The Church a Unit by Francis Gould

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1872

The Church a Unit.

By Francis Gould

BIBLE truth is a unit. The plan of salvation harmonizes in all its parts. People of every age who have accepted the terms of salvation by “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,” and have lived up to the precepts and commandments of God, according to the best light they have had, constitute a church unit. The apostle has reference to this class of people when he says, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.” Eph. 2: 20, 21.

Notwithstanding we, as a people, may be agreed and united in theory on all the essential points of Bible truth which may be applicable to our case, yet unless we work and act in harmony and union among ourselves in carrying out the principles which we believe and profess, we shall fail to reach that degree of peace and union in the church which the Lord requires. When the subjects of an earthly government, in all its various departments, labor in unison to promote and carry out its laws and principles, it becomes a peaceful and happy government. But, on the other hand, when its subjects are not willing to obey its laws, but become rebellious; disorder, confusion, and anarchy, reign. If this be true in relation to earthly governments, it may also be true in its application to God’s government.

Peace, union, and order, constituted the first great law of Heaven; and before the fall it is said that the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. Job 38:7. All was peace and harmony. No discordant note was heard, no jargon, no contention. But soon Satan became dissatisfied with his position, and rebelled against the order and government of Heaven; but God cast him, and his wicked associates, down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto the Judgment.

The spirit of rebellion and self-exaltation which has been handed down to our race for six thousand years by the great author of sin, has probably been one of the greatest causes of so much contention, animosity, and division, in the church. The same principle manifested itself among God’s people in the wilderness, and the same prevails more or less in the church now. We have evidently come into a time as shown by the fulfillment of prophecy and signs of the times, when we have every reason to expect that our probationary state will soon close, and we be called to render up our account according to our deeds. And as we near the end it is our specific work to labor to overcome our sins, that we may bring forth in our lives the peaceable

fruits of righteousness, and acknowledge our allegiance to the righteous government of Heaven. “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:18. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6: 7, 8.

The foundation of the Christian’s hope is love. The ten commandments of God are the embodiment of love. We are called upon to measure ourselves by this perfect rule, by loving God with all our soul, might, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. Christ loved the church and gave himself for it; and if we reciprocate that love and work in harmony with him, we shall be presented to him a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.

God has shown us in his word that through the Spirit of God this work is carried on by human instrumentality. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Eph. 4: 11–13. Upon this point the apostle still adds: “Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given unto us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Rom. 12: 6–8.

A set of machinery is said to be perfect when it is in good running order, and is in harmony with itself. The gospel machinery is always in harmony with itself and with God when those who run it keep themselves humble, and let love be the ruling principle of the mind. I have been convinced of this one fact, that when rulers in the church are arbitrary and exacting in their measures of rule and government, the church in which they are placed does not generally prosper. It is a true saying that “like begets like;” and I am satisfied, by observation and experience, that a greater part of all the difficulties which arise in the church can be settled by the parties concerned, by exercising a spirit of love and forbearance toward each other. If force must be used, let it be done in the spirit of meekness. “He that winneth souls is wise.” The great Shepherd of the sheep has set the example: “He that entereth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice.” John 10: 2–4. He did not drive them, but went before them, and gently led them out, and they did not fear to follow in his footsteps.

I would say, in conclusion, that my heart beats in unison with the plan of salvation and the people of God. May we all seek to find our proper place in the church here, and finally a place in that spiritual building, that will soon come together without the sound of the ax or the hammer.

FRANCIS GOULD.

Stone, Vt.