24:10; John 1:18; 1 Tim. 6:16).
Answer: In 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 1:18 and 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.