Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 15, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 27.

Question Corner

By Editor

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

No. 599. The Greek Church.

WHERE and by whom was the Greek Church established?

The official name is the "Holy Oriental Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church," often called the Eastern Church in contradistinction to the Western or Roman Church. It became an independent church gradually. It has as much right to call itself apostolic as does the Roman. Both divisions were in the beginning apostolic; both sprang from the same source, a corrupted and perverted gospel, altho there is every reason to believe that the Greek Church retained its purity much longer than the Roman Church. The bishops of the east were considered equal to the bishop of Rome till the fourth century, the rivalry beginning about 340; the division came because of jealousy, Rome's assumption, and doctrinal differences. What may be called the final separation occurred in 1054, when Rome excommunicated the Eastern Church. The Greek Orthodox Confession of Faith appeared in 1643.

No. 600. Without the Gate.

PLEASE explain Heb. 13: 12.

The explanation is found in the verse before. The bodies of the sin-offerings of beasts, the blood of which was taken into the sanctuary, were burned without the camp. These sin-offerings were types of Christ, "wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate;" that is, outside of the temple and city. His was not a sacrifice for the Jews alone, but for all. John 11: 52. He tasted "death for every man."

No. 601. 1 Cor. 14: 34.

PLEASE explain 1 Cor. 14: 34.

The verse reads: "Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law." The context shows that in the church at Corinth there was confusion. Verse 33. It was to correct this abuse that this instruction was given. Man and woman are equal in God's sight, each in the sphere where placed of God. To man was given the rulership, and woman was not to usurp authority over man in teaching and ruling in the church. This is what the Lord says. 1 Tim. 2: 12. We are willing to believe this; aren't you? Perhaps the opposite of this may have been the case in Corinth. But is it right for women to speak in meeting?—Yes; for the apostle gives us instruction relative to the dress of women who pray and prophesy in public. See 1 Cor. 11: 5, 6, 13. See the godly women helpers in the Gospel mentioned by Paul in Rom. 16: 1-15. Priscilla seemed to have instructed Apollos. Acts 18: 26. Philip had four daughters who prophesied. Acts 21: 9. See also Acts 2: 17, 18. Read Mal. 3: 16; Eph. 5: 19. Do what the Lord wants you to do. Leave the obscure texts till the Lord makes plain.