1935 Bible Studies - page 194

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BIBLE STUDIES.

Questions and Answers.

Question from Greenock. -- When does Resurrection life in

the believer begin ?

Also question from Glasgow.--When can resurrection life commence ? after baptism in the Spirit or only after baptism in water ?

Answer.--Resurrection life in the believer begins from the time of quickening. We were quickened together with Christ, raised up with Him and made to sit with Him in heavenly places.  This new life in the believer began when He died to the world and all co-related things.  This state of being dead to things beneath and alive to heavenly things is to be the daily experience of the believer.  He is to die daily and, consequently, to be quickened daily.  As he was quickened at the first by the word and Spirit of God this is to be his continual experience.

The believer did not receive life in his baptism.  Having been baptized and having made public in that act that he died with Christ (and was also made alive with him) he is ever to walk in newness of life.  It is a question of walk in Romans 6.3,4.  His conduct is to be in keeping with his baptism, and his baptism is an evidence of a divine change in his state.--J.M.

EPILOGUE.

The true end of man is tersely summed up in Revelation 22 . 3-4, where resurrection life is brought before us, and saints are seen (1) before the throne of God and the Lamb, (2) doing Him service, and (3) bearing His name upon their foreheads.  Resurrection life in the believer here below is but a foreshadowing of that more perfect life, but it involves the consciousness of being called to divine service in a divine place, and also that which corresponds to the Name upon the foreheads.

We are truly called upon here to bear the Name proudly and joyfully before men, but if only we could see that Name upon the foreheads of fellow-believers, what blessing would accrue ! Railing, and anger, and so forth would cease, and love flow out to the one so clearly marked out as the brother for whom Christ died.

Like Solomon, we are now constrained to write, for the time being at any rate, " This is the end of the matter."  Though we cannot just say that " all hath been heard," yet we can come to the same conclusion as he: "Fear God, and keep His commandments ; for this is the whole duty of man."

A. T. D.