ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.
By Editor
A NEBRASKA correspondent asks the following questions:— 1. "Will you kindly tell us why you think Paul wrote the book of Hebrews?" We do not know that he did. Opinions seem to be divided as to whether Paul, Apollos, or Barnabas wrote it. Personally, our opinion inclines to the latter as author. But it is immaterial as to who wrote it. Its inspiration and canonicity are well supported. 2. "How can you prove to a Jew from the Old Testament that the world was made by Christ?" We would not attempt such a thing as that at first. Enough could be shown from the agreement between the prophecies of the Old Testament and their fulfillment in Christ to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was the divine Son of God. If this evidence was accepted by the Jew, he would readily accept the fact that Christ created the world. We must not ask people to believe the harder things first. Things which are most important are the most clearly revealed; and having become established on these the others will be readily accepted, new light will be thrown on such texts as Gen. 1: 26; Isa. 9:6, and other passages. 3. The reason why the gospel, the wages of sin, the reward of the righteous, the plan of salvation, etc., are not mentioned more frequently till Isaiah, is because the Scriptures previous to that are largely historical, although there are many references to one or more of these things. Jacob's wrestling with the Angel, whom he calls God, what the Lord told to Moses of the Angel of his presence in whom was the name of Jehovah, the Captain of the Lord's hosts who met Joshua, and many other references, show something of what was revealed to Israel. Moses spoke of him as the prophet to come. Deuteronomy 18. Abraham died in faith in that promised Seed to come, as did the other patriarchs. Jacob's prophecy concerning the Shiloh of Judah could have been understood in no other way than having reference to that exalted Being who would bring peace throughout the world. These and other references indicate faith in Christ on the part of those who lived prior to his first advent. Eve evidently supposed that she had gotten the Saviour of the world, the God-man, when Cain was born. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of Christ's second coming even, and doubtless of his first. History did not need to mention these things. The facts are stated. There is sufficient on which to base faith; God does not reveal his will or doings to satisfy mere curiosity. Another correspondent wishes an explanation of 1 Cor. 14:34, 35, about women keeping silent in the churches. We believe that there have appeared two articles upon this text in this journal during the past year. Some cold-hearted sister who does not appreciate enough of the love of God to praise him for it in the assembly of the saints, wishes an excuse for her coldness, passes by all that is said in the Scriptures on the other side, and catches upon the above text as an excuse. The instruction was evidently745given by the apostle to correct abuses in the Corinthian church. It might have pertained to business matters. The Corinthians evidently knew to what the apostle referred, and they also knew that he did not forbid women testifying to God's goodness, and encouraging others by their personal experience. Certainly the four daughters of Philip who prophesied (Acts 21:8, 9), Phebe, who served the church at Cenchrea; Priscilla, a helper of Paul; Mary, and Junia, and Tryphena, and Tryphosa (Rom. 16:1-12), could not have so prophesied, and served, and labored, without bearing testimony to Christ, in whose communion there is "neither male nor female." Why would Paul give directions concerning the prophesying and praying of women in public if it was unlawful for them so to do. See 1 Cor. 11:5, 6. It is well to remember, however, that God has placed man, as the stronger vessel, first. 1 Cor. 11:8, 9; Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5, etc. We have sometimes thought that God gave 1 Cor. 14:34, 35, in order to present a seeming excuse—not real—to those who desired it to evade not only a solemn duty but a precious privilege. But, "Great peace have they which love thy law; and they shall have no stumbling-block." Ps. 119:165, margin. Another asks for an explanation of 1 Cor. 5:5, which reads: "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." Read also the context. We understand that no person is so well off on this earth as he who is in his proper place in the church of God. He is sustained and strengthened by the mutual faith and prayers of all. He is, like a member of a healthy human body, nourished and strengthened, helped and edified, by every other member in a greater or less degree. This church is of God's planting; in it and through its various offices and gifts he works. But when a member of this church becomes so sinful, so independent and stubborn in his sin, that he will take no counsel of his brethren, or of those who have the spiritual oversight of the church, the time has come to cut him off from all the spiritual influences and blessings of the church, from all the support and help of his brethren, that he may learn how weak he is, and how strong is the power of the enemy over him. In other words, withdraw from him the hand of fellowship, that he may realize its loss, and thus be led to a sincere repentance and crucifixion of the flesh, and return to God with all his heart. This the Corinthian church evidently did, in harmony with the inspired counsel of Paul; and the result proved the wisdom of the course pursued. See 2 Cor. 2:4-8. M. C. W.