45. “J. D.,” Bordeaux. You wish to know why the emblem of the serpent is used in John hi. 14. Numb. 21 furnishes the answer. Israel’s murmurs were answered by the serpents’ bite; but when they owned their sin, grace provided a remedy. Moses was commanded to make a serpent of brass — the figure of that winch had done the mischief—and set it upon a pole, and every bitten one that looked to the serpent of brass lived. God did not remove the serpents. He suffered them to go on doing their terrible work; but He provided a remedy, to which each one had to look for himself. It was an individual matter. One man could not look for another; but the moment he looked he lived, and could then calmly look at the fiery serpents, knowing they could no longer hurt him. Now Christ is the great Antitype of the brazen serpent. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Precious words!
46. “A Reader of ‘Things New and Old,’” Malvern. We cannot conceive how anyone, the least acquainted with the letter of the New Testament, could suppose that the shepherds of Bethlehem were the same as the wise men from the East. A Sunday school child even ought to know better.
47. “J. B.,” Manchester. We consider that Acts 19:1-71And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve. (Acts 19:1‑7) does most clearly show that persons may be “disciples,” and “believers,” and yet not be sealed with the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost had come down — was actually on the earth, and yet here were twelve persons called “disciples” who had believed, and yet they had not received the Holy Ghost.
48. “E. S. K,” North Brixton. The case to which you refer in 1 Cor. 5 illustrates the nature and object of church discipline. The man was put away from the assembly, where the Holy Ghost ruled, and delivered over to Satan, not that he might be lost, but, on the contrary,” that his spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” In the Second Epistle he is restored to the fellowship of the church. We believe, most assuredly, that every assembly of Christians is solemnly bound to exercise discipline, and put away evil from their midst. If they refuse to do so, they are not on the ground of the Church of God at all. We are most thankful for the blessing you have received through our pages. To God alone be all the praise! Continue to pray for us.
49. “E. L.,” Belfast. Your question is not intelligently put. The apostle declares that “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” The divine nature does not want cleansing, because it cannot sin; but we want cleansing, and healing, and restoration, because we carry about an evil nature, and have to pass through a defiling scene. When the apostle speaks of “us,” he speaks of a complex thing; but when he speaks of “ that which is born of God,” he speaks of an abstract and a perfect thing.
50. “F. G.,” Essex. John 6:3535And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35) teaches very plainly that the soul that feeds upon Christ and His precious death does not want anything else. He shall never hunger and never thirst. May our souls ever be satisfied with Christ!
51. “P. N.,” Bristol. We believe it is the Christian’s duty to pay whatever taxes are demanded of him without any question as to how such taxes are applied. For this latter the government is responsible.
52. “D. J.,” Darley. There is a tract entitled “Sanctification: what is it?” which may help you. If you send three postage stamps to Mr. Morrish, 24, Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row, you will get a copy by return of post.
53. “J. B.,” Aberford. We take Rom. 13:88Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8) in its plain, broad sense. We believe it teaches us to owe no man anything. Would to God it were more fully carried out! It is painful beyond expression to see the sad lack of conscience among professors, as to the question of debt. We would solemnly call upon all our readers, who are in the habit of going in debt, to judge themselves in this matter, and to get out of a false position at once. It is better far to sit down to a dry crust, and to wear a shabby coat, than live well and dress well at our neighbor’s expense. We regard it as positive unrighteousness. Oh! for an upright mind!
54. “G. D.,” Bristol. “A christian man” can never perish. This is an answer to your question. We have never heard of such a thing as a child of God committing suicide. God keeps His own.
55. “J. M. J.,” Co. Antrim. The assembly is bound to put away a drunkard. If the excommunicated person is truly repentant, the assembly should receive him back. Both the putting out, and the receiving back, must be the act of the whole assembly, and not of a part merely. It is of the utmost importance that none should attempt to interfere with the action of the assembly.
56. “F. B.” We should insist upon obedience both from servants and children. If a servant refuses to obey, he dissolves the relationship by his own act. As to giving credit, it must be a matter between yourself and the Lord. If you cannot afford to be out of your money, we should recommend you to cultivate a cash trade. This, however, is difficult to do in all cases, and you have only to cast yourself upon God who is ever gracious and compassionate, and He will take care of you. May He comfort and bless you very abundantly!
57. “J. R. Α.,” Scarboro. You ask, “Whether will Paul’s or Matthias’s name be with the other eleven apostles, in the foundation of the wall, mentioned in Rev. 21” We believe the latter. Paul’s ministry was quite distinct from that of the twelve.
Several Communications stand over.