Experienced Religion by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 16, 1863

"Experienced Religion."

By R. F. Cottrell

THERE is a reality in the experimental part of religion—the comfort of the Holy Spirit to the truly converted person—the earnest and pledge of future inheritance and an everlasting life in a sinless, and therefore happy, world. But to make this feeling or experience the leading object, the first and prominent thought, the all in all of religion, is not in harmony with the records of the primitive church. We do not read in the New Testament of any one experiencing religion, though doubtless they did. We are not informed when Paul experienced religion, but it is evident that a great change or conversion took place with him about the time that he visited Damascus. This was the beginning of his Christian experience, though not of his religious; for he testifies concerning his former life, that "after the most straitest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee." So it appears that he was religious before, and that his religion was the very best in the world at that time, except that which embraced what was then "present truth"—the religion that gave credit to God, not only for making the promises to the fathers concerning the Christ, but for fulfilling them to those then living upon the earth.

It should also be observed that, though he had long been a zealous professor of religion, he had had a zeal not according to knowledge; in other words, that he was self-deceived; for he "verily thought that he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth;" and so notwithstanding his former religious experience, he was found fighting against the truth. But Saul of Tarsus was converted into Paul the apostle; and it is truly desirable that many now, that have long since had a religious experience, should also be turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, give up their opposition and embrace present truth.

Do not these thoughts about having experienced religion often deceive people and hinder them from embracing the truth? Would it not be better for people if they knew that religion consisted more in believing and doing, than it does in feeling? Faith in the word of the Lord, and obedience to the same, was the leading idea in the primitive church, if we may judge from the records of the New Testament.

Instead of reading that such and such persons experienced religion, we read as follows: "Then they that gladly received the word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts ii, 41, 42. "But when they believed Philip, preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." Chap. viii, 12. "And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Verses 36, 37. "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Chap. ix, 6. "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Chap. xxii, 16. "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, has sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized." Chap. ix, 17, 18. "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized," &c. Chap. xvi, 14. "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was baptized, he and all his straightway." Verses 30-33. "And the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." Chap. vi, 7.

Thus we are informed of their faith and obedience. And not obedience to the gospel institution of baptism alone, but to the law of God. Repentance of their transgressions of the law of God, was first and prominent in apostolic preaching. Repentance toward God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, was everywhere preached. Said Peter to the Jews, "Unto you first, God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." Chap. iii, 26. A person turned away from his iniquities is turned to obedience of the law of God. "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sin." Chap. v, 31. "All unrighteousness is sin." "Sin is the transgression of the law." Therefore every sin is a violation of the law. No forgiveness is promised without repentance. And he that repents of all his sins, turns to obedience to all the law of God. Hence without obedience to that law, no pretended faith in Christ, or baptism for the remission of sins, would avail anything. The great object of the gospel is to turn men from sin to obedience to the law. Hence the first command of Peter on the day of Pentecost was, Repent. These things were written before the apostasy—before Romanism had cast down the truth to the ground, and Antinomianism had trampled it under its feet. Still the foundation of present truth—the law of God—is laid so firmly and so broad in this record, that there is no lack of evidence for the perpetuity of this law. We are not building on a new foundation. We are not giving prominence to that which had no prominence in the days of the apostles.

But was there not some experience which the first disciples had—some feeling—something besides believing and doing? Was not the Holy Spirit given, and did they not rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory?

Certainly; but this followed their faith and obedience. "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." Chap. v, 32. The promise, on condition of obedience, was "Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Let no one trust that because he has experienced religion, he is secure, while neglecting the

increasing light which now emanates from the unsealed page of inspiration. The increase of light lays new responsibilities upon us, as well as upon Saul of Tarsus. The faith and practice of the "straitest sect" of these times, who are so "exceedingly zealous of the traditions of their fathers," will not answer the present demand.

R. F. COTTRELL.