The Catechism
1. Who is the Creator of all things?
God Almighty see Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11 and Revelation 1:8.
2. When God created man, in whose likeness did God make him?
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam" Genesis 5:1,2.
3. How was Adam in the likeness of God?
As God was spirit, so was Adam when first created.
4. If Adam was created male and female spirits, is God the same?
Yes, God is the Father of us all, and also the Mother of us all.
5. Is God called in the Scriptures the Mother of us all?
Yes, it is written "Jerusalem, which is above, is free, which is the mother of us all" Galatians 4:26.
6. Where is this further proved?
In Genesis 1:26.
7. What does it say there?
It says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness".
8. What does this prove?
The use of the plural words ‘us’ and ‘our’ show that there is more than one person in the Godhead.
9. Is the Bride spoken of in Scripture?
Yes; in several places but most especially John 3:29.
10. What is there recorded?
Speaking of Jesus after He had received the spirit of God at the River Jordan, it says: (Jesus had just received the spirit of God at the River Jordan, and speaking of Jesus, John the Baptist tells his listeners), "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled". See also Revelation 21:2,9; 22:17.
11. What does this prove?
It proves that he had the Spirit of the Mother as well as the Spirit of the Father with him.
12. Under what name is the Bride generally spoken of in the New Testament?
The Holy Ghost.
13. Of what did God form the body of man?
"And the Lord God formed man of the of the ground, and into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" Genesis 2:7.
14. What was that breath?
The breath of the mortal life.
15. What did man then become?
Man became a living soul - Genesis 2:7
16. What did Adam call his wife?
"And Adam called his wife’s name; because she was the mother of all living", Genesis 3:20.
17. Of how many parts is man composed?
Three. Spirit and Soul and Body. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
18. Then it is not true, as some suppose, that the spirit and soul are one thing?
No, various parts of Scripture prove this.
19. Mention one particularly.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit" Hebrews 4:12.
20. When does this dividing take place?
The spirit is divided from the soul and the body at death. "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" Ecclesiastes 12:7. "What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?" Psalm 89:48.
21. Did God create man to die?
No. "For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity, nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it" Wisdom of Solomon 2:23.
22. How, then, came death into the world?
"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die…And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life." Genesis 3:3,13,14.
23. Did God create the evil?
Yes; and commanded man not to touch it. Isaiah 45:7; Genesis 2:17; 3:3.
24. Where did God place the evil?
In the body of Eve, our first parent - Genesis 2:9.
25. Then she was both good and evil?
Yes; she was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
26. Are mankind then compared to trees?
Yes; God compared mankind to trees in many parts of Scriptures - Isaiah 56:3; John 15:5.
27. What did God command about the evil?
He said: "That shalt not eat of it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" Genesis 2:17.
The Fall - to a life of blood and physical death
28. Did Adam and Eve obey God’s command?
No; they took of the evil, and fell from a state of innocence to a state of guilt - Genesis 3.
29. What was the effect of this?
They received a life of blood, with an evil heart; and were expelled from Paradise - Leviticus 17:11; Romans 7:18; Genesis 3:24.
30. Did they die as God said?
Yes; Adam lived 930 years and he died - Genesis 5:5.
31. Did he die within the day he ate of the evil?
Yes; because one day is with the Lord as a thousand years - 2 Peter 3:8.
32. Why has death followed upon mankind since then?
Because of the evil in the blood received through our parents’ sin - Romans 7:23.
33. Does this cause death?
Yes; it is the source of all evil diseases and death itself until it is taken away - Romans 7:23.
34. Has God promised to take it away?
Yes; God says: "I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed" Joel 3:21.
35. Has God then cleansed the blood of anyone?
Yes. That of Enoch and Elijah.
36. Who were Enoch and Elijah?
Two men subject to like passions as we are - James 5:17.
37. When did Enoch live in the world?
Before the flood; in the year of the world 987.
38. When did Elijah live in the world?
After the flood; in the year of the world 3108.
39. Did God cleanse their blood?
Yes; the evil withered within them - Ezekiel 17:10.
40. What was the effect of this?
Satan could not tempt them to sin.
