The Apostle's Benediction.
By W. N. Glenn
“THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 2 Cor. 13:14. These are the three grand requisites of the Christian. With these at his command, what need he fear? The fact that an inspired apostle prayed for these for the church, is evidence that they may be had for the asking. Then, if we undertake to run the race in our own strength, when such help is available, whose fault is it if we go stumbling along to the end, and finally fail? NOTE the fact, that there is no invocation to the Virgin Mary, or any of the departed spirits of prophets or disciples of Christ. Although Moses and Elias, and those whose graves were opened simultaneously with that of the Lord, were doubtless known to the apostle to be in Heaven, yet he makes no appeal to them. This was not a doctrine of the church in that day. When John fell at the feet of an angel to worship him, he was promptly checked: “See thou do it not, for I am thy fellow-servant, . . . worship God.” THE worship of saints, and communion with spirits of the dead, and all kindred doctrines, are the inventions of the “mystery of iniquity,” of which the same apostle prophesied in his second letter to the Thessalonians; and which we see developed in these days. The only spirit ever commissioned from Heaven to lead the church, and teach them all things, is the Holy Spirit—the Comforter. John 14:26. All other teaching is antichrist. None but “itching ears” could desire to hear the truth of God in any other than his appointed way. Grant us the prayer of this benediction, and we are content.
W. N. GLENN.