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Where do the various human races come from?

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How should I view abortion?

What is a scriptural attitude toward abortion?

By inspiration David teaches that life and God's purpose for life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 139:13,16b). This context also reveals that the formation of the person, perfect or imperfect, and the length of life is determined by God.

In Galatians 1:15" TARGET="_blank">Galatians 1:15 Paul remarks that God determined his birth: "God... separated me from my mother's womb."

Is not the Lord Jesus our supreme example? He said to Pilate; "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world" (John 18:37)." TARGET="_blank">John 18:37).

In 2 Kings 8:12" TARGET="_blank">2 Kings 8:12 we see a weeping prophet expressing the grief of the heart of God because of king Hazael of Damascus. Mentioned amongst the atrocities he would commit is the slaying of "women with child." While these were Syrians, enemies of Israel, God abhorred the crime of taking the life of mothers and children.

Christians believe the sanctity and divine purpose that gives life to every baby forbids acceptance of aborting a pregnancy. Questions will arise regarding the welfare of mothers. As sensitive as this matter is Genesis 35:16-19" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 35:16-19 guides believers as to divine purpose.

J. Smith

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Did Achan's stolen objects have spiritual symbolism?

Joshua 7:21." TARGET="_blank">Joshua 7:21. What would the “Babylonish garment and two hundred shekels of silver and the wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight” represent? What is the teaching in this verse?

I think they would stand for what most attracts the eye and fills the heart of the natural man; for what is more desirable to the flesh than fine clothes to deck oneself withal, and gold and silver, which will purchase “everything except peace of mind, and entrance anywhere except to heaven”! “Babylonish garment” is literally “a garment of Shinar,” the locality where Babylon was built, renowned, it is said, for its beautiful robes. The word for “garment,” is from a root meaning, “wide,” hence an ample covering, a cloak. It is used of Elijah’s mantle and also of the royal robe the King of Nineveh doffed in sign of repentance (Jonah 3: 6)." TARGET="_blank">Jonah 3: 6). Gesenius says these “cloaks of Shinar” were “variegated with figures, or interwoven with various colours, having the figures of men and beasts,” reminding one of the great copes worn by ecclesiastics to-day at their religious ceremonials—true “cloaks of Shinar” those! Let all see to it, lest fine clothes, ministering to the pride of life, or silver and gold, ministering to its “many foolish and hurtful lusts,” occupy our hearts! “But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

W.H.

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Will believers and unbelievers die in the Millennial reign?

Will believers and unbelievers die in the Millennial reign?

All who enter the Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus will be believers (Matthew 13:41-42)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 13:41-42). The provisions of the New (Jeremiah 31:31)" TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 31:31) or Everlasting (32:40) Covenant with Israel will produce in those believers a new heart and inward submission to God’s moral law (Jeremiah 31:33)." TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 31:33). God promises, "I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes" (Ezekiel 36:27)." TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 36:27). In an environment where the devil is inactive (Revelation 20:2,3)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 20:2,3) and the world encourages and supports this inward bent of the believers, the effect will be remarkable. This does not mean these believers will not sin, for they will still have the flesh within as we do in this age. Nonetheless, they will obey from their hearts the glorious King.

In contrast, a person born during the Millennium will be "born of the flesh" (John 3:6)" TARGET="_blank">John 3:6) and, unless converted, will obey only externally. He may cover his rebellion for 100 years, but, when the rebellion of his heart flares into action, "the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed" (Isaiah 65:20)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 65:20).

Justice will be perfect during this time (Isaiah 11:2-5)" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 11:2-5) and the punishment will fit the crime. Those who refuse to acknowledge their indebtedness to the Lord for their harvest will suffer drought on their next planting (Zechariah 14:16-19)." TARGET="_blank">Zechariah 14:16-19). Therefore, the Lord will not punish every sin with death. The degree of sin which He punishes with death would appear to be blatant acts of rebellion, likely including a rival worship to that of the living God.