41. Does Satan then attract man to sin?
Yes; he attracts the evil in man, and causes man to do evil when he would do good - Romans 7:18-21.
42. Then when the evil is taken away will man do good?
Yes; he will then be able to keep the commandments of God, which he formerly disobeyed.
43. Then are Enoch and Elijah alive now in the body?
Yes; they were translated to heaven bodily and never saw death - Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11; Hebrews 11:5.
Promise of Life through Obedience
44. Has God promised that anyone else shall live?
Yes; in the Bible in numerous passages - Deuteronomy 30:15,19; Proverbs 12:28; Ezekiel 18:19-32; 33:11-19; John 6:50; 8:51; 10:27,28; Romans 8:13; 1 Corinthians 15:51; Galatians 6:7,8; Revelation 22:14; and many other places.
45. In all these passages God promises life on certain conditions. What are those conditions?
Perfect obedience to His Laws and Commandments - Ezekiel 33:14-16.
46. Does the life promised apply to spirit, soul, or body?
To the body.
47. Why so?
Because the body is the only part of man that can perish, or cease to exist - Genesis 3:19.
48. But does not the body live again in the resurrection?
No; Job says, "As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away, so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more" Job 7:9.
49. What does the New Testament say about the body rising?
Paul says, "Thou sowest not that body that shall be" 1 Corinthians 15:37.
50. What, then, becomes of the spirit and soul if the body dies?
The spirit returns to God who gave it - Ecclesiastes 12:7 - and the soul goes to the grave along with the body - Psalm 89:48 - and is raised a spiritual body - 1 Corinthians 15:44.
51. Is the soul then still alive after the body dies?
Yes; but sleeping either in happiness or misery - Job 14:12; Isaiah 57:1,2; Romans 2:9.
52. What causes the difference?
If the person has repented before death, the soul sleeps in happiness, and if not repented, before death, it sleeps in misery - Isaiah 57:1,2; Romans 2:9.
53. How long does the soul lie in the grave?
Until the day of the first resurrection - Job 14:12; Revelation 20:4-6.
54. What takes place then?
The souls of the repentant rise and become spiritual bodies for their spirits to dwell in - 1 Corinthians 15:44.
55. What becomes of the rest of the dead or the unrepented?
They also come forth, but are sent from the presence of God until the final resurrection - Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:5; 21:8; John 5:28,29.
56. When is the final resurrection?
A thousand years after the first resurrection - Revelation 20:5.
57. Are the unrepentant when they do rise equal to the repentant?
No; they are the least in the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 5:19.
58. How is this, that both repentant and unrepentant rise and go into heaven?
Because God sent Jesus to shed His blood to save the souls of all mankind, specially of them that believe, 1 Timothy 4:9-11.
Jesus - the Ultimate Sacrifice
59. Who is Jesus, and when was He born?
He is the pure seed of a virgin named Mary, and God is His Father, and He was born in the year 4001 - Matthew 1:18-25.
60. Why is He called the pure seed of the virgin?
Because there was no evil in His blood, and He never committed sin - John 14:30; 15:10;8:29.
61. How was it that the blood of Jesus was accepted as a sacrifice to remove the curse on the soul?
The blood of Jesus not being mixed with evil, was given for that which was so mixed, instead of the blood of the animal - Genesis 9:5; Hebrews 10:5.
62. Had the blood of animals previously been offered for sin?
Yes; for 4000 years, it being accepted till Jesus came - Leviticus 17:11.
63. What did God command about these offerings?
He said: "Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year" Exodus 12:5.
64. Did this point to Jesus?
Yes; because He was the only one of Adam’s race who was without blemish or evil - 1 Peter 1:19.
65. Is Jesus spoken of in the Bible as a lamb?
Yes; in many places, as the lamb who taketh away sin - John 1:29; Galatians 1:4; Acts 8:32, et.
66. Was ever any other person offered?
Yes; Isaac was presented as a sacrifice, but not accepted. But God chose a ram instead - Genesis 22:1-19.
67. Why was not Isaac accepted?
Because of the evil in his blood, and thus he was no better than other men. Jesus only could be accepted - Psalm 49:7; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:35.
68. But why did God allow the blood of this good man to be shed?
Because of the charge Adam made against God in giving him the woman.
