p. 1 | Editorial by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 24, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 37.

Editorial.

By Editor

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable."—2 Tim. 3:16.

THE gospel of Christ comes to the world through individual hearts. It cannot be operated through a system, or through a church, independent of the persons who compose the church. It is not found in some great treasure house the key of which is controlled by some particular church. The key to God's blessings is faith, and faith means perfect submission of the will to God and the appropriation of his promises to the heart and life.

THOSE who have thus received Christ can preach his gospel; for the preaching of the gospel is the preaching of Christ, the Incarnate Word. The charge is not, Preach about the word, but, Preach the word. It is not to preach about Christ, but to preach Christ. He who has the word in his heart can proclaim the word, but he who has not the word does not know the word, and hence cannot proclaim it. So also if one does not know Christ, if he has not Christ in the heart, he cannot preach Christ. It was necessary that Christ should be revealed in Paul before he could preach Him among the heathen. Gal. 1:16.

THIS is one of the great truths which has largely slipped from the gospel of the church. There are plenty of men, able and learned, D.D.'s, A.M.'s, S.T.D.'s, etc., who are preaching flowery sermons and writing and reading fine essays about the word. They sit in judgment on its inspiration, and discourse about its "errancy" and "inerrancy." They put themselves above prophet, apostle, and Author in what they have to say about the word. In that word which is thus cut and carved and criticised is Christ, the Living Word. They know him not, and therefore they know not his word. They are deceived in believing that they are preaching the gospel when they know not the gospel, and, sadder than all else, multitudes are deceived into believing the same thing.

FROM this evil grows another. The gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." But as they do not know the gospel, they do not know its power, nor does its power follow their preaching. Men are not reformed. Morality does not increase. Ordinances of the church are not kept. Not having the word of God, not having the power of the word behind the preaching, transgression continues and multiplies within the church itself. Instead of submitting to God and his will, they substitute something which they call his will. For his power they substitute earthly power. Hence comes Sunday as an institution of "the church," though not of God. Hence comes appeal for Sunday laws, the power of the world instead of the power of God. Hence also comes the persecution of those who will not submit to human decrees. "And these things," says Christ to his true church, "will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."