A. The term " sacramental confession " has no distinct scriptural meaning; and there is no such thing in Christianity, (though there was in Judaism,) as priestly absolution; that is, absolution by a priest as in Leviticus, &c. All God's children are priests, men and women, (1 Peter 2) and no other priesthood exists in Christianity. Now to turn to the passage referred to. John 20:2323Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:23) gives the power of remitting and retaining sins, to a company, in which were probably women (20:18), and certainly others in addition to the eleven apostles (Luke 24:3333And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, (Luke 24:33)), besides the two just returned from Emmaus (Luke 24:3535And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. (Luke 24:35)). So that this power was not here given to an individual, nor to a body of apostles, hut to a company of disciples gathered round their Lord. For another proof of this see Matt. 18:18-20,18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:18‑20) where the power is again spoken of, and again connected with a body of disciples gathered together (though but two or three) and Jesus in their midst, at least in spirit, if not (as in John) in body. A practical carrying out of the power thus committed to believers may be seen as to retaining sin in 1 Cor. 5:4,54In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:4‑5); and as to remitting sin in 2 Cor. 2:6,7,6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. (2 Corinthians 2:6‑7) when on the man's repentance, he was restored. The power is not connected with a class, but with any company of believers (assembly or church) truly gathered to His name. Matt. 16:1919And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19) refers to Peter, and to Peter only. He used the keys for Jews in Acts 2; and for Gentiles, most unwillingly, in Acts 10 The bearing of Matt. 23:1818And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. (Matthew 23:18) on the question we do not see.
A. Certainly; only do not let us confound the earthly shadow in all these things with the spiritual substance. The Book of Revelation like the Old Testament is full of symbols. In the Old Testament we see a literal altar, in the New Testament (Heb. 13),a spiritual one, which is Christ; in the Old Testament literal priests, in the New Testament spiritual priests (1 Peter 2) In the Old Testament, literal sacrifices, in the New Testament (Heb. 13) spiritual; and in the Old Testament literal incense, in the New Testament spiritual-that is, the fragrance of the name of Christ.
A. We do not know that they did.
A. Not as a separate Person. He descended at Pentecost. All, however, before then, were born of the Spirit.
Q. 253. John 19:2525Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. (John 19:25). Does this mean His mother's sister, also the wife of Cleophas; or that Mary the wife of Cleophas was sister to the Lord's mother? s. P. T.
A. Probably the latter.
A. Certainly.
Q. 255. John 20:1717Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17). Why had Mary not to touch the Lord? In Matt. 28:99And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. (Matthew 28:9) the women "held Him by the feet." In Luke 23:43,43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43) He said to the thief, " To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise "; but here, that He is not yet ascended to His Father. Did He not ascend to His Father till after forty days? S. P. T.
A. Because John represents His heavenly glory, Matthew His relationship to His earthly people. Paradise is not heaven. We have no record of Christ's ascension till after forty days.
A. Yes; only He was indwelling before (" in you"); then as a distinct Person (" with you ").
Q. 257. John 21:44But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. (John 21:4). Had the Lord the same body after His resurrection? The disciples did not know Him; Mary thought He was the gardener; and the two on the way to Emmaus did not know Him either. S. P. T.
A. No; it was a glorified body. In one sense it was the same, as to identity, for He had the marks of the crucifixion; in another it was not, for it was a glorified body.
Q. 258. Acts 1:21-2621Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:21‑26). Were the apostles wrong in so acting before the power of the Holy Ghost had come upon them? Could Christians now follow their example in a case of difficulty? S. P. T.
A. No; but we should be, because the Spirit has now come.'
A. (1) We do not know. (2) Not by inheritance.
Q. 260. Acts 6:55And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: (Acts 6:5). At "Nicolas" my Bible refers to Rev. 2:6,156But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6)
15So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (Revelation 2:15). Had he anything to do with the Nicolaitanes? s. P. T.
A. The Nicolaitanes claimed Nicolas as their founder.
Q. 261. What does " If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in a dry" mean? (Luke 23:3131For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? (Luke 23:31).) E. L.
A. Christ was the true " green tree," and if these things were done unto Him, what would become of Judaism without God?
Q. 262. What was the "solemn assembly" of Num. 29:3535On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein: (Numbers 29:35)? How became the sacrifices of Num. 28;27, a sweet savor unto the Lord? L. L.
