10. “G. Τ.,” Brighton. We do not see why you should have any difficulty in seeing how souls are saved, as the result of the labor of the servants of the Lord. It pleaseth Him to use them, and that is enough. The angel of the Lord could have spoken to the eunuch, but He was pleased to send Philip. Is it not a part of the purpose of God to save souls by the foolishness of preaching? (1 Cor. 1:2121For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21).) God is pleased to answer prayer, and to bless the preached word, but He giveth not account of His matters to such as you and I—yea, is not prayer by the Holy Spirit, and so preaching? No man believed in God’s election more than Paul, yet none labored more for souls. We may cavil, or reject the truth, but the facts are all in the word of God. Paul preached forgiveness to all, and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. We cannot go further, in our limited space; see a tract, “Election,” to be had of the publisher.
11. “A. R. G.,” Kent. Baptism for the dead (1 Cor. 15:2929Else 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? (1 Corinthians 15:29)) must be read in connection with verses 16-18; 20-28 being a wonderful parenthesis. The word, “for,” has often the sense of, “in view of.” God was pleased to let the church, during the first three centuries, be sorely subject to fearful persecutions. To be baptized was to take a step, with nothing in this world but death in view, or, as we say, death before them. They were baptized unto a crucified Savior—baptized into His death, and, so to speak, buried with Him in baptism. And why should they take such a place, nothing but a cruel death before them? But Christ is risen, and this altered everything. Else what should they do which are baptized for (or, in view of) the dead, if the dead rise not at all? It has been said, Why should they fill up the ranks that were being swept off by the most cruel deaths? Paul then seems to refer to this in his own history. But why do this, if there be no resurrection? Truly they were “as sheep for the slaughter.”
12. “Μ. L.,” by Kilmarnock. A railer is one who speaks evil of another falsely. If he is called a brother, we are not to eat with him, as in the scripture you quote. If he continued in this evil course, unrepentant, no doubt the assembly would have to judge his case in the presence of the Lord, even unto putting away. We should, however, seek, in the spirit of meekness, to restore such an one. Many such cases afford an opportunity of doing to one another as the Lord does to us—to wash one another’s feet.
13. “F. J. H.,” Bristol. It is quite clear there will be different degrees of punishment in the judgment. (Luke 12:45-4845But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:45‑48).) Who can imagine the fearful horror of those who have taken the place and profession of being the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, and yet have said in their hearts, My Lord delayeth His coming; and have beaten their fellows-servants, and eaten and drunk with the drunken! Read carefully every word in this solemn scripture: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required,” &c. It is a searching question for everyone who professes to know the will of the Lord.
As to your other question, we are not aware of any scripture that informs us whether the unconverted will see us when we are taken to be with the Lord; but as we shall be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, it would seem not.