do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?’”—Gal. 2:11-14.

DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY REMAINS OPEN

Here the apostle Peter was publicly reproved, and rightly so, for Peter was not walking straight according to Christian faith and morals. Fear of men was again influencing Peter as it had done when he denied Jesus three times on the night of betrayal by Judas Iscariot. (Matt. 26:31-35, 69-75; Mark 14:27-31, 66-72; Prov. 29:25) It was as if Peter was trying to use the second of the keys of the kingdom of heaven to shut and relock the door in the faces of the uncircumcised Gentiles. But he did not have the power to do so, for the resurrected Jesus Christ said later on: “These are the things he says who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens so that no one will shut, and shuts so that no one opens, ‘I know your deeds—look! I have set before you an opened door, which no one can shut.’” (Rev. 3:7, 8) So heaven did not agree with the course Peter was taking at Antioch. He quickly corrected his course, no doubt, in line with the counsel of his fellow-apostle Paul. This was in agreement with what Peter said when he spoke during the debate over circumcision in Jerusalem. (Acts 15:6-11) And he admitted that Paul had spoken and written correctly when he wrote in his own second letter to Christian believers:

“Consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul according to the wisdom given him also wrote you, speaking about these things as he does also in all his letters. In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unsteady are twisting, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”—2 Pet. 3:15, 16.

Peter did not consider himself an infallible pope, nor did he think he was a gatekeeper to heaven. All this is in harmony with the rest of the Bible, which teaches that Jehovah God, not Peter, is the Great Judge of his people and he uses Christ Jesus as the associate Judge with him. Also, those who do enter into the kingdom of the heavens must grasp this opportunity while on earth and must live a life of integrity. If one enters into heaven, it is because he really has followed Jesus’ footsteps on earth. To Jehovah God goes all the credit for his undeserved kindness in opening the way to the kingdom of heaven and selecting those to be Kingdom heirs with Christ. Correspondingly, to Jehovah goes the credit for arranging for the Kingdom rule of the earth and establishing his kingdom in 1914 C.E., with full blessings to begin to be poured out on mankind during this generation by his undeserved kindness.

Questions From Readers

● Must a person fulfill all vows he made to God prior to becoming a dedicated Christian?—R.J., U.S.A.

Vows are not to be treated lightly, as indicated by the Bible at Ecclesiastes 5:4-6: “Whenever you vow a vow to God, do not hesitate to pay it, for there is no delight in the stupid ones. What you vow, pay. Better is it that you vow not than that you vow and do not pay. Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, neither say before the angel that it was a mistake.”

When a person makes a solemn vow to God, he does so voluntarily, not under duress. So there should be a willingness to fulfill the vow. In view of the seriousness of the matter, the Scriptures recommend careful advance consideration of the obligations one would assume upon making a vow. Proverbs 20:25 states: “It is a snare when earthling man has rashly cried out, ‘Holy!’ and after vows he is disposed to make examination.” Hence, vows to God should not be treated lightly but should be the result of careful advance consideration, not mere emotion or momentary enthusiasm.

Marriage vows serve to illustrate these points. A person may decide that he should get married. Entering wedlock is something he does of his own volition. He acts wisely if he gives the matter advance thought, acquainting himself with the responsibilities that will be his upon entering matrimony. Then, when taking the marriage vow before God and human witnesses, he should view the vow seriously and maintain fidelity to his marriage mate. (Matt. 19:4-6) Regardless of who the marrying agent is, if the marriage is legal, his vow is binding upon him, and it continues to be binding when he becomes a dedicated Christian.

An individual may have voluntarily made some other personal vow to God in years past, prior to becoming a dedicated Christian. It was more than a mere desire or plan in his mind or expressed to a friend; it was a solemn vow to God. He was under no compulsion to make the vow. However, now he may desire to be relieved of it. He may ask someone else whether the vow is binding. But it should be realized that another person is in no position to relieve the vower of the responsibility he has taken upon himself as a result of his solemn vow to God. This is a matter between the obligated person and Jehovah God.—Rom. 14:4.

Perhaps the vow was not one required by the Bible. Nevertheless, if it did not conflict with the Scriptures, it would be proper to keep the vow, even if this presents problems in later life.

However, before learning the truth from God’s Word, a person may have made a vow to do something that conflicts with Jehovah’s will. He may become aware of this conflict as he pursues a study of the Bible. What view should he now take of this vow that does not harmonize with God’s will as expressed in the Scriptures? He must decide, but it would be an evidence of faithfulness to Jehovah to act in accord with God’s plainly stated will. This means taking positive steps, such as desisting from practices or breaking off associations that are unclean and improper from God’s standpoint. Such a display of devotion to Jehovah will result in a blessing. (2 Cor. 6:16-18) A person cannot dedicate himself to God through Christ if he does not render such a vow null and void.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

Witnesses of Jehovah God have great joy because of their relationship to him and to his anointed king, Jesus Christ. Unselfishly they endeavor to aid others to share that joy, and they do this by taking to them the faith-inspiring message of the Bible. During February, as they share-in this Christian work, they will offer to all persons the outstanding aid to Bible study, The Watchtower, with three booklets, on a $1 contribution.

TRUTH IS ITS OWN REWARD

One thing God cannot do: It is impossible for God to lie! No matter what men may do or say, God always remains true. That is because he is the God of truth. For this reason he caused a faithful servant of his to write in his own Book of Truth: “Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar.” To know truth is to receive a high reward indeed. Send for and read the 416-page book “Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie.” It is only 50c.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

March 13: The Real Parties to the New Covenant, and Benefits from God’s New Covenant Spreading Worldwide, ¶1-4. Page 105.

March 20: Benefits from God’s New Covenant Spreading Worldwide, ¶5-26, and Identifying the Present-Day Beneficiaries, ¶1-6. Page 111.

March 27: Identifying the Present-Day Beneficiaries, ¶7-34. Page 117.