NOTHING less than obedience to the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus our pattern can insure to us salvation. The Jews expect salvation through keeping the commandments of God alone, while the mass of Gentile expounders teach that we are to be saved through the faith of Jesus alone. But either alone is insufficient.
‘The law reveals and makes us know
What duties to our God we owe;
But ’tis the gospel must reveal,
Where lies our strength to do his will.’
That it is necessary to obey both the law and gospel in order to be saved, the Scriptures abundantly teach. Our Saviour says, ‘If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments.’ Matt. xix. Paul teaches that the law is not made void through faith, but established by it. Rom. iii, 31.
If the introduction of the gospel makes void the law, why will not the introduction of one part of the gospel make other parts of it void? Some suppose it does, and thus we hear them saying that even the New Testament is full of nonessentials. One supposes that baptism is not essential to salvation, while another thinks that some other duty enjoined in the New Testament, is not essential, and another makes void some other portion of the Christian faith; and thus they accuse the Author of the Bible of dealing in nonessentials.
To show the Babel into which Protestantism has run, allow me to present their theories in the form of a dialogue. The question, What shall I do to be saved? is one which should interest every one; but truly the doctrines taught in answer to this question, well deserve the name ‘legion;’ for ‘every one hath a doctrine,’ and every one tries to answer it in Bible language. But the truth is, the question is not answered in any one place in the Bible. Mr. A. first comes forward and attempts to give a full and definite answer, and in doing this he asserts that we are saved by faith alone, (not knowing that he is disputed by the voice of inspiration, Jas. ii, 24,) and in order to prove it, he quotes, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.’ Acts xvi, 31. But Mr. B., seeing A’s failure, attempts an answer by saying, A’s doctrine is untrue and he can prove it by Paul; for he says, ‘godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation.’ 2 Cor. vii, 10. Now it makes no difference what we believe, provided we repent. Repentance is all God requires.
But Mr. C. thinking their answers are both wrong, concludes to try it himself; so he takes his Bible and opens to Rom. x, 10, and reads, ‘With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.’ There is the important thing, all others are nonessentials. While he is yet speaking, Mr. D. comes into the company and says, I am tired of these ordinances. I believe in taking the plan laid down in Luke iii, 11, ‘He that hath two coats let him impart to him that hath none, and he that hath meat let him do likewise.’ But says E., You are all wrong; just turn to the Bible and you will read, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ 1 John i, 7. Now it is impossible for any thing to save you but the blood of Christ. Mr. F., who has been listening all this time, begins to tell them of their contradictions. Now I will propose a remedy; all of you come to the Bible which says, ‘The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.’ 1 Pet. iii, 19. Now you may say what you please, baptism is the great thing after all. Just as he gets through, Mr. G. says you are all wrong yet. You can do nothing in this life which can in any way affect your future condition. Now let me prove it by Paul: ‘For by grace are ye saved.’ Eph. ii, 8. At this Mr H. joins the crowd, and says, Hear me; I will give you the Bible on the subject. Paul says we are saved by hope. Rom. viii, 24. Here Mr. I. speaks and says, I have ever been inclined to scepticism; but now I am a confirmed infidel. There have now been eight answers given to the one question, and every answer has been proved by the Bible. Now my Bible says, ‘If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments;’ this is the ninth answer, and I know not how many more can be found in the same book. I am now satisfied that the Bible is nothing but priestcraft.
But by this time Mr. K. has joined the crowd and wishes to talk with them all. Says K., This question is one of great importance, yet it is not answered in any one place in the Scriptures. There is a series of steps, by which together, we can ascend the hill of salvation; but you have them broken apart. Some of you have one step and some another. Now if you will put them together as you should, and each of you ascend every step, you will each of you be saved; but not without.
Mr. A., your step is an important one, and B. cannot step upon repentance until he has been upon yours; but you cannot gain salvation without ascending the other steps. B.’s doctrine is true, but you cannot exercise repentance toward one upon whom you do not believe. Confession is also necessary; but you will not confess Christ unless you have believed on him. Mr. D.’s doctrine of baptism is very true; it initiates us into the death of Jesus Christ; [Rev. vi, 7;] now we can wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev. vii, 14. The blood of Christ will not save us unless we go to it, and we cannot get to it without taking the steps laid down in the Scriptures. If our robes are washed in the blood of the Lamb, it will still be done by our own hands. But says Mr. G., you have not got any grace in your system. Hold on: we will show you. Does not the law justly condemn every man? It does, ‘All have sinned.’ Rom. iii, 23; and ‘the wages of sin is death;’ therefore all must die; hence if we are justified at all, it is by the grace of God, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Rom. iii, 24. Then it is through the grace of God that he spills his blood, and tastes death for every man. Heb. ii, 9.
Reader, let us die by the body of Christ; we are then prepared to keep the commandments, and enter through the gates into the city. M. HULL.