Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 6, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 27.

1531.—The Blood Avails.

In the services of the sanctuary, as typified by the day of atonement, we find that there was no offering for sins after the day had commenced. How can this be harmonized with the day of atonement in the antitype? After the high priest has entered the most holy place, could the individual who had not, previous to this time, made the necessary offerings still have an opportunity to do so; and if not in the type how is it possible to do so in the antitype? G. M. A.

In the first place, it was impossible to prefigure the particulars of Christ’s work in the types of old. Heb. 7:23; 10:1. It took various offerings to typify the fulness of Christ’s sacrifice. In the type those who afflicted their souls were remembered in that offering. Doubtless that included confession of sin. The priest passes with that blood through the entire sanctuary. So in the antitype Christ’s blood avails for all who are truly repentant. Neither in type nor antitype is God’s mercy cut off from the truly penitent.

1532.—Observing the Sabbath, Baptism, Communion, Pastorates, Tithe-paying, Worldliness.

Will you please answer the following questions for me in the Question Corner of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES? (1) Why do you teach that there are Christian people in the other churches, when these people are not obeying God’s law by keeping holy the Sabbath day, and at the same time teach that those who do not keep the Sabbath day, but Sunday instead, receive the mark of the beast, for whom there is no show, but whose doom is the lake of fire? (2) Do you rebaptize those again who have been immersed, when they come into your communion? (3) Are you free, or close, communionists? (4) Do your churches stay in line as a rule, and keep the law, and pay their tithes, without a pastor? (5) What per centum of your membership pay their tithes? (6) Do your members in the city have a tendency to attend card parties, theaters, balls, and dress in the fashions, the same as the members of other churches? If so, what per centum? W. B. T.

It is not the outward deeds which make Christians, but the heart. “The eyes of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 2 Chron. 16:9. It is not perfect knowledge or wisdom that God requires; but a heart willing to do His will. Such a heart he can teach both knowledge and wisdom. There were good men of old who held to a plurality of wives, and had concubines. They did not see the sin of this, and God accepted them despite the sin, because it was in their heart to do God’s will. So there are thousands of Christians who have kept and are keeping Sunday, believing it to be ordained of God. God accepts the will for the deed, and blesses them despite their error. The “mark of the beast” is not mere Sunday-keeping, but it is the acceptance of a man-made institution, fathered and fostered by the apostasy, in opposition to the Sabbath of the Lord. It is falsely charged that we contend that mere traditionary Sunday-keeping is the mark of the beast. It involves more than this.

2. We re-baptize, or re-immerse, if the person desires. We never demand re-baptism. See Acts 19.

3. The Lord’s table is free; we do not believe that He has surrounded it with a cordon of ecclesiastical police. If one eats or drinks condemnation to himself after a clear statement of what it involves is made, he himself takes the responsibility upon himself.

4. Most of the churches among Seventh-day Adventists are without a pastor, and have always been. A good, wise pastor encourages, no doubt, the faithful performance of all duty. There are many churches that are visited by a minister not oftener than once a year, whose members are most faithful.

5. We do not know; the greater number who have an income. While we believe tithe-paying to be a duty, the paying is voluntary, and there is no special inquisition. The obligation lies between the soul and God.

6. There is little difference in the nature of men and women, it matters not what they call themselves. Temperaments differ, but it is the nature of humanity to seek its own selfish pleasures. We know of none of our members who attend card parties or balls. There are a few, largely among the young, who have never known the joy of the Master’s service, or have lost their first love, who have attended the theater. Some follow after the foolish, changing fashions, and develop a character like the things they follow. The words of Jesus in Matt. 24:12 are true. We can not give the per cent.