Q.-" L. H.," Jersey. Eph. 1:88Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (Ephesians 1:8), " Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence?"
A.-God has fully unfolded to us, in verses 3-5, His calling, as suited to His own counsels, and His own heart; which is " to the praise of the glory of His grace." In these verses He does not take into account our sinful condition, but lets us know His own thoughts as to the way He desires to have us in His presence, as purposed eternally in His own counsels in Christ. In verse 7, He takes into account that we are sinners, needing redemption and forgiveness, and acts according to the "riches of His grace," which (grace) He has caused to abound toward us, "in all wisdom and intelligence" (as it may be read), in making known the mystery of His will, which He purposed in Himself, for the glory of Christ. He treats us as friends (compare John 15:1515Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (John 15:15), as illustration), in the place of intimacy and nearness. These counsels we learn in ver. 10.
Thank God we are placed in such a position, and called thus to share in His counsels as to Christ; not merely because we shall share the glory with Him (ver. 11), but because His glory is everything to us, and has a real interest in our hearts.
Q.-Was Peter wrong in going a-fishing, and did he not draw others into it? What is the lesson?
A.-It is plain that Peter's going a-fishing was not in keeping with the commission given to him by our Lord in the previous chapter, "As my Father hath sent me, so send I you." No doubt it was Peter's suggestion which disclosed a similar weakness in six more of them; in that Peter afforded a vent for the exposure of their weakness, so far. is he chargeable with their offense. 'What a great matter a little fire kindles! But he who applies the torch, is of course the one chiefly to be censured. The lesson I gather from it is, that no amount of acquaintance with Jesus, such as the disciples had; or no amount of intelligence without His personal keeping, or the power of the Holy Ghost; (which these seven were not enjoying at the time), will preserve one on the line, or divert one from earthly interests, in some form or other.
Q.-What are we to learn by the Lord addressing Peter afterward as " Simon, son of Jonas?"1
A.-I believe it is to show, that He is addressing him as the man-the natural man;-as he was in nature. Is he in nature still? Can the man in nature reckon on his love to the Lord; or does he sec his weakness, and will he cease to trust on the son of Jonas? The Spirit tells us that it was "Peter" who replied to our Lord's question. If you will read carefully Gen. 48-49, you will see this principle carried out in the names "Jacob" and "Israel." "Jacob" was his name in nature, "Israel" what God had called him. It brings the interchange of names most forcibly before us, as carrying a divine meaning.
When He said to him, "Lovest thou me more than these?" it was "more than the disciples." Peter had professed, "Though all 'shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended." He had made a greater profession in fleshly confidence than all the others, and had fallen more grievously than any of them. It was this appeal which touched him to the very quick.
Q.-How is one to know that one is baptized with the Holy Ghost?
A.-By faith, founded on the Word of God. It is a positive result to every one who has believed the gospel of salvation. "In whom after that ye believed (or having believed) ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise," &c. (Eph. 1:1414Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:14)). " By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body," &c. (1 Cor. 12:1313For 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 12:13)). Besides, there is the absolute consciousness of it, in union with Christ. The consciousness of the believer is, "In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and ye in me, and I in you" (John 14:2020At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. (John 14:20)). This is not merely a new nature; all must have it to possess the other; but positive union with Christ by the Holy Ghost, received on believing, as well as union with all believers here upon earth. Do we not know this? We meet those whom we have never seen before, and are conscious of a closer tie than that of father or mother, brother or sister in the flesh.
- If I am to ask a man how he knew his body was joined to his head; he would tell me that he had the positive sense of it. As my hand is united to my body, and acts directly with reference to the welfare of the whole body, not merely for itself in particular; so a member of Christ never has a mere exclusive capacity, or in his own individual interest; and the more he acts as a member of Christ's body so far is
the whole body served, or the reverse. If one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it." (1 Cor. 12:2626And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26).) What is the " perfect man?"
Q.-"Wm. C." Skreen, asks for an explanation of Eph. 4:1313Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13). " Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." What is the perfect man?
A.-The object of ministry by Christ's gifts, (see verses 11 and 12,) is the perfecting of the saints, and the edifying of the body of Christ, till each, and all should arrive; in one uniform basis of faith, and the full knowledge of the Son of God, to the state of full grown men. Not remaining in the unhealthy state of babes, tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. "A perfect man," means simply "a full grown man"-the fullness of Christ Himself being the measure of the stature desired; the Christian growing up to Him in all things. This is placed in contrast to the state of a babe. The state of soul of the individual is what is in question in verses 13-15.
You will find the word rendered "perfect" in this verse, in the following passages; 1 Cor. 2:66Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: (1 Corinthians 2:6), " Them that are perfect." "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect." Phil. 3:1515Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (Philippians 3:15). "Every man perfect in Christ." Col. 1:2828Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (Colossians 1:28). "Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age." Heb. 5:1414But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14). There are many other passages in which it occurs. The thought is "full grown."