Questions And Answers

by N/A | Category: Questions And Answers | Mar 1943

Question No.21. What is the difference in the Holy Scriptures between the "people of God" and the "children of God"?

Answer 1. The expression the "people" or "people of God" is very frequently found in Holy Scripture. It is suggestive that the first place where we find the word is in connection with rebellion against God. Later on we find that the purpose of God was to have a "people" for Himself from among all peoples. Exodus 19. 4 and so on will be found helpful here. From the word of the Lord through Balaam we read,-" Lo, it is a people that dwell alone, And shall not be reckoned among the nations" (Numbers 23.9). In 2 Corinthians 6.14-16 we read,-" Be not unequally yoked together ... I will be their God arid they shall be My people," which clearly shews that the fulfilment of this promise depended upon the conditions being fulfilled. See also Titus 2.14 and 1 Peter 2.9. It appears also that it is impossible to be in this position of honour apart from suffering and loss. We read of Moses that he chose " rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11. 25). On the other hand the expression "children of God" seems to have no conditions attaching to it; the term children speaks of family relationship. John 1. 12 R.V. will give help here. Compare with 2 Corinthians 6.17, 18. In the Greek "children " and "sons " are different words.

Answer 2. "Children of God" is a relationship resulting from birth. "The people of God" is a relationship resulting from covenant obedience.

Question 22. In 1 Corinthians 41.29 we read,-" If he discern not the body." Is this the Body," which is the Church " or, the body of the lord?

Answer. From the context it would appear that the. Lord's body is meant. It is evident that in the Church of God in Corinth there was Some disorder in the keeping of the Remembrance, as see verse 21. Instead of setting aside the symbols in a special sad distinct way they were degrading the solemn Remembrance to the level of an ordinary meal. They were not distinguishing between the Remembrance symbols and a common meal.

N/A | Mar 1943
Questions And Answers