Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 23, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 25.

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

[From time to time we will reply under this head, if deemed advisable, to such candid inquiries as may be sent us. Correspondents wishing a reply to their questions must give their full name and address, not for publication unless they wish, but as an evidence of good faith on their part, and to give us opportunity to reply by letter if deemed best. It is always well to inclose stamp. Let the questions be short and pointed, and such as may be answered in limited space. The questions will be numbered continuously.]

807. Rom. 10:4., M. J. C.—The text simply states the object of the law; for this is the meaning of the word “end.” See James 5:11; 1 Tim. 1:5. Christ is the object of the law for righteousness “to every one that believeth.” While the law condemns sin, it leads the believer to Christ, that he “might be justified by faith.” Gal. 3:24. The sinner can not get righteousness out of the law he is breaking. But the Lord by that law leads to Him in whom the law is perfected, and who has wrought out obedience for us. But to the unbeliever, the law still condemns.

808. 1 Tim. 5:8. E. M. H.—We do not know how the text can be made plainer. We quote from the Revised Version: “But if any [in the church] provideth not for his own [relatives and kindred], and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.” Of course this implies that a man is physically able to work, and has power and opportunity to work if he will.

809. The True Church.

WHAT church is the correct one, or the nearest correct? and why are there so many denominations? M. E. K.

The first question may be answered briefly by saying that the true church is made up of those who heed God’s call and through Christ obey all His commandments. For a fuller explanation see Apples of Gold Library No. 36, “The True Church;” price, two for one cent. As to the second, the denominations have arisen in different ways: men have departed from God and drawn away disciples after them (Acts 20:30); others have departed from a backslidden church, in response to God’s call, formed a new church, and stayed there; while others have come out of these last churches. Sometimes there is a good reason for division; more often it is personal whims and foibles and technicalities which divide churches. The way to unite is for each soul to join himself to the Lord.

810. Direct Legislation.

IS NOT direct legislation a scheme originating with the World’s Parliament of Religions, to capture the civil government? L. H. A.

What ails direct legislation if exercised in right lines, that is, in civil lines only? We do not recall that anything of this sort came up at the World’s Parliament of Religions. It is not so much the particular mode of legislation which is at fault, but the object, the motive, the manipulation, the departure from right principles.

811. Baptism, the True.

WHICH is the correct baptism? Can not a man be sprinkled and yet be buried in baptism the same as being buried in sin?

There is “one baptism,” immersion, whelming, burial. This is what the word means in the original; this is the symbolism of the ceremony. He who is in sin is not sprinkled with it; he is in it, whelmed by it. “Mine iniquities are gone over mine head.” Ps. 38:4. “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay.” Ps. 40:2. “I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.” Ps. 69:2.

812. “Earnest Inquirer.”—(1) For an exposition of the plagues of Revelation, chapters 8, 9, and 16, see “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” by U. Smith, published at this office. We do not know whether or not the sultan will move his capital to Jerusalem. It is thought so by some. (2) There is but little difference between many Seventh-day Adventists and many Seventh-day Baptists. Denominationally, the former hold to these: Life only through Christ, which implies the non-immortality of man; the Sabbath and plan of salvation, constituting a distinct message in the light of prophecy; the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, and the near coming of the Lord. These views are not held generally or denominationally, we believe, by the Seventh-day Baptists. In other matters they are generally agreed.

813. J. C.—We do not know as to just how the German Baptists practise giving of “the kiss.” Is it at all times, or only at communion service? Is it promiscuous as regards the sexes? This latter caused jealousy in the early centuries, and the “Apostolical Constitutions” orders that brethren shall salute only brethren, and sisters, sisters. While it is proper to practise it, it must be left to the participators as to the time and occasion. See for Scripture references, the only rule, 1 Cor. 16:20; Rom. 16:16; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14.

814. Justification. Rom. 3:20, 21, 28.

PLEASE explain the following (Rom. 3:20, 21, 28): “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” N. S.

Justification is declaring to be just. It here means an act of God which makes just that which before was not just. Ver. 20 declares that the law can not justify the sinner, the one who is breaking the law; on the contrary, it points out his sins. But Jesus Christ never sinned. By faith He obeyed perfectly God’s perfect law, and wrought out a righteous character. Man by faith, by yielding to God, by thus coming into harmony with God, will have all his sins cleansed away. He can not do it; God does it for Christ’s sake. The righteousness manifested apart from the law is in Christ’s character, which, when we accept Christ, is ours. And the law witnesses that the righteousness which we get through Christ is true. Verse 28 is the conclusion of verses 20 to 27. Man is justified by faith by having his sins forgiven (Rom. 4:3–8), without any deeds of righteousness wrought by himself. But Christ wrought them all out for us, not in mere deeds, but in intrinsic character. As to the justified soul’s relation to the law see Rom. 8:3; 1 John 5:3.