BROOKLYN, N.Y., JUNE 30TH, 1942
BROOKLYN, N.Y., JUNE 30TH, 1942
Beloved Brother, — Regarding John 17: 22, I believe the verse refers to sonship. Of course, the Lord is referring to His then disciples, and they could not come into sonship, in the sense in which we have it now, until redemption was accomplished and the Spirit given. As associated with Him, they came into much — in His mind and with some feeling, too, in an anticipative way — and sonship comes under this head. Matthew 17 records that the Lord included the disciples in sonship with Himself on that ground; “give it to them for me and thee”. In the same way He associated them with Him as His brethren. This appears in all the gospels; in the heavenly sense in John; and yet all awaited the incoming of the Spirit.
Sonship is sometimes predicated of persons, because of certain conditions. In Luke 20 the Lord says, that those worthy to have part in that world and the resurrection, are “sons of God being sons of the resurrection”. And in Matthew 5 “that ye may be the sons of your Father who is in the heavens”. And in verse 9, “Blessed the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God”.
While it is true, as you say, that sonship is applied to our Lord as born, it is important to follow the statements of Scripture on this point. He “shall be called Son of God”. Generally His sonship is owned as He is in manhood or active ministry. He is proclaimed Son from heaven, and confessed Son by what came out in Him. Peter had a revelation. Psalm 2 is on the ground of birth, but announced in relation to Christ’s public service. John says, “the Word became flesh” and immediately goes on to say, “we have contemplated His glory, a glory as of an only-begotten with a father”.
In considering the works of divine Persons, it is well to include 1 Corinthians 8: 6; we for the Father, and we by the one Lord Jesus Christ; also that we are sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA
JULY 6TH, 1942 Beloved Brother, — We have had much mercy shown us in our travels, and a most cheering season with the brethren at Maywood. They had about 45 visitors, 20 or more from Indianapolis. Here in Berkeley we have had a remarkable time; 160 visitors or so, and the Lord was definitely with His people. At the readings we looked at John 18 in the first reading; Romans 12 and 13 in the second reading; Acts 2 and Nehemiah 5 in the third; Acts 10 at the fourth; and Hebrews 8: 1 - 7 and Ephesians 2: 4 - 10 at the fifth.
The subject was the present or Christian dispensation as compared with other dispensations. The thought was to bring out that it is heavenly. Mr. Markham and myself gave an address each to the saints, and I preached the gospel. The leading helpers at the readings were Messrs. Markham, Howell, McAbery, Robertson, Ferguson, Thomson and Powell. A large number attended from Los Angeles.
We travel to Los Angeles tomorrow, God willing. We hope to reach New York on Friday week.
[p. 272] We both are quite well, thank God, and greatly encouraged by the help from God we are experiencing, and what we find among the saints.
We trust Jim found much cheer in his service in Montreal. Give our love to all the brethren.
Affectionately,
James Taylor.