Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 7, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 19.

1233.—Gal. 3:1. By Faith.

Please explain Gal. 3:1. Was it not by faith they saw Christ crucified? B. W. O.

It was. “Before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you;” the living truth as preached by Paul. Christ died in the beginning, the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” He gave Himself for all time, all generations. Abel and Abraham received Him by faith as crucified for them. The Galatians received Him then; and the soul who embraces Christ Jesus takes Him now as a present sacrifice offered and dying and living for him now. The same faith makes us crucified with Him. See Rom. 6:6; Gal. 6:14.

1234.—Samuel and the Woman of Endor.

D. C. R.—For explanation of 1 Sam. 28:11–21 see SIGNS of March 26, Question No. 1219, also article on this page. J. B. B.

1235.—Fraternal Societies and Bible Reasons.

The following reasons from the Bible are given for every one to join the numerous fraternal beneficiary societies so energetic at the present time: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Tim. 5:8); and that Christ belonged to a secret order (Heb. 7:11)—order of Melchisedec. F. O. O.

In the first place, what has secret societies or benevolent orders to do with the first text, or the duty enjoined therein? The text does not refer to a future provision, but for present. A man should provide for his own house, but always legitimately of course. This is his duty, if possible, whether there are a million such societies or none; and none are needed. The best in the world is the living church of Jesus Christ. And (2), What has the second text to do with secret societies? The order of Melchisedec pertains to no society, but to a priesthood. Melchisedec was a king-priest. Aaron was a priest alone. Christ was both king and priest also; and so, was a priest after the order or arrangement of Melchisedec.

1236.—“Serve with thy Sins.”

Who is meant by “thou” and “thy” in Isa. 43:24? W. T. T.

Read the context. The Lord is addressing the people who profess His name, Jacob, Israel. Instead of honoring God by pure offerings and faithful service, they had, by bearing His name, made the Lord serve with their sins. One who does not profess God’s name does not make the Lord responsible for his sins. A parallel text is in Rom. 2:24, where the apostle tells the Jews who professed to be God’s people, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.” The Septuagint reads (Isa. 43:24), “Thou didst stand before Me in thy sins;” Leeser’s Jewish translation, “Thou hast troubled Me with thy sins;” Spurrell, “Hast burdened Me with thy transgressions;” Polychrome, “Burdens, nothing else, hast thou given Me by thy sins;” Boothroyd, “Thou hast burdened Me with thy sins.” Similarly Lowth, and others.