A. The "him " meant Christ; because it was almost certain death for Him to return into Jewry.
Q. 264. Are we not still disciples even though we are not continuing steadfastly?-" if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." (John 8:3131Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (John 8:31).) E. L.
A. Some are disciples who follow afar off; but it could not be said of them " ye are my disciples indeed."
A. The brook Cedron separated the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem, and by its side was the Garden of Gethsemane.
A. Not that we know of. The constant or repeated washing in the blood of Christ is absolutely an unsound and unscriptural thought. The washing of water is by the Word.
Q. 267. Please explain the words "I die daily." E. M. B.
A. Paul probably meant he was in daily expectation of death.
A. Ver. 17) simply refers to the promise of ver. 11, not of ver. 13.
A. It is thought to mean God gives to His beloved all they need without their seeking it-even when sleeping.
Q. 270. Please state the difference between the temple and the synagogue. E. M. B.
A. In the temple alone sacrifices could be offered. The synagogues were merely for reading and prayer.
Q. 271. Does scripture sanction capital punishment for murder, in this dispensation? E.
A. We must not confuse God's government of this world with His present work of calling a people out of it. These have nothing to do with the laws save to obey them. The principles of His government are, we believe, unchanged.
A. We cannot say. Perhaps some correspondent will send an answer.
A. See Luke 22:35, 3635And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. (Luke 22:35‑36). This scripture forbids us from condemning him absolutely.
A. See Q. 305.
Q. 275. Will none but the wicked stand before the "great white throne " to be judged? If so, why is it said " And every one whose name was not written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire "? IOTA.
A. Yes. To show that, although they were wicked, they will not be condemned merely on account of their evil deeds, but on account of their rejection of the grace which would have inscribed even their names in the Book of Life.
Q. 276. Please explain 1 Cor. 14:22-25,22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. (1 Corinthians 14:22‑25) which seems contradictory. IOTA.
A. He shows that even prophecy the sphere of which is within, is more profitable than if all speak with unknown tongues, without an interpreter.
A. It simply means living apart.
A. His feet show which way he Is going.
Q. 279. Is 2 Cor. 7:12, 25, 40, inspired? If it be, why does Paul say in the 12Th verse, " not the Lord," and in the 25th "I give my judgment "? IOTA.
A. It is recorded for our instruction by inspiration, just as a great deal that Paul said in the Acts, though he was not inspired to say the one Dr the other.
Q. 280. Is the Ark of the testimony (Lev. 16:13,13And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not: (Leviticus 16:13) Ex. 39:3535The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, (Exodus 39:35)) the same as the ark of the covenant (1 Chron. 28:1818And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. (1 Chronicles 28:18); Heb. 9:44Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; (Hebrews 9:4))? 36.
A. The ark was the same, although the mercy-seat or cover seems to have been different. In the wilderness, the cherubim bowed down their faces towards the mercy-seat; in the temple they stood erect, their faces looking eastward.
Q. 281. Is not that text, " Behold I, and the children which God hath given me" (Heb. 2;13), meant for Jesus and those who love Him? I have so often heard it referred to as meaning those who speak to others about their souls' salvation, and are the means of bringing them to Jesus, such as Sunday School teachers and others; but I should think it is meant for " He that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified." Is this correct? 36.
A. Yes; it refers only to Christ.
A. By forcing them to deny Christ under penalty of death.
A. They entered into rest in a measure, literally, but not, as Judges, &c., soon, showed, permanently or spiritually, because of their unbelief.
Q. 284. Is there such a thing in scripture as infant sprinkling or infant immersion: in other words, baptism before conversion? J. K. E.
A. We do not know of any scripture that directly speaks of infant baptism.
A. We do not see any difficulty. In both cases Jesus claimed to be God.
Q. 286. 1 Sam. 15:3131So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the Lord. (1 Samuel 15:31). Why did Samuel go back with Saul to worship? Saul had told him plainly that all he cared for was to be honored before the people. E. S. G.
