Question: If a person is converted, and he may be, or may not be, at the Lord’s table, is he still on heathen ground, if he has not been baptized? J. E.
Answer: Heathen, Gentiles, and nations, mean the same in Scripture. We are all born Gentiles, or Jews— Israelites. None are born into the Church of God.
When Christianity began in Acts 2, then began a new class; ever since then there is Jew, Gentile and church of God.
When John Baptist preached repentance and confession of sins, he used a custom then in vogue to change persons from one status of society to another, and those that he baptized, waited on the ground of repentance for the coming Messiah. Baptism changed their position on earth, but not their state of soul.
So we find in 1 Peter 3:20, 21,20Which 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. 21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:20‑21) eight persons were saved out of the old world into the new. It is called baptism in figure. It is a change of position, but not of the state of their soul.
Christian baptism is to the death of Christ, and began when our Lord was risen and glorified. The hundred and twenty who were formed into one body by the Holy Spirit coming to dwell in them (1 Cor. 12:12, 1312For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For 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 12:12‑13) calls it the baptism of the Spirit), were also formed into the house of God. They could not be baptized in water, for they formed the nucleus of the church or assembly. All others added to them, came in by baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and that they might receive the Holy Ghost. They were thus saved by faith, and separated from that untoward generation by baptism.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned,” even if he is baptized.
In Acts 8 we find the first preaching of the gospel mentioned outside of Jerusalem. The Samaritans believed and were baptized, both men and women. They were saved (except Simon the sorcerer, whose faith was of himself, see Ephesians 2:8,8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8) and he was lost, though baptized, verses 21, 22), but it was when Peter and John came down from Jerusalem, and prayed, and laid their hands on them, that they received the Holy Ghost. The old Jewish prejudices against the Samaritans, and theirs against the Jews, had to be removed.
In Acts 9 we have Saul’s conversion. He owns Jesus, Lord, but does not get deliverance for three days, till Ananias was sent to him with the knowledge of forgiveness; he was then baptized. Hear him in Acts 22:16,16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16) Ananias says, “And now why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” His baptism took him clean out of the Jewish position, to which all his former sins attached (Gal. 3:27, 2827For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There 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 3:27‑28)); his position is changed.
In Acts 10, we see the first Gentiles brought in, and Peter is spiritually compelled, against all his feeling as a Jew, to receive them. God made him say, “Whosoever believeth on Him (the Lord Jesus) shall receive remission of sins” (verse 43). Peter had the keys of the kingdom, that is: authority to admit them. When the Gentiles heard that “whosoever,” they were saved; the Holy Ghost fell on them at once. They were made part of the body (1 Cor. 12:12,1312For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For 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 12:12‑13)), and when Peter heard them magnifying God, he said, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” And he commanded the disciples to baptize them in the name of the Lord. They were thus placed in this new position, as well as being saved and sealed by the Spirit.
In Acts 8, as Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch on the text, “His life is taken from the earth” (He, Christ is now in heaven), the eunuch said, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” So both of them went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. Then Philip was caught away, and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing, to tell the glad story in his native land. The eunuch was a changed man in a new position.
In Acts 16 we have Lydia and her house, and the jailor and his house, all brought into this new position. All put under the name of Christ (see also 1 Cor. 1:1616And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. (1 Corinthians 1:16)).
In chapter 18 we have the Corinthians; and in chapter 19, Paul takes twelve men who only knew John’s baptism; but that left them outside of Christianity, though converted; then he baptized them to the name of the Lord Jesus; then he laid his hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. They were brought into the new position under the name of the Lord.
Before Paul died, he predicted that after his decease, grievous wolves, holding damnable heresies, would arise (Acts 20:28, 2928Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:28‑29)); and not only that, but Christian men of “your ownselves” would arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. That has brought in the divided, torn state of the house of God on earth today.
Now there are millions who have been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and many, many of them are not converted. Those who are saved, are “one body and one spirit,” and called with “one hope of their calling” (Eph. 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)). Those who are baptized, are in the new position, but as they are not saved, they will be judged for not having on the “wedding garment” (Matt. 22:11, 1311And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: (Matthew 22:11)
13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:13)).
Thank God, some of these baptized professors get converted, and become members of the one body. They are already “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:55One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (Ephesians 4:5)). It would be therefore worse than useless to go through a form, the reality of which was already accomplished. It would be slighting the Name in which it was already done, and show ignorance of the true condition of the present ruined state of the house of God. We cannot get out of the ruin, but 2 Timothy 2:19-2219Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But 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. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:19‑22) tells us of a separate path where we can “follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a sincere heart.”
Referring again to your question: an unbaptized person at the Lord’s Table shows the confusion that has come in, and reflects on the want of care, or it may be of knowledge, of those who received that person. We can comply with the Lord’s instructions, and baptize such as quickly as the case demands. We cannot build the house anew, but as far as we can, help on a right state of things; it becomes us to try to do so.
