p. 7 | Oath Taking by R. T. Nash

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 9, 1916

Oath Taking

By R. T. Nash

R. T. NASH

“Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” These words, spoken by our Saviour, refer to common conversation, and not to the judicial oath. Some people in their common conversation swear by their own life, saying, “As sure as I live, I will do so,” or, “I hope to die if I don’t so do.” Others say, “As sure as there is a God in heaven, I will do as I say.” It is against this common kind of swearing that Jesus warns his disciples in Matt. 5: 33-37.

As to the judicial oath, God has sworn by himself. Gen. 22: 16. He made oath to Abraham and Isaac and to David. Gen. 26: 3; Ps. 105: 9; 132: 11; Acts 2: 30. God swore to the fathers. Jer. 11: 5. God has also required men to swear to their fellow men. Ex. 22: 10, 11.

Jesus submitted to the oath in the hour of his trial in court, when the high priest said, “I adjure thee by the living God.” Instead of reproving the high priest for thus administering to him the oath, he submitted the only truthful answer, “Thou hast said” (Matt. 26: 63, 64); “I am” (Mark 14: 61, 62).

This was Christ’s only opportunity in life to set before his disciples the Christian’s true attitude toward the judicial oath. It will be remembered that at least two of Jesus’ disciples were present on this occasion. John 18: 15, 18, 24, 25.

If Jesus, in teaching his disciples, had before condemned judicial oath taking, he would have enforced his teaching by refusing to be sworn, and would no doubt have reproved the high priest who administered the oath.

Christ is our example. Luke 9: 23. His footsteps will not lead us astray. 1 Peter 2: 21, 22.

Harvey, N. Dak.