Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 2, 1901

1103. M. E. B. Our Lord’s Birth.— The reasons we have for believing that Jesus was not born December 25 are these: (1) At that season of the year the nights were cold, frequently with snow, and the sheep were folded; but when Jesus was born, the shepherds were with their flocks in the fields at night. Luke 2:8. (2) Jesus began His ministry when thirty years of age, about six months before He attended the first Passover. His ministry, according to prophecy and tradition, lasted three and one-half years, and He was slain at the Passover A.D. 31. His birth in that case would have been six months from the Paschal full moon, or in September or October.

1104. N. B. Forgiveness.— We are to forgive another whether he repents or not. “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25. “Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.” It is not for us, poor sinful mortals, needing God’s great forgiveness, to hold grudges or hard feelings against any. We are to hold the forgiveness continually, not to offer it unasked to any whom it will aggravate, but to respond freely if asked for; to have and to hold it whether asked for or not.