1. “A Young Believer,” Surrey. The scene to which you refer (Gen. 14:1818And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (Genesis 14:18)) is a type of the future kingdom, when the true Melchisedec will come forth and bless His people.
2. “A Sister in the Lord,” Co. Down. We should strongly recommend you to turn from all human opinions, and give yourself to the study of the word of God, in humble dependence upon His Spirit. Ask Him to teach you. He most surely will. Do not act without direct authority from the word of God, If you have not this, wait. “ If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” The Lord keep you close to Himself!
3. “ J. T.,” Ryde. You will, we trust, easily perceive that your questions, though very interesting and important, are not suitable for our pages. It is extremely difficult to form, not to speak of giving, an opinion in such cases. It would be well if our friends would more cultivate the habit of seeking counsel of God in all their difficulties. He never fails those who simply wait on Him. He may see fit, for their deep blessing and profit, to keep them waiting; but, in the end, light will surely shine; and the season of waiting is full of richest blessing. When any difficulty occurs in an assembly, let the brethren get together before God for united prayer, and continue to look to Him until He manifests His judgment in this matter. This is far better than writing hither and thither for the opinions of men, which are too often given on an ex })arte, or at least, a defective statement of the case.
4. “L. E. H.” Thanks for your lines, and your note of the 3rd of October.
5. “ W. A. N.,” Camberwell. We have repeatedly gone into your question. See a paper entitled “ Responsibility and Power.” Also one entitled “ One-sided Theology.” We must bow to scripture, not reason about theology. “ Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
If you allow yourself to reason about the conflicting dogmas of divinity, you may land in infidelity. Salvation is free to all. “ God will have all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” He is not “willing, that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” “ His righteousness is unto all,” but it is only “ upon all them that believed.” “ Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” Scripture is as plain as possible, if only we come to it like a little child. It is theology that puzzles people.
6. “M. J. A.” You have our fullest sympathy. May God bless your effort.
7. “C. Ε. M.,” Gravesend. Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost was attributing to the devil works done by the Eternal Spirit. The leaders of the Jewish people were guilty of it.
8. “L.,” Somerset. Our Lord’s present priestly ministry is Aaronic. By-and-by it will be according to the functions of Melchisedec. He is a priest forever; but He will not always perform the same functions.
10. “ G. A. S.,” London. The Lord will guide us to the publication, in a separate form, of the “ Letters.” Let us wait on Him about it.
13. “A recent Reader.” The context, in each instance, will plainly show you what we are to judge and what we are not to judge. We certainly are called upon to judge evil doctrine and bad morals; but we are not called to judge motives.