4. F. F. G, Liverpool.—1. It is scriptural to call any gathering together an assembly. (See Acts 19:32, 39, 41.) This heathen concourse of people could not have been called “the church,” and this shows that the modern use of the word church is not the correct one. Thus also, believers gathered together, whether in Egypt or elsewhere, can be called “assemblies;” but strictly, not any one of them could be called “the assembly which is the body of Christ.” If all believers in one place were gathered to Christ, as at the beginning, then they could be scripturally called the assembly of God in that place.
2. There is no necessary connection between the temple of Mal. 3:1 and 2 Thess. 2:4. The prophecy refers to the first coming of Christ to the temple then standing, and to John the Baptist. But owing to Israel’s rejection of Jehovah, which was evidently Christ, it goes on to His second coming in judgment. Jesus did come to His temple, but was rejected. The period of the church, or assembly, is passed over, as in other prophecies, and runs on to the judgment and millennial blessing. Without the light of the New Testament we could not separate the first and the second coming, yet all is in the most perfect harmony. John came in the power of Elias.
3. There is no veil of the temple set up again in the millennial temple, but there are doors which take its place. (Ezek. 12:3, 4, 23, 24.) Jehovah will again dwell with His people of Israel (Eze. 43:1-7), and great shall be the privileges of the prince of Israel. But the way into the most holy does not seem to be even open unto him. (Eze. 46:1-18.) The people or the land shall worship at the door. (Ver. 3.) Surely all this shows us the unspeakable privilege we have now, even to enter with boldness the holiest, by the blood of Jesus. (Heb. 10) Do we understand this?
4. There is no scripture instruction as to any particular time when we should break bread. It is as oft as ye do it, &c.
5. The difference between “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” may be stated thus. “Psalms” are the psalms of David and others, known as psalms; “ hymns “ are compositions of holy praise, suited for corporate worship; and songs of praise, or spiritual songs, are holy poetic compositions, more expressive of individual faith, and joy in the Lord, such as the song of Hannah at Shiloh. It is the will of God that believers should speak to themselves thus, “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph. 5:19.) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3:16.) May we never sing except it be to the Lord.
6. It is remarkable that there is little said as to the idolatry of Israel in Egypt. Exod. 32 would leave no doubt that they had been idolaters; but scripture is chiefly occupied with their idolatry, after they were a redeemed people from Egypt. What a lesson for us, who profess to have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
7. The helmet of salvation is the real certainty that we are saved eternally.
Your other questions do not seem to us to be for the profit of the readers of this magazine. And this is our object, not to be occupied with curious, or merely intellectual, questions. May the Lord graciously give food for the whole flock of God.
5. H.—“But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:16.) No doubt these words apply in a special way to the apostles. And it is a matter for great thankfulness that we have the very inspired words of those who had the mind of Christ. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual discerneth all things.” Thus, though we have the very inspired words of God, yet the natural man is still in darkness, yea, is darkness. But it is evidently the privilege of every spiritual man to discern them.
Divisions, however, proved that these Corinthians were not spiritual, but natural, or carnal; which is the sad condition of Christendom at this day. These divisions prove that Christendom is not spiritual, and cannot say, with the apostle, we have the mind of Christ. There were no such divisions to rebuke at Philippi, hence the tender admonition: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Surely we are responsible earnestly to seek this.
1 Cor. 6:4, 5, is a rebuke.