p. 45 | The Faith of Jesus by Wm. S. Foote

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 5, 1864

The Faith of Jesus.

By Wm. S. Foote

Wɖ understand that the faith of Jesus is something definite, or having precise limits; embracing a perfectly correct religious system; and any departure from, or opposition to it, whether through design or ignorance, is radically wrong. The proclamation of the third angel of Rev. xiv, 9-11, is now being heard; and in connection with that proclamation it is said in verse 12, "Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

Reader, there is now a people among us, who are striving through the assisting grace of God, in patience to possess their souls, waiting for the coming of their Lord; and keeping "the faith of Jesus." The faith of Jesus is something which may be kept, and this faith is a thorough knowledge and belief of the truth, as revealed to us by our Lord.

As the coming of our Lord is near at hand, it seems absolutely necessary that we should be in possession of, or fully understand his testimony; for in Eph. v, 27, it is said that he is to "present to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." It is said also in 2 John 9, 10, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God; He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and the Son." "If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed."

The question then arises, How shall we, amid the conflicting views of the present day, be able to decide what is right, and what is wrong? The Baptists would say, Go with us, and the Methodists, Go with us; and so with each one and all of the different religionists of the age. But what says the testimony? "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." John vii, 17. What is it to do the will of God? "This is the will of God, that ye keep his commandments." "A good understanding have all they that keep his commandments." Ps. cxi, 10. "My son forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments, so shalt thou find favor and good understanding, in the sight of God and man." Prov. iii, 1-4. Do you wish the Spirit of God to lead you into the faith of Jesus? Peter speaking of Christ, says in Acts v, 32, "And we are witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

At the present time we wish to call your attention to the law of God, that law, which, according to the testimony of Jesus, is "came not to destroy." As a brother once said, "Man may get up a golden calf, and pretend to pray and shout, and sing, and think they have a good religion; but the Bible tells us, that 'he that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.'" Prov. xxviii, 9. "He that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Through grace, let us first understand, then keep, and live according to "the faith of Jesus."

WM. S. FOOTE.

Pendleton, O.