with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should be lieve on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.” Then drop down to verse 7: “And they were in all about twelve men.” You will notice that the entire trans action took place between Paul and about twelve men whom he met at Ephesus — they were disciples, which means learners. It does not mean that these men were believers on the Lord I NEEDED THE QUIET I needed the quiet, so He took me aside Into the shadows where we could con fide; Away from the bustle, where all the day long I hurried and worried when active and strong. I needed the quiet, though at first I rebelled, But gently, so gently, the cross He upheld. And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things. Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings To heights never dreamed of when active and gay. He loved me so greatly He drew me away. I needed the quiet, no prison my bed. But a beautiful valley of blessing in stead; A place to grow richer, in Jesus to hide . . . I needed the quiet, so He took me aside. — Author unknown Jesus Christ. When Paul came along he asked them, “Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.” So you see they could not have been regenerated be cause, according to John 3:3 — “. . . Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God.” This passage in Acts is not speaking of the water of regeneration; there is no such thing as the water of regeneration, it
is not found in the Bible. Regeneration is by the Spirit of God. There is a very fine place right here in the Book of Acts where the issues are drawn and expressed in unmistakable terms: the Philippian jailer asked, “. . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas answered immediately without equivocation, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” It is believe plus nothing. It is sal vation by grace through faith, plus abA solutely nothing! Q, Vancouver, British Columbia — “Who, or what, is the remnant spoken of in Joel 2:32?" A. The verse reads — “It shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” The remnant in Israel is one of the most fascinating subjects in all the realm of Biblical doctrine. If you would like to think of the word nucleus in relation to the remnant, you will have it correctly. But specifically, clearly, and pointedly, Joel is speaking of a remnant, a group of believing ones in Israel from among the larger number who were unbelieving. Q. Roseburg, Oregon — “After Christ comes for His own, w ill those left here on earth have an opportunity to be saved?” A. We believe that when the Lord comes for His own, that at that time the Holy Spirit will be taken out of the world, so far as His function is con cerned in this present dispensation. However, we believe that there will be those saved during the tribulation period, even as there were those who were saved during the Old Testament period. But their acceptance of and loy alty to Christ will cost them their lives — they will be put to death. (continued on next page) 19
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