Unbelievers are capable of such rebellion during this period; in fact, a great multitude will rebel when Satan is freed at the close of the thousand years (Rev 20:7-9)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 20:7-9). The blessings of the New Covenant will most likely preserve believers from such rebellion ("I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: . . . and lay no famine upon you" Eze 36:29," TARGET="_blank">Eze 36:29, see also Romans 11:26, 27)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 11:26, 27).

Apparently, therefore, the judgment of death will fall on unbelievers, but not believers during the Millennium.

D. Oliver

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What kind of unity did the Lord pray for in John 17?

What was the Lord requesting in John 17:21-23" TARGET="_blank">John 17:21-23?

Most trusted teachers believe Lords words, "that they all may be one," anticipate the unity that will be displayed at the Rapture. I humbly, hesitantly suggest an alternative.

John 13:31" TARGET="_blank">John 13:31 through 16:33 is the Lords "Ultimate Disclosure," finally bringing His disciples into eternal counsels, truth uniquely for the Church, the Body. This disclosure is predicated on His being glorified in heaven (John 13:32)," TARGET="_blank">John 13:32), rather than Peters Jewish expectation of the Son of Mans being glorified on earth (13:37). Instead of an earthly prospect, they were to wait for His coming to receive them to heaven (14:1-3). The Lord then disclosed the Spirits coming from heaven (14:16, 17; 16:7), thus embodying the unique provisions of this age.

In Chapter 17, following His delightful pattern in John, the "Revealer of Secrets" requests the Father to accomplish these revelations: the predication of His disclosure (His glorification, 17:1-5); its prospect (the Rapture, 17:24); and its provision (17:21-23). I take this to be accomplished in the Spirits descent at Pentecost (Acts 2)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 2). "I in them" (verse 23) points to our past, not our future. Pentecost made believers one with Christ (17:21b; 14:20) and made Jews and Gentiles one Body (17:21a, 23; 10:16).

Whether we interpret this request as being fulfilled at Pentecost or to be fulfilled at His coming, we must conclude that the unity of John 17:21-23" TARGET="_blank">John 17:21-23 is not external, but spiritual. Since it is compared with the eternal relationship of the Father and the Son in each verse, this unity cannot be effected or destroyed by men. Only God can produce this unity.

D. Oliver
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Can a brother be told not to participate in the meetings of an assembly?

Can you give any Scripture for the “silencing” of a brother? For what “crime” is he to be “silenced”? and who is to do it?

This is an important enquiry. I suppose the questioner does not mean literally a “crime,” for surely no one guilty of a serious moral offence against the law could be allowed to preach or teach, even if he were allowed for the time being to remain in the assembly, which could hardly ever be the case. But I suppose what is meant is some brother, against whom, perhaps, no real accusation can be made, but who has been requested not to minister the Word.

Now, of course, we cannot judge of any particular case without knowing the details. I believe in general that no one would be silenced, unless there were good reasons—some manifest lack of gift, some recognised inability to edify the saints, some habit of too lengthy and unprofitable ministry, which had wearied hearers, or some clear moral defect. Sometimes a man may insist on reading and commenting on long chapters of the Bible, or always the same chapter, as we have known in one case, or always the same disputed doctrine, which in an unruly way he persists to inflict upon the saints.

Perhaps Paul refers to some such men in Titus 1:10" TARGET="_blank">Titus 1:10 as ”unruly and vain-talkers and deceivers . . . ,“ and then adds, “WHOSE MOUTHS MUST BE STOPPED.” It is not necessary to fill every line of this indictment, to deserve the form of discipline here prescribed. A man would seem to fall within it, who is known as an unprofit able talker, or as pushing some doubtful or controversial teaching. I do not think this silencing ought to be done by an individual acting on his own responsibility. It is a case where “two are better,” and they should act only as representatives of the assembly.

The phrase, “the liberty of the Spirit,” is sometimes quoted to show that the Spirit gives liberty to anyone who likes to teach, but in their context the words only refer to seeing Christ without a veil. Certainly the Spirit does not give liberty to those whom He has not qualified to speak. However, it does not always follow that the one silenced will never again be able to minister, for sometimes it may be that a young man may have been too quick to come forward into this service, and may develop a true gift later. I know of one such case, where the one silenced (and he submitted himself humbly to the ruling of his elders) became afterwards universally recognised as a true minister of the Word.

