Questions on Church Order.
By J. H. W.
A CORRESPONDENT asks:—
“Can one obey God’s commandments and refuse to commune with his neighbor? Christ says, you must love your neighbor as yourself.” ANSWER. That depends entirely on the position which his neighbor occupies. If his neighbor walked disorderly he would break a commandment if he communed with him, for Paul says with such we are “not to eat.” This can refer only to the communion, for it would be idle to suppose that we must separate ourselves so completely from him that we should not partake of ordinary food with him, but should commune with him! This order of the apostle makes it obligatory upon us to discriminate between those with whom we should, and should not, commune. True love for the erring will point out their errors. That is only a false and perverted sympathy which will do violence to the divine requirement and fasten deceptions upon those already deceived. The writer certainly takes a wrong view of the scripture, for the duty to love our neighbor is not confined to our brethren or Christians. Jesus says: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Must we therefore commune with them? Regard for the harmony of Scripture, and respect for discipline as marked in the word of God, will correct such notions which have their origin in personal feelings. Again, he asks if one can keep the commandments, and refuse his neighbor the privilege of his church, by which we suppose he means the house of worship. We answer, Yes. Not only so, but many circumstances may and do exist which make it plain duty to refuse “his neighbor” the use of a house consecrated to the service of God. The questioner sadly misapprehends the scripture, for he quotes thus: “If thy brother be thirsty give him drink.” The scripture says: “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Surely this has no reference to church privileges or to communion. Such loose ideas of discipline have ruined many churches of the present age, and will ruin those who are enlightened by the present truth, if they entertain them. To judge righteously we must not distort one text and neglect another, but receive them all in their harmony, and then the word will be a light to our path. People are sometimes bewildered by the light because their eyes are only partially opened. “We want the truth on every point.” God’s whole word, not our fancies and feelings, is the standard.