Belief of the Truth

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 22, 1907

Belief of the Truth

Editorial

Belief of the Truth

THERE is a great difference between assenting to a creed and believing the truth as it is in Jesus. We may acknowledge that a certain statement of doctrine is in harmony with the teaching of the Scriptures, but it may exert no more influence to change our manner of life than to acknowledge the conclusion of a demonstration in geometry or to sign the constitution of a debating society. To believe the truth as it is in Jesus means to submit to the righteousness of God, an experience which will be manifested in bringing forth the fruits of righteousness. To teach this message as a creed will result in establishing churches composed of those who profess the truth with their lips, but deny it in their lives, and thus false witness is borne concerning the vital worth of the message. All gospel truth centers in Jesus, and is revealed in him. To believe the truth and to believe on Jesus ought to be simply different forms of expression for the same experience. Let this be manifest in our teaching and in our living.

All in Christ

THE apostle Paul went among those who were in the darkness of heathenism, and raised up churches of believers who had accepted the whole truth. Those who had formerly worshiped idols became worshipers of the living and true God, made known to them as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. It must be that, they held correct views upon all the essential doctrines of Christianity; they learned to observe the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; they understood concerning the priesthood of Christ and the services of the heavenly sanctuary; they became acquainted with the truth concerning the nature of man and the gift of life and immortality; they became established in present truth. But all this was accomplished simply by preaching Christ to them. Thus Paul writes to the Corinthian church: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” There is in this experience a lesson for us. We can establish churches which will be sound in the present truth by preaching Christ only and him crucified. If we have not yet learned how to do this, we need to learn the message as it is in Jesus. This threefold message is the everlasting gospel.