MISCELLANEOUS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 18, 1870

Questions Considered.

Please give your views on 1 Cor. 3:15, through the REVIEW. **

We understand that the church of God is represented in this chapter, by a building, and that the laborers in his cause are the builders; also that those who are gathered into the church by their labors, are represented by gold, silver, precious stones, &c. See verse 12. Now if they have labored wisely, and have added to the building such as are represented by gold and silver, they will be rewarded; for their works are such as will stand the test of the fire. If their works are represented by hay, stubble, &c., they shall suffer loss; for what they have added to the building, will not stand the test, although they themselves may be saved.

The apostasy of those who are led to Christ by a faithful minister, may make that labor in vain, but will not endanger his personal salvation. Gal. 4:11; 2 John 8. But observe the apostle does not give the idea that men may preach false doctrines and not thereby endanger their salvation. It is men, not doctrines, that are gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. Those converts who remain faithful to the end will be jewels in the crown of the faithful minister. Those who fall by the way, cannot help to form his crown at the appearing of Jesus.

At what period are our names written in the “Book of Life”? **

The Bible is silent on this point; but the most probable time would seem to be at conversion.