Question: Please explain, “There is a sin unto death, I do not say that he shall pray for it” (1 John 5:1717All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. (1 John 5:17)). Is the sin against the Holy Ghost committed in this time of grace? M. J. S.
Answer: The sin unto death is not some special sin, but a condition of soul that God saw needed as chastening even to being put to sleep in the grave. The sin in 1 Corinthians 11:29, 30,29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:29‑30) was making the Lord’s supper a kind of feast of their own, and not connecting it with the death of Christ. From then on they were instructed to keep it by itself, and all to take it at the same time (verses 33, 34). The Lord might see fit to remove one who was dishonoring Him and hurting His people. Sometimes we see it right to pray for them; at other times we do not.
Every sin is grieving to the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, yet He never leaves us (Eph. 4:3030And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)). Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is what you mean, and in the connection mentioned in the gospels, it is not committed in the present period of grace. It was done by those who hated the Lord, and said, “He hath an unclean Spirit” (Mark 3:29, 3029But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. (Mark 3:29‑30)), and this no true child of God would allow for a moment. In the present day of grace we are told to preach the gospel to every creature, that is: where there is a listening ear.
Answer: As far as it depends on the Christian, he is to live peaceably with all men; and if wronged, he is to look to the Lord, and not avenge himself. His feet are to be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” But he must not go on hand in hand with evil, for the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, and the Lord said, “blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matt. 5:99Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)).
Answer: The time referred to in Matthew 24:1313But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13) is the time just before the Lord comes with His saints to judge and to reign. It is the time of trial from the beginning of sorrows (verse 8), to the great tribulation (verse 21). Verse 29 says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days” ... the Son of man shall appear (verse 30).
It is the time of trial that comes after the heavenly saints are caught up (1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)). This is the “blessed hope,” then the glorious appearing follows the tribulation (Titus 2:1313Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)). The saints that live at that time are sorely tried. The Antichrist of Revelation 13:1212And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. (Revelation 13:12) tries to force everyone to worship a man called “The Beast,” but they are warned in Revelation 14:9-119And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:9‑11) not to do it, and encouraged to faithfulness with a promise of greater blessedness if they should suffer martyrdom (Rev. 14:12, 1312Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:12‑13)). This is the primary application of Matthew 24:1313But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13).
But it is always true in every period. It is true now, for all who are saved endure to the end. “For God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:99God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9). And “He which hath began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:66Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6). We find the same truth in Colossians 1:2323If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1:23). If we are born of God, we have a life that can never perish, and no condemnation can ever come to us (John 3:16; 5:2416For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). We do therefore endure to the end.
A man may make a profession, a good resolution, and give it up, because he never possessed eternal salvation. Such goes back like a dog or a sow to its own ways, because it never was one of Christ’s sheep (2 Peter 2:2222But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (2 Peter 2:22)). God has pledged His Word that His sheep shall never perish (John 10:27-2927My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:27‑29)).
Question: Is the New Covenant (in Hebrews) connected with the present period of grace, or does it have to do with the future of Israel? M. R. B.
Answer: The words “covenant” and “testament” are the same word in the original. The “first” mentioned in Hebrews, was given from Mt. Sinai.
The “new” and “everlasting” covenant is to be made in the. future with the house of Judah (the two tribes); and with the house of Israel (the ten tribes). Read Ezekiel, chapters 36 and 37, when Israel is restored and settled in their own land.
The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to lead the Hebrew believers to know Christ in glory, and thus to know their perfect acceptance in Him in virtue of His finished work (Heb. 10:1414For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)), and to know Him there as their great High Priest, and consequently to find that their blessing and worship are heavenly. Such blessings as “your sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (10:17) are common to believers of the present period; and of the future to Israel, and the nations.
Our present period blessings go beyond Israel’s for we know God as our Father. We are also members of the body of Christ, united to Christ our Head by the Holy Spirit now dwelling in us (Rom. 8:1515For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15); Gal. 4:66And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6); 1 Cor. 12:12, 1312For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For 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 12:12‑13); Eph. 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)).
There is no covenant made with the church, but as the new covenant is a covenant of grace, we find the apostle speaking of new covenant ministers, not of the letter, but of the spirit (2 Cor. 3:66Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)). We as poor Gentiles were outside of all covenants (Eph. 2:1212That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)), they belonged to Israel (Rom. 9:44Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; (Romans 9:4)).
In the body of Christ, that is, the church, there is neither Jew nor Gentile; both have died with Christ out of their old place, and are now risen with Christ in the new, so are “fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel” (Eph. 3:66That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (Ephesians 3:6)). The Scripture is careful never to call the saints of this present time, New Testament saints, for that would mean New Covenant saints, and there is no covenant ever made with those who compose the Church, or body of Christ.