The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-02
EVERYBODY'S BIBLE BOX.

Q-Matthew 5:4S. reads BE We per-
feet even as your Father which is in
heaven is perfect Will you please eX-
plain this verse? &c. B. Q. b.
Answer-The preceding verses read
as follows-"Ye have heard that it hath
been said, Thou shalt love thy neigh
Dor, and hate thine enemy: but 1 say
unto you, Love your enemies. bless
them that curse you, do good to them
that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and perse-
cute you: that We may be the children
of your Father which is in heaven: for
he maketh his sun to rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on
the just and on the unjust. For if ye
love them which love you, what re-
ward have We? Do not even the pub
licans the same? And if ye salute your
brethren only, what do We more than
others? Do not even the publicans so w
Here the Master was pointing out the
love and grace of the Heavenly Father
in bestowing his favors and blessings
alike on both the evil and the good.
In other words; God is so gracious
that ne even gives blessings to those
who are not in harmony with him.
Thus the Lords followers are to b.
Godlike to the extent that they do not
cherish any illwiIl toward any one. but
on the contrary, should even love their
enemies and do good to them as they
would have opportunity.
Q.-How came Peter to have a SWORD
when he smote the servant of the high
priest, cutting off his ear, at the time
when the Lord was betrayed in the
Garden of Gethsemane? (Caeser.)
Answer-It was quite customary in
the days of our Lord for the people
to carry arms when venturing forth
from the protection of the city walls.
The Master and His followers had gone
out of the city and assembled the Mount
of Olives at night, and the place where
they were, was at that time wild and
perhaps a dangerous spot where rob-
bers and desperadOeS were wont to
gather. Naturally, some of the Apos-
ties would have feelings of trepidation
in going forth from the city at night
to such a lonely and dangerous locali-
ty. In view of the circumstances and
conditions, it was deemed advisable to
take some precautions and prepare for
any attack that might be made. Hence,
two of the Apostles provided them
selves with swords. Doubtless, this was
divinely overruled of the Lord as it
was intended to convey a lesson to the
Apostles and also to all men in the ex-
pcriences that followed on that event
full night. The lesson conveyed to the
Lords followers was, that they should
not engage in warware with carnaI
weapons; and the lesson for all men
is that our Lord was not taken and
y
that He voluntarily submitted and laid
down His life to redeem the world.
Owe read in 1 John 5: 16,-"There
is a sin unto DEATH Please explain |
to me what this sin is; and also the |
sin against the Holy Ghost, or are they |
both the same sin? (Blaine.)
Answer.-Only those who have re- |
ceived the Holy Ghost, the holy spirit |
could sin against il to the extent of |
becoming involved in the second death |
penalty. The Lords spirit is now being |
poured out only to those who are His |
people, His servants and hand |
maidens." Therefore, only those who |
are members of the Church of Christ |
are in danger of the second death from |
which there shall be no resurrection. |
This sin unto death is a full yvilful |
opposition to the influence of righteous |
ness. If any one has been enlightened !
as to what is the Lords will, and that |
they are under obliga tions to be obed- |
lent to that will. and who intelIige1tly /
and positively go contrary thereto;
these must die as they have trans /
crossed beyond the bounds of justice
and mercy. After these days of the /
Christian era in the which the Lord is |
taking out from the nations of the |
earth a people for His name, God s |
divine influence. His holy power will be |
poured out upon all flesh and then the
WI VIII We upon 10 respond
the principles of righteousness
Q.-"Behold. the day cometh that |
shall burn as an oven; and all the
proud. yea. and all that do wfckedIy
shall be stubble: and the day tnat /
cometh shall burn them up. saith the
Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them
neither root nor branch."-Malachi Al.
What is the meaning of this verse
and how shall we make it agree With