CHRIST AND LITTLE CHILDREN

“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1 to 4. “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:14. “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.” Matthew 19:13 to 15.

Many Christian parents have been disturbed as to what the Bible teaches concerning the salvation of little children. Some theologians have taught that baptism by sprinkling superseded circumcision, and because circumcision was required for fellowship with God and His people (Genesis 17:14), and because babies eight days old were circumcised (Genesis 21:4), therefore the little child must thus be sprinkled to be saved. But such a doctrine is not taught in the Scriptures.

Note I Timothy 2:4 concerning God’s will: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” And Matthew 18:14: “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”

In Romans 5:12 to 21, we read how sin and death came by Adam, and righteousness and eternal life by Jesus Christ. Surely a little child who dies before the age of accountability is not conscious of his spiritual responsibilities in the matter of receiving God’s remedy for sin any more than he is responsible for his inherited sinful nature. If the child’s ruin is by Adam, his redemption is by Christ. Some one may ask, “where does predestination come in?” I Timothy 2:4 to 6 answers that question. Then so many say, it would be a blessed thing if most people should die before they reach the age of responsibility. What do you say to this?

TWO OR THREE GATHERED

Let us read Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name there am I in the midst of them.” And John 4:21: “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.”

Surely we find here a radical change from the requirements under the Old Covenant. Read Exodus 25:22: “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.” When we get into Paul’s Epistles we read of the Church in the house of Aquila and Priscilla.

From the days of Moses until after Christ died on the cross the House of God was the temple at Jerusalem. But today the House of God is the Body of Christ.

I Timothy 3:15

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

Note also:

Ephesians 2:19, 21 and 22

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God:

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Since Christ revealed to Paul the truth concerning the Body of Christ no assembly-hall, or auditorium, has been called “the House of God” by the Holy Spirit. The House of God is made up of redeemed men and women, and is called the Body of Christ.

I Corinthians 12:13

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free: and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

Romans 12:5

“So we, being many, are one Body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS

We again mention the petition in the “Our Father” prayer, “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,” “For if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:15.

Now read:

Matthew 18:34 and 35:

“And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

Read first Matthew 18:21 and 22, where Christ told Peter to forgive those who sinned against him seventy times seven times. Then follows the story of the man who owed the king ten thousand talents and some other man owed this man one hundred pence. The man had nothing to pay so the King canceled his debt of ten thousand talents. That represents what the Jews owed their God. The sins of others against the Jews compared with their sins against God, was one hundred pence compared with ten thousand talents. They would not forgive their fellowmen the debt of one hundred pence while God was willing to forgive them all. Matthew 18:32 and 33. So his lord was wroth. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you do not forgive.

Read with this story Luke 7:40 to 44 and 47 and 48:

“There was a certain creditor which had two debtors.” “And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.”

Again let us read:

Acts 13:39

“And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

And:

Ephesians 4:32

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

We do thank God that our forgiveness of others is not on the grounds of the law; but under grace, after God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven us all our sins and justified us from all things.

THE RICH YOUNG RULER

In Matthew 19:16 to 26, we have the record of a rich, young, moral, upright, religious ruler, who came to Jesus and asked, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Matthew 19:16.

Remember Christ said, “the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Matthew 8:20. They called Him a demon-possessed Samaritan and many other names. But here is a man with everything that should make him happy. He had kept the commandments from his youth up. He was young. He was rich. He was a ruler. And yet to the humble Nazarene he came for a different kind of inheritance. Note I Peter 1:3 and 4: “An inheritance uncorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away.”

Note Christ’s reply and the young man’s predicament and decision: “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19:21 and 22.

Then the words of Christ in Matthew 19:23: “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Today, in the reign of grace, we would not tell a rich man to first give up his riches and then follow Jesus, in order to receive eternal life. Because the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23. God’s truth is expressed for this age in Romans 3:24: “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Also in Romans 4:5: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

It may be that great riches would keep the rich man from receiving the free gift. If he should receive Christ and become a spiritual and obedient child of God, he would not keep his riches while many of his fellow-saints were destitute and many missionaries were waiting for financial support.

THE ELEVENTH HOUR LABORER

As we noted the difference between the conditional petition in the “Our Father” prayer, and the forgiveness under grace, and the difference between the message of eternal life while Christ was on earth and later on, under Paul’s grace message, so we must interpret the laborers of Matthew 30 in the light of Pauline truth.

