BIBLE QUESTIONS

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 61, 18 April 1914, Page 5

BIBLE QUESTIONS

OUR NEW FEATUKE. We have completed arrangements for a special column entitled:—"Everybody's Bible Question Box." We realise that there is a need for such a column, and are hopeful will prove both interesting and instructive to many of our readers, increasing their knowledge of the Bible generally, and shedding fresh light on many of its obscure and' difficult features. > There axe many things in the Bible which are perplexing, and questions are continually cropping up which we would like to get a satisfactory explanation of.

This column will not be used to advocate the cause of any one denomination more than another; indeed sectarian prejudices will not be considered. The position we occupy in publishing "Everybody's Bible Question Box" is quite neutral, and so it will be obvious to all that Ave are not attempting in any way to secure, or to take away, adherents of the Bible, no matter to what denomination they may or may not belong, but simply to assist all to a better appreciation of the Bible and to a higher and more noble walk in life. Contributors may use a nom-dc-plume, and all questions should be accompanied by the sender 's name and address, and written on one side of the paper only. The Editor of this column will treat all questions as being of equal importance, and answer them in rotation, through this column or by post. QUESTION BOX. All Bible Questions will be answered here, or by post, if sent to the Editor of this column. Letters should" bear the name and address of sender. Q. — Some say that as "the wages of sin is death," so in dying we pay the penalty of sin, and thus mankind is purged from all sin committed in this life. Please give your thought on this subject. (A.H.) A. —"The wages of sin is death," When a sinner dies he has paid the penalty; the law has no more dominion over him. (Rom. VII.,1). But he has no claim to be resurrected. The body of sin must be destroyed, and the grave can work no change of character. Thus death would have been everlasting destruction, but for the Ransom sacrifice, and on the basis of Christ's work mankind is said to sleep (11. Tim. i., 10; I. Cor. XV., 13-22). Even after the awakening, during the Messianic reign, all must die to sin before securing life. Persistent and wilful sinners will then die a second time and have no more awakening, for them Christ dieth no more.

In this age, the justified die to sin in the body of Christ (Horn. vi. 7; vii. 4; viii. 1), and thus their resurrection begins now.

Q. — Should the Christian advocate or participate in the coming industrial and social revolution that is swiftly drawing on all over the world? (C.F.8.)

A.—No, the Christian should do neither. The Lord has directed his people who live peaceably; not to revolutionise, but to be subject to the powers that be; not to avenge themselves upon those who legally oppress them, but to wait for the justice which they cannot secure peaceably. "Wait ye upon me, said the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all of my fierce anger; for all the earth (symbol of society) shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then (after the complete destruction of the present social structure or symbolic 'earth') will I turn to the people a pure language (message), that they may-all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent" (Zeph. iii. 8, 9). Let God's people trust him even while they see the waves of trouble coming closer and closer. (Bom. viii. 28). Q. — Will you please explain our Lord's words to the dying robber on the cross, "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise" (Luke xxiii. 43). (E.A.E.) A.—This Scripture, because much misunderstood, has proved a great dif.fieulty to many, but, rightly understood, is quite in harmony with the general testimony of the Bible. It does not prove that our departed friends go to Paradise, nor yet that the "thief" is there.- Our Lord was put to death because he claimed to be the King of the Jews. The thief evidently had heard something of this kingdom and its king. Perhaps he may have heard our Lord declare that when his kingdom was established- in., power, even the dead would hear his voice, and all in their graves would come forth (John v. 2S). His request was, "Eemember me when thou comest into thy kingdom"; and Christ replied that he would. The word "Paradise" means "a garden,'' and the Prophet tells us that the whole earth will become as the garden of Eden by and by (Ezek. xxxvi. 35). Our Lord has not yet come into his kingdom; but when he takes unto himself his great power and reigns, the earth, as well'" as the race, shall be restored to its Edenie perfection. Then the thief will be remembered and blessed with all the willing and obedient.

Our Lord said to his disciples, '' Whither Igo ye cannot come'' (John xiii. 33); then why should it be thought that he would take the thief with him?

The art of printing is comparatively modern, and "punctuation" is more recent still. ~ There were no stops or commas in the original manuscript; these were inserted by the translators. We suggest, that the comma be transposed and placed after "to-day," instead of before it; reading thus, "I say unto thee to-day" (this most unlikely day of any) "that thou shalt be with me in Paradise." This is quite allowable, and conforms to the customs of the Bible (see Deut. xv. 15; xxx. 15, 1G; Acts xxvi. 20, etc.). Q. — What were the "cities of refuge" in the land of Palestine when the Jews were in possession of the land? (C.T.)

A. —The cities of refuge were appointed in Israel for the protection against summary punishment of those who might accidentally take human life, but not for any wilful murderer. There were six of these cities in central localities, to any one of which the nianslayer might dee and there lind protection until his case could be legally tried. These cities did not shelter the wilful murderer, but the authorities, after a fair trial, delivered such up to the just penalty of their crime, which was death (Deut. xix. 11-13; Num. xxxv. 30-34). if the killing proved to be accidental the man-fdayer must still remain in the city of refuge until the deatli of the high priest then in office. This restraint upon his liberty was the penalty for his carelessness, and thus an additional protection to human life. This feature of the Mosaic law clearly foreshadowed the refuge which the sinner may find in Christ. He is our shield and refuge from the penalty of sin, save that which is wilful.