The Help Meet and Promise of Restoration
69. What was that charge?
Adam said: "The woman Thou gavest to be with me, shave gave me of the tree and I did eat" Genesis 3:12.
70. How did God remove that charge?
Jesus was the seed of the woman, and brought salvation to mankind by His obedience; as the first woman brought death into the world by her disobedience - Romans 5:12-21.
71. What did this prove?
It proved that the woman was really given to be man’s helpmate, and that -
"Now she helps the man to rise,
As once she helped his fall;
And now he owns that God was wise,
And just, and true in all.
She with her sister (Jerusalem Above - the immortal helpmate) now appears
To hand the precious food;
And God’s intent in making her,
Is finished and made good".
72. What did God say about the seed of the woman when man fell?
God said to Satan: "I will put enmity between thee and the woman; and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel" Genesis 3:15.
73. When was the heel of the woman’s seed bruised?
When Jesus was nailed to the cross, and slain to save the soul of sinners.
74. Has Satan’s head yet been bruised?
Only in Enoch and Elijah.
75. When will God fulfil His promise in bruising the serpent’s head?
When the evil is slain in the bodies of Israel - Isaiah 27:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 20:1,2,3,10.
76. When this is done will that complete the work of redemption?
No. But man will then regain the Paradise he lost - Genesis 2:9; Revelation 2:7; 22:2,14.
77. What was that Paradise?
The spirit of God to dwell in fully; being the partial redemption - Romans 8:23.
78. What then is full redemption?
The spirit of God and the spirit of man dwelling in the body of man - making him immortal - John 14:20; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Malachi 3:1.
79. Then Jesus Christ did not complete the work of redemption by the shedding of His blood?
No. He said: "I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" John 10:10.
80. What did He mean by a more abundant life?
That as man had been seeking the salvation of the soul by repentance, he might now obtain the full redemption of ;spirit, soul and body by righteousness - 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Proverbs 12:28.
81. What is repentance?
Sorrow of heart for sins committed.
82. What is righteousness?
Keeping all God’s laws and commandments and not breaking any - Deuteronomy 6:25; John 14:15,21.
83. Did Jesus Christ promise life if man would do so?
Yes. He said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death" John 8:51.
84. Any other passage?
Yes. "This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die" John 6:50.
85. Does he not say anything which proves that He meant the body should not die?
Yes. He says: "This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die".
The Meaning of the Bread and Wine
86. What is the living bread?
The word of God - Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; John 6:50,63.
87. What is meant by eating the bread?
Eating is believing, and doing that which is believed - Romans 2:13.
88. Do men then believe and not do?
Yes; all. Whether Jew or Christian who only repent and believe, have faith without works - James 2:14-20.
89. Can faith save man?
It will save the soul, but not the body.
90. What do the Scriptures say upon this subject?
Paul describes the righteousness which is of faith, thus - "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" Romans 10:9.
91. What salvation did He mean?
The salvation of the soul.
92. What proof is there of this?
Paul says: "We are of them that believe to the saving of the soul" Hebrews 10:39.
93. Is there further proof?
Yes. Peter says: "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" 1 Peter 1:9.
94. How is righteousness described that cometh by keeping the law?
That the man which doeth those thing shall live by them - Romans 10:5; Leviticus 18:5; Ezekiel 18:21; 33:15,16.
95. What did Jesus tell the man who asked him how to gain eternal life?
Jesus said: If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments - Matthew 19:17.
96. Does this not prove that Jesus meant the life of the body?
Yes. Because it if was necessary to keep the commandments to gain the salvation of the soul, neither Jew nor Christian would be saved.
97. Why would they not?
Because though they may have faith and believe in God’s laws and commandments, they do not keep them - Romans 3:23.
98. What did Paul answer those who asked him what they should do to be saved?
He said: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" Acts 16:31.
99. What salvation did he mean?
He meant the salvation of the soul, which is to be obtained by repentance and faith - Romans 10:9,10; Hebrews 10:39.
100. How does the Scripture divide faith without works, and faith with works?
Paul says: "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" Ephesians 2:8,9.
101. Any other passage?
Yes. He also says: "To him that worketh not but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" Romans 4:5.
