Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 11, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 32.

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

846. “Flesh and Blood.” 1 Cor. 15:50.

Does 1 Cor. 15:50 mean we do not inherit the kingdom by nature?

It simply means that man in his natural state can not inherit the immortal kingdom. “Neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” We must be made by the power of God in nature like the kingdom we inherit.

847. The Holy Ghost a Person.

May we not understand that the Holy Ghost is a person, as well as the Father, and the Son, or is it Jesus’ Spirit, as most all claim it is?

The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, the Spirit of Christ, are all one and the same Spirit; for there is “one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope.” Eph. 4:4. This Spirit is the outflowing life of God in Christ, and has the power of bringing to the child of God the personality and presence of Christ. In this way it may be said to be a person, while as God’s life it is said to be shed forth, poured out, etc. We can not comprehend the Infinite.

848. What Death? Gen. 2:17:

(1) What death did God pronounce upon Adam in Gen. 2:17? Was it spiritual or physical death? (2) Did Christ die the spiritual death? If so, how could He lay down His life and take it up again, as stated in John 10:18? And how does this harmonize with Acts 2:24; 3:26; 5:30, where it says that God raised Christ from the dead? G. E. B.

1. It was simply death. In God’s living law is its own penalty. Obeyed, it brings life. Rom. 7:10. Disobeyed or perverted, it brings death to the whole man. In the sinning was both spiritual and physical death, if we so wish to divide them. In eating, Adam became a dying man, a sentence which doubtless would have been immediately consummated had not God’s Gospel of grace immediately prevented.

2. Christ died the death of the sinner, simply death. If it had not been for the Gospel, Adam’s death would have been immediate and eternal. If it had not been for Christ’s personal righteousness by faith, His death would have been eternal. He died because of our sins which He assumed. He gave up His life into God’s hands, committed Himself to God. Luke 22:46; 1 Peter 2:23. The grave could not hold Christ, because He was righteous. Both are facts—He laid down His life and took it again; God raised Him up.