51. “J. G.,” Tunbridge Wells. We question if you are not confounding two things which must be distinguished, namely, the actual existence of the Church, in fact, on the day of Pentecost, and the revelation of the mystery, afterward, by the ministry of Paul. The Church was formed on the day of Pentecost by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, consequent upon the exaltation of Christ, the risen Man, at the right hand of God. There are some who seem to think that the Church had no existence, in fact, until Paul revealed the doctrine of the Church. This we consider a grave mistake, and something plainly opposed to the testimony of the word. We read, at the close of the second of Acts, that “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” This was before Paul’s conversion. The truth is, that accomplished redemption, the exaltation of Christ, and the descent of God the Spirit in His new character as the Witness of Christ’s glory, are the grand foundation of the Church. The descent of the Holy Ghost to form the’ body; and the descent of Christ to receive that body to Himself, are the grand boundaries of the Church’s earthly history. Hence, therefore, it would be a serious error to teach that the Church begins with the revelation of the mystery by the ministry of Paid. True, the mystery was committed to him—the uniting of Jew and Gentile into one body; but the Church, as such, began on the day of Pentecost. However we have no doubt but that your difficulties will be fully mot by future papers on “Church History.” You must have the whole subject before your mind, in the light of Scripture.
52. “Amicus,” Holloway. Thanks for the extracts. They are not in our line.
53. “C,” Windsor. We should reply to your first question in the affirmative. As to your second, we believe that the Old Testament saints had eternal life, and therefore could not be lost. But we do not look upon Saul as a case in point. You must carefully distinguish between saints possessing eternal life, and persons holding office of any kind.
54. “M. F.,” Loudwater. You will find your question fully gone into in a series of papers, in volume 10. of “Things New and Old,” entitled, “The Ministry of Reconciliation.”
53. “An Anxious Enquirer.” Few things are more solemn than to resist light. Look at that most weighty passage in Jer. 13 “Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.” (Ver. 16.) There is something very awful in the thought of God’s causing darkness, and turning light into the shadow of death, because of our not acting on the light when He graciously gave it. The contrast of all this we have in that lovely passage in Luke 11: “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.” (Ver. 34-30.) Thus, when we act on the light which God gives, we not only are full of light ourselves, but become light bearers for others. This is very different from stumbling on dark mountains. We do not wonder, dear friend, at the dim twilight of which you speak. The wonder is that it is not profound darkness. It would be so but for infinite grace. But we entreat you not to hesitate a moment longer. “How long halt ye?” “I made haste and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” “Let us go forth therefore unto him, without the camp, bearing his reproach.” Let nothing cause you to linger. “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” It is a fatal mistake to refuse to act on divinely given light, under the plausible pretext of usefulness. Our usefulness consists in doing what our Lord commands. Obedience is our work. May God give you grace to be decided for Christ! May He lead you forth into that blessed sphere in which you can walk with Him, lean on Him, work for Him, and find all your springs in Him! To Him we earnestly commend you.
56. “Arthur.” Are you not aware that the act is illegal? Scripture teaches us to obey the powers that be; and to be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. It is well for Christians to give attention to such wholesome words in days like these, and not to be found indulging themselves at the expense of the enactments of the government under which they live.
57. “J. R.,” Diss. Scripture as distinctly teaches man’s responsibility, as it teaches God’s sovereignty; and our place is to believe both. There is a very great difference between our being occupied with God Himself, and being occupied with the dogmas of theology. These latter often perplex the soul; whereas, when we get into the presence of God, and into the light of His word, all becomes clear and simple. The facts of scripture are one thing; the conclusions of theologians arc quite another.
58. “W. G.,” Southampton. Controversy is not our province. Of course, we wholly dissent from the statements contained in the “Review” to winch you call our attention; but we could not think of entering upon such a subject in our brief notices to Correspondents. The pages of “Things New and Old” have, from the very commencement, taught principles the direct opposite of those contained in the review, which latter we consider subversive of the truth as to the Christian’s position and practice. We shall not attempt to put on paper our feelings as to the writer’s irreverent allusion to our blessed Lord’s life. We consider it perfectly shocking.