102. But is it righteousness?
True righteousness consists in keeping God’s laws and commandments; not sinning at all - Deuteronomy 6:25.
103. What is said of faith with works?
Paul says: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt" Romans 4:4.
104. What is the debt owing?
The life of the body is owing a the reward due to those who shall attain to perfect righteousness - Ezekiel 18:21; 33:15,16; Deuteronomy 30:15-19.
105. Is there further proof?
Yes. It says: "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" Revelation 22:14.
106. What are the gates?
The gates are law and gospel; those who keep both, enter the gates - Revelation 21:27.
107. What is the city?
The spirit of Christ - and Jerusalem Above - in which man will dwell when immortal - Revelation 21:2-7; 3:12.
108. Will either Jew or Christian gain this life of the Body?
No. They will receive the end of their faith even the salvation of their souls - 1 Peter 1:9.
Celestial and Terrestrial Bodies
109. Then there are two sorts of bodies to be saved?
Yes. "There are also bodies celestial, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another" 1 Corinthians 15:40.
110. What is celestial?
Angelic, spiritual, or heavenly.
111. Who gain the celestial or spiritual glory?
All whose bodies go to corruption, but whose souls are saved in the resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:35,42,44.
112. What are they equal to?
They are equal to the angels of God in heaven - Luke 20:36.
113. What is terrestrial?
Terrestrial means earthly.
114. Who gain the terrestrial glory?
All whose bodies go not to corruption, such as Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus.
115. Then is the terrestrial glory the highest?
Yes, Because then "spirit and soul and body are all preserved into the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
116. Then those whose bodies obtain the terrestrial glory will be higher than the angels?
Yes. It is written: "They will look for the Saviour our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" Philemon 3:21; Hebrews 1:5,7,8,13.
117. What is the nature of the body of Jesus Christ?
It is a glorified body of flesh and bone - Luke 24:39; Revelation 1:13-16.
118. How is it further described?
As being the brightness of God’s glory, and the express image of His person - Hebrews 1:3.
119. Is not the body of Jesus Christ the temple or throne of God?
Yes. The spirit of the immortal Father Christ, and the spirit of the immortal Mother Jerusalem Above, with the spirit of the Son Jesus dwell within his body - three in one - Revelation 3:12,21; Colossians 2:9.
120. Who are they whose bodies will be made like the glorious body of Jesus Christ?
The Israel of God, proved by Romans 8:16,17,29,30; James 2:5.
121. Who are the Israel of God?
To whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory and the covenants, and the giving of the law and the service of God, and the promises - Romans 9:4; Revelation 7:4-8; 14:1-5.
122. Of what lineage are the Israel of God?
They are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel - Genesis 32:27,28.
123. Where are they to be found?
Mixed amongst Jews and Christians - Hosea 7:8.
124. Are they not all Jews?
No. Because there are only about two tribes amongst the Jews being the House of Judah - 1 Kings 12:21-24.
125. Where are the remaining ten tribes or House of Israel?
Mixed by marriage amongst the Gentiles or Christians - Hosea 7:8; Amos 9:9; Micah 5:8.
126. Can man find them or pick them out from other men?
No. They are called the lost sheep of the House of Israel - Matthew 10:1-6.
127. How will they be found?
God has promised to gather both Israel and Judah - Isaiah 11:11,12; Jeremiah 30:3,10,11,18-24; 31:7-10; Amos 9:9; Ezekiel 34:11-14.
128. Are there not many other passages that prove this?
Yes. The Scriptures teem with promises that God will gather and redeem Israel.
129. When are these promises to be fulfilled?
At the second coming of Christ at the end of the world, or as Jeremiah says, in the latter days - Jeremiah 30:3,23,24.
130. When will this be?
We are now living in the day and the hour that those promises will be fulfilled.
131. Does it not say that no man will know the day and the hour?
No. It says: "Of that day and hour knoweth no man" Matthew 24:36.
132. Is that not the same?
No. It was not necessary that man should know at the time those words were spoken.
133. Why not?
Because upwards of eighteen hundred years were to pass first.
134. Do the Scriptures then say that man will know?
Yes. It says: "There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known" Matthew 10:26.
