Q . Santa Monica, Calif. — “Does the term only begotten refer only to the resurrection (Acts 13:33) or does this also relate to the virgin birth?” A. It’s not restricted to the resur rection, although the passage is quoted in reference to the resurrec tion of our Lord. It’s also written in the second Psalm (2:7). It means that from all eternity, the minute that there is a concept of Father, there must also be the thought of Son and vice versa. There is no dis tinction in the Godhead; all are alike. There is no jealousy, inequali ty, or indignity among the members of the Godhead. In John 3:16 Christ was certainly seen to be the Only Begotten, the only One of His kind on earth. He came into the world without a human father, from a hu man mother. But He’s all the more marked out to be special and unique in His resurrection. The words, “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee” shows the new glory of His resurrection. Q . Los Angeles, Calif. — “I ’ve been a member of a church almost four years. Two pastors have come and gone. Just a few younger people try to run it all. Everything is kept se cret, except when they ask for our money. We older people are just there. We do have a good adult Sun day school class which we can enjoy together. Should we stay in this church or leave?” A. Without knowing a great deal more in the way of specifics, it would be difficult to give categorical an swers. Certainly no clique, young or old, should run the church alone. Personally, all things being equal, if you are unhappy, ask God’s lead ing for another church home. You do seem to have good fellowship in one area of the class. Have you and your friends sought to have a dia logue with these younger people? In
you give me some light on this state ment?” A. Here, the Holy Spirit takes the Apostle John to see not the kingdoms but the kingdom as it is the trans lation is singular. When Adam lis tened to Satan, he became subject to the devil. The world became subser vient to Satan. This is why the devil had a right to offer Christ the king doms of this world. As we find in the temptation recorded in the fourth chapters of Matthew and Luke, Christ is now entering in on His precious purchased possession. Rev elation tells it is his universal right because of His finished work at Cal vary. Keep in mind that the Trinity is carefully pictured in Scripture. God the Father is Lord, God the Son is Lord, and God the Holy Spirit is Lord. This cannot be restrictive. Various combinations of our Sav iour’s name are given in the New Testament, depending on the refer ence. There’s no mistake as to who the Lord is but we have to find out from the context which one of the Three Persons of the Trinity is un der consideration. There is only One who is specifically and regularly called Saviour although in the Old Testament God too is called our Saviour. Q . Torrance, Calif. — “I f a baby, ca pable of sustaining life, was aborted, and the mother is now a firm believ er having put her sins behind her, do you think such a child will be resurrected?" A. We would not presume to set standards on the infinite knowledge of God in redemption. This question has passed far-reaching theological discussions. We believe that if the baby is capable of sustaining life, it will be resurrected with the just and stand in the presence of the Lord. Thank God that He can overrule the sins of us all!
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