Formation of a Hebrew-Christian Alliance
By F. C. GILBERT
We certainly have come to the time spoken of in the Scriptures when alliances and federations are being formed everywhere (Isa. 8: 9-13); but it seems strange that Hebrew Christians, those who have claimed to be freed from the bondage of tradition and rabbinical fetters, should form an alliance such as was recently brought into existence in New York City. The meeting was called to convene in New York City April 6-9, and it was requested by the committee in charge that all Jewish Christians be present, and especially those who are at work for the Jewish people in this country. There were present at that meeting Jewish Christians from many parts of North America, and some from England. Quite a number of denominations were represented. The specific object of the meeting, as expressed by the chairman and several others, was to form an alliance of Hebrew Christians in America. The reason given for the formation of this alliance was to show the Jews in this country that there are many who believe that Jesus is the Messiah, that Judaism as a moral force was a nullity, and that a greater power must be put forth to convince the Jews in this country that they ought to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. From remarks which were made at the convention it was evident that there were other purposes for this movement in the minds of some, and we can see why we may not join their forces. They specified certain doctrines necessary to believe, but the fundamentals of present truth, the very kernel of the third angel's message, they had no use for, neither did they care to fellowship with either the doctrines or the followers of such teachings. The Sabbath, one of the corner stones of Bible teaching both of the Old Testament and the New, was not touched upon, only as it was looked upon as all other teachings given to Israel which had in a large measure become obsolete. Many of the Jewish Christian workers regard the Sabbath question as a stumblingblock to them in their work; but this does not matter so much to them if they can only hold their ground with popular evangelical Christianity. They do not wish to say or do anything to offend so-called evangelical religion. We were indeed glad to learn, from talks with several of these missionaries, that our people in all parts of the land have presented to them our views of the Sabbath and its relation to the gospel. We could see that they are troubled about it. They find that they cannot give any reason why they should not keep the Sabbath, for Jesus himself kept it and was with the Father when it was made. Then, again, they are confronted with this question when they seek to evangelize the Jews. Some of the missionaries at the convention were surprised that I was identified with Seventh-day Adventists. I tried to show them that this blessed third angel's message is the only message that can reach the Jews, if they will but believe and recognize it. A request was made by this alliance to become part of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, and one morning four of the prominent workers of this federation were present, and told what they would try to do to help in this Jewish cause. The whole movement of the alliance was toward a popular Christianity, rather than a seeking of God to know how to present the truth of God to the Jews in a manner which will lead them to the Saviour. We thank God for the third angel's message, and we are still persuaded that the Jew can be reached only through present truth. The Sabbath appeals to him, and health reform appeals to him; the only fulfillment of all the prophecies of the Bible is Jesus, and this the Jew will come to recognize when he understands that true Christianity is the same religion that God gave to Israel of old, only it has a fullness in the life of the Holy Messiah that it could never have had in days gone by. We regret that the Jewish Christian missionaries have formed this alliance, as we feel sure that it will not greatly help the evangelization of the Jews, and it will not be of any benefit to the Jewish workers themselves, if they desire to preach a pure gospel to the Jewish brethren. A number of the Jewish Christian workers and believers did not join this alliance, and we hope that many more will yet see what may be involved in it.