935. "Is Every Day a Sabbath?"
By Editor
NOTE.—We wish those who ask questions to take particular notice: (1) Only such questions will be answered here as we believe to be of general interest and information. (2) We can not undertake to explain from four to a dozen scriptures, as in one sentence we are often requested to do. (3) Do not ask to "explain" a certain text or passage. State clearly the point in question. (4) Give full name and address, not for publication unless desired, but as evidence of good faith, and to give us the privilege of replying by letter if deemed best. (5) Unsigned communications of any kind find the quickest way to the waste-basket. (6) It is always well to inclose stamp. (7) "Foolish and unlearned questions avoid," also those that minister to mere curiosity. (8) Study the Scriptures yourselves. 935. "Is Every Day a Sabbath?"
HERE is a clipping: "There is no single day of the week which is not accepted by some portion of the human race as the 'day of rest.' For example: Christians, Sunday; Greeks, Monday; Persians, Tuesday; Assyrians, Wednesday; Egyptians, Thursday; Turks, Friday; Jews, Saturday." Is it true? No; it is not true. Most Christians observe Sunday, and these include Greeks. The Mohammedans—including Egyptians and Turks—observe a portion of Friday. Assyrian literature speaks of the sacred seventh day. The old Persians were fire or sun worshipers, and therefore observed Sunday. But the idea of "rest" all came from the Biblical idea. We have the true Sabbath, the seventh day; we have two spurious sacred days, the Mohammedan Sixth day and the pagan Sunday. 936. Baptism—Water and Spirit.
PLEASE explain Luke 3:16. What is the difference between water-baptism and Holy Ghost baptism? What is meant by the fire spoken of? 1. Water baptism is the outward sign of an inward work. It is the Heaven-ordained rite by which we put on Christ before the world. It is the marriage ceremony between the believer and Christ. See Rom. 7:4; Gal. 3:27; Matt. 28:19, 20. Baptism by the Spirit is that experience by which we come into full communion with God, and are swallowed up in His life. His Spirit fills us and enswathes us. It is that by which vital union is effected with the body of Christ and the soul fitted for His work. 1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 1:8; 2:1-11. 2. The baptism by fire is utter destruction of sin; the burning out of its last remains. The fire comes from the presence of God; "our God is a consuming fire." His presence in us will destroy all sin if we will let Him in. His burning glory will destroy us with the sin when He comes, if we cling to the sin. See the lesson taught in Lev. 9:24 and 10:1, 2. The burnt offering represented the sin of the people who put away sin; but Nadab and Abihu are types of those who cling to sin. See also 2 Thess. 2:8. IN Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43, and in John 8:44, are we not taught that there are in the world many who, like the tares, resemble wheat so closely that we can not at all times tell the difference; and yet, being children of the devil, they can not be changed into the children of the kingdom without abrogating the law, "Let every seed bring forth after his own kind," given in the beginning? And if this is true, is it not misleading to say that the vilest, the worst, can become "children of the kingdom"? 1. A parable is not designed to teach everything. To use a stock expression, it will not go on all fours. The parable of the tares is given to show that the wicked will exist with the good till He comes who alone can separate; it is not given to show that the wicked can not be saved. See Isa. 1:18, 55:7. The lesson for man is, Do not attempt to judge; God alone can decide. Man's salvation depends upon his choice and submission to God. The wickedness and vileness have naught to do with it; for God's saving power is creative power. "If any man is in Christ, there is a new creation." 2 Cor. 5:17, R. V. It is, therefore, not misleading to say that any one may be saved if he will. NOW IF Christ was crucified Friday, and was, according to Matt. 12:40, three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, did He not rise Monday morning? Would not that show Sunday to be the seventh day? Why linger about the "ifs"? (1) What proof is there that "the heart of the earth" in Matt. 12:40 means "the grave"? The expression occurs nowhere else in the Scriptures. May it not as truly mean in the power of earth's rulers, the rulers of the darkness of this earth? (2) What proof is there that Jonah was in the sea monster just seventy-two hours? There is none. Jesus says on "the third day." Mark 9:31; Matt. 16:21; 17:23, Luke 9:23, 24:21, 46. Jesus was betrayed into the hands of the powers of earth on what would be our Thursday night. Luke 22:53. All of Sixth day, all of Sabbath and part of First day, Jesus was in their power. That Sabbath was the one according to the commandment (Luke 23:56; Ex. 20:8-11), the day regarded by the Jews to the present time. The Bible First day began at sunset following, but not until midnight following that day did the Roman Sunday begin. 939. The Foundation of the Earth.
WHAT is meant by the "foundation of the earth," as spoken of in Heb. 1:10? The original for foundation is defined, to "lay a basis for, to erect, consolidate, to settle." It everywhere means the substruction, the basis. See Luke 6:48; 14:29. It is therefore the beginning. See "began," Ezra 7:9. The foundation upholds the superstructure. See Heb. 1:3. (1) Is THE "beginning" spoken of in Heb. 1:10 the same as in Gen. 1:1? (2) Is the "beginning" spoken of in Gen. 1:1 the same as the "beginning" mentioned in John 1:1? (1) We should so understand (2) No. The Creator was before the thing created.