STUDY XI.
THE HOLY SPIRIT OF AT-ONE-MENT.
SUPPOSED OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED.
1. Have the Trinitarians given a gloss or color to their translation of the Scriptures? In what versions? 263.
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2. Explain 1 Thes. 5:19. 264 ¶ 1.
3. How are we sealed with the holy Spirit? 264 ¶ 2.
4. How can we grieve the holy Spirit? 264 ¶ 2.
5. Cite a Scripture passage referring to the Spirit of Truth as speaking of and showing things to come. 265 ¶ 1.
6. When we previously considered this text what did we ascertain concerning its meaning? 170.
7. Under what circumstances did Jesus utter these words? What was the effect of the circumstances upon the Apostles? Why did he promise them a Comforter? 265.
8. Explain Jesus' meaning in this promise of the Comforter. Did he mean another person? How could another person advantageously fill his place? 266 ¶ 1.
9. Was it the Spirit of the Truth, the Spirit of Jesus or the Spirit of the Father or both, or was it a spirit being separate and distinct from them? 266.
10. Explain the promise fully? 266 ¶ 2, 3.
11. In the expression, "Holy Ghost," what is the meaning of ghost? 169.
12. Read John 14:26. How could the Holy Ghost be sent, and what is implied by such expressions as "sin against the holy Spirit," "pour out the holy Spirit," etc. 267.
13. What is the significance of the expression that God would send the holy Spirit in Jesus' name? Why not in the Father's own name? 267.
14. Did the holy Spirit of the Father ever act as a Comforter to Jesus? If so, where and how? 268 ¶ 1.
15. Does the knowledge of the Father's will and plan comfort the natural man or the consecrated? Why? 268 ¶ 1.
16. What two-fold operation of the holy Spirit is mentioned in Acts 2:4? 268 ¶ 2.
17. Explain this double action of the Spirit. 268 ¶ 3.
18. Is it possible to lie to the holy Spirit? 269 ¶ 1.
19. How did Satan fill Ananias' heart? Personally? Is Satan personally present everywhere? In all liars and evildoers? How could he be, except by his influence? 269 ¶ 2.
20. In Acts 5:3 Peter speaks of lying to the holy Spirit, and in v. 4 of lying to God. How harmonize? 269 ¶ 2.
21. Can the Spirit of the Lord be tempted? 270 ¶ 1.
22. How are we to understand this matter? 270 ¶ 2.
23. Can one sin against the holy Spirit? 270 ¶ 3.
24. Did our Lord in 12:32 mean to teach that the
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holy Spirit is a more distinguished person than either the Father or the Son? Why this form of statement? 270 ¶ 4.
25. Did our Lord claim the power which he used as his own or attribute it to the Father? 270 ¶ 5.
26. Explain this Scripture as a whole. 271-273.
27. What do we read in Acts 8:29? 273 ¶ 2.
28. Is there anything here to imply that the spirit, influence or power which directed Philip was aside from the Father or Son, or that it was another God? 273 ¶ 3.
29. Is there evidence of another God in Acts 10:19? How should this passage be understood? 274 ¶ 1.
30. What does Acts 13:2 signify? 274; 275.
31. What does Acts 15:28 signify? 275 ¶ 2, 3.
32. How was the Apostle forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach in Asia? Give resume; cite the Scriptures. 276.
33. What do we read in Acts 20:23? 277 ¶ 1.
34. Explain in detail and cite the Scriptures. 277.
35. How did the holy Ghost make the Elders of Ephesus overseers in the Church? 278.
36. Explain 1 Cor. 2:10, 13. 279.
37. Read 1 Cor. 2:14. What does it signify? Give the philosophy of the matter. 279 ¶ 3-280 ¶ 1.
38. Read 1 John 2:20, 27. What thought is suggested in the words "unction" and "anointing" in these texts and how are they applicable to the Church? 280, 281.
39. What does the word unction signify? What is the Greek word rendered unction, and its import? 281 ¶ 3.
40. Could these words, unction and anointing of the Spirit, apply to a person or only to a power or influence? 282 ¶ 1.
41. Who is the holy One in the expression, "An unction from the holy One"? 282 ¶ 2.
42. Cite other Scriptures which speak of the pouring out, shedding forth, anointing, etc., of the holy Spirit. 282 ¶ 2.
43. In 1 John 2:20, the wording implies that those who have the unction "know all things," are all-wise. What about this statement? Give a preferred translation. What do the oldest manuscripts omit? 282 ¶ 3.
44. What is the truth and meaning of the words, "Ye need not that any man teach you"? 283 ¶ 1.
45. Does the A. V. of this passage conflict with many others? Cite some of these. 283 ¶ 2-284.
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46. About when is it supposed that John wrote this epistle? Tell something of the world's condition at that time. 285.
47. To what class did the Apostle refer as "them that seduce you"? (V. 26.) 286 ¶ 1.
48. Give a paraphrase of v. 27. 286 ¶ 3-287 ¶ 1.
49. What spirit is referred to in Rom. 8:26, 27. 287 ¶ 2.
50. How is this text generally misunderstood? 287 ¶ 3.
51. With the theory that it is the holy Spirit and one of three equal Gods, is it reasonable to suppose that there would be anything too hard for it to utter? 288 ¶ 1.
52. Is the popular thought that we must approach the Father and Son through the holy Spirit as another person a reasonable one or in accord with other Scriptures? 288, top.
53. If the groaning cannot be uttered, how would there be groanings at all? Wherein is the error of the ordinary view of this text? Give a detailed explanation of it. 288-290.
54. In John 16:8 why is the holy Spirit referred to by the masculine pronoun he? 170, 171, 291.
55. Does this text imply that the holy Spirit operates in sinners for their reproof and reformation? 291 ¶ 1, 2.
56. What, then, would this text signify? 291 ¶ 3.
57. Explain how the holy Spirit reproves the world, what influence it exercises and how, and the outward evidences thereof. 292.
