speaking of the practice of “social climbers” who only seek to gain favor and prominence. In James 2:1-14 we find an excellent exhortation of proper conduct both for the home as well as the church. The Lord is speaking against a very selfish practice which is to have no part of the trufe Christian s life. 'We certainly are justified in in viting friends but not merely for the sake of what they can do for us. Q . Seattle, Washington — “What is the difference between ‘the house of Jacob’ and ‘the house of Israel?’ ” A. Some commentators try to draw a very fine line between the two, Jacob and Israel. Our belief is that they are both synonymous. Some people endeav or to make a differentiation between the two based on the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. The two here, however, are Ephriam and Judah. Q . San Pedro, California — “Please ex plain Revelation 19:4 which reads, ‘And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen, Alleluia.’ Who are the four beasts who are mentioned?” A. The translation “beasts” is not an accurate picture of the original Greek. The four beasts were simply four living ones or creatures. These were not some type of lower animal. We do not know who the four living ones are specifical ly. Their identity is not significant. Q i Vancouver, Washington — In Luke 18:33 it specifically mentions ‘and the third day he shall rise again.’ Why does the word ‘again’ have to be used when Christ rose only once?” A. The word “again” has several meanings in English. The Greek text actually is “rise up.” It certainly does not mean that our Lord had risen once before. Q . Denver, Colorado — “If we cannot re member the date that we were saved, do you think that we may not be really saved?”
Biola president Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland looks over building progress for the new music structure, most recent development on the campus. ______________ We do not believe for a moment that it is necessary for one to know the specific day of his salvation in order to be sure he is born again. Many individ uals have been brought up in Chris tian homes. They have been taught the things of the Lord as far back as they can remember. They cannot recall the time when they made a definite deci sion to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour. The important thing is that, according to Romans 8:16, “The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Q . Spokane, Washington — “Do the Old Testament saints have to face a judg ment similar to the ‘Bema’ judgment of those who are raptured?” A. Judgment is a process whereby ad judication is made of certain matters that come before the magistrate. The “bema” judgment is the time when the believer’s works and life of service are brought before Christ and tried “so as by fire.” This is only for New Testa ment saints who are raptured in Christ not those of the Old Testament. 30
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