Correspondence.

A. H. M. —Please explain “baptized for the dead” (1 Cor. 15:29-3129Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (1 Corinthians 15:29‑31)). Note that verse 20 to 28 form a parenthesis, dealing with the effects of Christ’s death, right up to eternity. In the 19th verse the apostle alludes to the miserable outlook of Christians who have renounced the world, if there is no resurrection. He then resumes the subject in verse 29. What would those do who were baptized for the dead, if no dead rise at all? Those who by baptism entered the ranks of Christian profession are looked upon as filling up the gaps made by death. But of what advantage was that, if there is no resurrection, which ushers the believer into the sphere where all his hopes are consummated? In verses 30,31, Paul makes reference to the danger to which he was daily exposed, even persecution unto death.
E. Y. —The ashes of an heifer. Kindly explain Hebrews 9:1313For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: (Hebrews 9:13) and Numbers 19:99And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin. (Numbers 19:9). In Hebrews 9:13, 1413For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13‑14) we have a general contrast between the Levitical sacrifices and the blood-shedding of Christ Who offered Himself without spot to God. The blood of bulls and of goats probably has special reference to the offerings on the day of atonement (Lev. 16), while the ashes of an heifer points plainly enough to Numbers 19. These ancient sacrifices effected only an outward cleanness in the flesh, but the blood of Christ purified the conscience. In Leviticus 16 we have the removal of sin; in Numbers 19 of outward defilement. As you did not state any particular point of difficulty, we hope the above may help in a general way.
E. B. D. —What is usury? What is the application to Christians? Usury is the loan of money that it may be returned at an exorbitant increase. The Mosaic laws (Ex. 22:2525If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. (Exodus 22:25); Lev. 25:35-3735And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. 36Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. 37Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase. (Leviticus 25:35‑37); Deut. 23:19, 2019Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: 20Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it. (Deuteronomy 23:19‑20)) protected the poor of Israel from such extortion. Usury being an easy means by which the rich can increase their wealth at the expense of the poor, it acquired the sense of unlawful oppression (Psa. 15:55He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15:5); Prov. 28:88He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. (Proverbs 28:8); Ezek. 18:8,13, 17; 22:128He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, (Ezekiel 18:8)
13Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him. (Ezekiel 18:13)
17That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. (Ezekiel 18:17)
12In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 22:12)). The practice of taking advantage of a person’s poverty and distress to rob him of what is left — in other words, “to devour widows’ houses” —is as abhorrent to New Testament teaching as to the Old. A reasonable rate of interest charged on money borrowed for convenience in business is not at all what is meant in the passages referred to.