p. 197 | Answer to Question by J. H. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 4, 1872

Answer to Question.

By J. H. W.

O. W. A.—For an exposition of 1 Peter 3: 19, see “Which? Mortal or Immortal?” pp. 62, 63.

There can be no doubt from the reading of the passage that “the spirit” was the means “by which” the preaching was done. The time is stated—in the days of Noah.

As a parallel to this, chap. 4: 6, was once presented to me by a Mormon (and Mormons are the only ones who can consistently use these passages as they are generally used). My reply was that I have heard the gospel preached to them that are dead. But they were not dead when it was preached to them. Now it does not say that it was preached to them that were dead, nor is preached to them that are dead, but was preached to them that are dead. To us there is no difficulty in these passages.

But how is it with those who use these texts to prove man’s consciousness in death. Do they all believe in purgatory? or in a probationary state after death? Do they not often quote these texts very inconsiderately?

J. H. W.