58. How are the saints children of light? Whom do they enlighten? What is the enlightening power? 293.
59. Mention some of the things which the holy Spirit reproves through the children of the light. Is this the chief work of the holy Spirit and the Church in this Age? 294.
60. Illustrate how the light of the holy Spirit in the children of the light might become darkness. 294 ¶ 2.
61. Read 1 John 4:2, 3. 295 ¶ 1.
62. Is the spirit of antichrist a person? If not, what is the inference as respects the Spirit of God when thus used in comparison? 295 ¶ 2.
63. How should we "try the spirit"? And are both the spirit of the truth and the spirit of error personated through human agencies, teachers, etc.? 295 ¶ 2.
64. What general test as to true and false faith and teachers is given in 1 John 4:2, 3? Discuss it. 295 ¶ 3.
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65. Give illustrations of teachings which deny that Jesus came in the flesh and which, therefore, are anti or against the doctrines of Christ. 296 ¶ 1-297 ¶ 1.
66. What objection is sometimes raised to the common version of this text? Explain the matter in detail and show that the A. V. is well sustained. 297 ¶ 2-298 ¶ 1.
67. Quote Prof. Rinehart on the Greek text. 298, 299.
68. Is it necessary to believe that Christ came in the flesh to logically believe in the ransom? Why? 299 ¶ 4.
STUDY XII.
THE SUBJECT OF THE ATONEMENT—MAN
1. What two general views are there in response to the question, What is man? Where is the proper information on this subject? and why is that information provided? 301.
2. Explain these two popular theories. 302-304.
3. Why is the understanding of what man is, important as related to the subject of the Atonement? 302, top.
4. Why should we ignore the two general views and accept the Bible testimony as to the nature of man? 304 ¶ 3.
5. Cite some texts frequently misunderstood and misapplied on this subject and show their true meaning. 305-307.
6. Is man, as scientists claim, an animal? What is the meaning of the word "animal"? 307 ¶ 2.
7. What is the relationship or comparison between man and lower animals? Did man receive a special spark of divinity at first, or at conception, or at any time? 307 ¶ 2, 3.
8. What theory is built upon the assumption that a divine spark comes to each human being? 307 ¶ 4.
9. How do the Scriptures recognize man—of how many parts or elements? 308 ¶ 1.
10. Is the body the soul? Is the spirit the soul? Explain the "spirit of life." Distinguish between the human spirit of life and the spirit of life in the brute. 308, 309.
11. Is each human being separately and specially created by the Almighty? Is God therefore responsible for the birth of idiots and for the general unbalance and imperfection of the human family? What is the explanation? 309.
12. Did God implant a divine spark which the human
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imparts to his offspring? What is the secret of man's superiority over the beast? 310.
13. Discuss the spirit of man—spirit, etc. 310, 172.
14. Compare and contrast it with the Spirit of God. 311.
15. The Spirit-begotten are, during this Gospel Age, spoken of as in the Spirit, spiritual, possessed of a new mind or spirit, etc. Explain. Show the difference between these and the rest of mankind, the natural man, in this respect. 311 ¶ 1.
16. Give illustrations of the uses of the word spirit in the New Testament and classify and explain them. 312, 313.
17. What can we say of the word spirit in respect to mankind, in the Old Testament? 314.
18. Cite the Scriptures of the Old Testament referring to the spirit of life or animation and explain these. 314-317.
19. Cite Scriptures in which ruach, or pneuma—spirit—is used to signify mind or will. 318, 319.
20. Explain the Scriptural use of the Hebrew word neshamah. Cite the Scriptures and analyze them. 319, 320.
21. We read, "Man became a living soul." Why is there so much difficulty in understanding the expression? 320.
22. Give the Methodist bishop's definition of a soul. Say whether or not it fairly represents the so-called "orthodox" view of the subject, and elaborate the same. 321 ¶ 1.
23. What foundation is there for such fanciful speculations? 321 ¶ 2-322 ¶ 1.
24. Man has a body and he has a spirit. Has he a soul, or is he a soul? 322 ¶ 2.
25. What is the meaning of the word "soul" as found in the Scriptures? 322 ¶ 3.
26. Has a soul a soul, or is a soul a soul? Why? What says the Bible as to lower animals and soul qualities? 323 ¶ 1.
27. Illustrate from the Bible the application of the term "living soul" in the lower animals, and explain why this is hidden from the ordinary English reader. 323 ¶ 2.
28. Quote and comment on ten Scriptures in which the word "soul" is applied to the lower animals. 324, 325.
29. Does the fact that all animals are souls imply a future life for these by resurrection or otherwise? 326 ¶ 3, 4.
30. In what does the difference between human souls and brute souls consist? 326 ¶ 5.
31. If the power to reason is shared to some extent by
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the lower animals as well as man, where shall we draw the line between the brute soul, which has no future hope, and the redeemed human soul, which has a future?
32. What are and what are not the real differences between those lower animals and mankind? 327.
33. What theology teaches that the human soul is indestructible, and where is its authority for the assertion?
34. What do the Scriptures teach on this subject? Cite proof texts. 328 ¶ 1.
35. What is implied in the expression "sleep in Jesus"? Explain it in the light of the Scriptures. 328 ¶ 1-3.
36. How does sleep represent the condition of the dead? Is it claimed that those in eternal torment are asleep and oblivious to it, or that any sleep in Purgatory, or that they sleep in Heaven? If not, in what sense do they sleep? 329 ¶ 1, 2.
37. Was the original death penalty a "sleep" for a limited period of time from which there would be an awakening? If not, why is this expression "sleep" used in the Scriptures in reference to the death state? 330 ¶ 1.
