LETTER TO BRO. WAGGONER.
By A. C. Lewis
Bro. Waggoner: After listening to your arguments in proof of the Ten Commandments being the Law of God, (on Thursday eve, Oct. 19th.) I think some of your points of argument do not harmonize with the true intent of the Bible; therefore I take the liberty to give them, with my objections, in this form, to you, for your consideration, and requesting you to answer them in this manner, if convenient. This is not strictly private, but if brought before the public, I do not claim infallibility. With due respect, and hoping to create no personal feelings or animosity, I respectfully submit this for the truth's sake. First, in speaking of types, you say "the antitype must be determined before the type is given, and Christ the antitype, the great sacrifice, was ordained before the sacrificial offerings; (true;) and Christ died for sin, and sin is the transgression of the law." True; but what law? the ten commandments? No! the transgression for which Christ died was the first law given to man, and no part of the "ten," namely, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; (penalty;) for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die," (or dying, &c.) Gen. ii, 17. Proof. Rom. v, 12, 16–19; 1 Cor. xv, 21, 22. Secondly, you say, "Find me the man that has always kept the law, and I will vouch for his salvation without faith in Christ or baptism." You might, but I would not risk so great a gift on your responsibility; but for example. Matt. xix, 16, and Luke xviii, 18. And a certain ruler asked him, What shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said, Keep the commandments. Which? 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 5th, and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Law of Moses.) The young man saith unto him, All these have I kept from my youth up; WHAT LACK I YET? What did Jesus say? You are mistaken? No! You have not kept the 4th commandment? No. 3d? No. 2d? No. 1st? No. 10th? No. But admitting that he had kept all the commandments, Jesus said, "Yet lackest thou one thing." Luke xviii, 22. What is that? No failure in keeping ALL the commandments. "Go sell all that thou hast and give to the poor (no part of the law) and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me." And lastly, The dilemma you seem to be in on account of there not being any law at the day of Pentecost, and yet Peter calls upon them to repent. I think is easily explained; let us see. "But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said unto them," &c. Acts ii, 14. (Jews, devout men out of every nation unto heaven.) In reading the connection we find that Peter quoted prophecy, and showed its fulfillment, then turns directly to them and accuses them—of what? Not of murder, or breaking the 6th commandment, but—"Ye have crucified and slain." "God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ." Verse 36. Why were they "pricked in their hearts?" Because, that same Jesus whom they had crucified was made both Lord and Christ, or because they had slain their King and Saviour. No wonder they asked what they should do. If it had been for breaking the 6th commandment, they would not have asked, What shall we do? The law was plain: "He that sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." Gen. ix, 6; Ex. xxi, 12. There was no avoiding the penalty. But they had slain their King; he whom they had hoped would have redeemed Israel; and now they were convinced of it. Now says Peter, "repent." Why? because they had murdered? No. But they had sinned? Yes. And sin is the transgression of the law? Yes; but they had not transgressed the law. Jesus had been tried by the law and condemned to death, (yet innocent.) But if they had not repented they would have killed Jesus again when they could get him. (We agree on the word repent, reform, or change of purpose.) Therefore repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, &c. (Law of Christ.) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark xvi, 16; Matt. xxviii, 20. They already believed he was the one spoken of by all the holy prophets. All this is respectfully submitted, for, and in the name of, Truth, in all kindness and respect. Tekonsha, Mich., Oct., 1858.