p. 117 | Consistency by R. F. C.

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 18, 1878

Consistency.

By R. F. C.

TRUTH is consistent with itself; it never contradicts itself. If men would keep this in view, they would be more successful in arriving at truth.

I have before me a paper entitled, The Brethren at Work. In its prospectus it says it recognizes the New Testament as the only infallible rule of faith and practice. This being the only rule, and that infallible, the Old Testament could be of little or no importance as a guide. Yet the copy before me contains an article entitled, "The literal meaning of the inspired precepts our only safe guide in religious faith and practice," in which some good things are said of the Old Testament. The writer quotes 2 Pet. 2:19-21, and Rom. 15:4, upon which he comments as follows: "Notice then, we have a sure word of prophecy. Is it not therefore certain and reliable? We have a Word 'unto which we do well to take heed,' and these things were 'written for our learning' May we not therefore understand them? We have a Word that 'shineth as a light in a dark place.' Need we therefore abide in darkness?"

He then proceeds to quote 2 Tim. 3:16, 17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God," &c., and makes the following remarks:—

"But since it is 'profitable for doctrine,' it may be understood; since 'for reproof,' no sin need go unrebuked; since 'for correction,' all error may be exposed and abandoned; and since 'for instruction in righteousness,' we need not remain ignorant of any part of our whole duty; all, is suited to furnish the 'man of God,' not partially in things of doubtful character, but 'thoroughly unto all good works.' 'The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.' Ps. 19:7, 8. 'The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.' Ps. 12:6. 'All His commandments are sure.' Ps. 111:7. 'His Word is true from the beginning.' Ps. 119:160. 'All the words of His mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that seek knowledge.' Prov. 8:8, 9.

"Hence, I maintain that the semi-infidely that accepts just so much of the Word as suits it, and rejects the rest, converts 'the truth of God into a lie,' is one of the most treacherous foes with which true Christianity has to contend. Paul commended the Bereans because they tested the preaching of his day by Scriptural examination. 'They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.' Acts 17:10. They could decide the character even of the apostolic teachings by comparing them with what had been written, which was plain enough for them to understand."

Now let it be noticed that all these testimonies of the New Testament concerning the Scriptures, refer to the writings of the Old Testament; for the New was then only being written. When Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures," not a word of the New Testament was written. The "sure word of prophecy," and the things "written afore time," for "our learning," were contained wholly in the Old Testament. The Scriptures which are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness, and that are able to make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, were the Holy Scriptures which Timothy had known from his youth, and which were able, through faith in Christ, to make him wise unto salvation. 2 Tim. 3:15. With the writer, I see no need that we should "remain ignorant of any part of our duty." One of old said, "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13.

The testimony concerning the "perfect" law of the Lord, and the law itself, were both written in the Old Testament. The testimony that, "All his commandments are sure," and that "they stand fast forever and ever," was written by an ancient man of God who spoke as he was moved by the Holy Ghost." The Scriptures which the Bereans searched daily to "decide the character even of apostolic teachings," were the Scriptures of the Old Testament only.

But all this detracts nothing from the New Testament. The word of the Lord is of equal weight, whether found in the Old, or the New. It harmonizes with itself. We say, Give us a whole Bible. But why does The Brethren recognize the "New Testament as the only infallible rule?" There is one reason, and only one that I know of, or can conjecture; and that is, That the "perfect law has one commandment that it does not want. One of its editors has published a tract in which he falsely claims that the old covenant "consisted of the ten commandments, with the ceremonial law, or ordinances, added," and that the writings of "Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter and Jude," are the new covenant. On his title page he has, "The law and the gospel contrasted. The law imperfect; the gospel perfect, hence, the Christian's only rule of faith. The Sabbath of the law not in force."

Thus he squarely contradicts the inspired Psalmist, who says: "The law of the Lord is perfect;" and this with the evident object of getting the Sabbath commandment out of that law. And it is equally contradictory of the words of the Lord Jesus, who said: "The Sabbath was made for man," and "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law."

Again we say, Truth is always consistent with itself. But those who teach the abolition of the moral law, the ten commandments, are continually contradicting themselves, and also the words of the living God. They seem to be bereft of reason. Would that they might come to their senses, discover their blindness and not come to the judgment with a lie in their right hand. Isa. 44:20. R. F. C.