The Colorado Tract Society · 1112 Kalamath Street, Denver, Colorado · 1906
PREFACE
The writer, who has been connected with this cause for nearly a quarter of a century and preached the message for about twenty years, has observed the great need of a plainly written work, of moderate size and easy reference, on the subject of Gospel Order.
-While realizing his own insufficiency, he has, nevertheless, felt a deep conviction that the Spirit of God was leading him in the endeavor to prepare such a work, setting forth Church Order as it is practiced in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the teachings of the Bible and the Testimonies concerning it.
Being so led of the Lord, and confirmed in the purpose by the counsel and advice of leading brethren, he now humbly submits this work to the people of God, with a sincere prayer to our Heavenly Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he will so bless it, through the operation of the Holy Spirit upon the heart of every reader and student, that it may result in establishing many upon Gospel Order and strengthen that “Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” which exists among those who profess but “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.”
H. M. J. R.
“It is necessary that the same order and system should be maintained in the church now as in the days of the apostles.” Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 3, P. 293.
“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word;
“It seemed good to me also to write unto thee in order that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed.” Luke 1:1-4.
CHURCH ORDER.
CHAPTER I.
SOME FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.
1. Question. By whose authority was order established in the church?
Answer. In the early Christian Church God established order.
He said, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints,” and, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Cor. 14:33, 40.
That these words, written by the Apostle Paul, are the commandments of the Lord, who is our Master and whom we as Christians must obey, is clearly stated as follows: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” 1 Cor. 14:37. Therefore, those who are spiritual evidently will acknowledge these things.
2. Ques. What are we exhorted to do?
Ans. We are exhorted to all speak the same thing—the faith as delivered to the saints. “I exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3. “Now I beseech you, brethren, 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.
3. Ques. Is the faith taught by Christ and his Apostles to be restored in the last days?
Ans. Yes. And it is therefore extremely important that in “these last days” we become fully grounded in “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
The Lord has foretold that before the coming of the Son of Man on the great white cloud to reap the harvest of the earth (Rev. 14: 14-16), there will be a great three-fold message (verses 6-13) “having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred and tongue and people.” As the result a people will be developed of whom it is said, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” In Revelation 12: 17 this people is called, “The Remnant.”
Now there is but one gospel. Proof, Gal. 1: 8, 9: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Therefore the gospel sent by God to the world in the last days, the gospel which develops the Remnant people, is the same old gospel—“the everlasting gospel,” and there can be no other true gospel in the world. This is why its preaching again in its purity in the last days will develop a people who, like the early Apostolic Church, will “keep the commandments9of God and the faith of Jesus” instead of the traditions of men and the faith of human creeds.
But “the faith of Jesus” must comprehend, “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” the true and pure system of truth believed and taught by Jesus Christ himself and recorded by his Spirit in his Word. Thus his mind on church order will be the mind of the remnant who have his faith.
4. Ques. What does preaching the Gospel involve?
Ans. The preaching of the Gospel involves the fully preaching of the Word of God.
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away;
But the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1: 23-25.
“If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I, Paul, am made a minister; * according to the dispensation of God which is given me for you, to fulfill the Word of God (margin, ‘to fully preach the Word of God’).” Col. 1: 23-25.
Therefore in the last days the same Word is to be preached precisely as was preached by the Apostles, for it is, as we have learned, the same Gospel. And10that Word is emphatic on the subject of Gospel Church Order.
5. Ques. Why was the Lord displeased with Israel?
Ans. The Lord was displeased with Israel anciently because they were seeking a change from the way he had marked out for them. He said, “Why gaddest about so much to change thy way?” Jer. 2:36.
It is said of the Athenians that they “Spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.” Acts 17:21. But the God of the Bible says, “Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” Jer. 6:16.
CHAPTER II.
SOME FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.
(CONTINUED.)
1. Ques. What is God’s Word to our path?
Ans. A light.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”. Psalms 119:105.
