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Answers to Correspondents.
pp. 13-14
G.R., Birminigham.--"II Cor. 5: 17. What more do you want than being
`in Christ,' as in the text?"
At first sight it would appear that this verse reaches the zenith, but it is not so.
II Corinthians and Galatians are to be read together, and the result is this:--
Doctrinal position. . . . . . II Corinthians. . . . . . "In Christ."
Dispensational position. . . Galatians. . . . . . . . ."With Abraham."
When we turn to the epistle to the Ephesians we shall find that the dispensational and
doctrinal positions are the same, viz.:--
Doctrinal position. . . . . Ephesians 1. . . . . . . "In Christ."
Dispensational position. . . Ephesians 2. . . . . . . "With Christ."
The use of the terms "doctrinal" and "dispensational" are but arbitrary, they may be
ignored. The case is this; once the blessing was "in Christ" and "with Abraham"; now it
is both in and with Christ. There is no need for us to enlarge on this, or to say which is
better.
II Cor. 5: 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new.
E.R., Alberta.--You write, "The term `The kingdom is in abeyance' is
contrary to the teaching of the Bible." You then turn to Rom. 11: 11-25,
and Matt. 13: 30, pointing out the "until" and saying, "Where is the
abeyance of this gospel to be found here?"
Our answer is, it is not found in either passage. These words were written before the
time for Israel to be set aside and the dispensation of the mystery made known.
Will you apply your own argument to Isa. 61: 2? You would be the last to conflict
with the teaching of Christ (Luke 4: 19, 20), yet He divided this verse, but the division is
not seen there.
Matt. 13:
30. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye
together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
2. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that
Isa. 61:
mourn;
19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:
20. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them
that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.