46. “Β. F. P.,” Syria. We believe there is no question but that Roman time was reckoned the same as ours now. (See Haydn’s “Dictionary of Dates,” page 210.) “Day began.... among the Romans at midnight, as with us.” What might appear a discrepancy as to the hours of the crucifixion, is in perfect harmony, supposing John to give Roman time, and the others Jewish. Indeed there is much to favor the thought that John usually used Roman time. In chapter 4:6 “the sixth hour,” or 12 a.m., would be a most unlikely time; 6 p.m., Roman time, is much more probable. Then verse 52: had this been Jewish time, 1 p.m. there would have been time for the nobleman to return from Cana to Capernaum. But if it were 7 p.m. Roman time, this accounts for the nobleman remaining all night.
If, then, John, who wrote his Gospel so much later than the others, used Roman time, the case stands thus: the trial of our blessed Lord was concluded about the sixth hour—6 a.m. Roman and our time. (John 19:1414And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! (John 19:14).) He was crucified the third hour, Jewish time—our time 9 a.m. (Mark 15:2525And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. (Mark 15:25).) There was darkness over the land from the sixth hour to the ninth, Jewish time; or, our time from 12 noon to 3 p.m., as recorded in Mark 15:33, 3433And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:33‑34); Matt, 27:45; Luke 23:4444And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. (Luke 23:44). Thus the trial closed about 6 a.m.; the crucifixion at 9 a.m.; the darkness from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
It is not stated what took place from 6 a.m. to 9, but if we compare John 18:2828Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. (John 18:28) with 19:14, does it not appear that our blessed Lord was waiting to be crucified whilst the Jews kept the very passover that pointed to Him? Truly they knew not what they were doing.
47. “F.” We must remember that the gospel is God’s proclamation of forgiveness of sins to everyone that believeth in the Lord Jesus Christ. If a person says, “I cannot believe;” we reply, Not believe God! What cannot you believe? You cannot believe what God says. How dreadful! What must be the state of that creature’s heart which will not believe God—not believe what He says! It is quite true that faith is the gift of God, and the fruit of the Spirit, but it is also true that, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The truth is, that those who are 60 longing for faith in our Lord Jesus Christ unto salvation, have faith in Him. If you ask them how they approach God, they will answer, “Always by the Lord Jesus Christ; of course, I could not think of coming to God but by Him.” Now what does God say of such in His word? He says that “He [Christ] will save to the uttermost [completely] all that come [or draw near] unto God by him.” (Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25).) Again, if you ask such if they were conscious they would not live five minutes, to whom would they look to save them? They reply at once, “To the Lord Jesus Christ.” These answers show that they have faith. Faith does not look at self, or feelings, or even to its faith, but to Christ. A man does not know he has organs of vision because he sees them, but because he can behold objects outside himself; so the proof of a person being a believer is that he looks outside himself to the Lord Jesus Christ as the object of faith; his confidence is founded on the work of Christ, and the written and unchanging word of God is his sole authority for faith.
From what you say, we infer you are constantly going to Christ, confessing yourself to be “lost” and pleading His own word, “Him that cometh unto me, I will in nowise cast out.” Well, this is faith, and it is the place of perfect safety; and when you rely on His word, “I will in nowise cast out,” you will have peace. Are you not mixing up things which greatly differ—safety, assurance, and happiness? Safety depends entirely on our fleeing to the Lord Jesus Christ as our only escape from coming wrath. Assurance is connected with relying only on God’s word, who says that those who believe on the Son of God have remission of sins, have everlasting life, are children of God, have received the Holy Ghost, and shall not come into judgment; while happiness is connected with our walk. If the Spirit is grieved by a carnal, worldly walk, He will have to reprove; whereas, if we are walking in the truth as obedient children, He will fill us with joy and power. We much regret that we have been unable to reply to your questions before, but trust we shall soon hear that you know your safety, that you have assurance, and are happy, not in self, but in the Lord.
48. “B.,” Ryde. We judge that Eph. 5 not only shows the union of Christ with the church, but the figure used there of husband and wife, and the character of Christ’s affections, as nourishing and cherishing her, and speaking of her in this respect as his own flesh, when read with 2 Cor. 11:22For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2), and other scriptures, sets beyond all controversy the bridal relationship of the church with Christ. This, however, may be referred to again in our issue of “Plain Papers on the Church.”