2. Ques. Can a child know the Scriptures?
Ans. Yes, even a child can know the Holy Scriptures.
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou11hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:14, 15.
3. Ques. How came the Scriptures?
Ans. The Scriptures came by the Holy Spirit of God.
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21.
4. Ques. Is the Bible a perfect standard of faith?
Ans. Yes, the Bible is a perfect and complete standard of both faith and practice.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
5. Ques. Because of this, what solemn charge is given to the ministry?
Ans. “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the Word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:1, 2.
6. Ques. What urgent reason is given for this solemn charge?
Ans. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from12the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” Verses 3, 4.
7. Ques. Who has God?
Ans. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ.
“Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he 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: for he that biddeth him God-speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 9-11.
8. Ques. Then should one be permitted to believe and teach whatever he pleases in the church of God, regardless of whether it is truly “the doctrine (teaching) of Christ,” or not?
Ans. Certainly not. This is clearly shown by the foregoing Scriptural command.
See also, Titus 1:10, 11. Also compare 2 Tim. 2:17, 18, with 1 Tim. 1:19, 20. Hymenaeus was “Delivered unto Satan” because of false doctrine. (Note—To “deliver unto Satan” is to disfellowship, or, to put out of the church. Proof: 1 Cor. 5: especially verses 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13.)
9. Ques. Then is not the church scripturally under obligation to God to deal with men concerning what they believe and teach, so long as they are members of the church and profess to represent its God-given message?
Ans. Most certainly.
10. Ques. What are we commanded to do with one who is found to teach heresy and who will not retract it and come back into the true faith?
Ans. Disfellowship.
Ans. It does.
“A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:10, 11.
11. Ques. To what is the church compared?
Ans. The church is compared to a well-organized human body. 1 Cor. 12.
It is therefore evident, that, as the human body, when disorganized, inevitably dies, so, also, the church, without organization, cannot live. Organization is not life; but, it is God’s plan to manifest life through divinely created organizations.
CHAPTER III.
SOME FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.
(CONCLUDED.)
1. Ques. Does the Word of the Lord say anything about the existence of government among believers?
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17.
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today,14and forever.” Verses 7, 8. (See also verse 24, and 1 Tim. 5:17; 3:5.)
2. Ques. Who “set” governments in the church?
Ans. God. It is a gift of the Spirit.
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren. I would not have you ignorant.” “And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, GOVERNMENTS, diversities of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12:1, 28.
The gifts of the Spirit were in the model church established by Jesus Christ, and among these gifts to the church was the gift of “governments.” It is just as truly a gift “of the Holy Ghost according to his own will” (Heb. 2 : 4) as is the gift of prophecy.
God set the gift of government in his church—who dare set it out?
3. Ques. Are all these gifts to exist in the restored church that is waiting for the coming of the Lord?
Ans. They must so exist. Without them it would not be a restored church.
“So that ye come behind in no gift: waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 1:7.
4. Ques. What then have we found?
Ans. That “order” and “government” are an integral part of “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” and that that very same faith is restored, and that we must earnestly contend for it.
5. Ques. What does God say of those who “despise government?”
Ans. He says they are “dreamers” and “presumptuous are they, self-willed.”
“Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.” Jude 8.
“The Lord knoweth how * to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.” 2 Peter 2:9, 10.
6. Ques. What does the gift of “prophecy” say of the gift of “government?”
Ans. It says that gospel order is just as much needed in these last days as ever, and if possible, even more needed.
Read “Early Writings,” Supplement, pages 12-16:—
“The Lord has shown that gospel order has been too much feared and neglected. Formality should be shunned; but in so doing, order should not be neglected. There was order in the church when Christ was on earth, and after His departure, order was strictly observed among His apostles. And now in these last days, while God is bringing His children into the unity of the faith, there is more real need of order than ever before, for as God unites His children, Satan and his lost angels are very busy to prevent this unity and to destroy it.
