Q. Encinitas, Calif. "What, in your opinion, was the ultimate fate of Judas? Was he saved or lost? In Matt. 19:28 Jesus said that His dis ciples would sit upon 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. There is no exception made." A. From all indications Judas was never saved. Why the Lord chose him is locked up in the mind of Almighty Cod. In the passage to which you refer Christ was making a general statement. This was not the time in His ministry to begin spiritualizing concerning Judas. In John 6:70 we find His observation, "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" In John 17:12 He specifically states that "None of them is lost, but the son of perdition." There will not be a vacant throne among the twelve tribes of Israel. The answer is found in Acts 1:25, 26. Matthias was the replacement for Judas. Some be lieve that Paul became the twelfth apostle (I Cor. 15:9). There is real credibility to both views, howev er, the position will not be empty. Q. Newton, Kans. " Could Jesus have fallen when He was tempted in the wilderness?" A. This is one of the very impor tant areas of Bible doctrine. Too often it has been misunderstood. The basic answer is "no." When an engineer puts up a great bridge he must be absolutely certain that it will stand a number of tests. To prove his ability he may have a great weight placed on the struc ture, heavier than the facility would ever have to endure. He knows it will stand, he is just proving his work. Cod the Father knew that Christ would not fall. It was nec essary for the Saviour to go through
except this one, is repeated and elevated in the New Testament. As a matter of fact we were warned against those who would try to get us under the law and to keep the Sabbath (Col. 2:16). The Old Testa ment sabbath referred to the hearts rest and spiritual peace which be lievers would only find in the Mes siah. He is our Sabbath, our rest, which is what the word means. The fact is, too, that the disciples did not continue keeping the Sabbath after Christ's death. You should read all of the book of Acts more carefully. The day of worship was changed when the Lord Jesus Christ triumphantly rose from the dead. The law required that one do something before he rested. This is why the Sabbath was at the end of the week. In grace everything is given to us freely at the first. We live the rest of the week in the light of what Cod so graciously has given. Q. Tucson, Ariz. "/ have heard that during pregnancy the blood for the baby is germinated from the fath er. In this way Christ received His body from Mary, but His life, which is in the blood, from God. Could you please verify this?" A. There have been many investi gations along this line, however, none of them can be proven sci entifically. Cod's word certainly does not teach it. Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of His human mother, Mary. The generation of life is known only by Cod Himself. Mary car ried Jesus prenatally in a normal period of time. His birth was quite natural. It was His conception which was supernatural. Farther than this we do not need to go into these matters.
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