38. Is the Second Death to be everlasting? Is it styled in the Scriptures a "sleep"? Why not? 330.
39. Explain the difference between Adamic death and Second Death, giving detailed Bible proof texts, etc. 331, 332.
40. What two difficulties have tended to blind the Bible student respecting the subject of the soul? 333 ¶ 2.
41. Have we additional helps in our search for Truth on the subject today? Name some of them. 334 ¶ 1.
42. How often is the word "soul" in the Old Testament translated from the Hebrew word neh-phesh? 334 ¶ 2.
43. Is neh-phesh always translated by the same English word? In how many ways is it translated? 334 ¶ 2.
44. State the different words into which neh-phesh is translated in our Bible and how many times each. 334 ¶ 2.
45. In the New Testament, explain the Greek word psuche. It corresponds to what Hebrew word? How often does the word psuche occur and how is it translated? 335 ¶ 1.
46. Are these various translations and mistranslations alike helpful or alike injurious? 335 ¶ 2.
47. Quote the passages which most seriously confuse the mind and show the proper meaning. 335-338.
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48. Explain the significations of soul and ghost in comparison. Is there danger of error in supposing the body to be the soul? Show from the Bible that they are not the same. 338 ¶ 9, 10.
49. Explain the process of man's creation according to Genesis—his various parts and his completion as a soul. 339.
50. Is man's superiority to the brute the result of a better spirit, a better body, a better soul, or what? 340 ¶ 1.
51. In the light of the foregoing give the definition of human soul. Show the effect of death upon it. 340 ¶ 2.
52. Is it the body or the life or the soul that dies? Give proofs of your answer. 341 ¶ 1, 2.
53. Illustrate the human body, life and soul, by a candle, its lighting and extinguishment. 342-343 ¶ 1.
54. Is there such a thing as a spirit soul? How does it differ from the human? Illustrate by the candle. 343 ¶ 2.
55. Describe the resurrection processes. How can the personal identity or soul be restored, while the flesh will not? 343 ¶ 3.
56. Is there danger that the resurrected ones might fail to identify themselves? Would the danger be any less if the same particles of matter were miraculously preserved, re-adjusted and quickened? Must we not in any event depend upon divine power only? 343 ¶ 3.
57. Is there any suggestion in the Bible that the bodies which go down to the tomb will be restored atom by atom?
58. Explain Paul's words on this subject. 343 ¶ 4.
59. How does the breath of life return to God? 344 ¶ 1.
60. In what sense did God give the spirit of life? In what sense did he remand that gift? How is provision made for its restoration? If no such arrangement had been made, what would have been man's condition in death? 344 ¶ 1.
61. Why is death so often spoken of as a "sleep" in the Bible? Illustrate our Lord's use of the word sleep as referring to death. Is there any record of Lazarus' having any conscious experiences during the four days he was dead? Would Jesus have called him from heavenly glory? Would that mean a blessing or a loss? Explain fully. 344 ¶ 2.
62. Why is the resurrection time spoken of as the "morning"? Give the quotation and citation. 345 ¶ 1.
63. Give ten quotations from the New Testament in which death is referred to as a "sleep." 345.
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64. Give similar citations from the Old Testament. 346.
65. Will those awakening from the death "sleep" have any consciousness of the lapse of time between their falling asleep and their resurrection awakening? 346 ¶ 5.
66. Will the resurrection work be practically a re-creation? Will it be as great or a greater manifestation of divine power than the original creation of Adam and Eve? 347.
67. Why is a "living dog better than a dead lion"? How do the Scriptures use this comparison to illustrate the meaning of death to the human family? 347.
68. Quote Bible proofs that the dead know not anything, that there is no work, etc., in sheol. 347-348 ¶ 1.
69. What did St. Paul mean by his statement that some say "there is no resurrection of the dead"? Could there be a resurrection of the dead if nobody is dead—if all, when they seem to die, really become more alive? 348 ¶ 2-4.
70. What did Paul mean by saying that "if there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen"? 348 ¶ 5.
71. By the statement, "if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain"? 348 ¶ 5.
72. What did he mean by the statement that "if the dead rise not, Christ is not risen," and the Apostles were false witnesses, preaching a false Gospel? 348 ¶ 5.
73. In his argument does he anywhere state or otherwise imply whether he refers to a resurrection of the body or of the soul? Give a citation showing why. 349 ¶ 1.
74. How would he have stated himself had he thought the same as the majority of people on this subject? 349 ¶ 1.
75. Show how he taught a resurrection of the soul and how that denied the resurrection of the body that died. 349 ¶ 2.
76. Why did he in arguing the importance of the resurrection of the dead in 1 Cor. 15 say (vs. 17, 18), "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished"? How could they be perished if they went directly to Heaven and were more than ever alive when they appeared to be dead? Do those who claim that the soul cannot die thereby deny its resurrection? 349 ¶ 3-5.
77. Why is it claimed, contrary to the Scriptures, that God's promise of a resurrection applies merely to the body, and why is there perplexity concerning these verses?
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78. If Jesus' death was the sacrifice for sin, what death was it? If in dying he became more alive than before he died, in what sense did he die for our sins, or what was given as the ransom-price for the sinner's forfeited life? 349 ¶ 5.
79. Will those who fall asleep in Christ as members of his Body have a resurrection of the body or a resurrection of the soul possessed of a new body? 350 ¶ 1.
80. God is a Spirit (Being). Is he Scripturally said to be a soul? If so, where? 350 ¶ 1.
81. What philosophy did the Athenians have which led them to reject St. Paul's words relative to the resurrection of the dead? Quote and cite proof texts. 350 ¶ 2.
82. To what extent had this philosophy invaded Judaism at the time of our Lord? Explain, with proof texts. 351.
83. Why did Josephus emphasize a sect of Jews which was so small as not to be mentioned in the New Testament?
84. Was eternal torment any part of the Jewish faith?
85. Luke 20:38 is sometimes cited as proof that the dead do not die, but only seem to die and become more alive than ever. Quote the text and explain in detail. 352.
86. If death is destruction, why do the Scriptures speak of the dead as asleep and not as destroyed? 353, top.
87. In 1 Thes. 5:23 Paul speaks of the body, spirit and soul of the Church. Quote and explain the passage. 353.
88. Could it be that Paul here meant to refer to the Church as individuals? Could he have meant that the body, the soul and the spirit of the individual members of the Church would be preserved until Jesus' Second Coming? 353.
