p. 592 | Sensible at Last by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 1, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 37.

Sensible at Last.

By Editor

THE following we clip from the Christian Standard, a Disciple paper of Cincinnati:—

"In your issue of January 31, 'M' says in reply to 'S:' 'As sure as our God reigns, the unbeliever is exposed to that lake of fire of which Jesus so often spoke.'

'QUERY—When or where did the Saviour say this, or name gehenna to any except Jews?'

'Newton Falls, Ohio. PRESBUTEROS.'

'Pretty much all Jesus said was addressed to Jews, to the Jews of Palestine, to the Jews of the first century. But we must be careful how we seek to exclude from the sweep of his words those not directly addressed, whether they be Jews or Gentiles.

'It may help us to understand such passages as contain the word gehenna to remember that they were addressed to Jews, who were familiar with its use and origin, but it will not do to infer that Gentiles are not in danger of the same condemnation as the Jews—whatever that may be—simply because the language of Christ was not directly addressed to them. The religion of Christ regards Jews and Gentiles as being in danger of the same condemnation. Rom. 2: 8, 9.'

That is good doctrine, and in strong contrast with the idea presented by so many Disciple teachers that nothing applies to us that was spoken before the day of Pentecost. So Alexander Campbell taught that the Lord's prayer is not proper to be used in this dispensation; and the Christian Record, published by Elias Goodwin in Indianapolis, in regard to a case of church discipline, said that Matt. 18: 15-20 did not apply, as the Lord spoke these words before the kingdom was set up on the day of Pentecost! Such teachings of course ignore everything that the Lord Jesus spoke, yet they loudly proclaim, "Hear him." If this "new departure" of the Standard should be followed by the whole Disciple "kingdom," it would produce an entire reformation in their faith and practice.

We hope they will soon see and accept another point. If the Jews and Gentiles are all subject to the same condemnation, as Paul taught in Rom. 2: 8, 9, they are also amenable to the same law, as Paul taught in Rom. 2: 17-29; chapter 3 entire; and compare Matt. 21: 33-44. The "oracles of God" which the Jews received, and against which Jews and Gentiles are all sinners, and by which all the world are condemned as transgressors, are the same "lively oracles" which the first Christian martyr, Stephen, said Moses received "to give unto us." On this subject there is harmony in all the word, "the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14: 12) are the true foundation upon which all the faithful will stand.