The Pharisees’ Question About Christ’s Believers
By Wm. Penniman
Have Any of the Rulers or of the Pharisees Believed on Him? John 7: 48. WHAT was the object of this question? By an examination of the chapter, we learn that there was a division among the people in regard to some of the doctrines of Christ. The Pharisees and chief priests were anxious to take Christ; and no doubt their object was to try him by this law. In the 45th, 46th, and 47th verses of the chapter, we read as follows: “Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?” The question, then, in the 48th verse was given by the Pharisees to the officers. The Pharisees and rulers were men who stood high in the estimation of the people. They were popular; and if they asked the question for information, no doubt the object was to ascertain in regard to the popularity of the doctrines which Christ taught. Certainly, if the Pharisees and rulers believed on him, it would do for them to believe. What! are you deceived in these contemptible doctrines which none of the rulers have believed? Had they known that the rulers, or any of their own sect, believed on him, they would not have been willing, or have dared, to acknowledge it. Perhaps even those self-righteous pretenders who wished to learn whether any of their own party believed on Christ, had the same kind of faith as those rulers spoken of in John 12: 42, 43: “Nevertheless, among the chief rulers many believed on him; but, because of the Pharisees, they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Their object was not to learn whether the doctrines taught were of God, but whether certain men, whom they preferred to follow instead of Christ, believed them. Are there not many now like those rulers, who dare not confess that they believe an unpopular truth, for fear they shall be turned out of the synagogue? The fear of losing some popular position, binds them with a threefold cord. They will never break away from these influences so long as they love the praise of men more than the praise of God. Alas! there is too much of this spirit manifested. How often is it the case that when our preachers visit certain places, and proclaim the “present truth,” some will inquire, What does Deacon ——, and Squire ——, and Elder ——, think of it? I verily believe thousands of this class would profess to believe the truth if some of the rulers and modern Pharisees would lead the way. Their example would take away all the cross of becoming members of an unpopular church. Men who acknowledge the truth under such circumstances, cannot withstand opposition. Men who have not mind enough to think and act for themselves, would be of little benefit to the cause should they join our ranks. Some will ever go with those who are considered great, it matters not whether they are right or wrong. Why is this? Simply because they are like a lump of clay, and can be molded into any shape in which their Pharisaic potters may wish to mold them. Others will manifest a great love for the truth, and seem to delight in its progress, and will even give of their means for its advancement; and yet they will not obey it; for, in obeying it, they would be required to sacrifice their love of popularity. A friend whom I highly esteem for his many good qualities, and who has, I think, a keen perception of the truth so far as he has investigated, once said to me, “I hope the Adventists will succeed in establishing a church in this place; but I shall not join them.” Will you not if you see it your duty? I said. He replied, “I shall not see it my duty.” As to why he would not see it his duty, I will let him answer if he happens to see these lines. Another remarked to me that he would not keep the seventh day if he knew he should lose the kingdom. And why would he not keep it? Simply because it is unpopular. So strong has this idol grown in the minds of the people, that it now holds them like an iron band, and some seem to prefer the risk of losing eternal life, rather than to become unpopular. It is said of Diogenes, the eccentric ancient philosopher, that he was seen apparently groping around in the daytime, holding a lighted candle. On being interrogated as to what he was looking for, he replied that he was seeking a man. If some modern Diogenes should look around in the same way, I fear that he would find real men, as it is said of angels’ visits, few and far between. The prophet Jeremiah, no doubt, saw the same evil when he exclaimed, “Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.” Jer. 5: 1. Men who have not the moral courage to take a position, or to seek after truth without looking to their leaders, are to be pitied, since they are mere dupes; they are not men in the true sense of the word. It is true that we should be willing to be led, and we should look to our leaders for advice; but we should not carry this so far as to lose all independence of character. Men and women who have ever accomplished much in the world, have independence of character and moral courage—qualities which are not possessed by those who do not think and act for themselves, but depend upon their leaders to think for them. The great question with the reformer is, Are these things of God? Are they elevating in their tendency, or will these doctrines make one pure and holy? This is not the question with man-worshipers, or with those who love the praise of men more than they love the praise of God. Had many of the Pharisees and rulers believed on Christ and acknowledged it, the news would have spread abroad, and his teachings would have become popular. But the pure teachings of God’s word never have been popular in any age of the world, nor will they ever be, so long as Satan controls the minds of the people. If our Saviour were personally on earth now, unostentatiously accomplishing his mission, how many of the so-called mighty men would believe on him? Some might possibly dare to call on him by night, as did Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Those who look to the wise men seem to lose sight of the language of Paul when he says, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence.” 1 Cor. 1: 26–29. How true are these words in respect to the people of this age. The doctrines of S. D. Adventists are unpopular, especially in respect to the Sabbath; and the question arises, if these doctrines are true, if the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath, why have not the learned men of the past, why do not those of the present, believe them? and why have not the reformers, such men as Luther and Wesley, taught that the seventh day is the Sabbath? In answer to these questions it can be said, that many of the learned men have admitted that the seventh day is the Sabbath, but they have not kept it; and why? The language we have quoted will explain, as not “many wise men after the flesh are called.” Paul foreseeing this very difficulty, that some would look to the great men for a pattern, exhorted his Roman brethren to mind not high things, but to condescend to men of low estate. Rom. 12: 16. How great would be the theological earthquake, should H. W. Beecher, Chapin, Spurgeon, and other theologians who stand high in the estimation of the people, embrace the Sabbath, or other unpopular truths. Truly, some would exclaim, “How are the mighty fallen!” while others would soon soften down in their opposition to the truth, and follow in the train. This is equally true in respect to the dress reform. Strong-minded and virtuous women are looked upon scornfully because they have moral courage enough to wear a dress which is healthful, becoming, and modest, and which no reasonable being can consistently condemn. Yet if this very dress had originated from a certain empress, or from some of the wives of the Pharisees and rulers, how popular it would be. The most unhealthful and immodest fashions are all right with the mass if they only have the Pharisaic sanction. In regard to the visions, some are loud in their opposition; yet this class can believe almost anything else. They can believe in heathen mythology, and ancient astrology. They believe in ancient and modern witchcraft. They believe in the Koran. They believe in Spiritualism. And lastly they believe in all unbelief. Such forget, or do not know, that the Scriptures teach that where there is no vision the people perish. Prov. 29: 18. They are ignorant of the truth that we are now living in the last days, and that in the fulfillment of the prophecies, we are now having more light on the word of God; and that the gifts are placed in the church. They, therefore, anathematize the visions; and why? Is it not because of this ignorance, and that the truths they unfold not only have too sharp an edge, but also that they uphold and substantiate the unpopular truths of God’s word? Away with this senseless worship of man, or of public opinion. Men and women, arise in your God-given strength, and dare to stand upon the broad platform of truth. Make not the love of popularity your idol. Examine yourselves and know whether you are influenced more by man than by the great truths of God’s word. Will such a course as you are taking stand the test in the Judgment? Be no longer the slaves of partyism. Let no creed, sect, position, or party, civil or religious, hinder you from embracing an unpopular truth. Be not like Naaman in looking for some great thing. Think not that “no good thing can come out of Nazareth.” Do not inquire, Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? but inquire rather, Are these things of God?