p. 197 | A Bible Course

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Dec 27, 1853

A Bible Course.

It is frequently the case that when persons are publicly reproved for public faults that they at once make this complaint, “You have not taken a Bible course.” Now such are mistaken. Public faults and sins should not be reproved in a private manner, but publicly. Says Paul to Timothy:—“Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” 1 Tim. v, 20, 21.

We see this sentiment carried out in the case of Paul rebuking Peter, as follows:—“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For, before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly, according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” Gal. ii, 11-14.

But those who complain that a Bible course is not taken, when they are publicly reproved for public faults, refer to what our Lord has said relative to a case of trespass recorded in Matt. xviii, 15-17. “Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

Let it first be understood that our Lord is here speaking of a case of individual trespass, and not a public sin. His object in giving such directions was evidently to save the church, if possible, from entering into the trial of one who might be overtaken in trespass. To save the church this trial, the injured

brother must take the one who has trespassed against him, and tell him his fault alone. But if his erring brother will not hear him, he must make another effort to gain him before troubling the whole church with his case. He must take one or two of the strongest and most experienced of the church with him. If they can gain the erring brother, they save him, and save the church a trial also. Who can but admire the course, here marked out by our Lord? If all would follow it, much trouble would be saved. But it is sometimes the case that those who think they are injured, are ready to report the supposed wrongs of a brother to all the rest of the church first. Such a course is calculated to create confusion, and bitter feelings. It would be much better to take a “Bible course,” and first go to the person supposed to be in the fault; and in ninety-nine cases out of one hundred, difficulties of this kind can be settled without the church knowing anything about them.

But where wrongs are publicly known, and the church and community have been affected by them, reproofs and confessions should be as public as the sins. In both cases, in public faults and sins, and private trespass, christians should take a “Bible course.”