Church Letters by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 6, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 18.

Church Letters

By Editor

No. 554. Church Letters.

Is THE custom of church letters, such as is now used in transferring members from one church to another, at all like the letters of recommendation which Paul gave to Tychicus (Col. 4:7, 8), and others at different times? If such custom be discontinued, how would it be possible to move from place to place and at the same time continue in the apostolic fellowship (Acts 2:42), since the spirit of immediate discernment is not apparent in the church at the present time in such measure as it was during the days of Peter (Acts 5:3, 4)?

Somewhat similar, perhaps, tho much less formal. Letters of recommendation were given at times. See 1 Cor. 16:3. The apostle's fellowship is not dependent on church letters; for "truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3. Fellowship with God means harmony with him; and if we have harmony with him, we have fellowship one with another. All, even in apostolic times, did not have discernment of spirits. See Acts 8:5-23.