pray for the dead. She holds to a strange interpretation of I Corin thians 15:29.” A. The Bible certainly teaches us that we do not have any connection with the dead. Once a person has died, there is absolutely nothing we can do by prayer, baptism, good works, or money to change his eter nal state. It evidently was a custom among the pagan Corinthians. Paul was simply showing them, by strong argumentation, that all men feel the need of a life after this one. Yet, man’s final destiny is always and only determined by his decisions in this life. An excellent passage to study with your sister would be Luke 16: 19-31. Keep in mind this isn’t a parable. Our Lord is telling us ex actly about two specific men who died. No, there is no such teaching in the Bible as praying for the dead. Destiny is unchangeable after death. Ecclesiastes reminds us that it is bet ter to go to a funeral, or to a house of mourning, than to a house of mar riage. The former will impress upon us how short life is and how one must make a personal decision for him self. Q. Fort Collins, Colo. — “I would like your advice on my attending church. I have two small boys, and my hus band is wonderful, except when it comes to Christian matters. He gets mad whenever I want to go to church and tries to find a way to stop me. Should I stand firm on going and trust God to work it out, or stay home and let the Lord intervene in some other way?” A. This is a very difficult question to answer categorically. Such a mat ter weighs very heavily upon our hearts, and we want to assure you of our prayers. For the basis of Scrip tures, see such portions as I Peter 3:1-6. When a Christian woman is married to an unbelieving man, she is still subject to him, even in mat- 21
fellowship (Acts 2:46). We see no objection if such programs are sched uled for fellowship only, rather than a fund-raising program. Actually, this passage shows that the early church did have suppers together. But the abuse Paul was correcting was the disgraceful way they were conducting the Lord’s Supper. They are two different things. Q. Bellingham, Wash. — “Will you please give me some information as to whether or not you are members of the National Council of Churches, and if not, do you support their views ?” A. We definitely assert that we are not members of the National Coun cil of Churches, nor do we support any of their views. In fact, we are heartily opposed to the N.C.C. in its liberal teachings and concepts. Q. Spring Valley, Calif. — “I have been con ce rn ed about James 2:14-17. What about a person or persons who through their own continued neglect, vices and mismanagement, are lack ing food and clothing? Does the Christian have a responsibility in such instances? I f one does assist, how long should he continue ? Doesn’t it help a person to go the downward way if others pitch in when he him self should come to his own rescue?” A. This is a very practical question which can be answered only on an individual basis, for certainly no two cases are alike. The governing law is that of love and prayerful concern. While we must be considerate and helpful, we have the responsibility of not contributing to someone’s in dolence and laziness. If a person who is able refuses to work, then cer tainly our obligations cease right there. Q. Covina, Calif. — “I need to con vince my sister that we shouldn’t
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