Q. 33.-"Was Judas a Christian ? "

Ans.-No, not in the true sense of the word; he was a disciple, which implies, "follower of Christ," but not a "disciple indeed," or he would have continued in Christ's word (Comp. Jno. 8:31). From what motive he became such, we are not told, but nevertheless clearly shown that from the beginning he was "without part or lot in the matter." Being in the ranks of the disciples, he was chosen by Christ to be an apostle; thus given power with the others to work miracles and cast out devils in His name. All this, however, was quite possible without being "born of God" (as our Lord took men up on the profession they made), and was merely official,-1:e., related to the place he was in, not to the state of his heart toward God (See Matt. 7:22, 23).

The following statements are made concerning him by Him "who trieth the reins and the heart;" and as to them, there can be but one meaning:-

He was (1) An unbeliever.. . ;„; . , ., v (Jno. 6:64, 70.)

(2) A devil.

(3) A thief. (Jno. 12:.6.)

(4) Unclean. (Jno. 13:10, 11.) -,,(5) The son of perdition. (Jno. 17:12)

(6) The traitor, or betrayer. (Matt. 26:48.)

(7) A murderer. (Acts 1:25.)

In the last scripture given, his fall is shown to be, not as Peter's -"falling into sin" through unwatchfulness, from which the Lord's grace restores (Luke 22:31,32); nor " falling from grace," to which all Christians are liable, as the Galatians, returning to the bondage of the law (chap. 5:4); but "falling away," or apostasy, from a place or position of light and privilege into which we may Lave entered in the Christian profession. In order to the "rightly dividing of the word of truth," we need to carefully distinguish between being in the sphere of Christianity and having the power of it in us. Alas! how many now, as in former times, are content with but the first,-"having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof"-" a name to live, while dead." B.C.G.