2000 – Volume 11
The Cross and Crown: William Penn, Messenger of Brotherly Love
An introduction to the life and Christian service of William Penn, a stalwart of faith in the Philadelphia period. "Being ready to faint concerning my hope of the restitution of all things, it was at this time the Lord visited me with a certain and sound testimony of his eternal world." - William Penn {1} A seasoned man of arms learns both victory and [...]
Women’s Role in the Church Today
As one examines the biblical account of the province of women both in the religious affairs of ancient Israel and in the early Christian church, it becomes evident that certain limitations were imposed. Clear differences emerge in the responsibilities assigned to the sexes, with the man consistently given a leading role and the woman a subordinate place. How are we to account for these [...]
Joseph
The story of Joseph consumes most of the last 14 chapters of Genesis, from chapter 37 onward. Genesis 37:2 begins "These are the generations of Jacob;" or as in the NIV translation, "This is the account of Jacob." The phrase actually refers to the preceding narrative. It is a closing expression which ends the previous passage and for this reason modern translations show a [...]
They Parted My Garments (John 19:23-24; Psalms 22:18)
John chapter 19 opens with a striking change of garments. Jesus had just endured a mock trial. The charge was blasphemy for saying he was the Son of God, that he was a king. Now he endured the contempt of common Roman soldiers. The arraignment was one of ridicule. The soldiers scorned him and braided for him a crown of thorns. And to further [...]
Spirit Begettal in the Churches Today
The beginning of the third millennium and continued extension of the Harvest Period seems a most appropriate time to review the question of whether spirit begettal can occur in the nominal churches. We would like to investigate this subject from two standpoints: first, by direct sanctified reasoning based on the Scriptures and analysis of current conditions; and second, by examining the statements of Pastor [...]
Say Ye Not, A Confederacy (Isaiah 8:12)
These words condemned the conspiracy of Pekah of Israel with Rezin of Syria against Jerusalem in the days of Ahaz of Judah. Yet the last kings of Judah could not avoid the same temptation to trust the arm of foreigners and doubt the arm of the Lord. The final years of the kingdom of Judah were plagued by relations with neighboring kingdoms to the [...]
The Restoration of Job
'And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before". (Job 42:10) Nearly all admit that the narrative of Job has an allegorical element to it. Though most apply it to the lesson of the permission of evil, Job representing mankind, there is an alternative and complementary possibility. [...]
The Burning Bush
`And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in aflame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside [...]
Editor’s Note on The Virgin Birth
The article "The Virgin Birth" (previous issue) drew a number of comments. To address a concern about Mary contributing faulty genetic material, the article suggested both sperm and egg were from heaven, transplanted together into Mary's womb. However others observed that dominant genes from one parent can supersede recessive genes from another, and suppose by some such means Mary might have supplied the egg [...]
The Doctrine of Baptisms
Never in Church history has the information concerning baptism been made so clear as in the writings of Pastor Russell. He has made it plain from Scriptural comparison that in Christian baptism: (1) Water baptism is a symbol with no inherent merit. (2) Baptism is correctly immersion, not sprinkling. (3) Baptism is to be performed only upon those who have made an intelligent, personal, [...]
Balaam / Judas
The fate of Balaam was similar to that of Judas, and their characters bear a marked resemblance to one another. They both tried to unite the service of God and Mammon and met with failure. Balaam acknowledged the true God as a steppingstone to the acquirement of riches and worldly honor, and because of this, he stumbled and fell, and was broken. Judas expected [...]
Lessons from Esther
The fact that the story of Esther was recorded in the Bible indicates that there are lessons to be learned from it. That is the purpose of all scripture. Let us consider some of the many lessons in this beautiful story of God's providential care for his people. The name Ahasuerus means Lion-King. Jesus Christ is designated "The lion of the tribe of Judah" [...]
Categorized Texts on Baptism
REFERENCES TO ALL BAPTISM Acts 19:3a - Questions which baptism (John's or Christian) Hebrews 6:2 - translated "washings" in NAS REFERENCES TO TYPICAL "BAPTISMS" OR WASHINGS 1 Corinthians 10:2 - Immersion into Moses prepared the nation for transfer into the greater than Moses by John's Baptism which brought them back into this original Moses' Baptism. Verse 4 clearly shows the aim to be the [...]