89. It is held that since souls are said to go to sheol, to hades, they must be something tangible and conscious after dissolution. What is sheol? What is hades? 353 ¶ 3.
90. How often does the word sheol occur in the Old Testament? By what English words is it translated and are these translations reliable, when judged by the present definitions of the words used in translating it? State the various translations of sheol in English Bibles. 354 ¶ 1.
91. Is there anything of joy or pain implied in the word sheol? What class of people is said to go to sheol? 354 ¶ 2.
92. Why are all souls said to go to sheol? What do they do there? What is their state or condition and when will they be relieved? 354 ¶ 3, first part.
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93. What do we know about the English word hell and its origin and meaning? 354 ¶ 3, last part.
94. Give illustrations of the use of the word sheol and show that it could not mean suffering, torment, etc. 355.
95. What is the difference between qeburah and sheol? Give illustrations in proof of answer. 356 ¶ 1.
96. Give illustrations of the use of sheol, translated pit, and show what it signifies thereby. 356 ¶ 2-4.
97. In Deut. 32:22 we read of the fire of God's anger which shall burn to the lowest hell. Explain this passage. 357.
98. What is meant by the sorrows of hell (sheol)? Explain 1 Kings 2:6, 9. 358 ¶ 1-4.
99. Read and explain Job 7:9. 358 ¶ 5, 6.
100. What is meant by Job 11:8? 359 ¶ 1, 2.
101. What is meant by Job 14:13? 359 ¶ 3, 4.
102. What is meant by "If I wait, the grave (sheol, oblivion) is my house"? (Job 17:13, 14.) 360 ¶ 1, 2.
103. What is meant by Job 21:13? 360 ¶ 5, 6.
104. Read and explain Job 26:6. 361 ¶ 1, 2.
105. What is meant by Ps. 6:5? 361 ¶ 3, 4.
106. Read and explain Ps. 9:17. 361 ¶ 5, 6.
107. Read and explain Ps. 16:10. 362 ¶ 1-4.
108. Read and explain Ps. 18:5. 362 ¶ 5, 6.
109. Read and explain Ps. 30:3. 362 ¶ 7-363 ¶ 1.
110. Read and explain Ps. 31:17. 363 ¶ 2, 3.
111. What does Ps. 49:14 signify? 363 ¶ 4, 5.
112. Explain the prayer of Ps. 55:15. 364.
113. Explain Ps. 86:13. 365 ¶ 1.
114. Explain Ps. 88:3. 365 ¶ 3, 4.
115. What is meant by Ps. 89:48? 365 ¶ 5, 6.
116. What is meant by Ps. 116:3? 366 ¶ 1, 2.
117. Explain Ps. 139:7, 8. 366 ¶ 3, 4.
118. Explain Prov. 5:5. 367 ¶ 1, 2.
119. What is meant by "Her house is in the way of hell"; "Her guests are in the depths of hell"? 367 ¶ 3-6.
120. What does Prov. 15:11 signify? 367 ¶ 7, 8.
121. What does Prov. 15:24 signify? 367 ¶ 9, 10.
122. What is meant by Prov. 23:14? 368 ¶ 1.
123. What does Prov. 27:20 signify? 368 ¶ 2, 3.
124. What is the meaning of Eccl. 9:10? 368 ¶ 7.
125. What is the significance of Is. 5:14? 369 ¶ 3.
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126. Explain Is. 14:9—"Hell (sheol) from beneath is moved for thee, to meet thee at thy coming." 369 ¶ 5. 127. Explain fully Is. 28:15. 369 ¶ 8-370.
128. What is meant by Is. 38:18? 371 ¶ 1, 2.
129. What is signified by Is. 57:9? 371 ¶ 3, 4.
130. Explain Ezek. 31:15-17. 372 ¶ 1, 2.
131. Explain Ezek. 32:21 in harmony with the statement, "There is no wisdom, nor knowledge in sheol." 372 ¶ 3, 4.
132. What is meant by Ezek. 32:27? 372 ¶ 5, 6.
133. What is meant by Hos. 13:14? 373.
134. Explain Amos 9:2. 374 ¶ 1, 2.
135. Comment on Jonah 2:2. 374 ¶ 3, 4.
136. What is meant by Hab). 2:5? 374 ¶ 5, 6.
137. What New Testament Greek word corresponds exactly to the Hebrew word sheol in the Old Testament? 37571.
138. When translations are made from the Old Testament into the New Testament and the word sheol is included, how is it always translated in New Testament Greek? 375 ¶ 1.
139. Explain, "Thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell." 375 ¶ 2.
140. Explain the text, "I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." 375 ¶ 4, 5.
141. Quote Luke 10:15 and explain it. 376 ¶ 1, 2.
142. Explain Luke 16:23 in harmony with the declaration that there is no wisdom, nor knowledge, nor device in sheol, in hades. 376 ¶ 3, 4.
143. What is meant by the Scripture, "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell"? (Acts 2:27.) 377 ¶ 2.
144. Christ's soul was not left in hell. (Acts 2:31.) What does this signify? 377 ¶ 3, 4.
145. What did the Apostle mean by "O hell (hades), where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. 15:55.) 377 ¶ 5, 6.
146. "I have the keys of hell and of death." (Rev. 1:18.) Please explain. 378 ¶ 1-3.
147. Explain "Hell followed with him." 378 ¶ 5.
148. "Death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them." (Rev. 20:13.) Explain this Scripture. 379 ¶ 2.
149. What is meant by the statement that "death and hell were cast into the lake of fire"? (Rev. 20:14.) 380.
150. What conclusion should we reach in respect to these various Scriptures examined? 381.
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STUDY XIII.
HOPES FOR LIFE EVERLASTING AND IMMORTALITY SECURED BY THE ATONEMENT.
