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AN INTERESTING QUESTION ANSWERED

QUESTION.—In Acts 20:28 the reading is peculiar, and seems to imply that the Father, and not the Son, was the purchaser of the race; yet this disagrees with other Scriptures. How should we understand the matter?

ANSWER.—The Diaglott translation is very much better than that of our common version, and reads, “which he hath purchased with the blood of his own”—”Son” being understood.

The question may still arise with some, In what way did the Father purchase the race? We answer, In the same way that he has been the author of the entire plan of salvation. All that our dear Redeemer has done for us has been the carrying out of the great plan of Jehovah, purposed in himself before the foundation of the world. It is in harmony with this that the Father declares himself the Redeemer, “Jehovah thy Redeemer, and the Holy One of Israel.” (Isa. 41:14; 43:14; 54:5.) Again we read, “Jehovah is my Shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1.) In like manner the Father is the Creator, although all things were made by the Son (as the Father’s agent) “and without him was not anything made that was made.”—John 1:3.

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— November 1, 1907 —