sin

The lie which deceived in Eden--"Thou shalt not surely die"--has been the teaching of the devil through all generations since. He has taught it to all heathen peoples, and among those who are God's children--Christians--he has succeeded in getting many to believe him instead of God. But since...

C. Can we go further and learn God's plan relative to Satan, the tempter? A.--Our only source of information on the subject is the Bible, and its accounts, while brief, are to the point, and furnish us all requisite information. Scriptures refer to evil spirits as "legion," or a multitude under...

C.--Does not the race get back, in the second Adam, spiritual life? A.--Certainly not; Adam was not a spiritual but a human being, consequently had human life and powers, which were declared "very good” i.e. perfect." The consecrated are the only ones warranted by the word of God in expecting...

C.--If justice could not let mankind go free from death, how could Jesus be permitted to live if he became man's substitute? Must not his life be forever forfeited? A.--It was forever forfeited--he never took the same life back again. He was quickened (made alive) to a higher life by the...

C.--Do you understand the Scriptures to teach that all mankind will reach and maintain the perfection of life which Adam lost-- which you called "everlasting life?" A.--It would seem as though such love, when seen, would beget love and obedience; but we are assured there is a second death, and...

C.--If ransomed, why do they remain in death, and others die, since Christ has paid the price? A.--But the price is not yet fully paid. To have a clear understanding of God's plan, we must recognize the distinction which he makes between the world in general and the Church, or called-out ones...

C.--Was everlasting life one of the things possessed by Adam before he sinned, and which he lost in death; and is it to be restored to mankind through Christ's ransom? A.--YES; his continuance of life, if obedient, is implied in the threatening of death if disobedient. Adam, when created...

In our last post the question was asked by Brother C. as to, How the life of one could purchase the life of many? A.--By the rule of SUBSTITUTION Rather than try each individual separately (the Lord knowing that they would all fail eventually for the very same reasons that Adam failed) chose...

B.--If death is the penalty for sin, has not mankind paid that penalty in full when dead? Might he not be released from death the moment after dying, yet fully meet the demand of justice? A.--"The wages of sin is death,"--not dying, but "death" -- FOREVER. As well say we might say that a man...

B.--I begin to see a harmony and beauty connected with the introduction of evil which I had not suspected. May we not reasonably say that God could not have displayed those qualities of his nature so attractive to us--mercy and pity--nor could his great love have been made so apparent had not...

A third brother now joins the discussion, Brother C. C.--Brother A., may I interrupt you here to ask, Why, if it was proper and wise that Adam should have a trial under the most favorable of circumstances, as a perfect man, should not all his posterity have a similarly favorable trial? We all...

"To make all see, what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God." "Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in...