TO CORRESPONDENTS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 26, 1877

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Truth Seeker: We cannot supply all the back numbers of the Review containing notes of the Discussion in Kansas. No. 3, Vol. 49, is missing.

T. Hoover: We consider the word stones, in 2 Cor. 3:7, equivalent to “tables of stone” as used in the Old Testament, the plural idea there being expressed in the word, tables. If the transaction recorded in Josh. 8:31, 32, was in fulfillment of the instruction given in Deut. 27:2, 3, then the stones were plastered with plaster, and the words were written on the plaster. Or if we say that they were written on the stones, they were still only “written on,” they were not “engraven in,” the stones. 2 Cor. 3:7, evidently refers to the time when Moses’ face shone, and that was when he came down from the mount, from an audience with God. The engraving on the stones referred to was in existence at that time. But this was forty years before the altar of stones was set up by Joshua, and covered with a copy of the ceremonial law.

“What is the meaning of the words of Christ in John 20:28; Matt. 16:19; 18:18? ‘Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven,’ etc. Do they not give some ground for the Romish doctrine of the priest’s power to forgive sin?” L. A. Thurston.

Ans. The words of Christ are addressed to his people as a body, not to any exclusive order. The Holy Ghost is not to be monopolized by a few. All the church are to share in it. And when a church is standing in the light and liberty and counsel of God, its acts are not to be lightly regarded. Heaven ratifies its action in reference to those matters which come within its jurisdiction, such as the decision it passes upon any course of action, the acceptance of members, or the rejection of them from its communion. E. S.