p. 7 | THE TRUE CHURCH by H. P. H.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 24, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 38.

THE TRUE CHURCH.

By H. P. H.

Its Attitude towards Heresy and Heretics.

BY H. P. H.

The true church is the body of Christ. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Cor. 12: 27. See also Rom. 12: 5 and Eph. 5: 30. While we are the members of the body of Christ, who is the head? This is made very plain in many passages, thus: “Christ is the head of the church,” Eph. 5: 23. “And hath put all things under his feet; and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body,” Eph. 1: 22, 23. See also chap. 4. 15. As all members of the body are directed by the head, so all members in the true church are directed by Christ, the head. The members of the physical body are connected with the head by certain mediums called nerves. So the members of the body of Christ are connected with Christ, the head, by the Spirit. Sever the nerve connecting the arm with the head, and the arm drops helpless and can do nothing. The muscles may be strong and perfect, but independent of the head, they are powerless. Even so, any member of the church, if ever so perfect in outward appearance, is helpless if severed from Christ; for he says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” John 15: 5.

The church of Christ is his representative in the world. It is to continue the work which he began. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as the God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5: 18-20. Christ’s only mission to the world was to reconcile sinners unto God. As he was sent by the Father, so we, his members, are sent into the world. John 17: 18. Hence in his work, we can see our work; as he suffered, so are we to suffer; and as he treated sinners, so are we to treat them.

The principle upon which Christ acted is best expressed in these words: “And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12: 47. Christ’s words were spirit and life, and would have brought salvation to all that accepted them. He died for all, tasted death for every man, for the express purpose of saving him; and then having paid the infinite price, he offered eternal life as a free gift to all. But if man rejected the perfect gift, Christ did not denounce him as an ungrateful wretch, and pronounce upon him the sentence of condemnation. He could not do this, for he loved the sinner. As a sinner, man is already condemned, and will surely die if he does not accept the proffered pardon. John 3: 18. He does not need any more condemnation. What would be the nature of the being that would heap more condemnation on him in this condition? It would be like torturing and adding agony to one already sentenced to death. The Saviour’s heart of love never could do this. He could but weep over those that rejected the proffered mercy. Luke 19: 41, 42.

Christ’s attitude towards the sinner is expressed in his treatment of the woman taken in sin. It was man’s nature to condemn her, to stone her. But Christ laid down the principle: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8: 7. Accordingly, those that are sinners, can not condemn a fellow man for sin; and as all are sinners, no man can ever condemn another. But, when our sins are forgiven, and we are made righteous, then can we condemn the sinner? Here again Christ is our example. When left alone with the woman, he said: “Neither do I condemn thee. Go, and sin no more.” John 8: 11. That the woman had grievously sinned was never questioned; yet Christ, who was sinless, would not condemn her. But how many of his professed followers feel justified in condemning, and even punishing, those that have sinned. And how many that do not openly express it, carry condemnation in the heart, and that sometimes before they are sure of the person’s guilt.

When the Samaritans would not receive Christ, the disciples desired to destroy them by fire from heaven; but Christ promptly rebuked them, saying: “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9: 55, 56. Christ came to save, not to destroy. There is one that is the destroyer; and he is called “the accuser of our brethren.” Rev. 12: 10. Those that desire to accuse and destroy are of his spirit.

The members of the true church can have no other mind or disposition than that of Christ, for he is the head, and in one body there can be but one mind. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2: 5. The mind or disposition of Christ was not to accuse the sinner; no, not even Satan himself. Jude 9. Christ might have brought many hard accusations against Satan, for he was the author of all sin, and had caused all woe, while man is but the instrument of sin. But it was not the mission of Christ to accuse; and his mind rules the true church.

The mission of Christ was to seek and save that which was lost. This work is beautifully illustrated by the parables of the prodigal son, the lost sheep, etc. He does not harshly treat those that stray from the fold, but follows them and in tenderness seeks to bring them back. He is love, and hence can treat the erring only in love. The nature of man is to destroy those that will not be corrected. This spirit is what led to the many martyrdoms. But nothing of this is found in the life of Christ; and he being the head of the true church, nothing of this kind will be found in it.

Many that heard the words of Christ not only rejected them, but they persecuted him, hired false witnesses against him, accused him of having the spirit of the devil, and finally put him to death. All this time Christ had power to bring upon them the speedy destruction which their extreme cruelty and hypocrisy deserved; but he never used this power; he did not have the disposition to; he did not come to condemn or destroy,

but to save; and if men would not be saved, he had no other mission to them. “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not.” 1 Peter. 2: 23.

Therefore, as Christ’s representatives go forth preaching the Gospel, “holding forth the word of life,” if people do not accept it, they will not condemn them, and even seek to punish them as heretics. The natural man can not endure contradiction. He at once condemns those that do not agree with him; and if it is within his power he compels the opposers to submission, or destroys them. And if he is ashamed or too hypocritical to do this openly, he does it indirectly, most commonly through the state or civil laws, so that it may seem that they are not punished for their religion, but as civil offenders; and thus the real motive and true character of the act are covered up under the state mantle. The spirit to thus treat those who do not agree with us is especially true in cases of difference in religious opinions, as is illustrated by the adherents of every false religion. They have continually accused and condemned one another; and, when circumstances admitted, have engaged in wars of extermination.

The religion of Jesus Christ alone is tolerant. Every false church is intolerant; but the true church is ever tolerant, not only to members but to non-members; to progressive spirits and backsliders, to those that agree with her, and to those that oppose her; she has condemnation for none, but love for all; she can treat all, enemies and friends, only in love, for Christ, her head, is love.

Are you a member of the true church? Is there condemnation in your heart for the brother that is weak, and has been taken in the subtle snare of sin? for those that do not agree with you in religious belief and oppose you? for those that despitefully use you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely? Or do you really love all such? Your answer will determine whether you are a member of the true church of Christ or not. Every one by looking into his own heart may know this for himself.

Basle, Switzerland.