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GOSPEL UNION

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Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Nov 25, 1851

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 2, No. 7.

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GOSPEL UNION.

Nothing is more desirable than union in the church of Christ. And there can be no permanent and scriptural union, without an agreement in views of bible truth. "Howbeit," says Jesus, "when he the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth."
"He will shew you things to come." John xvi, 13. It is the design of Heaven that the church should enjoy the Comforter fully, be led into all truth, consequently be one. One in sentiment and in action. O, what a church that would be—"the light of the world"—"a city that is set on an hill." How impressive and instructive the prayer of Jesus.
"Sanctify them through thy TRUTH; thy word is TRUTH. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the TRUTH. Neither pray I for these alone, BUT FOR THEM ALSO WHICH SHALL BELIEVE ON ME THROUGH THEIR WORD; that they all may be one, as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU HAST SENT ME." John xvii, 17-21.
Truth is a unit. The office of the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, is to guide into all truth. The prayer of Jesus will be answered, and the church will be one, especially that church, that is to stand in the time of trouble such as never was, and is to be changed to immortality, and translated, at the appearing of the Son of God. Says Paul:
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come to the UNITY OF THE FAITH," &c. "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro," &c. Eph. iv, 11-14.
This perfect unity of the faith never has existed since the days of the apostles. It is evidently to exist just prior to the Second Advent, and is to be completed by the "latter rain," the "refreshing from the presence of the Lord," when the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, is to be poured out in all its fullness.
It is the present duty of every child of God to search for truth, seek carefully for the Spirit of truth, plead earnestly for the Comforter, and strive to be united fully with that people who have the truth. "Thy law is the truth." "Thy word is truth."
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable. Here we will give a class of texts, never more applicable, and, to our mind, never so important, as to that people who have been scattered and torn, and who are to witness the time of trouble, and the coming of the Son of Man. We hope our readers will study them with much care.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you: but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." 1 Cor. 1, 10.
"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God." Rom. xv, 5, 6.
"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." Phil. ii, 1, 2.
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss." 2 Cor. xiii, 11, 12. See also, 1 Pet. iii, 8; and Phil. iii, 16.