“Said the angel, ‘The church must flee to God’s Word and become established upon gospel order which has been overlooked and neglected. This is16indispensably necessary to bring the church into the unity of the faith.’”
7. Ques. What do we see here?
Ans. That the Spirit of Prophecy agrees with, and calls us to, the Word of God.
8. Ques. What then must prepare Christ’s church for presentation to Himself?
Ans. Complete conformity to the Word.
“Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph. 5:25-27.
CHAPTER IV.
THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOSPEL MINISTRY.
The true ministry has, in the church of Christ, authority supreme in all spiritual matters because it is the authority of the Word of God. 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 4:1-5.
“These things speak with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:15. So long as the ministry speaks “these things”—the Word of God—it has “all authority.”
But, since the “all authority” is dependent upon the speaking of “these things”—the Word—therefore, when any minister or ministry departs from the Word, that minister or ministry has lost all authority in that thing in which departure exists.
Since the authority is in the Word, therefore, when the Word of God is absent, there can be no authority. “To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.
“The Bible should be our guide. There can be no greater deception than for a man to think that he can find a better guide.” Tes. 33, page 87. “The Word of God is sufficient.” Id. page 191.
That which gives the ministry of the Remnant its authority above any other today, is the fact that it has truth (the Word of God, John 17:17) above any other.
True apostolic authority belongs only to true apostolic teaching. This teaching is restored in the Remnant. “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity (lawlessness), nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.” Zeph. 3:13. “Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.
Thus God has committed to the Remnant the same law and the same faith that the apostles had. There is no other gospel than that which Paul preached. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1:8. The world needs the preaching of the same old Gospel and not another, which is not another, for there is but one gospel.
When “the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe, * because the foolishness of God is wiser than men.” 1 Cor. 1:21,25.
Having this gospel restored and committed unto us, we are in debt to the world to “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), and must, under pain of eternal loss, “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3. Let every one who reads this also carefully and prayerfully consider the solemn admonitions of God in 1 Tim. 6:20, 21, and Col. 2:7, 8, 20, 21, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so-called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith.”
“ so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, after the commandments and doctrines of men?”
We are not safe one moment away from the Bible faith. But with it we are in a rock of Gibraltar fortress. Read that chapter in volume four of “Great Controversy” entitled “The Scriptures a Safeguard.” It is for our instruction in the closing work. Read it and let us take a solemn vow to be clear of every human tradition and stand by the Bible more faithfully than ever as our rule of faith in all things. God will richly bless us as we do this. “Them that honor me I will honor.” 1 Sam. 2:30.
The Lord has committed to us the standard of19Christian truth, and liberty from sin, through the Word, that we may bravely hold it aloft in every nation under heaven as a beacon of hope and life to perishing, judgment bound souls. Success is sure. God has promised to take His people through to the kingdom. Woe to any who leave the Word of God now. The chains that bind them will be strong. But to the faithful servant He says, “Be of good cheer!” Until the end of the world, He is with you who teach what He has commanded.John 16:33; Matt. 28: 18-20.
CHAPTER V.
THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH IN MATTERS OF DISCIPLINE.
Of what the order consists which the Lord has established in his church, He has plainly instructed us, and said:—
“These things write I unto thee * that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
“The truth” is God’s Word. “Thy Word is truth.” John 17:17. Thus since the church is the pillar of the truth, and the truth is the Word of God, therefore that organization which, as a pillar of the truth, holds up the most of God’s Word in this world is pre-eminently and above all other churches “the church of the living God.”
This is God’s own definition of His own church in any age. It is the pillar of the truth. With such a church God dwells, for it is also the “house (dwelling place) of God.” Do you have the truth? Does God dwell with you?