1. What is meant by the statement that "Jesus Christ … hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel"? (2 Tim. 1:10.) 383.
2. Have mankind a longing for future life? Why so? 383.
3. Did God encourage this hope? 383, last ¶
4. Is there in the Old Testament any direct promise of eternal life? What and where? Any statement on human immortality either present or prospective? 383, last ¶
5. "The Gospel was preached to Abraham"; did it contain any mention of human immortality? Did it contain any basis for suggestion of a future life? 384.
6. State what assurances of everlasting life or immortality or both are mentioned in the New Testament and to whom they are applicable. 384.
7. State what the New Testament assurances of a future life imply—the basis for the hope, the conditions for its attainment and how those blessings may be secured. 385.
8. Does the abundance of the divine provision imply that eternal life is already a possession of humanity or that it will be forced upon Adam and his race? 385 ¶ 3.
9. Quote some Scriptures bearing upon this subject and showing that eternal life is a gift from the Almighty and that it must be striven for to be obtained. 386.
10. State the difference between the imaginings of worldly philosophers and the distinct statements of God's Word on the immortality of the soul. 387 ¶ 2, 3, first part.
11. Give some arguments for the proposition that God intends to give life everlasting only to the righteous and to withhold it from others. 387 ¶ 3, last part.
12. What is the ordinary acceptation of the word immortality? Give the Bible limitations of that word. 388.
13. In discussing the subject with those who have the usual thought that the words eternal life and immortality signify the same thing, is it not wise to assent that we believe in immortality, as our friends in general do; that we believe that God has made possible everlasting life for every member of our race? Would it not be wise, then, before
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leaving the topic to explain that the Bible distinguishes between these terms everlasting life and immortality, and that, while declaring that all the obedient ones shall have everlasting life, it also declares that God alone possessed immortality originally and that he has given this great blessing of inherent life to his Son and purposes to give this same inherent life to the Bride class and to none others? 388.
14. Is there hope of immortality held out in the Scriptures for any human being? 388 ¶ 4.
15. Show the reason (philosophy) of your answer. 389.
16. What is the correct definition of the word "mortal" and of the word "immortal"? 389 ¶ 3-390 ¶ 1.
17. Was Adam created mortal or immortal? Show the philosophy of the answer. 390, 391.
18. What is said of immortal souls, undying souls, never-dying souls, and similar expressions? 392¶ 1.
19. Discuss the mortality or immortality of angels? 392.
20. When was immortality brought to light in the Scriptures and by whom and how? 393 ¶ 2.
21. Did Christ's death secure immortality to men or to the angels or to the saints of this Gospel Age? 394 ¶ 1, 2.
22. Explain the relationship of Christ's death to human restitution and to the obtaining of immortality on the part of the Church. 393 ¶ 3-394 ¶ 1.
23. What did our Lord's gospel bring to light respecting God's provision for mankind in general? 393 ¶ 4.
24. What is God's provision for the "elect" of the Gospel Age? 394 ¶ 1, 2.
25. Is immortality an element of the divine nature? Prove the answer. 393, 389 ¶ 3.
26. Will the elect attain a station more or less glorious than that of the highest order of angels? Why? 394, 395.
27. When is the reward of the divine nature conferred upon the Church? At the begetting of the holy Spirit, or in the First Resurrection? Explain. 395 ¶ 4.
28. If we are all called in the one hope of our calling and all begotten by the same Word of Truth and same holy Spirit, how is it that only a "little flock" of these obtain the divine nature, while the "Great Company" obtain spirit life, but without the immortal feature? 396 ¶ 2, 3.
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29. Is the natural begetting and birth the figure or illustration of the spiritual begetting and birth? Would not the fact that some are born males and some females correspond to the fact that in the spiritual birth some will be of the Little Flock and some of the Great Company? Since no appreciable difference is discernible between the male and the female foetus for a considerable time, does not this correspond to the thought that there is no difference between the experiences of the Little Flock and the Great Company for a considerable time after Spirit-begettal?
30. Why is the resurrection of the Church spoken of as the resurrection? 396 ¶ 1.
31. Are the terms of our election too exacting or only a "reasonable service"? Show how. Explain John 5:26 and Eph. 3:6. Do these texts intimate that the gift of immortality extends beyond the elect Church. 396 ¶ 2, 3.
32. How many words are translated immortality in the Bible? What are they? 396 ¶ 4, 5-397 ¶ 4.
33. State the particulars of their meaning. 397.
34. Quote all the texts of Scripture in which the word athanasia (immortality) occurs. 397 ¶ 1-3.
35. In which aptharsia and apthartos occur. Harmonize each of these texts with the foregoing. 397, 398.
36. What are the claims of evolutionists respecting mankind's hope for everlasting life? Explain the falsity of their premises and deductions. 398.
37. How is the Bible contrary to these? 398.
38. Taking the Bible as the oldest authority and crediting it with no higher authority than other histories, what are the evidences that Father Adam and Mother Eve were close relatives to the ape family? Elaborate this. 399.
39. Comment on the shallow reasoning of some who pose as scientists and who claim that matter is indestructible and that this proves that humanity is indestructible. Does not such a claim imply a desire for eternal life and also a desire to get away from God's provision as expressed in the sentence of death and in the promise that through Christ there shall in due time be a resurrection of the dead? 399 ¶ 2.
40. Explain the divine program from the Bible standpoint and show its reasonableness. 400-402.
41. If the word "curse," as used in connection with the condemnation of our race, signifies the blight of sin and
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death, what does the promised removal of the curse imply? 403 ¶1.
42. What advantages accrue through God's arrangement of permitting sin, redeeming from sin, and, in due time, restoring the obedient to his favor and eternal life? 403 ¶ 1.
43. Why has there been a gradual rather than a sudden execution of the sentence, "Dying, thou shalt die"? 403 I 2.
44. Quote three strong texts showing that death, not eternal torment, is God's penalty for sin, and answer the queries of those who claim that resurrection would require of God more power than he is able to exercise. 404.
