140. “A Reader of “Things New and Old,” Ryde. Get down before God, in true self judgment, and pour out your whole heart to Him. Do not rest until your soul is fully restored to fellowship with your Lord. Be assured, there is no change in Him. He waits to fill you with the joy of His salvation. May His Spirit work mightily in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.
141. “An Humble Follower of Christ,” Londonderry. It is a wonderful thing to be able to affix such a signature. We have repeatedly gone into your questions in former volumes. (See “Nine Years’ Answers to Correspondents.”)
142. “A. M.,” Wellington, Salop. We should not object to the “typical connection” of Gen. 7:1616And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in. (Genesis 7:16) and Col. 3:33For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3). In the former, we see persons “shut in,” by God’s hand, in the ark; in the latter, we have persons viewed as in Christ. As to “the apparent inconsistency between Acts 15:2424Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: (Acts 15:24) and Acts 16:33Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. (Acts 16:3),” you must remember that, in the one case, there was a great principle involved; hence the apostle would be as bold as a lion. In the other, there was no principle involved; and hence he could be yielding and accommodating to the weakness of his Jewish brethren. Circumcision, in itself, was nothing to one who stood on Paul’s lofty platform. He was perfectly free to adopt it or omit it. But the moment he found men making a principle of it, he would not yield the breadth of a hair. There is therefore no discrepancy or inconsistency whatever. You may consider, in connection with the above, Gal. 2:3-53But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. (Galatians 2:3‑5).
143. “A. J.,” Bristol. The foregoing answer to “A. M.” meets your difficulty.
144. “Η. II. B.,” Bradford. We feel the deepest interest in your case. We trust the Lord will yet lead you into the enjoyment of perfect peace in Himself, and into the true secret of power over indwelling sin. To Him and to His perfect ministry we do most sincerely commend you.
145. “Ε. M.,” Clifton. Your question, though most important and interesting in its way, is not at all in our line.
146. “A Brother,” Exeter. We do not see any warrant in scripture for fixing any particular hour of the day for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. No doubt it was first instituted in the evening. Acts 20:88And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. (Acts 20:8) would also seem to favor the thought of evening. But we judge it is left, in the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, an open question.
147. “Ε. Ν. K,” Manchester. Your letter interests us exceedingly. We should recommend you to procure a copy of a work entitled “Lectures introductory to the Gospels,” by W. Kelly, published by W. H. Broom, Paternoster Row, London. It will, we trust, help you greatly. May the Lord Himself be with you!
148. “E. L. H.,” Jersey. (1), The word is, “In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” The Holy Ghost quickens a dead sinner; He seals a living saint. (2), We believe there are many quickened souls who do not know they have eternal life; but God always perfects His work and leads on those whose hearts are true to Him. (3), We do not know what you mean by such a question. (4), “Holy Father” is the term used when the saints are in question; “Righteous Father” is used in reference to the world. “ Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me.” But, “Ο righteous Father, the world hath not known thee.”
Communications have come to hand from “C. R. L.,” London; “G. II.,” Newport.; “W. B.,” Balsall.; “An Inquirer,” near Stonehouse; “J. S.,” Farnland; “Unita,” Narbeth; “Η. Α. Κ D.,” London; “F.Ε.B.,”London.