A. Samuel was bound to go, in a certain way when asked.
A. Probably. Most likely on account of some vow.
A. Was it not Gabriel?
Q. 289. How did the wise men from the East worship Christ?-as the Savior of the world, or as a temporal king? They must have stood in some connection to revealed religion. E. S. G.
A. As a King whose advent, through general report, founded on the ancient prophecies, was generally expected at the time throughout the EastQ. 290. What is meant in Heb. 2:2,2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; (Hebrews 2:2) by "the word spoken by angels"?
Q. 291. How should the Revelation of John be studied? I find it difficult to distinguish between fulfilled and unfulfilled prophecy. S. G.
A. By getting the main outlines clear first. Chapter 1-3 being church truth; 4-19 the various events of Daniel's last week; 20-22 The millennial and eternal states.
Q. 292. What am I to understand by the words, "And the evening and the morning were the first day"? Are these periods of twenty-four hours? I cannot understand how it can mean long periods (Gen. 1:55And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. (Genesis 1:5)). T. H.
A. We believe it means periods of twenty-four hours.
A. It means he paid them the money.
A. It was a tract 'of country lying, as the word means, between two rivers (Euphrates and Tigris).
A. Yes.
A. It probably refers to his skin.
A. They were not to believe any that told them that the day of Christ had come.
A. God will then allow. Satan full power to go forth and deceive the nations.
A. It refers to the battle of the Kings round Jerusalem.
A. If you study Num. 2, you will see that the three tribes nearest the door of the court of the tabernacle, were Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, on the east side; and that opposite to them, on the west side, and consequently nearest to the Holy of Holies and the pillar of fire that rested on it, were Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. This at once answers your question.
A. It proves there are such things as fallen angels, but more probably refers generally to Gen. 6 We gather more of Satan's history from Ezekiel.
A. The churches disappear from earth at the close of Chapter 3, and the elders are seen in heaven in Chapter 4. They do not represent the whole 'priesthood (seer 1 Chron. 24.) but were merely the heads: the great body we see in Chapter 14 Again the twenty-four elders disappear from the scene, before the Bride of the Lamb appears in the close of the Book. These, and other considerations, have led Bible Students to regard the church on earth at the beginning of the book, the twenty-four elders in the middle, and the Bride and Heavenly City at the end, as various aspects of the same body. Other grounds no doubt exist, which perhaps some of our correspondents will supply.
A. (1) The angels. (2) Only such should be among the subjects of Christ in the coming kingdom; all violence and pride being banished from it.
A. It may be in conferring blessing, or a sign of identification.
Q. 305. (1) Is Lazarus sitting at the table a type of the Church, or rather of those called to the marriage supper of the Lamb?-John 12:22There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. (John 12:2). (2) Is "to eat," in 1 Cor. 5:11,11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (1 Corinthians 5:11) eating the Lord's Supper, or at one's own house? T. B.
A. (1) We could not say " a type "; we might see an illustration of the position of the heavenly saints in the place he occupies. (2) Most probably at one's own house.
Q. 306. (1) Why is it "God of our Lord Jesus Christ," in Eph. 1:1717That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (Ephesians 1:17); and " Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," in Chapter 3:14? (2) What is the definite meaning of "hate," in Luke 14:2626If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)? T. B.
A. (1) The first is in connection with the Godhead and power of God; the second, with His Fatherhood and love. Moreover, when the God of Christ is spoken of, Be is looked at as Man; when the Father of Christ is spoken of, He is looked at as Son. (2) Does not the parallel passage in Matthew explain it?
Q. 307. Rebekah being a type of the Church, or Bride, in Gen. 24, whom do her brother and mother set forth; and what do the " precious things " (ver. 53) typify? T. B.
A. We do not know whom her relations typify; but the "precious things" are doubtless the foretastes of heavenly glories that Christians even now enjoy.
Q. 308. From Matt. 13:30, 39-43,30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:30)
39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:39‑43) it would appear that the wicked will be taken from amongst the righteous; whilst in Matt. 24:3131And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31) (compare with Luke 21:2828And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)), the saints will be taken first from amongst the wicked, from the great tribulation coming on the earth. R. Ο. Ο.
A. In Matt. 13 the wicked are gathered together in bundles, preparatory to burning; but the righteous are, as you say, first removed from the scene, before the burning actually takes place.