Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 16, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 49.

Question Corner

By Editor

"Enquire, and make search, and ask diligently."

No. 679. Against the Holy Ghost.

PLEASE explain Matt. 12:32: "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." J. Y.

The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is the manifestation of the Deity in operation. It is the life-force of God operating for the salvation of men. To save man it must be received by faith. Gal. 3:14. If so received it sanctifies and regenerates, and it is the only power that can. 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13. If man rejects this manifest power of God, there is no other means by which God can reach him. That Spirit was manifest in Jesus Christ, even to the casting out of devils. The Jews said that the power was of Beelzebub. So when they thus rejected the only power that could save them, there was no more hope, nor forgiveness. There could be none. Compare with Mark 3:28-30.

No. 680. Ministration of Death.

THE expression "ministration of death written, and engraven in stones" (2 Cor. 3:7), is considered a figure of speech, I understand, meaning "ministration of death concerning things written, etc." Can you give a parallel figure of speech having a similar grammatical construction? W. H. S.

The only figure of speech claimed for it so far as we know is metonymy, in which the effect is put for the cause,—the ministration of that which caused death, because man sinned, as, "There is death [that which causes death] in the pot." "Man shall live by the sweat of his brow," that is, by the labor which causes sweat. But the transgression of God's law is sin, and the holding of that law simply in tables of stone, outside of the heart, is condemnation and death. See Bible Students' Library, No. 149, "From Glory to Glory," for a discussion of 2 Corinthians 3; 24 pp.; price, 1½ cents.

No. 681. The Passing of Paganism.

IS THERE any history to show A.D. 508 as the exact date for the taking away of the "daily" (paganism)? W. H. S.

See "Thoughts on Daniel," chapter 11:31; and chapters 21 and 22 of "Two Republics."

No. 682. What Sanctuary?

IS THE "sanctuary" in verse 11 of Daniel 8 the same as that in verse 14? W. H. S.

Both words come from the same root, and we see no reason why they may not refer to the same thing.

No. 683. Who Are Referred to? 1 Tim. 4:1-5.

WILL you please explain 1 Tim. 4:1-5. The text 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." G. G. M.

The Lord here pictures a class of people that shall arise. It is the duty of each to see that he is not one of the class, by avoiding all teaching which would make him one. The text clearly teaches: (1) That the Spirit expressly gives this warning. (2) That it is applicable to the latter times. It certainly, then, has its application in our day. (3) Some shall depart from the faith. The true faith, the only faith, is the faith of Jesus, that which led him to obey God, and which, if we possess, will enable us to live his life. (4) Those who depart from the faith are led away by some form or forms of Spiritualism, and follow the teachings of demons. That is, they do not follow God's Word. (5) They do not do all that they do honestly, but "speak lies in hypocrisy." In doing this their conscience becomes hardened, seared, benumbed. (6) They forbid marriage, thus opposing an ordinance of God. Whether this is in respect to the celibacy of a class, or is general, matters not. (7) They will enjoin or command fasting, "commanding to abstain from meats," better from foods. The Greek word is broma, food. See its use in John 10:34; 1 Cor. 10:3 (the manna); Matt. 14:15; Luke 9:12. (8) This food is that which would and should be received with thanksgiving. (9) The reason is given in verse 5, "for it is sanctified [set apart, appointed] by the Word of God and prayer." The abstaining from foods must have reference to commanded fasts. The creatures which God has given for food may be eaten always by his people, and no one has a right to forbid them. In God's true church there are no enforced fasts; all fasting is voluntary. And he who eats will eat for strength not drunkenness, having regard for all that the Lord has said on the subject. He will not be longing for such a corrupt, unhealthy product as pork, nor lusting for the flesh pots of Egypt. But if so be that he can get no other food, he may believe that the life of God can make wholesome that which is unwholesome, even as he made the bitter water sweet. But he will not do this for him who eats to lust and not to God's glory. The only right rule is 1 Cor. 10:31.