135. But is there a promise that this particular mystery shall be known to any?
Yes. It says: "Ye brethren are not in darkness that this day should overtake you as a thief" 1 Thessalonians 5:4.
136. Who are these brethren who will know the time?
Jesus says: "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother...." Matthew 12:50.
The Remnant of Israel - The Faithful Brethren
137. Who are these brethren that will do His will?
The Israel of God.
138. What proof is there of this?
It says: "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity or speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths" Zephaniah 3:13.
139. What other proof?
It also says that "The iniquity of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none, and the sins of Judah and they shall not be found" Jeremiah 50:20.
140. Is not Jesus called the firstborn among many brethren?
Yes. In Romans 8:29, they being heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ - Romans 8:17.
141. What is their number?
144,000, being twelve thousand out of each of the twelve tribes of Israel - Revelation 7:4-8; 14:1-5.
142. Is the church of Israel described anywhere in the Scriptures as a distinct church from any other?
Yes. It is written: "One shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel" Isaiah 44:5.
143. Who are they who say they are the Lord’s?
All denominations of Christians who claim to be the Lord’s.
144. And do they say right?
Yes. Jesus says: "Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well, for so I am" John 13:13.
145. Who are they who call themselves by the name of Jacob?l
The Jewish church who claim to be descended from Jacob.
146. Who are the third class who subscribe with their hands unto the Lord and surname themselves Israel?
They are those who come out from both Jews and Christians, holding the faith of both the Law and the Gospel - Isaiah 8:20.
147. What do these attain to?
They come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ - Ephesians 4:13.
The Work of Sanctification - Perfection
148. What brings them to this perfection?
The spirit of God working righteousness in them, making them "doers of the word and not hearers only" James 1:27.
149. Then it is God who does the work for them?
Yes. He says: "I will yet for this, be enquired of by the House of Israel, to do it for them" Ezekiel 36:37.
150. Is there any passage in Scripture which proves that this is necessary?
Yes. Jesus Christ says: "Without me ye can do nothing" John 15:5.
151. Does he promise that any will attain to this perfection?
Yes. It is written that "He will present it unto himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" Ephesians 5:26,27: Revelation 14:1-5.
The Role of Christian Israelites
152. Is there such a church upon earth yet?
No. But God is now preparing one, namely - The Church of Christian Israelites.
153. Can it not be either the Jews or one of the Christian churches?
No. Because the Christians refuse the Law, and Jews the Gospel.
154. But we find among the Jews and Christians many who do works of righteousness, although they do not keep all; are all their good works lost as they attain not to Life?
No. It says: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord" they "rest from their labours and their works do follow them" Revelation 14:13.
155. How do their works follow them?
Jesus Christ says: "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" Revelation 22:12.
156. Then as the good works of men vary much in degree, their reward will also differ?
Yes. "As one star differeth from another star in glory, so also is the resurrection of the dead" 1 Corinthians 15:41,42.
157. Must not Christian Israelites strive to attain to greater righteousness than either Jews or Christians?
Yes. They must keep both Law and Gospel - Isaiah 8:20.
158. What have Christian Israelites to do, to fulfil both Law and Gospel?
They must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Jesus Christ - Matthew 16:24.
159. How are they to do this?
They must "present their bodies a living sacrifice" Romans 12:1,2.
160. How is that done?
By crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts - Galatians 5:24; 6:7,8.
161. Then if we live after the flesh we shall die?
Yes. But if we through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live - Romans 7:13.
162. How do we mortify the deeds of the body?
By not doing that which we are tempted to do, when it is against God’s holy will and commandments - Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15,16,17.
163. Then is not this all done through the spirit of God?
Yes. Israel will say - "Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us; for thou also hast wrought all our works in us" Isaiah 26:12.
164. Must not the House of Israel leave off seeking the salvation of the soul only, if they wish to gain the redemption of the body?
Yes. It says: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection" Hebrews 6:1.
165. Does it not say what are the first principles?
The passage reads thus: "Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God; of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do if God permit" Hebrews 6:1-3.
166. Has God now permitted this?
Yes. Israel is now called to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Hebrews 6:1; Philemon 3:14,15.
