Why does the assembly collection customarily follow the Lords Supper?

"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him" (1 Corinthians 16:2)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 16:2). This is a personal responsibility enjoined on each believer (not couple) in the assembly. Paul has in view, though, "the collection for the saints" (verse 1) and wants to avoid a "gathering" when he comes to Corinth (verse 2). He teaches, therefore, that on the first day of the week the believers should contribute to a collective fund. These communications (Hebrews 13:16)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:16) are sacrifices, a part of our worship. Offering up spiritual sacrifices is the first priority of our gathering, but we should not conclude our gathering without these material offerings - whether by passing a basket or contributing to a box conveniently located in the place we meet.

D. Oliver
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Should I share with my wife confidential information about another believer?

Could confidentiality require a brother who gives spiritual help to another believer to withhold some information from his own spouse?

The talebearer who reveals secrets ("secret counsels," YLT) is contrasted with a faithful or trustworthy person who keeps the matter covered (Proverbs 11:13)." TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 11:13). By disclosing either matters that he has agreed to keep secret or information that in any way harms the believer he is ostensibly helping, an individual proves himself unworthy of the confidence placed in him.

If others (elders, for example) should be aware of what was said in confidence, the person who has been entrusted with that information should insist that either his informant disclose the matter or grant him permission to do so.

On occasion, when helping a sister, a man may need to insist that his wife will also be aware of what has been discussed. This strengthens his wifes confidence in him, protects the sister from any sense of impropriety, and preserves his integrity (Romans 12:17)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 12:17). If his wife cannot be trusted with such confidences, the man is likely disqualified from giving such help (1 Timothy 3:11)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:11).

D. Oliver
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Can a believer be out of fellowship with God?

Can a believer be out of fellowship with God?

Speaking of losing our enjoyment of fellowship with God may be a better way to express this thought.

John writes his first epistle so the believers will have fellowship "with us" (1:3). He was the last surviving apostle and the apostles doctrine was under attack. The truths of this epistle confirmed believers in what the apostles taught. In this way, believers would have a deeper, more settled enjoyment of fellowship with John and those for whom he testified (1:2). John then affirms that he, the apostles, and all in the family of God are in "the fellowship" with the Father and with the Son (1:3). We can never be out of this fellowship.

In the verses that follow, John clearly indicates that sinning is not characteristic of the believers life, nor is lying or not doing the truth (1:6). Either an individual walks in darkness or in light, because he is either an unbeliever or a believer. The demarcation is clear. All who walk in the light (characteristic of all believers) have fellowship "one with another" (1:8).

Sadly, a believer can fail to enjoy this fellowship. Life is wasted while a believer is not enjoying this wonderful, family fellowship.

D. Oliver
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Will young children be taken in the rapture?

CHILDREN AND THE RAPTURE

Is it scriptural to say that the children of believers shall be caught up when the Lord comes?

Some evangelists say they will, while others say they will not. I mean children not old enough to understand.

Does not the difference of view among the Lord’s servants arise from the fact that there is no clear revelation in the Word of God? It would seem unthinkable that the small children of unconverted parents throughout the world should be all caught away when the Lord returns, for if any go all must go. It is equally unthinkable that the irresponsible children of Christians, the subjects of believing prayer, should be all left behind when their parents are taken, for if any are left all must be left. Can we not leave the matter to God in the assurance that the Judge of all the earth will do right? In the meantime diligently point the little ones to the Saviour.

W.H.

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Can a Christian believe in Evolution?

EVOLUTION
Can a Christian believe in Evolution?

It is sad to think that anyone “naming the name of Christ” should forsake the clear testimony of God’s Word for the fable of “Evolution”— “Science falsely so-called.” The former declares that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1;" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1; see also Hebrews 11:3)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 11:3). Later we read, “And God said, Let there be light, and there was light” (v. 3); “Let the waters bring forth abundantly” (v. 20); “Let the earth bring forth the living creature” (v. 24); “God created man in his own image” (v. 27); and in chap. 2. 7, we have the detailed account of this; “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.” Of course the most cursory reader of Gen. i, can see that God’s method in Creation was one of progression, from—the inorganic to the organic,— vegetation, fish, fowl, beasts, and lastly, man. We know, moreover, by experience of the things around us, that there is room within the species for the most wonderful variations (e.g., men, dogs, pigeons, etc.).

