18. “J. R. W.,” Ballymena. The baptism of Eph. 4:5 is evidently water baptism, connected with owning one Lord, one faith. Had baptism been found in verse 4, “There is one body, and one spirit” then it must have referred to the baptism of the Holy Ghost, as in 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13. By water baptism we are buried unto the death of Christ; by the baptism of the Holy Ghost we are united to the living Head in heaven. It is indeed most strange that these two things, so totally distinct, should be so confounded. With the Jews there were many baptisms, or washings with water; but a Christian has not to be buried into the death of Christ twice. Forever after he reckons himself dead. There is one faith, one baptism.
19. “F. C.,” Grimsby.—The context of the words of the Lord Jesus, “But he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved.” In Matthew 10:22 and 24:13, show distinctly the time is the same. The Gospel of the kingdom, as preached by the apostles to Israel, will be so preached again during the time of the end: the time of tribulation. And evidently those who escape and endure unto the end of the three years and a half, will be saved, and be blest in the future restoration of Israel to kingdom glory. It is a sad mistake to confound this with the believer now, who has eternal salvation. In Matt. 24 the abomination of desolation is set up; and the believing Jews or disciples are to flee from Jerusalem. And in chapter 10:23 He says, “Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel till the Son of man be “come.” And He appears immediately after their tribulation. It is important for us to know these things, or we shall be sure to fall into doubts even as to our own salvation.
20. “J. B.,” Cannock.—1 Cor. 3:12, “If any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble.” Though this is spoken of as man’s work and responsibility, yet if he build pure, precious doctrine, that is in ministry, and thereby souls are truly brought to God or edified, it is by the Spirit of God. But if man ministers that which for building is worthless, as wood, hay, stubble, this is merely of man, and will come to nothing. And though he may be saved who does so, yet he will lose his reward. It is to be remarked that where Christ alone is the Builder all stands; as Matt. 16 Where man’s responsibility comes in, there may be rubbish.
21. “C. T.,” Huddersfield.—The expression to which you call attention in Railway Tracts No. 4, “Abraham was justified before God by faith, at the birth of Isaac; but he was justified by works before men thirty years after, when he offered him up.” You will notice this was spoken in brief conversation, and the writer invariably kept literally to every word as near as he could remember. Instead of saying “at the birth of Isaac,” it would be more correct to say “concerning the birth of Isaac.” And that was really what was meant. Otherwise, as you say, Abraham, to take the word “at” literally to mean at the moment of his birth, would make Abraham to be circumcised before he was justified, or righteousness reckoned unto him. And this would contradict Rom. 4.