167. What is that mark?
Perfection. Jesus says: "Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" Matthew 5:48.
168. Can man attain to this perfection without keeping both Law and Gospel?
No. It is written: "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" Isaiah 8:20.
169. When we say Law and Gospel, what is meant?
We mean the Law as given by God to Moses; and the Gospel by Jesus Christ.
170. Did not Jesus do away with the Law when He came?
No. He said: "Think not I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfil" Matthew 5:17.
171. Did He fulfil the Law?
Yes. He fulfilled all righteousness - Matthew 3:15; John 8:29; 15:10.
172. Why could not the law be destroyed?
Because righteousness consists in keeping the laws of God, and righteousness cannot be destroyed - Romans 7:12.
173. But why is it necessary to keep the whole of the Law?
Because the Law is perfect, and God says: "Ye shall not add unto the Law nor take from it" Deuteronomy 4:2; Psalm 19:7; Matthew 5:17,18; James 2:10; Revelation 22:18,19.
174. Then the least of the commandments must be obeyed as well as the greatest?
Yes. All. Jesus says: "Not one jot or tittle shall pass from the Law till all be fulfilled" Matthew 5:18.
Following the Example of the Master
175. But as Jesus fulfilled the Law, is it necessary for Israel to do so?
Yes. If they would attain to perfect righteousness and gain eternal life - Malachi 4:4; Matthew 19:17.
176. What does Jesus Christ promise respecting it?
Jesus says: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do he shall do also, and greater works than these shall he do" John 14:12.
177. What are the works he did?
The fulfilment of all righteousness by Christ in Jesus - John 14:10.
178. What are the greater works?
When God fulfils in Israel the same righteousness that he fulfilled in Jesus, it will be a greater work done in them.
179. How so?
Because there was no evil nature in Jesus to overcome and there is in us - John 14:30; Romans 7:18.
180. Any other reason?
Yes. Jesus was slain; but Israel will never die - John 8:51; 10:27,29; 11:26.
Sacrificial Laws and the Law of Righteousness
181. If Jesus did not do away with the law, what did He mean when He was crucified by saying "It is finished"?
He meant the sacrificial law was finished by the sacrifice of Himself - Hebrews 9:12,14,26.
182. Then was not the sacrificial law a part of the law of righteousness?
No. It was added because of transgression, and could never make the comers there unto perfect - Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 10:1.
183. What is meant by being added because of transgression?
If the Jew broke any of the laws of righteousness, he had to offer the blood of an animal, to obtain the salvation of his soul - Leviticus 17:11.
184. Then the blood of Jesus is only to save the soul?
Yes. Only for the soul. Nothing can save the body, but attaining to righteousness - Proverbs 12:28; Romans 10:5.
185. How is it, that the law which was ordained to life, was found to be unto death?
Because they did not keep it, for the transgression of the law is sin; and the wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23; 7:10-12; 1 John 3:4.
186. What does Paul mean when he says: "By the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his sight" Romans 3:20?
The deeds of the Law there mentioned are the transgressions of the Law; and no one will be justified by transgressing the Law - Romans 6:15.
187. But will not those who keep the Law be justified?
Yes. It is written: "For not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law shall be justified" Romans 2:13.
188. Do the ten commandments contain all the law?
No. And yet one word in those ten commandments contain the whole of righteousness - Romans 13:10.
189. What word is that?
Love. Because love is the fulfilling of the law - Romans 13:10; Matthew 22:36,37; John 14:21-24; 1 John 5:3.
190. Can anyone keep the law, without also fulfilling the Gospel?
No. Because the Gospel showeth us how to keep the law - Matthew 5:17-48; 22:36,37.
191. How are those laws to be understood which relate to wearing hair and beard?
God requires man to appear as He created him, and not to conform to this world - Romans 12:2.
192. But does not Paul say nature teaches us that, if a man wear long hair, it is a shame unto him?
It is written that we are by "nature the children of wrath" and it is our fallen nature that causes us to be ashamed of keeping God’s laws, when against the fashions of the world - Ephesians 2:3.
193. Then we are not to follow the fashions of the world?
No. Israel are commanded to come out from the world, and be separate; also not to love the world, or the things that are in the world - 2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 John 2:15-17.
