1949 Bible Studies - page 138

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BIBLE STUDIES.

It is the " tabernacle " or " tent " of David which is here quoted, and not his kingly palace. Perhaps this would take us back to his early, lowly beginning, and may also have referred to the fact that the House of David had, at that time, sunk to a very low estate.

The Lord, born of the seed of David, had condescended to this low degree, when " the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us " (John 1. 14, R. V. M. ).

I judge this reference by James from Amos, is applied to the breaking-down of the middle wall between Jews and Gentiles, and to the building into the Church, the body, of Gentiles as well as Jews, with a view to their being " a people for His name, " in the Kingdom of God. As the scripture is used here I do not think it refers to a restored and worshipping Israel, but as to whether the Amos scripture visualises such a future fulfilment I cannot say.  Jas. M.

Question from Cardiff. -- Was the Lord’s body liable to corrupt, or is the thought that in resurrection-life the Lord beheld no corruption with His eyes (Acts 2. 27) ?

Answer. -- Once by Peter (Acts 2. 27) and once by Paul (Acts 13. 35) is Psalm 16. 10 quoted: " Thou wilt not give thy Holy One to see corruption. " " To see "

(Gr. idein, from eidon) is used with the meaning " to experience, " as in Luke 2. 26

and Hebrews 1 1 . 5, death; and in John 3. 36, life; and so here in Acts 2. 27, corruption.  Peter’s words in Acts 2. 24 concerning the spotless, sinless Man approved of God are powerful, " It was not possible that He should be holden of it (death). " Jas. M.

Question from Atherton. -- Is the expression " and whose sins are covered "

dispensational in character (Romans 4. 7)?

Answer. -- Is this question enquiring if in different dispensations there were different ways of covering up sin ? A great principle is being asserted in Romans 4.

which applies to all dispensations, namely, that justification of the ungodly is based on faith. Even in Abraham’s day, before the giving of circumcision, before the Law, it is recorded in Genesis 15. 6 . . . . Abraham " believed in the LORD :

and He counted it to him for righteousness. " The same truth is proclaimed in Psalm 32. 1-2 (quoted in Romans 4. 7) by David. The same truth holds to-day.

So the principle of imputed justification is the same for these three different dispensations, however different the means used may be in each dispensation.

Epikalupto means " to cover up or over " (used only in Romans 4. 7) Jas. M NOTICE.

In January’s issue we intimated that the subject, " The Minor Prophets. "

would be resumed (D. V. ) in due course but it is thought well to take the second Letter to the Corinthians as our 1950 subject.  Editors feel that the interest of some in the Minor Prophets may be better served by a series of papers thereon from our co-editor, Mr. S. Burrows, who has kindly agreed to write these during 1950 (D. V. ).