STUDY XIV.
THE NECESSITY FOR THE ATONEMENT—THE CURSE.
1. What is implied in the statement of Rev. 22:3, "And there shall be no more curse"? 405.
2. Is it generally admitted that there is a curse or blight upon mankind and his earthly inheritance or home such as God did not impose upon the holy angels? Is it more reasonable to suppose that this accursed condition is an imperfection of the Creator's work or a penalty for man's disobedience? Which theory is sustained by the Bible? Quote the Bible.
3. Does any theory fit better to the facts as we know them than the presentation given us in the Bible on the subject of the curse, the cause of its infliction, the period of its continuance and the time and cause of its removal? 405.
4. What is the ordinary theory as to the curse and wherein is it wrong and contrary to the Bible? 405 ¶ 2.
5. Does the Bible imply such a moral responsibility as should belong to a perfect man made in the image of his Creator or does it imply a low moral perception akin to that of the brute? Give the philosophy of this subject. 406, 407.
6. What did Adam's being placed on trial before the great Judge of the Universe imply? Why? 407 ¶ 3.
7. Does the Church's judgment during the Gospel Age necessitate an Advocate for each? Does the judgment of the world during the Millennial Age under a Mediator
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imply that they will be dealt with as a whole and not be introduced to the Father as sons until the end of the Millennium, when the Mediatorial office shall cease?
8. Does not the fact that the Church now needs an Advocate and that a Mediator is being provided for the world's Judgment Day corroborate the thought that God's curse or condemnation rests upon all of the human family through sin? 408 ¶ 1.
9. Does this curse affect mankind physically only? Does it also affect his mentality and his morality? Give an explanation. Cite Scriptures. 408 ¶ 2-409.
10. In what Scripture is the curse upon our race spoken of as the wrath of God? 409 ¶ 1.
11. How long has this wrath been upon the race? How much longer will it continue? How will it end? 410 ¶ 1.
12. Is there also a special day of wrath mentioned in the Bible? In what sense is it particularly different from the rest of the 6,000 years of wrath? Why? 410 ¶ 1.
13. What distinction does the Bible draw between the Church and the world as respects this subject of wrath? Are Christians still "children of wrath"? Or did the wrath of God pass from them? On what conditions? 410 ¶ 2.
14. Do Christians experience trouble as much as the world or have they offsetting circumstances which ameliorate their sorrows and distress and dis-ease? How did they get into this eased condition and free from the Divine curse or wrath? Quote and explain six Scriptures. 411 ¶ 1.
15. What is God's verdict or curse against sin? Why does He delay the execution of it? 411 ¶ 2.
16. What circumstances brought on the curse and were there any ameliorating circumstances? 412 ¶ 1.
17. Admitting that the penalty that God is executing against mankind is a just one, would it have been possible for him to deal with sin otherwise than as He did? 412 ¶ 2.
18. Explain how God could have dealt with sin and sinners differently and state whether or not the plan he is pursuing has special advantages over any other one. 413.
19. Admitting that God could have pursued a more moderate course in dealing with sin, but that the plan adopted was the wisest, shall we suppose that disadvantage shall be allowed to come to mankind in any sense or degree? 414 ¶ 1.
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20. Has God limited the operation of his grace to the Gospel Age or is there to be a further development during the Millennium? 414 ¶ 2.
21. Of the Millennial conditions we read that "Every knee must bow and every tongue confess to the glory of God." Does this mean that their obedience will be entirely compulsory? Or will compulsory lessons prevail for a time, then the test come along the line of the heart, the human will—either for life everlasting or death eternal? Give Bible proof. 415 ¶ 1.
22. Viewed as a whole, is God's plan kind or unkind, just or unjust, loving or loveless? 415 ¶ 2-416.
23. In what sense did the nation of Israel have a second trial for life under their Law Covenant? 417 ¶ 1.
24. Did Israel receive a blessing under the Law Covenant or an additional curse or sentence of death? Will their experiences prove permanently injurious to them? 417 ¶ 1.
25. We read that Christ was made a curse for Israel, because it is written, "Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree." In what way did Jesus' death accomplish for Israelites what was unnecessary for the remainder of mankind? 417 ¶ 1.
26. What is the necessity for reconciliation between God and man? What does it secure to the reconciled? 417 ¶ 2.
27. Explain the philosophy of the matter—the fall, redemption, restitution. How are these related? 417 ¶ 2.
28. At what time did God's wisdom see man's condition and how did he provide the aid needed? Was there any other power which could have served his purpose or any other agency by which it could be accomplished? 418.
29. What are the three parts of the divine program as God is carrying it out? Explain and associate these. 419.
30. For what proportion of the human family has the Atonement been arranged? Which alone of humanity will fail to profit by its provisions? 419 ¶ 4.
31. What is meant by "in due time"? (1 Tim. 2:6.) What may we expect as to the number saved? 420.
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STUDY XV
"A RANSOM FOR ALL."
THE ONLY BASIS FOR AT-ONE-MENT.
1. What is meant by the Atonement between God and man? What is necessary before it could be accomplished for any member of the human family? Explain. 421.
2. Was the penalty against sin a just one? How may we judge of justice or injustice on God's part, seeing he is so great and we are so little? Contrast the penalty of sin from the Bible standpoint—the death penalty—with the erroneous popular theory of eternal torment. Explain the errors of the latter and the reasons of the former. 422 ¶ 1.
3. How can the sacrifice of one be made the offset for the sins of many? 422 ¶ 2.
4. Why could none of Adam's race ransom or redeem his brother or brethren? But could not an holy angel, free from condemnation, have laid down his life as the redemption price for man's life? If not, why not? 422 ¶ 2.
5. If, then, a spirit being, to become man's Redeemer would need to exchange his nature for an earthly nature, upon what basis did God determine who might become man's Redeemer and obtain the glorious reward for that service? 423.