Ill-informed persons confuse this with “Evolution,” and they profess to be “evolutionists” because of such facts, which are undisputed. But “Evolution” properly so-called is supposed to account for the development of new species of plants or animals, either by mutation or by minute modification. Its teaching is that everything organic began with a cell (possibly more than one, but perhaps only one), and evolved by minute variations, into the myriads of “species” in the world, brought about by “natural selection,” securing “the survival of the fittest” during the course of “a struggle for existence.” Can anything be conceived more wildly improbable? It is only one more proof of “the Fall,” that otherwise sensible men can be found gullible enough to believe it. For such a process has never been proved to have taken place in nature.

Now, Science is something known, so that it is very unscientific to be an Evolutionist, seeing that evolu- tion is not something known; it has not even attained to the dignity of a theory, but is a mere hypothesis. The late Lord Kelvin, perhaps the greatest scientist since Newton, said in one of his last addresses, “I marvel at the undue haste with which teachers in our universities ‘ and preachers in our pulpits are restating truths in terms of Evolution, while Evolution itself remains an unproved hypothesis in the laboratories of Science” (my emphasis). Not only is Evolution a direct attack on the Creatorship of God, negativing the Scriptural account of the origin of things, but it denies the fall of man, and so inevitably the need of atonement and also, logically, the work of Christ. Shallow thinkers may profess to be able to believe the Scriptures and Evolution, but intelligent believers subject to the Word, and clear-headed agnostics, like Huxley, see clearly that the two are mutually incompatible. Evolutionists in the meanwhile continue to utter discordant cries hardly agreeing upon a single point, except that their pet hypothesis is true. Our choice simply lies between God as Creator and His Word for it, or everything its own creator and man’s word for it.

William Hoste

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How can we deal with in-law problems?

It is important always to remember that you and your in-laws are all children of God and loved by Him so much that He gave His Son for each of you. We are commanded in 1 John 4:11," TARGET="_blank">1 John 4:11,12 to love one another, thus proving the reality of our salvation. If problems have developed between believers, the Lord Jesus taught in Matthew 18:15" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:15 that we should discuss and clear up the problems privately. If that doesn't work (verse 16), then one or two brethren with spiritual wisdom and experience should be invited to give unbiased advice. Every effort should be made to avoid involving others in the assembly.

Sometimes the problem is that parents have been so accustomed to the subjection of their children in the home that they forget that their married "child" is now a member of a new family with the husband as the head. The situation should never be left to fester and become worse, or it can develop into strife not only within the family but also in the assembly

A. Joyce

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Why were saints raised from the dead after Jesus died?

What is the significance of the raising of these saints?

The details of this event are so few that we are liable to stray into conjecture. One possible suggestion is that God was giving the Jewish religious leaders further evidence of the triumphant power of the Lord’s death and resurrection. They were responsible for having Him crucified, despite the evidence in Bethany that He had power over death.

D. Oliver
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What is the filling of the Spirit?

What is the filling of the Spirit?

Three related new Testament words express the truth of the filling of the Spirit. Two of the words are either an adjective describing those who are full of the Spirit (Luke 4:1;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 4:1; Acts 6:3, 5; 7:55; 11:24)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 6:3, 5; 7:55; 11:24) or a verb that expresses being full of the Spirit (Acts 13:52;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 13:52; Ephesians 5:18)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:18). These passages highlight individuals who are characteristically under the control of the Spirit. The other word is more indicative of the Spirits filling an individual to give him capability for a God-given responsibility (Luke 1:15, 41, 67;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:15, 41, 67; Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9). In these cases, with the possible exception of Luke 1:15," TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:15, this filling is the work of a moment. Perhaps that helps us understand this difficult statement about John the Baptist; the Spirit would remarkably and constantly give him enablement for his unique work.

The Spirits filling involves both control and capability. Our responsibility (Ephesians 5:18)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:18) is to continually allow the Spirit to have full control in our lives.

