Its Provision for the Development of a Holy and Perfect People by Ole Andres Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 24, 1914

Its Provision for the Development of a Holy and Perfect People

By Ole Andres Olsen

The Fullness of the Gospel — No. 1

Its Provision for the Development of a Holy and Perfect People

O. A. OLSEN

[In sending forth the twelve disciples to teach and to preach, Christ endowed them with power and authority to meet every need of humanity. They were commissioned to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils; freely they had received, and as freely they were to give. See Matt. 10: 7, 8; Luke 9: 1, 2.

When Christ was about to leave the world and return to the Father, he repeated the original commission, giving it a world-wide application. He said: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16: 15-18.

The human family is suffering from the effects of sin. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only remedy that can fully meet every requirement and bring the help and relief so much needed by suffering humanity. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Rom. 1: 16. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4: 12.

When the disciples were first sent forth to preach the gospel, they were also instructed to heal the sick and to cast out devils. All the ills and sufferings of humanity are the result of sin: therefore it is most natural that the gospel that brings salvation from sin, should also heal the sick. On one occasion they brought to Christ “a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” “For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?” Matt. 9: 2, 5. Thus the healing of the sick is a part of the ministry of the gospel.

For carrying forward the gospel ministry, “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12: 28. All these gifts are needed in the church for the work to be done. While “there are diversities of gifts,” still it is all by the same Spirit, for “it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

In the work of Christ, we have an illustration of a complete ministry. He preached, he healed, he fed the hungry, and he ministered comfort to the sorrowing. He did just what the occasion called for.

We have entered the time of the closing work of the gospel in the earth. The great advent movement set forth in the wonderful threefold message of Rev. 14: 6-12, is being fulfilled. Great light is shining forth from the sacred pages of God’s Book, and as a people we are in the enjoyment of great blessings. Early in our experience our attention was called to the principles of health reform as an important factor in the work of developing perfection of character preparatory to the coming of the Lord.

Anciently the Lord gave his people very definite instruction as to how they should conduct themselves. They were commanded not to follow the ways and habits of the heathen nations about them. Lev. 20: 22-26. Israel was to be holy unto the Lord, and therefore they were not to eat and drink and do as the heathen nations about them. Their eating and drinking and their general conduct were to reveal their holy character. The Lord also promised them health, on condition of implicit obedience: “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Ex. 15: 26. “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.” “And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.” Deut. 7: 6, 15. “And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” Ex. 23: 25.

Thus the Lord, in his dealing with his special people Israel, not only gave them instruction regarding their worship, their sacrifices, and how to obtain forgiveness of sin (see Leviticus 4, 5, and elsewhere), but he also gave them very definite instruction concerning their physical well-being, that, as God’s chosen people, they might, both in holiness of character and in physical development, reflect the glory of God. Ps. 105: 37. He also fed them with the best food: “And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.” Ps. 78: 24, 25.

God has now set his hand the second time to gather the remnant of his people: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people.” Isa. 11: 11.

Anciently God called his people out of Egypt. They were not allowed to obey God there, so he called them out that they might serve him. Ex. 4: 22, 23; Ps. 105: 43, 45. God’s people are to bear his own character. Lev. 20: 26.

Now the Lord is again making a special call, this time out of Babylon. Babylon has fallen, and become the very habitation of wickedness: hence the call

(Rev. 18: 2, 4), “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

God’s people are not to follow or pattern after the world any more now than in ancient time: “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6: 17, 18. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7: 1. “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1: 16.

The remnant of God’s people are to be known as those “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12: 17); and “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19: 10).

Again the Lord is calling the attention of his people to these health principles in a most emphatic manner; and the reason given is the same, namely, to “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor. 6: 20. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises [“virtues,” margin] of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2: 9.