them that His Gospel is the only way whereby a person may be saved (John 14:6). The Bible rightly reminds us that, humanly speaking, all of our good is as filthy rags. Q . San Francisco, California— “What does the Jewish religion teach about eter nal life and the resurrection of the body?" A. In the teachings of the conserva tive, orthodox and reformed Jews there are only very general statements concerning eternal life. We find some vague references about the world which is to come as well as paradise. These are more ethereal and aesthetic. Immortality in Judaism refers to the soul alone. Any resurrection of the body is a step down. Jewish theolo gians were greatly impressed and in fluenced by pagan Greek philosophy. Paul had that to contend with in I Corinthians 15, where he argues for the resurrection of the human body before he sets forth the resurrection of Christ. There is no formula of doctrine in Judaism such as we have in the Christian faith. This is because they only have part of the picture. It is only when one has the New Testa ment complementing that which is seen in the Old that there is a full and beautiful presentation of this or any other doctrine. Q . Phoenix, Arizona — “What does it mean in Galatians 6:11 when Paul says that he lorites with a large let ter? Galatians is only six chapters long.” A. In the Greek the word for “a let ter” is actually in the plural. He used large letters because he seems to have had a severe case of eye trouble. Gen erally, he dictated his letters. In the letter to the Galatian Christians, how ever, he was so wrought up and in dignant at the things which were tak ing place that he wrote it in extra large letters. Q . Salem, Oregon ■ — “Will you please explain Acts 21:25 which states, ‘As
Biola School of Missionary Medicine stu dents work in the wards of the Los Angeles County General Hospital, one of the largest hospitals west of the Mississippi. touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood and from what is strangled, and from for nication.’ What does ‘from blood and what is strangled’ mean?” A. The words in Acts 21:25 are a faithful recording of what the council of Jerusalem had decided when the question came up concerning what basis Gentile believers could be re ceived into the church. It was not necessary to enter into Jewish cere monies or rites (keeping of the sab bath and circumcision). The largest segment of believers in the church was Jewish. They had been taught in the Mosaic Law and custom was second nature to them. It was habitual never to enter into any kind of a situation where they would sacrifice anything to idols. They were entirely monotheistic and wouldn’t eat anything with blood. So here it is a matter of conscience and standing in the way of someone who felt there was no problem with eating anything he might desire. Paul 18
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