16. “A. IT. Κ.,” Ipswich. We must remember that the Epistle to the Hebrews has a peculiar character. It does not set forth the truth of the church, like Ephesians, nor the Headship of the Lord Jesus, like Colossians; but it is evidently addressed to Hebrews who had renounced Judaism, and embraced Christianity, and were in danger of giving up Christianity, and going back to Judaism. Unless this be borne in mind, the point and force of many passages in this beautiful epistle will be missed.
In the closing verses of chapter 9, to which you refer, the writer presents Christ as having been once offered, and thereby having met the sentence of death and judgment, to which we were justly exposed; and so completely have those who look to Him been thus delivered from death and judgment, that when He comes again, it will be not to meet any question about sin, but to bring them salvation. “To them that look for him, shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation,” is a broad statement, applicable to the Jewish remnant, who will by-and-by look for His appearing, as also to us now who are waiting to be caught up to meet Him in the air. All believers, certainly, in some sense, are looking for Christ. There is not the slightest room for the erroneous doctrine, that only some of the members of the body of Christ will be caught up, and the rest left behind. On the contrary, scripture says, “They that are Christ’s at his coming. (1 Cor. 15:2323But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23).)
17. “Aberdeen.” Thanks for your kind letter. The accompanying lines are scarcely in keeping with the object of our magazine.
18. “Anon.” We cannot undertake to notice anonymous communications.
19. “M. S. S.,” Dublin. Your piece of poetry has been received with thanks. Our difficulty is to find space for half of the poetry that is sent. The Lord be praised for tilling your soul with joy and gladness. May “Rejoice in the Lord always” be your experience, as well as ours!
20. “Charity,” Bristol. It is not in our power to give you the information you wish about the meetings.
21. “T. W.,” Merthyr Tydvil. In 1 John 3:99Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9), we understand that the new nature of the believer is characterized. “Whosoever has been begotten of God does not practice sin, because his seed abides in him, and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.” To suppose that the believer, looked at as having two natures (that which is born of the flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit), cannot sin, would not be true. Hence we are exhorted to “sin not,” and if we “confess our sins,” &c. Still, a child of God is never characterized in scripture as practicing sin. We read, “He that committeth [or practices] sin, is of the devil.” (1 John 3:88He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8).) In John’s first epistle there are three marks given of true believers. 1, They love, because they are born of God who is love. 2, They practice righteousness, for they are in relationship with Him who is righteous. 3, They are subject to God’s word—“He that is of God heareth us.” The absence of these marks shows that they are not of God. We read, therefore; 1, “He that loveth not, knoweth not God.” 2, “He that doeth not righteousness is not of God.” 3, “He that is not of God heareth not us.” We need scarcely remind you of the all-importance of such scriptures in these days of wide-spread and easy-going profession and laxity.
22. “L. F.,” Ottawa. Your account of the Lord’s blessing through “ Things New and Old” is very sweet and encouraging. The pamphlet is to hand, and we earnestly pray that God’s gracious blessing may attend all your efforts to help saints, and for the conversion of sinners.
23. “L. S.,” Bristol. We do not understand your note.
24. “Naomi,” Gosport. The person spoken of in Gen. 49:2424But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) (Genesis 49:24), “From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel,” is no doubt the once rejected Stone, but now the Head Stone of the corner, the risen Christ, Lord of heaven and earth. He was born in Bethlehem, of the house of David. Our Lord sprang from Judah, but was rejected, like Joseph, and, like Joseph, separated from His brethren during this dispensation. Yet, like Joseph, in the dispensation to come, or the restitution of all things spoken of by the holy prophets, Jesus will be sent from heaven, and Israel will then (not now) enjoy all these literal blessings. The whole prophetic blessing on Joseph cannot apply to this dispensation; and therefore this person cannot be a person on earth, either in England or elsewhere, during this dispensation. Joseph is a striking type of Christ, in whom God will surely make good all His promises to Israel. But during this period, He, as Messiah, and they, as a nation, are cut off. (See Dan. 9:2626And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:26); Rom. 11)
25. “C. C. G.” Ballymona. A gathering of believers now could never truthfully take the character of being the church of God. The one church of God is scattered abroad, with little sense of the sad dishonor done to the Lord. A few gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus, in dependence on the care and guidance of the Holy Ghost, should ever acknowledge the sad common ruin. To profess to be gathered thus to the Lord, who is holy and true, and then deny His word by going with the ungodly, joining bands of music, excursions, &c, is most deplorable, and calls for pastoral work and rebuke. We believe it is Satan’s special effort to mar the testimony of God by such worldliness. The Lord restore and preserve in paths of holiness any who have thus wandered.
26. “J. L. P.,” H.M.S. Shannon, Malta. Have you not overlooked those remarkable words in Eph. 2:4, 54But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:4‑5), “The great love wherewith God loved us, even when we were dead in sins?” Surely this surpasses all human thought. He loved us when we were dead in sins. Again, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:1010Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10).) Not only has thus the love of God to sinners been revealed, but also His righteousness; and this is the great theme of the gospel. Now God is just, and the Justifier of him that believeth. (Rom. 3) It is also most true that” he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” To preach the love of God to sinners only is a most defective gospel, if any gospel at all. The divine order is, “Even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” Then, “For God so loved.” We have no doubt the kind of preaching you refer to was not like the Holy Ghost preached through the apostles.
27. “G. G.,” Plymouth. We have considered your remarks, and do not doubt that in John 12:3232And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32), it is Christ lifted up on the cross in death as a sacrifice for sin.