Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 18, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 20.

Question Corner

By Editor

1501.—Head Coverings. 1 Cor. 11:4-6.

Will you please explain 1 Cor. 11:4-6?

It seems to teach good common sense in the matter of head covering, doesn't it? Every man who preaches or prays in public should do so with uncovered head, and, according to verse 14, with moderately short hair; for it is a shame for a man to have long hair as do women. On the contrary, a woman should distinguish herself from men in the dress becoming to her. She ought not to wear short hair; and if she is shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. Verse 15 tells us that God has given woman her hair for a covering. Therefore, if she wear long hair, as God designed, she need not be veiled or covered. The dress of Christians, both men and women, should be modest, fitted to the occasion, and proper to the sex. But the apostle plainly declares that there should be no contention over this matter. Verse 16.

1502.—The Host of Heaven. Isa. 34:4.

Please explain what is meant by the "host of heaven" of Isa. 34:4.

Read in connection with the text Isa. 13:13; 51:6; Joel 2:31; Rev. 6:12-14. The very universe itself will be shaken in the great day of God, and all that is identified with sin, shall vanish away. 2 Peter 3:10. The atmospheric heavens are included, and we know not how much beyond.

1503.—The True Foundation. Matt. 16:18, 19.

Will you please give an explanation of Matt. 16:18, 19, in your Question Corner, especially verse 19? The Catholics claim that as the foundation of their church, and that Peter was the first priest, and was ordained of Christ at that time.

Note (1) That Peter had just confessed Jesus to be "the Christ, the Son of the living God." (2) Jesus answered that Peter was blessed because of the acceptance of this truth, and that it was not revealed to him through flesh and blood, but was a revelation to Peter from God. (3) Then Jesus declared to His disciple, "Thou art Peter [petros, a stone], and upon this rock [petra, a rock," the Christ, the Son of the living God, and confession of Him] will I build My church." (4) Peter tells us that Christ is this foundation, and that upon Him believers as living stones are builded. 1 Peter 2:5. Paul tells us, "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 3:11. (5) As Peter was the first to confess this truth, the Lord chose him to be the first to preach the Gospel of salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. Acts 2:14; 10:34-48; 15:7, 8. Yet, tho he was first to make known the Gospel, James presided at that first counsel in Jerusalem. Acts 15:13-21. (6) The opening and closing, the binding and loosing, rested not in Peter, but in the message that he bore. To accept it was salvation and freedom; to reject it was bondage and destruction. The Bible illustration of this is found in Jeremiah's commission. Compare Jer. 1:9, 10 with 18:7-10. The binding and loosing, the building and overthrowing, depended on the acceptance or rejection of the message. And so it was with Peter and all the apostles. John 20:23. (7) Every true minister who preaches God's true Gospel bears the same power; and he who does not preach that true Gospel, has not that power, whatever be his profession.