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RIGHT PRINCIPLES

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 20, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 19.

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RIGHT PRINCIPLES.

By M. C. W.

THERE are certain underlying principles and truths upon which the plan of salvation and God’s dealings with man are based. These principles are plain and unequivocal. Interpreting the Bible in agreement with them, a divine and beautiful harmony pervades the whole. Ignoring them, one is left to drift and be blown about with “every wind of doctrine.” Men’s creeds have been begotten of their desires, and isolated texts of Scripture have been warped into service to sustain error. Honest and truth-loving people come in contact with some of these plausible theories and accept them without a thorough examination. They soon meet with other “theories” and “views,” which appear just as plausible, and not knowing the way to test them, become unsettled in faith and doctrine. Doubts as to the inspiration of the Bible, or parts of the Bible, next follow.
And is not this one of the reasons why there are so many “reeds shaken by the wind”? People are not educated in the principles of Bible truth—the principles of Christianity. The fault does not lie in the inability of the people to comprehend these principles; for many of them talk volubly and intelligently in defense of some erroneous theory ten times as difficult to comprehend as the truth. The fault lies in their education, in the preaching of the present day. Were the people instructed in some of the simple foundation principles,—the main doctrines, the frame-work of religion,—the church would be able to withstand the last-day errors of the world’s conversion, Spiritualism, the Age-to-Comeism, and the hundred and one theories concerning the restoration of the Jews. But these are pleasing doctrines to the unregenerate heart, and thousands are falling into line under the banner of soul-destroying error. All who are familiar with the mass of the people know that the above is strictly true. Many believe what they believe the Bible teaches, but can bring no proof for their positions which is in harmony with the principles of divine government or common justice. Men have become alarmed at the “dogmatic” teaching of Roman Catholicism, and have swung to the other extreme—not that of Christian liberty, but beyond, to the domains of license. And the looseness of interpretation, the multitudes of beliefs and theories so dividing and distracting Christendom to-day, have resulted from the neglect to follow in the simple, plain, positive precepts of the word of God.
Upon few subjects are there, perhaps, more erroneous ideas than that of the return of the Jews to Palestine, the restoration of their ancient rites and privileges, and the evangelization of the nations through them. We believe that in the Christian dispensation there are no special blessings for the Jews as a nation, according to the flesh. Below are some of our reasons for believing we do.
1. The New Testament plainly states that all are on an equality in this dispensation. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11. “The middle wall of partition” between Jews and Gentiles has been “broken down” by Christ, and all are one in him. Eph. 2:13-15.
2. That God regards men not by their nationality, but by their faith, is shown by the fact that righteousness was imputed to Abraham through his faith, while in uncircumcision, “that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised.” Rom. 4:9-12.
3. The term “Israel” is not applied to the seed of Jacob according to the flesh alone. “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Rom. 2:28, 29. Verse 26 states that “if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law,” his uncircumcision shall be counted for circumcision. Again, “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel; neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children; but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” Rom. 9:6, 7. Now notice the apostle’s explanation of the above: “That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Verse 8.
4. The very origin of the name “Israel” would indicate that its primitive significance was a spiritual one. Jacob was the name according to the flesh, Israel was the name denoting character. It was given at the great crisis of Jacob’s life. His strong pleading with faith prevailed with God. No longer is he Jacob, the supplanter, but Israel, the prince. Gen. 32:28. And all who by faith in Christ—the Seed—prevail with God, are among the true Israel of God, whether they be Jew or Gentile, bond or free, Ethiopian or Caucasian. Afterward the names Jacob and Israel are used interchangeably, referring to both the houses of Israel. Thus all who accept of Christ by faith are adopted into the family of Israel. And mankind can become partakers of the promises in no other way. He must, if he becomes a child of God, and a member of the church of Christ, come in through Israel, and become one of Israel. Eph. 2:10-20.
The foregoing is but a part of the evidence that might be adduced on the above position. It is plain and positive. It does not admit of opposite interpretations. The texts cited are inspired commentaries on the promises of God to his people of all nations. It is to these plain, positive principles we must bring all other declarations."But," says one, "what of the promises to Israel?" We believe that all the promises to Israel in the word of God can be consistently harmonized with the above unequivocal, emphatic statements of the apostle Paul in one of three ways.
1. Many of the promises for the restoration of Israel were fulfilled to the literal Israel in the return from the Babylonian captivity.
2. God’s promises to Israel, his covenant with them, and his decrees concerning nations, are conditional, based on the moral course pursued by those to whom his promises are made, or concerning whom his decrees are given. Ex. 19:5; Jer. 17:7-10, et al.
3. The ultimate and complete fulfillment of the prophecies respecting Israel and their inheritance will be realized only when the Prince of the house of David shall come to reign over a purified and redeemed earth, when all the Israel of God—those who have prevailed through faith in Christ, the Seed—shall be gathered out of all nations and kindreds and tongues and people. Then all Israel shall be saved.
Our space and time forbid that we should pursue the subject further at this writing; but we believe that here are principles laid down which will harmonize conflicting opinions, and help those who will follow them in the interpretation of the word of God upon this question, to avoid the dangerous and delusive errors so prevalent in the Christian world.