6. What priority or right did our Lord as the Logos have over others as to this special opportunity? 424.
7. Was it a spirit being that God offered or sacrificed for man's sin? 424 ¶ 2.
8. Did Jesus' Sin-offering begin when he, as a spirit being, accepted God's offer to become man's Redeemer? When did it begin and where did it end? Cite proofs. 425, 426.
9. When did our Lord's presentation of himself begin? When was the corresponding price offered and accepted and the acceptance fully manifested? 426 ¶ 2.
10. What is the signification of the word ransom in the English and in the Greek? Cite the texts. 427 ¶ 1.
11. What light does the meaning of the word ransom throw upon the work of Atonement? 428.
12. Does the word redeem have a somewhat similar signification to the word ransom? Have the translators of the A. V. helped or hindered the student? How? 429-431.
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13. Discuss the word lutroo and its use. 431, 432.
14. Explain the word lutrosis, also rendered redemption, and cite Scriptures. 432, 433.
15. Explain the meaning of the Greek word poieolutrosin and its uses in the Scriptures. 433 ¶ 3, 4.
16. Explain apolutrosis, its use and meaning. 434-437.
17. Cite the uses of the words redeem, redeemer, redeemed, redemption, in the Old Testament. Examine these and show their proper application. 438.
18. Is the commercial idea involved in the words describing man's redemption and its costs? 439 ¶ 1.
19. How does it harmonize with the substitution thought and the meaning of the word ransom? 439 ¶ 1.
20. What object is served by the teaching of this Scripture that our Lord "gave himself a ransom for all"? 439 ¶ 2.
21. So far as concerns the redeemed, what does it matter how God satisfies the demands of his own Justice, if to them it comes as a gift? What purpose, then, is served in God's explanation as to how we were redeemed and how his Justice was satisfied before we could be delivered from the power of sin and death—the curse or sentence of God's Law? 439 3.
22. Quote proofs that Jesus gave all that he had—made a full sacrifice of his every talent, power, position and right, that thereby he might become man's Redeemer and eventually have a right to be the Mediator of the New Covenant between God and mankind in general. 440.
23. Cite texts showing what ransom was given. 441 ¶ 1.
24. Cite texts showing the penalty for sin and the price to be paid in offset or cancellation of that sin. 442.
25. Did the giving of the ransom-price effect the forgiveness and release of all mankind or any number of them from the death sentence? 442 ¶ 1.
26. When our Lord ascended on high, was he possessed of a sufficiency of merit which, if applied, would have effected the cancellation of the sins of the whole world? Did he so apply it? If not, what did he do with it? 442 ¶ 1.
27. Who are included in the term us? For whom did the Lord make application of his merit when he ascended on high, and what proof was furnished to the Church showing that the Father accepted the merit thus applied?
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28. Explain the words hilasmos and hilasterion. What texts refer to these? What do they teach? 442, foot note.
29. Does Heb. 9:22 mean any blood? If not, what blood? Does it mean that the shedding of the blood remits the sins or that the blood must be shed and then be used as a basis for sin remission? 442 ¶ 2.
30. Explain how and why the shame and ignominy of the cross, etc., were necessary to Jesus, whereas the penalty of sin as originally stated to Adam was merely death without stipulations respecting shame and ignominy. 443 ¶ 1.
31. What Scriptures particularly show that mankind is in a wrong condition, alienated from God and nothing but the sacrifice of Christ could be effective for his reconciliation, either through justification by faith now or actual justification by and by during the Millennium? 444, 445.
32. Cite some proofs that Jesus' sacrifice was not for the Church alone, but also for the sins of the whole world. 446.
33. What Scriptures directly state that mankind's purchase-price has been laid down—the blood of Christ? 446 ¶ 4.
34. By whom is the purchase made? 447.
35. Of whom is the purchase made? 447-449.
36. For what purpose is the purchase made? 450.
37. What part did Love and Wisdom have with Justice in this arrangement for human sin? 451.
38. Is the triumph of Justice pre-eminently a victory of Love through Justice? How? 452 ¶ 1, 2.
39. Who sold the race into sin? For what? 452 ¶ 3.
40. Is the laying down of the purchase price by Jesus a mere figure or theory, or bona fide, actual? Does it carry with it actualities of progression and control? 452 ¶ 4.
41. Is it by virtue of this ransom-price that Jesus has the right to be the Restorer of the race, and, by giving to it the purchased life, does he become its Life-Giver or Father? Is this term "Father" Scripturally applied to him? Explain the process or the philosophy. 453 ¶ 1.
42. Our Lord laid down the ransom-price when he died. Did he take it back again when he arose from the dead? Why not? Explain the entire transaction and show positively that the ransom for sin remained and will always
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remain and that thus our forgiveness and reconciliation are upon a firm basis. 453 ¶ 2-454 ¶ 1.
43. What would have been implied had our Lord risen from the dead a human being? 454 ¶ 2.
44. Could the Man Jesus possibly be referred to as the new Father of the race—the Second Adam? Why not? Explain the matter fully. 454 ¶ 3, 4.
45. Has the payment of the ransom by our Lord any bearing upon his office as Mediator of the New Covenant? 455.
46. Did Jesus by this redemptive work seal the New Covenant or did he merely become its "surety" (Heb. 7:22), and has he left the sealing of it to be done at the end of this Gospel Age after his faithful shall have drunk with him his cup, the blood of the New Covenant—sharing in his sacrifice and "filling up that which is behind of his afflictions"?
47. When did Christ become the Mediator? When the New Covenant was promised (Jer. 31:31), or when he was promised that he should be its mediator or servant? Cite Mal. 3:1.
48. Does the fact that he is the appointed Mediator of the New Covenant imply that he has already done all the work or any of the work pertaining to the New Covenant?
