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THE HOLY SPIRIT A PERSON? Q. Is the H oly Spirit an influence? I always believed Him to be a Person, but our pastor speaks of Him as im personal. A. The Holy Spirit is not just an in fluence, though rationalistic theolo gians and various cults so describe Him. The Word of God makes it plain that He is a Person, co-equal - and co-eternal with the Father and with the Son. Moreover, the American Re vised Version of our English Bible always translates the pronoun refer ring to Him as “He” or “ Him” i— never “ it.” So does the Authorized Version, except in one or two pas sages. Our Lord repeatedly called the Holy Spirit a Person, especially in His farewell message to the disciples in John 14-16. Read these chapters to find the verses for yourself. And the entire New Testament is full of many references to the Holy Spirit of God, showing that He is one with the Father and the Son. CHR IST IANS TO JUDGE ANGELS Q. I Cor. 6:3 states that Christians shall “judge angels.” Who are these angels, and when will this judgment take place? A. The angels are those referred to in Jude 6: “ And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” (Cf. 2 Peter 2:4.) The likelihood is that the judgment of those angels will take place at the great white throne, where wicked men are to be judged, though there is no definite statement to that effect in the Word of God. The part Christians will have in judging angels is not revealed. And what God has not seen fit to tell us, we leave with Him, accepting His Word for it, on faith. THE KING 'S BUSINESS
CROWNS A N D REWARDS Q. When I was a child in Sunday School, I was often told that if I were “ good,” 1 should receive a “ crown” in heaven. Actually, are there any crowns mentioned in the Bible? 1 am sure they are not literal crowns, but are there awards for certain things? A. Yes, there certainly are. We read: “ If any marts work shall abide . . . he shall receive a reward” (I Cor. 3:14). Do you remember the prize day at school, my friend? There is a day coming when God will give out His rewards for service rendered in His name and for His glory. We have space here only to name them: “ The Crown of Life” (James 1:12). “ Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (or ‘trials,’ Revised Ver sion), for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” I wonder if I am talking to someone who is enduring sore test ings, as unto the Lord? “ Blessed is the man who endureth trials!” “ A Crown of Righteousness” (II Tim. 4:8). At the close of his life on earth Paul wrote these words: “ I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousnes, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Paul has been in heaven more than nineteen hundred years, and he has not yet received that crown. It is to be given to him “ at that day.” And it is to be the reward of all who “ love his appearing” and are faithful in service. “An Incorruptible Crown” awaits every believer who runs the Christian race with singleness of purpose, his eye upon the goal (I Cor. 9:25). And this requires temperance “ in all things.” 20
“ A Crown of Glory” (I Pet. 5:4). To the under-shepherd who faithfully feeds “ the flock of God” is this reward promised. “ And when the Chief Shep herd shall appear,” the Lord says to him, “ ye shall receive a crown of glo ry that fadeth not away.” To every pastor, evangelist, Sunday School teacher, father, mother — to every un der-shepherd who has diligently given out the Word of God to those entrusted to his or her care, the Lord will give this “ crown of glory that fadeth not away.” Christ crucified, risen, as cended, interceding, and coming again — this is the message, for the preach ing and teaching of which the crown of glory is promised. It is a solemn thing to be a pastor, a Sunday School teacher, a parent! Any other message, no matter how benevolent or kind, will lose its reward. “ The Martyr’s Crown.” “ Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). This passage of Scripture is often linked with James 1:12, and the two crowns mentioned are thought to be one, bestowed for enduring trials, whether less severe or even “unto death.” Be that as it may, we like to think that God will reward in some special way those who lay down their lives for His name’s sake. The “ Crown of Rejoicing” (I Thess. 2:19, 20). This is the soul-winner’s crown. And what a crown it will be for the Apostle Paul who wrote these words! Not only the Thessalonian Christians, but all the hosts of others whom he led to Christ will be his crown of joy “ in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming.” “ Behold I come quickly,” the risen Lord is saying to you and me today. “ Behold, I come quickly; and my re ward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be . . . Hold that fast which thou hast, that NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN” (Rev. 22:12; 3:11).
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