The Faith of Jesus by GEORGE L. BUTLER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1909

“The Faith of Jesus”

By GEORGE L. BUTLER

GEORGE L. BUTLER

“HERE are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” In the preceding article some attention was given to what is meant by the term “the commandments of God,” and what it is to keep them. In this article some attention will be given to the last term, “the faith of Jesus.”

At this particular point it may be proper to call attention to the importance of thoroughly comprehending the force of these expressions in the special connection in which they are used by the revelator. The term “the commandments of God” is often used in the Scriptures, also “the faith of Jesus,” either in this exact form or equivalent expressions,

some of which we will now consider.

But the importance of these expressions as used in this particular connection is greatly augmented when we consider all the facts embodied in the third angel’s message. That message consists of two principal features, or divisions: first, a fearful warning against a system of error which has doubtless greatly affected with evil the larger part of the whole human family; a mixture of error and truth calling itself Christianity, when in fact it is a gross perversion of it. Countless millions have been deceived by it. As the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, the third angel’s message thunders its awful warning of the outpouring of the unmingled wine of God’s wrath upon that system and the so-called Protestant imitators of it. This is its final warning. Then comes its destruction.

But the message could not be complete unless the attitude of God’s true people in this solemn and testing time was also given. It is given in the brief quotation: “Here is the patience of the saints. Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Of immense importance is the use of these simple phrases in this connection. They sum up all the grand doctrines of the Old and New Testaments.

“The faith of Jesus” embraces all that body of truth revealed to us in the Bible, taught by Christ and those whom he inspired—those special servants of his who knew most of his Spirit and his teachings. This great body of theology and history here summed up as “the faith of Jesus” must of course reveal to us the scheme of redemption through our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour. “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. It is, in short, the gospel; glad tidings of salvation from sin; salvation through Christ the Son of the living God. An intelligent view of Christ our Saviour must embrace the God-given knowledge of the pre-existence of Jesus of Nazareth, by whom all worlds were created. It must also give us knowledge of his future connection with God’s work for man; his priesthood; his coming to gather into one all his people of all generations, to take them to the Father’s house above.

“The faith of Jesus” must also embrace the life-work of our Saviour here on earth, in the example he set for all those who believe on his name. It embraces the events of his death upon the cross, his dying agony, his glorious resurrection and ascension. It embraces all the truths he taught for the instruction of those who should afterward believe on him, and for the full establishment of his church on earth; in short, all the truths embraced in the canon of the New Testament.

In brief, in these two expressions, “the commandments of God” and “the faith of Jesus,” we have a comprehensive synopsis of all revealed truth contained in the Old and New Testaments, i. e., the whole canon of revelation. Is not this the broadest platform which could possibly be provided upon which the church of the last generation could stand to meet its Lord when he comes? The Lord will thus have a people who believe the Bible to be the Word of God, who regard it as the only Book of religious authority, who receive the whole Canon of Inspiration as their standard of truth, and seek to be obedient to all of God’s revealed will preparatory to the appearance of our Saviour at his second advent.

Behold the contrast between the two classes which the third angel’s message presents. Of one class it says: “Here are they which keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” These are developed by the three messages of Rev. 14:6-12, especially by the third of the series. In short, these are true worshipers of God, living up to the teaching of his Word, recognizing the authority of Old and New Testaments, believing fully what he has revealed for man’s salvation, taking Christ as their only Saviour, looking alone to him as their hope of salvation. They keep the faith of Jesus, and trust in him alone. They seek to show their love for him by keeping all of the commandments of the decalogue.

Behold the other class. They are an immense host. “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” They are the followers of the papal power. And what is that power?—It is a professed Christian body, who set tradition above the Bible; who have mixed with what little Bible truth they practise, a great mass of pagan doctrines, ceremonies, observances, and practices, thus making their system of faith far more pagan than Christian. The Bible calls that power the “man of sin,” “the son of perdition,” “who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is worshiped.” Without scruple the stanch Reformers who led out in the great Reformation applied these terms that the Bible uses directly to the Roman Church. Now their degenerate children are courting the favor of that church, and seeking to practically unite with that church in securing political power to enforce Sunday-keeping upon all who will not pay religious respect to that heathen holiday. The solemn message of the third angel is now going forth to the ends of the earth, and every soul will be tested as to whether he will give his allegiance to the man of sin or to the Lord of glory.

Partial reformations have been seen all the way along through the history of the past. God’s Word has been translated into three or four hundred languages, and scattered everywhere. Great light is shining forth among all nations. Now comes in the light of the special warning message to cast aside every rag of human righteousness and be clothed with the pure robe of Christ’s righteousness. “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” The message is going to the ends of the earth. The last call is sounding. The Lord is at the door ready to enter. Let us receive his message of love, that we may say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us.”

*Bowling Green, Fla.