The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-16
EVERYBODY'S Bible BOX.

/ Q.-After one has truly repented; made
the good confession; been buried with
Christ in baptism, and has arisen to walk
| he belong? (R- WI
| Answer.-There is but the one true
Lord Jesus has been developing through
out the nineteen centuries of the Chris
tan Era. Those who by faith accept the
Lord Jesus as their Redeemer and Saw
Tor, and, having been Justified freely from
all things, present themselves in full con-
| secration to God: concentrating to be
death, these are probationary members of
the Church Of Christ. Their mans are
Revelation kilt, 81 Those, who through
neglect carelessness, lose their appre-
citation of the privileges that are placed
before them, and who become obedient t.
| the Lord, will have their names plotted
out of the Lambs book of life, and thus
| will fail to become full-fledged members
of the Church. Revelations iii, So 1t is
| only by the development of Christlike
characters, through faith and obedience.
Bride of Christ, the Church, may make
| their calling and election sure. Jusdn-
cation and baptism into Christ are mere
ly the starting points OF the Chr1stan 5
! experiences. He must work out his own
salvation with fear and trembling"
| Q.-what are the ways in which Chris
| tan can serve the Lord, and are there
any principles to go by?
| the Christian can serve the Lord, and that
| is, to be subject to the Divine will. BY
| coming into relationship with the Lord
Jesus as the Head over the Church, which
| is His Body, as a member of that mys-
teal Body. members in particular of the
Body of Christ q Corinthians xii, PED,
| the Christian comes under the influence
| of the holy spirit, which is the power OF
God, the enIghtening agency, by which 1t
is possible to have an understanding or
| the Scriptures, the inspired Word of God.
q Corinthians il, 12-14) The revelation of
the Scriptures The Christian serves the
Heavenly Father by being subject to, or
obedient to the will of the Lord, as re
vealed through the Word of Truth 1t IS
through faith and obedience that the
ChristIike character is developed, the dis
position of meelness, kindness, goodness.
and love. All of the instructions of the
Bible are along the lines of justice, love.
wisdom and power, and it is by complying
enabled to make progress IN righteous
ness.
Q.-Should Christian pay his poll tax.
and should he accept a political position
and take an interest in civil affairs.
CNope.l
Answer-when, during our Lords min
istry. some came to Him and asked II it
was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, his
reply was Render unto Caesar the thtnss
things which be Gods" duke Xxx, 21-2s)
The Roman government was represented
in the emperor, and the nation of Israel
Roman Empire Therefore, it Is lawful
for the Christian to be subject to the
powers that be, and to pay any and all
lawful taxes that may be imposed by the
government under whose protecting care
he may be- As to the Christian accepting
a political position, perhaps, under certain
conditions. 1t might be advisable, but in
general the less the follower of Christ has
to do with civil and political affairs tho
better 1T Will be for his spiritual interests.
There is no record of the Lord or the
Apostles have anything to do with the al
fairs Of state, or of their meddling with
political matters.
o.-What is the meaning Of the white
stone."-Revelatfon ii, IT?
tifully represent that condition of purity
of heart, degree of righteousness to De
attained by all the faithful followers of
Christ These must have their characters
hardened crysta1liZed along the lines of
ChristIikeness-wh being an emblem
of purity, and 'stoEe" being symbol OF
hardness or firmness. The new name
will be the name of the Bridegroom, to be
given to the Bride, the Church of Christ
An ancient custom to which this verse
may refer. was as follows:-A rich noble
man wishing to show special favor, and
ton, would take a stone, white pebble
of fair size, and breaking 1t into two parts,
would inscribe certain letters on the two
pieces. which were to be known only oy
himself and the one receiving the other
half. Should the one receiving the haIf
stone become involved in difficulties, lie
need only to present the stone to the
nobIeman. to receive the protection and
favors which had been promised. The
Rich Nobleman would represent the Lord,
and all of those who have received the i'm
press of His holy spirit upon their hearts.
the promised favors and blessings when
they shall have passed beyond the ''ValI'
into the Holy OF Holes
since the fall? Do not circumstances and
conditions have much to do in deciding
ones course of action. either for good or
evil? CIV. E. RI
Answer-There are two ways of Iool,-
ing at this subject, and the answers az
moral agent is meant freedom of win
in respect to moral questions, we would
answer. Yes. Undoubtedly man is free
to will as he may please on moral ques-
tons. although he may not be able TO
carry out this will in all the affairs of
flesh or by reason of circumstances AID
conditions of others with whom he is
in contact. Thus the Apostle Paul says.
ITO will Is present with me; but how to
perform that which is good find not
(Romans vii. $50 If by free moral agent
is meant one who is influenced or re-
should unquestonaly be. No; because we
are all born in a certain measure of sla
cry to ignorance. superstition and weak
ness, the results of the fall. Whoever is
thus in bondage may indeed seem to have
full liberty to do right as easily as to 10
wrong, but in reality he mas no such l15-
erty. by reason of his own deprav1ty and
that of others. especially 1.-The Prince of
this world (Satan) who blinds the minds
of them that believe not.
Q.-Please explain Isaiah xiii, g. And
he made his grave with the wicked AID
with the rich I'm his death" The fulfill
ment seems to have been just the reverse |
of this statement. to wit, He, our Lord |
made His grave with the rich and was |
with the wicked. the two thieves, in HIS
death How is b reconciIed2 &c. Id
AnsTer.-The Lord Jesus died as a slII-
ner though not a sinner. He was holy, |