salvation is a once-for-all transac tion. Q. Holstead, Kan. "In Gen. 1:1-2 as well as Jer. 4:23-26 we see that the earth was without form and void. Was all of this because of God's judgment on fallen angels?" A. We might also inject Isa. 45:18, too. The description which we read speaks of total desolation. There are some very good Bible students who believe that between Genesis 1 and 2 the creation became cha otic. We do not believe in the evo lutionary concept that things go from bad to better. It is just the opposite. There is an abnormalistic trend in history. There is a very good footnote on page 752 of the New Scofield Bible. It is too long to quote here, but deals very well with the subject. The Hebrew ex pression for "without form and void" is used to describe condi tions about Cod's judgment upon sin. Such a prehistoric, divine judg ment would throw some light on Satan's fall (Isa. 14 and Ezk. 28). The fact remains that what hap pened between Gen. 1:1 and 2 no one knows for sure. It could well be, however, Cod 's judgment upon the sin of Satan and the de monic forces who followed him. Q. Fremont, Calif. "If Paul were writing a letter to the church at Fremont, as he did to the other particular cities, to which church would he write?" A. That is a question we have never been asked before. In Paul's case, when he addressed his Epis tles, there was only one church in each community made up of born- again believers. Such is not the case today! The actual situation is
It is a feature of the synoptic gos pels. Q. Denver, Colo. "What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Is it possib le for a born-again Christian to commit this sin?" A. This is found in the 12th chap ter of Matthew (vrs. 31ff). There are many good Bible students who are divided in opinion on this sub ject. One had been brought to Christ possessed of a demon. He was blind and dumb. The Lord healed him so that the man was given back his natural functions. The people were amazed. They could not understand His power. The Pharisees immediately attrib uted His abilities to Satan— Beelze bub—the prince of devils. Christ reasons, "Why would Satan want to cast out himself? He would work at cross-purposes." It is our convic tion that the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is ascribing to Satan the works of the Holy Spirit. This is exactly what the Pharisees had done. We do believe that there is a dispensational aspect to this pas sage. The other interpretation of this passage has to do with those who steadfastly refuse to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. In the final analysis such rejection of Cod's free gift of love can never be forgiven. When such happens a person literally con demns himself to eternal perdi tion. We do not believe that a child of Cod, regardless of which view is held, could ever commit this sin. Christians may deny the Lord, and even betray Him on oc casions, but they do not blasphe me against the Holy Spirit. True Page 24
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