Ques. 25.-Please explain Heb. 3:14:"Partakers of Christ, if," etc.

Ans.-The whole epistle is addressed to those Hebrews who had made a profession of faith in Christ, but some of whom were turning from the Lord back to Judaism. The true believer will continue in the faith. Therefore the apostle says we are made associates of Christ if there is this abiding, saving faith in Him.

Ques. 26.-Do the lost suffer the full penalty for sin-both the root inherited from Adam, and the fruits, the actual sins-just as if Christ had never suffered ?

Ans.-The question indicates that the writer had in mind the distinction that is sometimes made, that Christ suffered for the sin of Adam, and men are only under the guilt of their own sins. Scripture never says that men are responsible for Adam's sin, and therefore they never could be counted guilty for it. On the other hand, Christ is never said to have borne part and not all of the penalty upon man. "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." While death is universal, so also is sin. There is no thought of a man being punished for something he never did. In the case of children who die before reaching the years of responsibility, there is no question of their salvation ; but death in their case is not punishment for sin on their part-rather is it the result of a fallen nature inherited, just as a disease. Christ's redemption undoubtedly avails for them, as He says, "Of such is the kingdom of God." But there is no such thought in Scripture as the unsaved having been set free from Adam's penalty, and only responsible for their own. The unsaved must drink the unmingled cup of God's wrath (Rev. 14:10). "And the dead were judged . . . according to their works" (Rev. 20:12).

Ques. 27.-Is it unscriptural for a Christian to hold office under government, or to take part in political affairs ? Was not Erastus an official, and not rebuked by Paul?

Ans.-In the first place, we must remember that the New Testament does not lay down hard and fast rules. We are "not under law, but under grace," and the constraining motive is not a command so much as " the love of Christ constraineth us."Therefore we will not expect to find direct prohibitions save of things intrinsically immoral. But in the next place, faith is a growing principle in the believer, and, as it grows, leads on to increasing devotedness and separation, according as the light is received. Thus, as a believer enters more and more into the mind of the Spirit for him, he will give up many things which previously he may have gone on with in good conscience. Applying these principles to the question, we gather from God's word that "our citizenship is in it heaven," that we are "strangers and pilgrims," and that "here we have no continuing city." We also learn that by the cross of Christ we have been "crucified to the world, and the world to us," and that we are "not of the world, even as" Christ is "not of the ' world." These and other scriptures, as they are borne in upon the soul by the Spirit, will separate one increasingly from all that is conveyed in the word "citizenship."Besides this, acquaintanceship with the Lord Jesus will ever lead in walking with Him, which surely will not be in companionship with the world.

As to Erastus and his office, several suggestions may be made:first, he was doubtless in the position before his conversion, and so should abide there " with God " until led out of the position; then, too, he was simply a public servant, not elected to that position, but appointed, doubtless, by imperial authority. One may surely serve the government as an employee, if not called on to dishonor God in that service.