by the religionists of His day. He had denounced them for their evil ways. He is telling His disciples that there would be a time when the administra tion of the kingdom of heaven on earth would be in the hands of men. Matthew 13 deals with the age while our Lord is gone, the time elapsing between His first and second appear ing. The 45th and 46th verses are really a “continental divide.” The way one interprets these two verses indi cates where he stands theologically. One great man of God declared that all theology turns on one point, wheth er man saves himself, or whether God saves him. This is the answer to this parable. The liberal and untenable view is that a man is saved by sacri ficing and surrendering whatever he has to get eternal life. He should buy it at any price. This is not the Bible’s view. We are saved by faith, apart from any works. Christ Jesus came as a Merchantman seeking goodly pearls. He was willing to give His all to bring us to God. He gave His physical life in order to purchase man out of the slave market of sin. Following a recording of their regular feature of questions and answers for "The Biela Hour," Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland (left), Biela president, and Dr. Charles L Feinberg, dean of the Talbot Theo logical Seminary, check ever the tape which has been made. Through the past t2 years mere than 3,000 questions have been answered ever the air. This month a number el additional questions are being used in order to give more answers te listeners who have been seeking specific help and guidance.
Q . Escondido, Calif. — “Do you think Paul expected the rapture in his life time?” A. No doubt he did. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 is the classic passage dealing with this subject. He spoke of, “We which are alive and remain.” The passage of Scripture, however, is worded in such a way that it is prof itable for every generation of Chris tians. We should live day by day as though the Lord is coming in the next few moments. We should plan as though the Lord may not be coming for another generation. Q . Bellingham, Wash. — “What Scrip ture teaches that we shou ld be cleansed daily from our sins in order to have fellowship and communion with Christ?” A. Numerous passages deal with this subject, not the least of which is the entire first chapter of I John. This entire portion of Scripture deal with fellowship. Since we have already trusted Christ, as this is written to believers, the Lord graciously invites us to come for cleansing from all un righteousness. You see, sin has not only a penalty but also a pollution. How wonderfully the Lord provides the divine remedy through His aton ing sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross. Q . Billings, Mont. — “Can you help me on I Thessalonians 1:11? There seems to be a contradiction on this. How does one work at being quiet as taught in this Scripture?” A. We are not told to work at being quiet. It says that we are to study to be quiet. There is no contradiction here. We are to study to be quiet as we seek to do our own business work ing with our own hands. It is cer tainly very good and practical advice. The Amplified New Testament trans lates this phrase in that we are to have as our ambition to live quietly or peacefully. If we followed this ad vice, there would be a lot less strife in the church. 18
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter