"IF YE WILL INQUIRE, INQUIRE YE."
By Editor
This Inquirer's Department is conducted for the purpose of helping those who are studying the Bible. The answers are oftentimes only suggestive. They are never to be considered infallible, only as they agree with the infallible Word. The writer who may answer them does not consider that his opinion is infallible. He will simply give the best that he has, and plead with the inquirer to search the Word. Such questions only will be answered as, to the editors, seem to minister to the good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. We can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable. No letters are answered which do not contain the name of the writer. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply. A "Brooklyn Tabernacle" sermon on 1 Peter 3:19 declares that Jesus preached to fallen angels who were "the sons of God" spoken of in Gen. 6:1, 2, and that when the Flood came these spirits, or angels, dematerialized, and to them Jesus preached. Who were these "sons of God"? B. The whole theory of the sermon in question is fanciful, and has only seeming and inferential support in the Scriptures. "Sons of God" may be used of angels, tho it is doubtful. But the term is used of man, especially man in his right relationship to God. Those who accept of Jesus Christ become "children of God," "sons and daughters" of God. John 1:12; 2 Cor. 6:18; 1 John 3:1; Rom. 8:14. Adam in his first estate is called a "son of God." Luke 3:38. This is conclusive. After man sinned, and when his progeny became more numerous, man began to divide, some following the way of men, their daughters the daughters of men, their sons the sons of men; while those, like Seth and his line, who sought God, called themselves "by the name of the Lord." Gen. 4:26, margin. Not holding to their integrity, they looked upon the idolatrous and seductive daughters of unbelievers, yielded to their charms, and took them for wives. Of course this brought backsliding and all the sad fruitage of evil seen just before the Deluge. This view of the question is natural, clear, and easily comprehended.