Questions (continued) A. The prophet Daniel was of noble or regal descent. He was of the royal seed taken captive during the first deporta tion at the end of the 7th century, B.C. Q. Harbor City, California — “Does the Holy Spirit ever do a destructive thing? A. Yes, there are some destructive things the Holy Spirit does. One of His functions is to destroy the works of the devil. Anything that is of the devil, the Holy Spirit will destroy. The Holy Spirit will never do any destruc tive thing in the life of a Christian, however, unless it’s for a constructive purpose. The Holy Spirit will cause the Christian to eliminate the evil things that may creep into one’s life and ac tions. Q. Hollywood, California — “If salvation is free then how could you explain Matthew 25:14-30 dealing with the parable of the talents?” A. This is a wonderful account of the coming of the Son of Man to judge all individuals in the nations relative to their attitude toward Him. In Matthew 25:1-13 there is the parable of the ten virgins. This pictures faithfulness and watchfulness in waiting for our Lord. In 14 to 30 there is pictured that which characterized those whom Christ has left here on earth. Here it is faithful ness in the talent that has been commit ted. (Talents today refer to endowments and capabilities; in those days it meant coinage.) There is not any contradic tion in this parable, nor is there any contradiction in any parable or teach ing of the Bible. This portion reminds us that salvation is free (Ephesians 2:8, 9). It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, not anything that we have accomplished, but by His own mercy, by His own grace, that He has saved us by the washing and re newing, through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. This parable of the talents was used by the Lord to show believers that it is right to use what He has deposited with them for His own glory. Here it is faithfulness which
CAMPUS FAMILY BIBLE CONFERENCE FEATURES TOURS
Knott’s Berry Farm, Marineland, Disney land (above) are but a few of the special tours arranged for those who attend the Biola Family Bible Conference, June 23-29. counts with God. This person, to whom the Lord was speaking, was not a be liever for He said, “Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knowest that I reap where I sow not and gather where I do not scatter.” Notice how He con cludes, “Cast ye out the unprofitable servant into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The way this one used his God- endowed abilities and talents reveals that he never had trusted Christ. He was a hypocrite; an unbeliever. This is a matter of rewards, not of salvation, for that is free. Q. Fort Ord, California — “What is wrong w ith the doctrine of the fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man?” A. The basic thing, of course, although there are many others, is that it is definitely not taught in the Scriptures. In John 8:44 our Lord says to the scribes and Pharisees, “Ye are of your father the devil!” Goid is certainly the Creator of all things, but He is not the Father of all people. He is only the Father of those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. We are only related to those who trust in the Saviour. Our relationship to the unsaved is that we want to do everything we can to show them of what salvation consists, bring ing them to the Lord. 18
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker