DR. TALBOT' Why Are Angels Disturbing? Q. We often read in the Bible that people were “ troubled” at the ap pearance of angels. W hy was this? Was it because angels are holy and men are not? A. No doubt that had something to do with it. Then too these appear ances were supernatural and even in Old Testament times men were not visited very often by members of the angelic host, and naturally they were aware that these angels had messages from God to deliver. Heaven is home to archangels and angels and when we get there, we will not be “ troubled” by them. However, angels do not bring God’s message to us now for we have His complete message in His Word. How Did Peter Die? Q. Does the Bible tell us how Peter died? A. No, but tradition insists that he was crucified, head down, in the terrible persecutions that fell upon the early church. Some see in the words of Jesus to Peter in John 21: 18, 19 a prediction of Peter’s death by crucifixion: “ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither t h o u wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifyirig by what death he should glorify God.” Th is Generation Q. Please explain Matthew 24:34, “ Verily I say unto you, This gener ation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” A. This verse refers to the genera
Both Peter and Paul forbade anyone to worship them, even to fall down before them in reverence. There is not the slightest intimation in any Scripture that either Peter or Paul or. any other apostle per mitted sinner or saint to confess sins to them as is done according to the so-called doctrine of “ priest ly absolution.” Every believer in his dealings with men declares sin forgiven or unforgiven according to what the inquirer does with Christ. "Woman" a Title of Respect Q. W hy did the Lord Jesus address His mother as “ woman” ? Was this not a title of disrespect? (See John 2:4.) A. Not at all. When Jesus was on the cross, He addressed her in the same way: “When Jesus therefore saw His mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!” (John 19:26). It is thought by some that in those days the term was almost equal to our word “ lady.” It was a title of respect; for when one woman went to Jesus, exercising great faith, and He wished to commend her, He said, “ O woman, great is thy faith” (Matt. 15:28). There is, however, no evidence that the Lord Jesus ever used the title “mother” when speaking to Mary after He entered upon His public ministry. A new relationship had been established the moment He stepped out of His home life at Nazareth and began His ministry. (See Matt. 12:46; John 2:4.) From that time on, it was His supernat ural parentage that He emphasized, for He was the only begotten Son of the Father in heaven.
tion which shall see the beginning of the things predicted of the end time and which shall also see the end of these things. There is one generation which shall be living when Christ returns. All of the Olivet discourse refers to the time called “ the 70th week” in Daniel — the period between the rapture and the millennium. Deity of Christ Denied Q. Should we support a church that denies the deity of Christ and His finished work on Calvary? A. No. We should first make every effort through prayer and influence to maintain a testimony that is true to Christ and the Bible in whatever church we may join. Then failing that we should withdraw our mem bership and put it where we may share in giving the gospel to the world, as well as feed our own souls on the Bread of Life. Certainly any church that denies the deity of our Lord and His finished work on the cross should not have the support of a Christian’s gifts or his time or interest. Remission of Sin Q. Do the Scriptures teach that Christians must confess their sins to any other than God? A. To “ remit sin” is to declare sin forgiven on the basis of faith in the Lord Jesus. W e find Peter declar ing remission of sins in the house hold of Cornelius: “ To him [Jesus} give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever be- lieveth in him shall receive remis sion of sins” (Acts 10:43). To a man who has taken Christ as his Saviour we bring God’s mes sage and declare sins forgiven.
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The King's Business/June 1958
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