W.H.

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Should a sister meet with the elders to discuss doctrinal issues?

Should a sister meet with the elders to discuss doctrinal issues?

The general statement regarding sisters is, "Let them ask their husbands at home" (1 Corinthians 14:35)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:35). In some cases, the elders could all meet to teach the sister privately from the Scriptures; however, generally it would seem best to discuss the issue with the sister’s husband (where this is appropriate or possible). Shepherds, though, are responsible to shepherd all the sheep (Acts 20:28)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:28), whether male or female.

If, however, the question implies a sister’s meeting with the elders to correct them, instruct them, or direct them, this is in direct violation of Hebrews 13:17," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:17, "Obey your leaders, and be submissive" (JND). Further, 1 Timothy 2:12," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:12, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man," clearly opposes a sister’s teaching or directing the elders. "Entreating"them " as a father" (1 Timothy 5:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:1) would be an acceptable approach. Priscilla taught Apollos, but that is not relevant to this issue, since she was in her home and acted privately and in conjunction with her husband.

If the sister has doctrinal concerns, she is responsible to resolve them with her husband or father

(in the minority of cases where neither of these is an acceptable altemative, she could receive the private help of a couple of overseers). If she and her husband agree on this doctrinal issue, he can discuss the matter with the overseers. If, on the other hand, they disagree, her submission to him would keep her from overriding his judgment. If, after seeking help from a "multitude of counselors" (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6)," TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 11:14; 24:6), she feels responsible before God to express her concern, she could present to the elders a calm, respectful statement of disagreement.

D. Oliver
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Is Hell forever?

Is man's punishment for sin eternal?

This question cannot be answered by human reasoning, but by biblical revelation. Before we answer this, we need an understanding of what "sin" is before an infinitely holy God. Sin is missing the mark. It is unrighteousness, iniquity, transgression, lawlessness; therefore sin cannot be tolerated and must be punished. Romans 6:23" TARGET="_blank">Romans 6:23 teaches, "The wages of sin is death." Sin is actually an affront to the character of God. If God does not justly punish sin, He will be untrue to His character.

The Word of God reveals eternal punishment for sin in vivid and unmistakable language: "punished with everlasting destruction" (2 Thessalonians 1:9);" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 1:9); "go away into everlasting punishment" '(Matthew 25:41);" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25:41); "have their part in the lake of fire which burneth with fire and brimstone forever and ever" (Revelation 21:8)." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 21:8). This is not only eternal punishment, but conscious eternal punishment: "the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night" (Revelation 14:11);" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 14:11); "suffering (present continuous) the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 7)." TARGET="_blank">Jude 7). The greatest proof of "eternal punishment" for sin is offered in the infinite sufferings of Christ for sin. The rejection of Christ has eternal consequences. If we could fathom Christ's sufferings for sin, we could fathom the eternal punishment of men in their sins. Impossible!

A. Hull

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Does God show His love in different ways to us, depending on our personality?

I think the answer to your question is "Yes." However, I doubt that we can take "The Five Languages of Love" (which I find very helpful) as a way to define "the languages" the Lord uses. Obviously, for instance, touch (hugs, etc.) doesn't apply. I take, it, though, that our personality, maturity, and experiences all affect our need for love. The Lord knows this as no one else can know it. His relationship with each of us is not a "one-size-fits-all" relationship, so He tailors His relationship with us to suit who we are. I think the Lord's relationship with Peter and John - and with each of the other disciples - illustrates this. John was the youngest of the disciples, according to tradition and the fact that he was alive into the 90's. Peter was the most prominent and outspoken of the group. John leaned on the breast of the Lord, but Peter apparently never did. It just wouldn't have suited his personality, as I understand him. The Lord said to peter in front of the others, "Get thee behind Me, Satan." I think if he had said that to John, he would have withered up and died.

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