Graven Images

QUESTION: Explain Ex. 20:4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness," etc.

ANSWER: This does not forbid, as some think, sculpture and painting. The words "unto thee," taken in connection with the next prohibition of image worship, are sufficient proof that this is a prohibition of image making for idol worship only. This is clearly declared in Deut. 4:15-19, especially these words, "For ye saw no form in the day when Jehovah spake to you at Horeb." This authoritative exposition of this prohibition on the part of Moses himself demonstrates that it refers, not to pictures and statues in general, but only to symbolical representations of Jehovah. If the Arabs had properly noted this comment of Moses they could have indulged their artistic taste without straining their noddles to produce those monstrosities called Arabesques still visible on much of their wall paper.

— From Steele's Answers pp. 18, 19.

When Was Paul Entirely Sanctified?

QUESTION: When was Saul entirely sanctified?

ANSWER: The fact is more important than the date. This fact is implied in all his exhortations and prayers, for he would not have urged others to obtain what he himself had not received. Nor would he have appealed to the Searcher of hearts as he did in 1 Thess. 2:10, to witness "how holily" he was living. In Gal. 1:15 there is noted a crisis in his experience after his conversion, which may have been his entire sanctification: "But when [it] was the good pleasure of God, who separated me (unto the Gospel Rom. 1:1) from my birth, and called (regenerated) me through his grace, to reveal His Son in me," etc. This is not the revelation of Christ in his natural vision, but rather the inward manifestation of Christ to his spiritual perception quickened into life when he was born from above. No unregenerate man can have an inward revelation of Christ. This may be Paul's phrase for his entire sanctification. It corresponds with modern experiences of this grace as the writer can testify.

— From Steele's Answers pp. 17,18.

The Genealogy of Mary

QUESTION: Why should we not have the genealogy of Mary instead of Joseph, who was not an ancestor of Jesus?

ANSWER: It was the practice of the Jews to exclude the names of women from their genealogical registers and to put the husband's name instead. Mary was the daughter of Heli and Joseph was his son-in-law in Luke's list of Mary's natural descent. Matthew gives her legal genealogy. Many difficulties in respect to names of persons and the number of generations arise from the fact that some men had more than one name, and the names of bad ancestors were dropped out of the list. See Methodist Quarterly Review, October, 1852.

— From Steele's Answers p. 17.