49. When St. Peter tells of the Times of Restitution of all things that will be brought in at the Second Advent, he also tells of a Great Prophet, greater than Moses, the antitype of Moses, who shall be "raised up from amongst the brethren." Is this great Prophet the Messiah as a whole, Jesus the Head and the Church his Body? Has the raising up process been in progress throughout this Gospel Age? Is this antitypical Moses to be the Mediator of the New [Law] Covenant, as Moses was the mediator of the Old Law Covenant?
50. By God's arrangement this great Mediator sacrificed his earthly rights that he may have the privilege of giving them as his legacy, or testament, or will to Israel as its New [Law] Covenant. When will he thus seal or ratify the New Covenant? Paul says that no will is valid until after the death of the testator. Does this mean that not until the entire Body of Christ has tasted death could the New Covenant be sealed and made operative?
51. If the earthly blessings surrendered by The Christ
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are to be given to Israel and to the world through Israel, under the terms of restitution during the Millennium, when should we expect that New Covenant to begin to be operative, and should we expect its manifestation to be actual restitution in some form? 456, 457.
52. How fully will the world recognize The Christ, the Mediator, during the Millennium? Will he be the all-responsible Head of the world or will mankind approach God through the name and merit of the Mediator? 458.
53. Some, ignoring the force of the word ransom, if not, indeed, denying it, are in the habit of speaking of receiving pardon for their sins. Is this Scriptural? Explain the difference between the words, pardon and forgiveness, and show why one is right and the other wrong in this connection. 459.
54. Even if we should admit that the word pardon might be used so as not to ignore the ransom feature of the divine testimony. Is it wisest and best to use these words indiscriminately and synonymously to the confusion of some?
55. While it is true that the effect of God's arrangement toward mankind is practically the same as though we were pardoned, may we not conclude that our Creator had some good purpose in explaining to us the philosophy of how he could be "just and yet be the Justifier" of sinners? Explain the philosophy of the matter from this standpoint. 460, 461.
56. Some say they do not see the Justice of God in compelling Jesus to be man's Redeemer. Do any Scriptures put the matter in this light? How shall we view it? 462 ¶ 1.
57. We have seen that Jehovah cannot forgive sin—in the true sense of the word pardon—without the satisfaction of Justice. Can Jesus, or the disciples, or we pardon the transgressions of others? How? Why? Explain the difference between the rules which govern us and those which control God's course of action. 462-464.
58. Since death is the wage of sin, what shall we say to the suggestion of some that every man pays his own death penalty when he dies? Explain the matter thoroughly. 464 ¶ 2.
59. Why is the Adamic death spoken of as a complete and not as an everlasting destruction? 464, 465.
60. How does Universalism deny the ransom? 466, 467.
61. Why did God not make us in such condition that we could not sin? 467 ¶ 1 3.
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62. What kind of worship does God desire? Does his plan contemplate his rejection of any other worship? 467 ¶ 3.
63. How will a permission of choice eventually operate for the best interests of all concerned? 468.
64. What kind of salvation has God offered the race? Are there terms connected with it? What are they? 468 ¶ 3.
65. Was Adam's original trial a favorable one, a just one? Will the new trial secured for him and his race by Jesus' death be any the less just or fair or favorable? 469 ¶1.
66. Why did Jesus die to save us from the curse? 469 ¶ 2.
67. Explain the texts, "God will have all men to be saved" and "So all Israel shall be saved." Is either of these salvations eternal? State fully what each implies. 469 ¶ 3.
68. Why does God will that our race be saved from the blindness of ignorance and superstition caused by Satan's machinations and human weaknesses? 469 ¶ 3, last part.
69. We read that Christ died, "The Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." Should we understand this to mean that Justice is obligated to recover man from all that was lost in Adam? Give the reasons for the answer. 470.
70. Does Justice have anything to do with mankind's restoration, except as the Redeemer makes application of his merit—now as Advocate for the Church and in the Millennium as Mediator for the world? 471.
71. What force is there in Acts 4:12? Show how and why this is so, connecting the same with the divine plan of salvation in its world-wide application. 472 ¶ 2.
72. Explain the limitations to eternal salvation. 473-474 ¶ 1.
73. Will God accept any less standard than perfection as the terms of eternal life? 474.
74. How will Jesus' prayer as to God's will being done in earth as in heaven be fulfilled? 475 ¶ 1.
75. Will the restitution from sin and death conditions be effected instantaneously? If not, why not? 475 ¶ 2.
76. Give six reasons why an instantaneous restitution would be to man's disadvantage. 475-477.
77. Give three reasons why a gradual restitution will be the best arrangement for the redeemed. 478, 479.
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78. State the philosophical relationship between ransom and substitution. 480-481 ¶ 1.
79. Illustrate such substitution and ransom. 481 ¶ 2.
80. What thought of substitution has led to confusion? Explain, showing the right and the wrong view. 483 ¶ 1, 2.
81. Could the divine plan for human salvation have been different from what it is? 483 ¶ 3.
82. What two lines of reasoning prove the wisdom of the plan which God has adopted? 484, 485.
83. How would any other plan than that of Ransom and Restitution have affected the Gospel Church? 485 ¶ 1.
84. May we not expect that time will show that every feature of God's plan has been most wise and helpful? 486.
STUDY XVI.
THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
OR AT-ONE-MENT.
1. What is meant by the Ministry of Reconciliation? 487.
2. Who participate in this ministry? 487.
3. Is this reconciliation a feature of the Millennial Age or is there a feature of it now in operation? Cite a text stating, that the Church was reconciled to God. 487 ¶ 2.
4. We read that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. Should we here differentiate between the Church, which accepts the reconciliation through faith, and the world, which is to be reconciled or brought into harmony with God by the great High Priest during the Millennium? 487.
5. What constitutes authority to act as a minister or servant of the Atonement between God and the world? 487 last ¶.
6. To whom may these ministers or servants tell of the grace of God operating through Christ for the forgiveness of sins? What operates disadvantageously, hindering the servants from bearing record to all mankind? 488, 489.
7. What, during the Millennium, will permit these servants of reconciliation to do a more effective work—to a larger number—to all the families of the earth? 490.
THE END