Correspondence.

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W.M.— How should we understand 1 Peter 3:18-2018For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (1 Peter 3:18‑20)? Who were the spirits in prison? Did Christ Himself preach to them? And when? The text itself affords its own interpretation, if the connection of the phrases is carefully attended to. The passage runs: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins.... being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit; by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” The following verse explains who these spirits are, viz., the spirits of those who perished in the days of Noah through the overflowing of the world that then was by water. They are reserved in prison unto the day of judgement, when they will receive their punishment (2 Peter 2:99The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Peter 2:9)). The antediluvians did not perish without warning, for Christ Himself preached to them by the Spirit (Gen. 6:33And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (Genesis 6:3)). Noah of course was the preacher (Heb. 11:77By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7); 2 Peter 2:55And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (2 Peter 2:5)), but he preached by the Spirit of Christ Who was in him (1 Peter 1:1010Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: (1 Peter 1:10); 2 Peter 1:2121For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21)). verse 20 helps to make it clear when the preaching was. For it states that they were “disobedient.... while the ark was a preparing.” In other words, they rejected the word of righteousness spoken to them by Noah while they were yet alive. Compare this use of disobedient or disbelieving (Acts 19:9; 26:199But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. (Acts 19:9)
19Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: (Acts 26:19); Rom. 2:8; 10:218But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (Romans 2:8)
21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. (Romans 10:21); Heb. 11:3131By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31); 1 Peter 2:7, 8; 3:1; 4:177Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1 Peter 2:7‑8)
1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; (1 Peter 3:1)
17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)). Carefully examine the passages referred to; and see a similar expression of Christ preaching, but not in bodily presence (Eph. 2:1717And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (Ephesians 2:17)). He preached peace to the Gentiles who were far off. This of course was by the Holy Spirit through His servants after His resurrection.
J.B.P.— Are the “sons” in Job 1:66Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. (Job 1:6) and Galatians 4:5, 65To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:5‑6) the same persons? No. The “sons of God” spoken of in Job are said to have shouted for joy when the world was created (Job 38:77When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7)). Hence none of the human race can be referred to, and without doubt they are the angels (compare Luke 20:3636Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. (Luke 20:36)). In Galatians 4:5, 65To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:5‑6) the sons of God are those who have faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)). You must not allow yourself to be misled by the common fallacy of supposing that the same term always means the same thing wherever used. You must examine the context. Thus a person may speak of his “boys,” and he may mean either (1) his own family, or (2) his Sunday School class, or (3) his office boys, as the case may be. Please explain how eternal life can be a reward (Rom. 2:77To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: (Romans 2:7)) as well as a gift (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). Both texts are of course true. And Romans 2:77To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: (Romans 2:7) does not state that life is given as a reward, but that it is rendered in connection with “patient continuance in well-doing.” A boy who receives a shilling may have it as a donation or as wages. The former text does not say whether eternal life is rendered as wages or as a gift; but Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) shows it is given freely, not earned. It may be added that eternal life is sometimes regarded in its future fullness, which of course cannot yet be known (Rom. 2:77To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: (Romans 2:7); 1 Tim. 6:1212Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12); Titus 1:2; 3:72In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (Titus 1:2)
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7); Jude 2121Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 21)). Those who will enter into it by-and-by are these who walk in holiness (Rom. 6:16-2216Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:16‑22)) and do good (John 5:2929And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:29)). But eternal life being a present possession (see John’s writings) as well as a future prospect, such good works are the fruit of the eternal lite we already have. So that while well-doing results in eternal life, well-doing is also the result of eternal life. Show whether the Old Testament saints belong to the body of Christ. Such general questions as these can hardly receive sufficient reply in the limited space at our disposal. Notice that the body of Christ is formed by the baptism of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)), Who descended at Pentecost according to the Lord’s promise (Acts 1:55For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)). This body is called a “new man” (Eph. 2:1515Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2:15)), so that it did not exist before that date, and therefore not in Old Testament times. The distinction between Jew and Gentile was rigidly kept up of old; but there is no such distinction now (Gal. 3:2828There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)), showing there has been an entire change. The Lord showed there would be a marked distinction between John the Baptist and the least in the kingdom of heaven (Luke 7:2828For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. (Luke 7:28)). John speaks of himself as the friend of the bridegroom (John 3:2929He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (John 3:29)), and as such will probably be one of those (distinct from the bride) called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:99And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Revelation 19:9)).
 
 
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unto mount Zion,
 
 
and
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unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
 
 
and
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to an innumerable company of angels, the general assembly,
 
 
and
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[to the] church of the firstborn,
 
 
and
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to God, the judge of all,
 
 
and
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to the spirits of just men made perfect,
 
 
and
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to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant,
 
 
and
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to the blood of sprinkling.
J.— Is it reverent or honoring to address the Lord Jesus Christ as, Dear Lord, Dear Master, etc.? “Dear” as an epithet does not imply honor or reverence; it is sometimes intended to imply affection for the Lord on the part of the speaker. “Lord” is itself a title of reverence which the Spirit teaches us to apply to Jesus (1 Cor. 12:33Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Corinthians 12:3)). In addressing the Lord it is of the greatest moment to take care that we mean what we say. It is possible to be very free in the use of endearing terms, such as, “dear Lord, beloved Lord,” and the like, while the heart remains cold and indifferent.
W.T.— I should like a little help on what is meant by the “great house” (2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20)). The great house is Christendom, including all who take the place of being Christians. It therefore contains vessels both to honor and dishonor, in distinction from the house of God, the church of the living God (1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)), which contains no foreign element. The obedient man is called to purge himself from the vessels to dishonor, i.e., those who have “erred from the faith.” Also on John 1:99That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:9). “That was the true light-which coming into the world, lighteth every man.” This rendering is reckoned by competent scholars to be more correct. Christ came into the world as the “light of men” and of every man, just as the sun in the heavens shines for all. He is not said to be the life of every man. Do not mistake light and life.