194. Why is this?
Because that which is highly esteemed amongst men is abomination in the sight of God - Luke 16:15.
195. When is it an abomination?
When opposed to God’s laws and commands - Romans 8:7.
196. Are we not then to love the world?
No. God says: "If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him" 1 John 2:15-17.
Laws Relating to Clothing to be Worn
197. How is that law to be understood respecting wearing apparel?
God expects those who wish to be clothed with His spirit to be also clothed temporally according to His commands.
198. Why are we not to wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together? - Leviticus 19:19.
Because we are to seek to be clothed with God’s spirit only, and not with good and evil as at present.
199. Does not God say that He will punish those who wear strange apparel?
Yes. He says: I will punish "all such as are clothed with strange apparel" Zephaniah 1:8.
200. What is strange apparel?
Clothing in the fashion of the world, and not according to His commands - Leviticus 19:19.
201. What did Jesus mean when He said: The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment?
He meant that the immortal life was more to be considered than food or raiment.
202. But why does He say: "Take no thought what ye shall eat, or what ye shall put on"?
Because God has taken thought for both, and commanded us what we are to eat and to wear - Leviticus 19:19; 20:25; Luke 12:22-31.
203. Then what are we to understand by the laws relating to clean and unclean meats?
That as God has divided clean from unclean, so are we to choose good and refuse evil - Deuteronomy 30:15-19.
204. But does He not say: "That which goeth into the mouth does not defile the man, but that which cometh out"?
The sin does not consist in the mere eating of the unclean meat, but in disobeying the command of God - Leviticus 20:25; Romans 6:23.
205. Make that further appear.
Jesus says: "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts", etc., these defile the man - Matthew 15:18-19.
206. How do evil thoughts defile man?
Evil thoughts are those opposed to God’s commands, and when put into action, produce sin, and sin defiles the man - James 1:14,15.
207. Does not Paul say, "Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no questions for conscience sake"?
Paul was addressing the Gentile or Christian church, to whom everything is clean but blood - Genesis 9:3,4; Acts 15:19,20.
208. Then of the Gentiles is not required the law given by Moses?
No. They are saved by grace through faith, and not of works - Ephesians 2:8,9.
The Need of Obedience for Immortal Life
209. Cannot the immortal life of the body be obtained without keeping these laws?
No. All must be kept to be perfect; we must neither add, nor diminish - Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Matthew 5:17,18.
210. Then the New Testament shows this also?
Yes. Jesus says: "Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 5:19.
211. Any other passage?
Yes. James says: "Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" James 2:10.
212. How is that?
Because "the transgression of the law is sin" and "the wages of sin is death" 1 John 3:4; Romans 6:23.
213. Should the church of Israel fear the sneers or opinions of mankind, while trying to keep these laws?
No. For God says: "Hearken unto me ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings" Isaiah 51:7.
214. Should they not rather rejoice?
Yes. For Jesus says: "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward" Matthew 5:11,12.
215. In what words does Paul pray for those who shall attain the redemption of the body?
He says: "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24.
216. Why in all these answers do we refer to the Scriptures so often?
Because all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works - 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
217. What does Paul say about the study of the Scriptures?
He says: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2:15.
218. How do the Scriptures want dividing?
The Scriptures relating to the redemption of the body, require dividing from those relating to the salvation of the soul.
219. How is this to be done?
By taking "here a little, and there a little" and "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" Isaiah 28:9,10; 1 Corinthians 2:12,13.
Prayer - Its Nature and Importance
220. What is prayer?
The earnest desire of the heart, offered to God.
221. Should prayer be heard, or seen by another, or be in secret?
It should be in secret; for Jesus says: "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" Matthew 6:6.
222. What is meant by the closet and the door?
The closet is the heart; and the door, the mouth - Hebrews 4:12; Micah 7:5; 1 Samuel 16:7.
223. What is meant by "praying without ceasing" and "being instant in prayer"?
He is always at prayer, whose heart is always earnestly desiring to keep God’s commandments, in all he may think, speak, or do.
224. What do the Scriptures say is the whole duty of man?
Solomon says: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" Ecclesiastes 12:13.