Answer: In Exodus 22:2828Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. (Exodus 22:28). “gods” distinctly means judges or rulers, and it is in this sense the Lord uses the word here. These judges were the representatives of God’s government in the earth, and if they were called gods, how could the Jews accuse Christ of blaspheming, for calling Himself the Son of God, when He had been sent in a far more special way.
Question: Please explain the difference between baptizing “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:1919Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19)); “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:3838Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)); “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:55When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:5)).
Answer: The baptism is the same, and we should believe that the same words were used, as there is only the one command, but the baptism is described in different terms according to the case. Thus in the command when “all nations” are contemplated we get the full words given; in Acts 2, specially Jewish, the name of Jesus is made prominent, being the one who had been rejected by them; while in Acts 19 it is the “Lord Jesus” being Christ in resurrection, and not addressed specially to those who had just crucified Him.
Answer: We give the following remarks by another. “When one sees what are the fruits of the heart of man, one feels that it must be His mercy which presents us without spot before His face, in that day, for eternal life with a God of holiness. No doubt it is His unchangeable faithfulness, but in the presence of so much evil, one thinks rather of the mercy. Compare in the same circumstances, what Paul says 2 Timothy 1:1616The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: (2 Timothy 1:16). It is mercy which has made the difference between those that fail and those that stand (Compare Ex. 33:1919And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. (Exodus 33:19)).”
Question: Is there any significance in the order observed in Hebrews 12:22-2422But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22‑24)?
Answer: We think there is. There are eight things in all each being separated by the word “and.” 1, the mount; 2, the city; 3, the innumerable company of angels; 4, the church; 5, God; 6, spirits of just men; 7, Jesus; 8, the blood. The earthly Zion raised the apostles thoughts to the heavenly city and to heaven generally, then to their innumerable angelic hosts, and then to the church enrolled there by the grace of God. God as judge, naturally introduces the spirits of those faithful ones who had suffered righteously on the earth. This leads on to the new covenant and its Mediator, who will again establish relationship with God’s ancient people, and not only with them, but, in virtue of His precious blood (that does not cry for vengeance as did Abel’s), with the whole Millennial earth. The passage thus speaks of God, Christ, heaven, angels, the church, the remnant of the Jews, and the redeemed earth.