Not To Be Disregarded

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · May 21, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 20.

Not To Be Disregarded.

AN institution or an ordinance established or appointed by God himself for his people must have transcendent claims to practical recognition. The Christian church is such an institution, and all who regard themselves as Christians should unite with it and continue in it as consistent members. The possibility of being as good a Christian out of the church as in it may be asserted, but it cannot be proved; and the result of all observation is anything but assuring in regard to the validity of such a claim. Often has the experiment been unsuccessfully made. The reason is obvious. It is not according to the divine plan for Christians to be with the world, instead of in the church. Remaining out of the church involves disobedience to the most imperative commands of the supreme Lawgiver, and deprives those so doing of invaluable privileges.

Those who would cleave unto the Lord should not only unite with the church, but they should give the church the first place in their interest and in their endeavors, caring and doing more for it than any other claimant. If anything must be neglected, let it not be the church; if any meetings must be given up, let them not be those of the church. Never should it be forgotten that the church is a divine institution, and has claims vastly superior to those of any other organization. Whatever comes in competition with it should be regarded with suspicion. It should never be secondary; but always first. Of weighty import is the consideration that there will always be a church, while this cannot be said of any other association. Those who will find the church triumphant, hereafter, in Heaven, will not then and there find any temperance society, or other mutual benefit or benevolent fraternity, or order or lodge, or club, of whatever name. This comparison is not for the disparagement of many other worthy and really excellent bodies, but simply for presenting a distinguishing fact concerning the church, showing its pre-eminence and establishing its superlative claims.

To cleave unto the church is to cleave to its divinely appointed ordinances, the most prominent of which are baptism and the Lord's supper, the one being initiative and the other commemorative, but both positive, as requirements of the great Head of the church. As there is a command to repent and believe, so, also, there is a command to be baptized, and there is that other command, "Do this in remembrance of me." The converts on the day of Pentecost honored the Lord by obedience to these commands, and it is difficult to see how they could have done otherwise in loyalty to their Lord. To neglect the ordinances will never be found a help to any one in cleaving unto the Lord, as enjoined; but on the other hand, such a neglect is almost sure to be followed by a separation from, and a forsaking of, the Lord. They know not what they do, who presume to consult their own inclinations and preferences regardless of a "thus saith the Lord," respecting the steps to be taken after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Poor evidence is thus afforded as to having actually submitted to him in total self-surrender and entire consecration. Not to "do his commandments," in these particulars, is not encouraging as to ever hearing him say, "Well done."

Many may speak lightly, or worse than lightly, of the church, and treat it accordingly; they may make little or no account of gospel ordinances, as though their observance were not at all obligatory; yet the worthy disciple of the supreme Master will say with the ancient servant of God, "Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments." But assuming to be a Christian, and yet having no respect unto the two leading Christian commandments,—to be baptized, and to remember Christ at his table,—has no promise of exemption from being ashamed.—The Watchman.