It is interesting that, apart from Ephesians 5:18," TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:18, only Luke speaks of this truth. In his gospel, only One, the Lord Jesus, is characteristically under the control of the Spirit (Luke 4:1)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 4:1). In Acts, when the Lord had ascended, he identifies nine individuals who were full of the Holy Spirit. Seven times in his two books, Luke records that the Spirit filled believers.

D. Oliver
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Should a girl ask a guy to date her or wait for him to make the first move?

Should a female initiate a romantic relationship or lead during the courtship?

Feminism and society in general do not provide reliable guidance in this matter, but scriptural principles do. Courtship is a special time when a couple forms the framework of their marriage relationship. They are getting to know one another differently and more deeply than they did before. This is the time for the man to inspire his prospective wife’s confidence in his leadership; she learns to trust him because his decisions are for their mutual benefit and she learns to communicate with him in these vital matters. This is likewise the time for the woman to cultivate respect for her prospective husband’s leadership; he learns that she expects and accepts his leadership and that he can openly communicate his feelings regard -ing these issues. A couple makes a mistake to proceed with their relationship if both are not open and mutually comfortable regarding these matters.

A sister initiating the relationship starts the relationship "on the wrong foot." If she has to lead at this point, won’t she have to lead throughout the relationship? Eventually this arrangement will not be fulfilling for her or her partner, nor will it fulfill the biblical model.

Maintaining this principle may be understandably frustrating to a sister. Among several reasons for this, these may present the greatest difficulties: some brothers seem to enjoy the self-gratification of being pursued by women; some seem to have forgotten that beauty of character is more valuable than physical adornment and therefore hardly seem to notice godly sisters who have chosen to avoid worldly means of exploiting physical attractiveness. Despite all of this, prayerfully maintaining God’s ways is always best.

D. Oliver
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How can I serve the Lord in the assembly?

How can I serve the Lord in the assembly?

Answering this could take many pages, but a few suggestions might help. As the question emphasizes, this is primarily service for the Lord. Therefore, honor the Lord by being at all the assembly gatherings (Hebrews 10:25)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 10:25). Come prepared to give something to the Lord whether you are a sister or brother (13:15; 1Pe 2:5)." TARGET="_blank">1Pe 2:5). Live a godly life that manifests Christ (Titus 2:11, 12)." TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:11, 12). Maintain separation from the world and sanctity from sin (2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1). Know the Spirit’s power through a life of communion (Ephesians 6:1-18)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:1-18).

But that is incomplete if the Christian life does not reach out to other believers and to unbelievers. Zeal for the gospel will inspire habitual, personal testimony to unbelievers. Working to bring unbelievers to the Sunday school or gospel meetings is a responsibility for all.

"Encourage (JND) one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 3:13). "Consider one another" (Hebrews 10:24)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 10:24) so that we will perceive others’ needs. "By love, serve one another" (Galatians 5:13)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 5:13). Some will appreciate a visit, which may include, as did the Lord (John 21:12-18)," TARGET="_blank">John 21:12-18), material and spiritual provision. Seek the restoration of wanderers. "Bear ye one another’s burdens" (Galatians 6:2)" TARGET="_blank">Galatians 6:2) with a responsive, sensitive heart. Know when a "word in season" (Isaiah 50:4)" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 50:4) will help and when a home-cooked meal will be more helpful. "Use hospitality one to another" (1 Peter 4:9)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 4:9) for the furtherance of the gospel, the preservation of the young or vulnerable, and the strengthening of fellowship with all the believers in the assembly. Find ways to act and things to do that will increase the unity of the assembly around Christ (Mark 9:34," TARGET="_blank">Mark 9:34, 50b). "Pray one for another" (James 5:16)." TARGET="_blank">James 5:16).

Serving in the assembly includes helping to maintain the assembly’s meeting place. Cutting the grass, planting flowers and shrubs, maintaining the grounds, painting the outside trim, washing toilets, sweeping floors, moving chairs, changing light bulbs, and organizing the storage closet are some low-profile ways to serve the Lord - and expend youthful energy.

D. Oliver
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