Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 26, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 13.

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

No. 284. Pledges and Tithing.

If I pledge money for any purpose, or give it to the cause, should I pay tithe on it? L. M. B.

We do not pay tithes on money, but tithes of it. When the tithe is set apart for a particular purpose, as it is among us, for the support of the Gospel ministry, we should not think it ought to be used to meet special pledges, or free-will offerings. We do not give the tithe to the Lord; it is the Lord’s already. The Lord’s tithe, as we read in the Bible, should be first. After that, offerings of various kinds.

No. 285. Saving of Children and Faith.

How is it possible for an infant child to be saved, in the light of Heb. 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him,” and Rom. 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God?” Is it possible for a babe to have faith? J. H.

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:22. Only those will die the second death who have committed sins of their own. Just a word more, brother: The injunctions, commands, duties, etc., of the word of God are addressed to those of responsible age and mind. We need not worry over those who can not believe. God will care for all such in his own everlastingly good and wise way. A good work on baptism is “Thoughts on Baptism,” by J. H. Waggoner, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. Its price is, we believe, paper cover 20 cents, flexible cloth 30 cents.

No. 286. A Question of Days.

PLEASE explain through the SIGNS OF THE TIMES Rom. 14:5, 6 and Col. 2:16.

See SIGNS OF THE TIMES No. 7, present volume, February 18, question No. 262. These texts were more fully explained there than we have space to explain at the present.

No. 287. Wine of Her Fornication.

DOES not the wine of Babylon’s fornication mean the delusive doctrines taught by her, such as the conscious state of the dead, reward at death, immortality of the soul, sprinkling and pouring for baptism? All who believe the doctrines taught by her, have become religiously drunk. J. H. Cox.

Doubtless these help to make up the cup which Babylon holds out to the nations, but it includes more. It is the wine of her fornication. Fornication is unlawful union, or union between church and state. By this baleful doctrine the nations of the world have been blinded, besotted, stupefied, and every doctrine not from God but the world has been a help in the seduction and drunkenness.

No. 288. Women Speaking in Churches.

PLEASE explain 1 Cor. 14:34, 35. J. W. TRILBY.

See answer to question No. 278, in SIGNS OF THE TIMES of March 5, 1896, page 4.