Question 1. Please give a short outline of the 10th chapter of Matt. Are our Lord's words to His disciples applicable today, and where and to whom? When and where did the disciples fulfill the mission, the Lord in this chapter sends them to? Especially what is the meaning of verses 34, 35 and 36. W. H.
Answer. Matt. 10. The mission here is to Israel only, (see 6th verse.) It is bearing testimony to Christ's being here on earth, giving power to His messengers to work miracles, and working them Himself is proving who He was. The latter part of the chapter is testimony of His coming as Son of man in judgment. This mission went on while Israel were in their own land, but is now suspended. It will be renewed after the Church, which is now being gathered, is completed. Israel will be again in their cities and this mission will go on till the Son of Man will come. (Verse 23.)
“From verse 16 we have more general reflections on their mission, looked at as a whole in the midst of Israel on to the end. Evidently it goes beyond their then present mission, and supposes the coming of the Holy Ghost. The mission by which the Church is called, as such, is a distinct thing. This applies only to Israel, they were forbidden to go to the Gentiles. This necessarily closed with the destruction of Jerusalem, but it is to be renewed at the end, till the Son of Man be come." J. N. D.
The teaching of the chapter, therefore, while remembering its primary application, would present practical truths for our use at the present moment, also Verses 34, 35, 36, are samples of this, for in that time and this time, Christ is rejected. We are to suffer with and for Christ. Often our nearest by natural ties are opposed to the Lord, and if we please Him we cannot please them. Eph. 5:22 to 6:9 and Col. 3:18 to 4:1, teach us how to be in subjection to the Lord in all our relationships in this life. Giving Him the first place and doing it all in obedience to Him. (See also Matt. 10:37. Luke 14:26)
Ques. 2
Please explain Matt. 26:29. What is meant by, "Until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom"? N.C.
Ans. "New," is in a "new way." "In My Father's Kingdom," means the heavenly glory to which they were going, in contrast with a place in the kingdom on earth.
“He then points out that it is a Savior slain who is to be remembered. It is no longer a question of the living Messiah: all that was over. It was no longer the remembrance of Israel's deliverance from the slavery of Egypt. Christ, and Christ slain, began an entirely new order of things. Of Him they were now to think-of Him slain on earth. He then draws their attention to the blood of the new covenant, adding that which extends it to others besides the Jews, without naming them-"It is shed for many.”
Moreover, this blood is not, as at Sinai, only to confirm the covenant, for fidelity to which they were responsible; it was shed for the remission of sins. So that the Lord's supper presents the remembrance of Jesus slain, who, by dying, has broken with the past; has laid the foundation of the new covenant; obtained the remission of sins; and opened the door to the Gentiles. It is only in His death that the supper presents Him to us. His blood is apart from His body; He is dead. It is neither Christ living on the earth, nor Christ glorified in heaven. He is separate from His people, as to their joys on earth; but they are to expect Him as the companion of the happiness He has secured for them-for He condescends to be so-in better days: 'I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new (in a new way) with you in my Father's Kingdom.'" Synopsis Matthew pgs. 181, 182.
Ques. 3
In how many places in the New Testament is it mentioned that the disciples met together to break bread on the First day of the week? G. E.
Ans. Only once. Acts 20:7. Only once is the gathering together called the Lord's Table, 1 Cor. 10:21. Once is the breaking of bread called the Lord's supper, 1 Cor. 11:20. Once is the First day of the week called the Lord's day, Rev. 1:10. God speaks and the attentive heart at once receives and responds.
At the beginning of the Church's history, we find that the disciples broke bread daily in their houses, Acts 2:46, and they had all things common. When the Church was scattered by persecution, this became impossible, so each was to have his own purse, 1 Cor. 16:2. And Acts 20:7, indicates that it was on the First day of the week, the Lord was remembered in His death, and that it was their weekly custom to come together on that day for that purpose.
The First day of the week is the Christian's day. The Sabbath is Jewish. On the First day of the week, Christ rose from the dead; Lev. 23:11 is typical of it. On the same day Christ took His place in the midst of His gathered saints, John 20:19. On the First day of the week the Holy Spirit descended and formed the Church, 1 Cor. 12:13; Lev. 23:15,16 is typical of this. On the First day of the week the first gospel sermon was preached. Acts 2. On the First day of the week the disciples came together to break bread, Acts 20:7.
On the First day of the week the Christians were to offer their gifts to the Lord, 1 Cor. 16:2. And the Apostle John by the Spirit gave it its name, the Lord's day. Rev. 1:10.
Ques. 4
What did the Lord mean by putting new wine into old bottles, or a piece of new cloth into an old garment? G. E.
From Matt. 9:14 to 17. Mark 2:18 to 22. Luke 5:36 to 39. We can see that the Lord is bringing in something new. It is not the law and the ordinances, but the grace of the gospel and the energy of the Holy Spirit sent down. It is not righteousness by the law, the old worn out garment of phariseeism, but "the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe." Rom. 3:22.
It is not patching up the old man by trying to improve the flesh, but it is the bringing in the new creation standing "In Christ," Rom. 8. 1 Cor. 1:30. Christ Himself the new wine, which cannot be put into the old forms or ceremonies, old bottles (or skins). It is a living Christ for our hearts, ministered to us by the Holy Spirit. 2 Cor. 4:6, 7.
Address all Questions to A. Fleck, 51 Forest Ave., Hamilton, Out., Canada.