p. 231 | Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 14, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 15.

Question Corner

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

753. John 20:17. Why?

“TOUCH Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father.” John 20:17. Why did Christ not want Mary to touch Him? Why did Jesus have to ascend to the Father first? I. O. E.

We can answer this question in no better way than to quote the words of another:—

“Jesus refused to receive the homage of His people until He knew that His sacrifice had been accepted by the Father, and until He had received the assurance from God Himself that His atonement for the sins of His people had been full and ample, that through His blood they might gain eternal life. Jesus immediately ascended to heaven and presented Himself before the throne of God, showing the marks of shame and cruelty upon His brow, His hands, and feet. But He refused to receive the coronet of glory, and the royal robe, and He also refused the adoration of the angels as He had refused the homage of Mary, until the Father signified that His offering was accepted.”—Great Controversy, vol. 3, p. 202.

754. Luke 22:32. Converted.

KINDLY explain Luke 22:32: “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Was not Peter converted when he was sent out with the twelve to preach, heal, etc.? Luke 9:1.

There is such a thing as losing conversion. There is such a thing as a constant growth, a new conversion to new truth, every day. Peter certainly was not converted to the truth concerning the nature of Christ’s work and kingdom till after the resurrection of our Lord. But previous to the time when our Lord used the above words, Peter doubtless had some experience in Christian life.

755. Gen. 9:5. The Curse upon Canaan.

DID this curse give rise to the Ethiopian race? Did the effects of different curses change color of men? If not, why are they not all red like Adam?

The curse was that of servitude. It was the divine statement of what such a character as Canaan’s would surely entail upon his descendants. The color may have gone with it, affected, no doubt, by centuries of climatic conditions. But who said that Adam was red? Dr. Strong defines the Hebrew word Adam as meaning “ruddy, to show blood, to flush or turn rosy,” indicating perfect health. See the word “ruddy” from the same root in the following texts: 1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42; Cant. 5:10; Lam. 4:7.

756. Old and New Style.

RAY’S Higher Arithmetic says that Gregory XIII. in 1582 suppressed the ten days that had been gained, by decreeing that the 5th of October should be the 15th. The Gregorian calendar was adopted in England in 1752, the error then being eleven days. Parliament declared the 3d of September to be the 14th, and at the same time made the year begin January 1 instead of March 25. How does this affect the Sabbath question? E. H. J.

It in no way affects the Sabbath question or the days of the week, but only the days of the month. If Oct. 5, 1582, had been Monday, and it was by law called October 15, it was Monday still. That the change from Old Style to New Style does not affect the day of the week is shown by these facts: (1) The days of the week were the same in England between Oct. 5, 1582, and Sept. 3, 1752, as they were in Italy, the England reckoned by Old Style, Italy by New Style; (2) Russia still reckons by Old Style, but the days of the week correspond with ours. The day of this writing is Tuesday, March 29. If it should be called by law April 10, that would not alter the day of the week; it would be Tuesday still.

757. Kindling a Fire on the Sabbath Day.

“YE shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day.” Ex. 35:3. Is this prohibition binding upon the people of to-day? H.

Its principle is. The children of Israel while in the wilderness were in a warm country. They were all well, and they needed no fire, hence the prohibition. That this command related to the wilderness is shown by its presumptuous transgression. See Num. 15:32–36. “And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day.” It will be seen by the context that the man’s sin was openly presumptuous. Verses 30, 31. The Lord gave not the Sabbath to cause human suffering. He will have mercy and not sacrifice. Matt. 12:7. If a fire is needed for health, if warm food is needed for the sick or feeble, it is in harmony with God and the law of the Sabbath to kindle a fire. But if these things are not needed, should a fire be kindled just to minister to appetite?

758. 1 Timothy, Chapters 1 and 5.

I WOULD like to have you explain the first and fifth chapters of 1 Timothy. I have had many people ask me about it, and I do not know how to explain it. I hope I am not asking too much. B.

It is impossible to reply to such a question. A page of the SIGNS might be devoted to each of these chapters and then they might not be explained to the satisfaction of the querist. Read the chapters, ask God for light, and leave the matter with Him. If people ask you for an explanation, it is no disgrace to say, I do not know. Ask some good servant of God. Follow the apostle’s advice, “Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” It is not that the question is so difficult, but we have not space. Questions should be more specific and cover less ground.