QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 28, 1881

QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

IS THERE any positive evidence in the Bible that it is duty to ordain deacons? G. F. S.

There is the same evidence that there is for ordaining elders. Ordination was and is performed by prayer and the laying on of hands; and this was done at the appointment of the deacons. Acts 6:1-6. The same word which is rendered ordain in Titus 1:5—"ordain elders"—and elsewhere, is rendered appoint in Acts 6:3, literally, "whom we may ordain over this business."

Where is found the evidence of the resurrection of Moses, and that he was actually present at the transfiguration? W. T.

1. The gospels say that Moses and Elijah were there, "There appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him." Matt. 17:3. "There talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias," Luke 9:30. This is not a parable, but is the history of a fact of occurrence. See 2 Peter 1:16-18.

2. There is neither reason nor chance to doubt that Elijah was there. He never died; he was still alive, and appeared in his own person.

3. We read that there was a contention between the archangel and Satan over the body of Moses. Michael,

the archangel, is Christ. Compare 1 Thess. 4:16, with John 5:27-29, and Dan. 12:1. To "stand up," in this last text, signifies to reign. We conclude, from the fact that Elias was living and was there, and Moses was said to be there also, that the archangel, whose voice will raise the dead, exercised his prerogative, and raised Moses. Satan, who "had the power of death," Heb. 2:14, contended with him, evidently claiming that the dead were his lawful prey. To us this is conclusive. Thus were presented the kingdom and majesty of Christ: himself glorified; the resurrected represented by Moses; the translated, by Elijah. It was a strong confirmation to the witnesses of the "sure word of prophecy," concerning "the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:16-19.