Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 26, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 33.

“Enquire, and make search, and ask diligently.”

No. 620. A Prediction of Latter Times. 1 Tim. 4:1-4.

Please explain to me 1 Tim. 4:1-4, 7. It has been explained many times before, but I want it now if you can, because it is of great importance to me and others, also Rom. 14:14. M. O.

Thus the passage reads:—

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.” 1 Tim. 4:1-4.

This passage is a prophecy of a class which will arise in the last day. They are developed by departing from the faith of Jesus Christ, and thus turning from his Word to the teachings of demons. These same doctrines are taught by these apostates. Having their consciences hardened, they speak lies; they forbid to marry, enjoin celibacy, command abstinence from food (not meat in the sense of flesh), food that is good, food proper for the children of God, food to be received with thanksgiving, food sanctified or set apart by the Word of God and prayer. To what class or people does this refer?—To any who teach and command these things. Forbidding to marry is found in some of the teachings of Spiritualism and in the enjoined celibacy of the Roman Catholic priesthood. The doctrines of demons are any and all that build man’s hopes on the supposed inherent “immortality” of man instead of upon Jesus Christ. It is seen in adoration of saints, in the worship of the Virgin Mary, and in Modern Spiritualism. All that God requires is living faith in him; and living faith will work. All requirements outside of this, on which hope of life is hung, are from beneath, not above. For suggestions on Rom. 14:14 see Question Corner in issue of July 8, No. 597. We have not space to repeat these so often.

No. 621. What Law? Gal. 5:4.

Please explain Gal. 5:4. What law is meant? Why are not Christians justified by it? E. R.

The law which points out sin (1 John 3:4), the law of Ten Commandments (Rom. 7:7; James 2:8–12). In Rom. 2:17–22 we are expressly taught that the law as held by the Jew was “the form” of the truth, that that law taught the “will” of God, and three of the commands are referred to. In Rom. 3:9–19 it is proved that all are sinners, transgressors of God’s law, and hence condemned by that law. Now a law which condemns can not justify. “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.” Rom. 3:20. But that same righteousness of God which is in the law (because the law bears witness to it, Rom. 3:21, 22), worked out in the obedience of Christ, is imputed to the believer for his past sins (Rom. 5:18, 19). We are therefore made just only by faith in Christ (Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16); but by that same faith that law is established in the heart (Rom. 3:31). Now if we seek to be justified from our past sins by our own works of the law, we really turn from Christ, reject his justification, and his obedience becomes of no effect to us. He only can be pronounced just by the law who has always kept all of it. Only Christ did this. The law condemns all others. Rom. 3:19, 23. But Christ justifies us through faith, establishes his law in our hearts, that by his grace we may keep the law. Rom. 3:31; 8:4; Gal. 5:6; 1 John 5:3.

No. 622. How Many? Acts 4:4.

Did the whole 5,000 then believe, or only a part of them? P. B.

The Revised Version gives the correct idea: “And the number of men came to be about five thousand.” The 5,000 included the 3,000 of Acts 2:41. Of course there were more than 5,000 believers. This does not include the women and children.