Note:

Matthew 20:1 to 16:

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And-about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house. Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Whatever application we may make of this story in this day of grace, we must keep in mind Romans 4:4 and 5: “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt, But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” And I Corinthians 3:8, 9 and 11, 14 and 15: “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God, ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” And II Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

In this day of grace, note Ephesians 2:8 to 10: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Not of works lest any man should boast, For ye are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

A sinner may be saved by the same grace, with the same Divine gift, at the first hour or at the eleventh hour. And note Ephesians 2:7: “That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” But the Scriptures plainly teaches that redeemed sinners will receive different rewards for service

THE APOSTLES’ REWARD IN THE KINGDOM

Note in Matthew 20:20 and 21, the request made by the mother of James and John:

“Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on Thy right hand; and the other on the left, in Thy kingdom.” Matthew 20:21.

Why did Christ reply to that ambitious mother “ye know not what ye ask.” Note Peter’s question and Christ’s reply in:

Matthew 19:27 and 28

“Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

The mother of James and John and also the twelve apostles did not understand that the Prophecy concerning Christ’s death and resurrection would first be fulfilled; that Christ would go to Calvary’s cross rather than to David’s throne. Some months later, even after His death and resurrection, they said, “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel.” Luke 24:21. Then a few days thereafter they asked of Christ, “Wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6.

Inasmuch as Peter, James and John “understood none of these things” concerning Christ’s approaching death and resurrection (Luke 18:32 to 34), we should not be surprised at the question of the mother of James and John. Within fifteen years from the day James’ mother asked that question, James was beheaded. Acts 12:2. Some years later Peter was to die as Christ had prophesied. Compare John 21:18 and 19 with II Peter 1:8 to 12

Matthew 20:22 and 23.

“But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask, Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto Him, We are able. And He saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father.”

CHRIST ENTERS JERUSALEM

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all record what is often called, “Christ’s triumphant entry.” This was in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion: shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” Therefore, what is prophesied in Zechariah 9:9 is fulfilled in Matthew 21:4 to 11.

Note Matthew 21:6 to 8

“And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set Him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.”

But it was not long after that entry that Jesus Christ said, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out,” and above His head on the cross was written, “King of the Jews.” There He was wearing a crown, but it was made of thorns. The ass in the Bible speaks of meekness, humility and poverty. Remember the words of II Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”

But the real triumphant entry is recorded in:

Revelation 19:11 and 12 and 16

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew but He Himself.”

“And He had on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

That nineteenth chapter of Revelation tells of Christ the conquering King. He is not there crowned with thorns, but with diadems. The white horse speaks of the victor. Christ will not be judged by the world the next time; but He will judge the world. Note John 5:22: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” “Which in His times He shall shew, Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” I Timothy 6:15.

THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD

It is in connection with the Parable of the Vineyard that Christ uttered the words of:

Matthew 21:43

“Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”

Before we study this parable, let us note several verses in Psalms 80 and Isaiah 5.

Psalms 80:8, 11, 13 to 15

Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it.

She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.

The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.

Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;

And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.

Isaiah 5:1, 4 and 7

Now will I sing to my well beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

Let us remember that Israel, in the days of Samuel, rejected Jehovah as King: “And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay: but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your King.” I Samuel 12:12. Then they rejected the Son of man as King. Note, Pilate presents Jesus to Israel as King: “And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him. Pilate said unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no King but Caesar. Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led Him away.” John 19:14 to 16.

Then remember the message of mercy to Israel and another presentation of the King in

Acts 3:14 to 21:

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name, through faith in his name, hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

And:

Acts 5:29 to 32:

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

But the rulers of Israel continued to reject their King. Then came the words of the Holy Spirit by Stephen and his murder: “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One of Whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.” Acts 7:51 and 52.

Now we quote:

Matthew 21:33 to 43

Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Note that the chief priests and Pharisees knew that Christ spoke the parable against them:

Matthew 21:45

“And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.”

Now let us note Matthew 22:1 to 7, which should be studied with the Parable of the Vineyard. We quote Matthew 22:7: “But when the King heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”

In Matthew 23:38 Christ said: “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” In Luke 21:20 to 22, Christ said, their house would be desolate when the armies surrounded Jerusalem. That would be the fulfillment of Matthew 22:7.

Therefore ye learn that the judgment pronounced in Matthew 23:38 was delayed until more than 35 years after Christ spoke the words.

It will be quite difficult to understand some of the messages in the first chapters of Acts unless we realize that Divine action in the matter of Israel’s judgment was deferred for some years.

This will be seen by comparing Matthew 23:31 to 33 with Acts 3:25 and 26 and Acts 3:15 and 17:

Matthew 23:31 to 33

“Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

Acts 3:25 and 26

“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities”

Acts 3:15 and 17

“And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.”

Compare the terrible, unmerciful denunciation of Israel in Matthew 23 with the Divine message of mercy in Acts 3. Whether or not you decide that it is another offer of the kingdom to Israel, you will certainly acknowledge that something has caused the Lord to change His attitude toward the “hypocrites,” “fools,” and “blind guides,” of Matthew 23:16, 17, 19 and 23.

