Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jul 19, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 29.

Question Corner

By Editor

1688.—Tobacco.

When, where, and by whom was tobacco first used, and in what forms, snuff, chewing, or smoking? A READER.

So far as we know, by the Indians of North America. When first seen using it, it was said that they twisted huge leaves together and lighted them and "smoked like devils." They may have used it in other ways. It began to be used in Europe in the sixteenth century. The vile weed is the evil gift of America to the world.

1689.—David Their King.

Please explain Hosea 3:5: "Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king." How does David get to be king in the later days, as referred to in the text?

In Christ Jesus, great David's greater Son. "The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David." Luke 1:32. Jesus is elsewhere called David in prophecy.

1690.—Order in Lord's House.

Will it be in order at the Lord's Supper for the elder of the church to give the bread and the wine to a brother that is not ordained as a deacon to divide it out to the church?

We should prefer in the interests of order to use only ordained officers. If there are no deacons, let the elder pass the bread and wine himself.

1691.—The Holy Spirit and Ministering Spirits.

What is the difference between the Holy Spirit and the ministering spirits (angels), or are they the same.

The Holy Spirit is the mighty energy of the Godhead, the life and power of God flowing out from Him to all parts of the universe, and thus making living connection between His throne and all creation. As is expressed by another: "The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ." It thus makes Christ everywhere present. To use a crude illustration, just as a telephone carries the voice of a man, and so makes that voice present miles away, so the Holy Spirit carries with it all the potency of Christ in making Him everywhere present with all His power, and revealing Him to those in harmony with His law. Thus the Spirit is personified in Christ and God, but never revealed as a separate person. Never are we told to pray to the Spirit; but to God for the Spirit. Never do we find in the Scriptures prayers to the Spirit, but for the Spirit.

The Spirit is the creative power of God by which angels and all other creatures came into existence. God fills them with His Spirit, His life, and makes them ministers of His life and power to others, especially to His people. He takes His consecrated people and makes them also ministers of His blessings to mankind. The angels are no more the Spirit of God than are His people.

God is love. He is constantly by His Spirit sending forth the blessings of life. But He will not send one blessing out to the world alone; He wants others associated with Him in the joy of giving to others. Hence He uses angels and men for all His work in this world.