NONESSENTIALS by John M. Hopkins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 12, 1901

NONESSENTIALS

By John M. Hopkins

JOHN M. HOPKINS

(West Port, Minn.)

When we urge a strict conformity to the plain teaching of God's word,—the observance of the seventh day instead of the first as the Sabbath; baptism by immersion instead of the man-made substitutes, sprinkling and pouring; or obedience to the teaching of Jesus in the matter of feet-washing, as found in John 13,—we are often told that these questions are “nonessential.” “It is not necessary to be so particular in these matters. The Lord is not particular.”

We are shocked at the idea that men, teachers of the Word, and ministers of the gospel, will take such positions. To say that a thing is “nonessential,” is equivalent to saying that it is not important, and is of little or no consequence. We wonder how any man can be so presumptuous, how any man can dare so to trifle with the word of God; for it is written, “Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Ps. 138: 2.

We ask, Has the Lord spoken foolishly? Shall we, dare we, charge the Lord with folly? Has He not declared, “Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar”? Prov. 30: 6. And again, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Rev. 22: 18, 19. It is dangerous to trifle with the Lord. He has not spoken in vain. He said just what He meant, and He meant just what He said. Every command, and admonition, and promise of His word is sure and sacred.

Do we regard any word of the Lord as nonessential? Does not the Lord speak to us plainly in regard to paying an honest tithe? Do we not act as if we thought this a “nonessential”? “Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.” 1 Sam. 2: 3. By neglect in this matter we treat that part of the Bible and the Testimonies as “nonessential.”

And how about the matter of diet, bathing, ventilation, prayer, the study of the Word—are these “nonessentials”? The Bible and the Testimonies speak expressly on these points.

How about dress, jewels, finger rings, gold vest chains, etc.? Think about these things, and remember that “happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” Rom. 14: 22.