Note Acts 3:25 and 26, a message of mercy to the murderers of the Prince of Life: “Ye are the children of the prophets.” “Unto you first.” Compare these statements with “ye are the children of murderers,” “Ye serpents,” of Matthew 23:31 and 33. Certainly there is no indication in Acts 3:12 to 26 that the kingdom is being taken away from Israel. Surely Israel’s house is not yet desolate in Acts 3 and Acts 5. Note Acts 5:31: “Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

But what a change in Stephen’s message! Read Acts 7:51 and 52.

In Matthew 23:1 to 3, we are taught plainly that Israel was very much under the law or Old Covenant, up to the time Christ died on the cross.

Matthew 23:1 to 3

“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.”

Let us note the place of the Gentiles at the time John the Baptist, Christ and the Twelve were preaching to Israel his message of baptism and repentance.

Ephesians 2:11 and 12.

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”

Ephesians 4:18

“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”

I Corinthians 12:2

“Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.”

The Gentiles are called a foolish nation, no people, and dogs “But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.” Romans 10:19. “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.”

Matthew 15:24 to 26.

Now note what happened about thirty years later when the Jews thought that Paul led some Gentiles into the Jewish temple:

Acts 21:28

“Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.”

This verse and other Scriptures teach us something of the Jews’ feeling against the Gentiles. Note

Acts 10:28:

“And he said unto them; Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”

Acts 11:1 to 5:

“And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me.”

We are sure that John the Baptist did not preach to Gentiles. He preached to Israel “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Note Paul’s message in:

Acts 20:20 and 21 and 24:

“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

In I Corinthians 3:10 Paul calls himself a wise Master-builder who had laid a foundation. Now read:

Ephesians 3:1 to 3:

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words.”

Therefore, we must observe the Divine principle in II Timothy 2:15, if we would intelligently interpret, appropriate and apply the Word of God.

Note:

II Timothy 2:15:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

QUESTIONS—LESSON TWENTY-EIGHT

1. What did Christ say about little children? What do you think the Bible teaches concerning the salvation of children?

2. What did Christ promise concerning two or more gathered in His name? What did He say to the woman at the well about worshipping God?

3. What is understood by the expression, “the House of Israel,” “the House of God” before Israel was set aside, and the House of God during this present reign of grace?

4. What is taught concerning the forgiveness of sins in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, in the story of the two creditors and the two debtors?

5. What question did the rich young ruler ask Christ? Why did the ruler go away sorrowfully?

6. Give in detail the parable of the labourers from the first hour to the eleventh hour, and the teaching of the Lord that they all receive the same pay.

7. Who is to sit on the twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel, according to Matthew 19:28? Do you think the Apostle Paul will be there? If not, why not?

8. Mention the request of the mother of James and John. What was the Lord’s answer?

9. Mention Christ’s two baptisms and the significance of each of them.

10. What Scripture was fulfilled when Christ rode into Jerusalem on the ass? What did the people cry?

11. Read Revelation 19:6 to 20 and tell what Christ is to do when He comes on the white horse.

12. In Isaiah 5 and Psalm 80 who did God call His vineyard? According to the Parable of the Vineyard, in Matthew 21, who did God send to Israel and what did Israel do with the Lord’s servants?

13. What did the keepers of the vineyard do with the Heir? What was fulfilled concerning the stone and the builders?

14. In what sense did God take the kingdom away from Israel and when was it taken away?

15. In Matthew 23, we learned that Christ called Israel’s rulers a generation of vipers; in Acts 3 He called them the children of the prophets. Do you think that the kingdom had been taken from Israel in Acts 3:14 to 26?

16. Compare Matthew 22:7 with Acts 3:17 to 21 and Acts 3:25 and 26. The murderers were not killed until after the period covered by the Book of Acts had ended. Their city was not destroyed. Did not God defer action in the matter of executing His judgment of Matthew 23:38 to 41?

17. Compare the “first” of Mark 7:27. Acts 3:26, Acts 13:46 and Romans 1:16, and state God’s order in the Book of Acts with respect to Jews and Gentiles. Why to the Jew first after Christ’s denouncement in Matthew 23:38 to 41?

18. According to Matthew 23:1 to 3, who sat in Moses’ seat? Why did Christ. tell His disciples to obey their instructions?

19. What was the attitude of the religious Jews against the Gentiles in the matter of their salvation? At the time of Christ’s ministry on earth, what was the place of the Gentiles according to Ephesians 2:11 and 12? What were they called?

20. According to Ephesians 3:1 to 3, what did Christ give to Paul for the Gentiles. Did Christ tell Paul to follow the instructions of those who sat in Moses’ seat?

For more articles by Pastor J. C. O'Hair, visit the J. C. O'Hair Online Library.