We find also the following to be some of the characteristics of the New Testament church:—
1. In the apostolic church there were apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.. Eph. 4: 11. These were chosen by God through the gifts of the Holy Spirit granted to them. 1 Cor. 12: 1, 28. Eph. 4: 8, 11. These gifts are “for the perfecting of the saints,” and belong to the church “till we all come in the unity of the faith.” Verses 12, 13.
All true gifts of the Holy Spirit lead to that perfect love and unity in which, we, “speaking the truth in love may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Eph. 4: 12-16. Note the divine assurance here given that such a people will not diminish but will increase.
2. The church has but one Head, even Christ. “But be ye not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. * Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.” Matt. 23: 8-10. “And He is the Head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might21have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.” Col. 1:18, 19; Eph. 1:22, 23.
3. The church has the authority to bind and to loose, to open and to shut the doors of the kingdom of heaven to men, when it acts according to the Word. Such action is confirmed in heaven. “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matt. 16: 19. “Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Chap. 18: 18. “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” 2 Thess. 3: 5, 6. See also, John 20: 22, 23; 1 Cor. 5; Titus 3: 10; Gal. 6: 1; Matt. 18: 15-18; 2 Thess. 3: 13-15.
Since the church has but one Head—Christ; and but one law supreme—the Word proceeding to it from that Head; Therefore, if it neglect, or refuse, to act when that Word directs it to do so, it is not a true church. Again, if it acts, but does so contrary to the way in which Christ has said it should proceed (Matt. 18: 15-18. Gal. 6: 1), that church (or member) so acting, becomes of necessity subject to the same church discipline which it has violated. In,22other words, since all authority is in, and according to, the Word; therefore, any action or position taken contrary to that Word, is no more confirmed in heaven than though it never had been taken. It is not “bound in heaven,” because it is not “bound on earth.” Only the Word’s authority can bind and loose. It is the key to lock and unlock. But when the church lets the Word of God use it, in preaching the message of God to man, and in receiving or disfellowshipping members, then, “whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Because God “cannot deny himself.” He will not alter the thing that has gone out of His lips. And “forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalms 119: 89.
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting (Margin, “sick”) about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth.” 1 Tim. 6: 3-5.
Let us get members, but get them with God’s truth. Great care should be exercised in accepting members into the church. Even in New Testament days men not sound in the faith “crept in unawares.” In Jude 3, 4, the Lord warns the church to be careful to maintain the standard of faith. Here are his plain words:— “It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly23contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thus we must be satisfied, in applicants for membership, with nothing but “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” In harmony with this the Gift of Prophecy, in “The Review,” Jan. 10, 1893, has this to say, “There is not enough careful, prayerful, painstaking investigation in accepting members into the church. We can not follow the example of the world or allow their criticisms to sway us from the path of duty. * There is one thing that we have no right to do, and that is to judge another man’s heart or impugn his motives. But when a person presents himself as a candidate for church membership, we are to examine the fruit of his life, and leave the responsibility of his motive with himself. But great care should be exercised in accepting members into the church, for Satan has his specious devices through which he purposes to crowd false brethren into the church, through whom he can work more successfully to weaken the cause.”
Let us keep our church books clean, but clean them in God’s way—with mercy and love for the individual—doing all that is possible to save him.
In “The Review” of Jan. 3, 1893, the Gift of Prophecy gives us these words:— “When there are cases in the church which need to be dealt with decidedly, let the rule of the Bible be carried out. If24the influence of erring members has an influence that corrupts others, they should be disfellowshipped; and heaven will ratify the action. It is the work of the enemy to sow tares among the wheat; and there will be men found in the church whose influence, as far as we can discern from outward appearance, is no blessing to the church. But even in cases of this character we are to move cautiously; for Christ and heavenly agencies are at work to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Thus, as ever, the Gift of Prophecy calls us to the Bible.
What is the Bible rule which Christ has taught us concerning this thing? Here it is:—
“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.
“Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matt. 18:15-18.
In Galatians 6:1, we are told the spirit in which we are to do this work and if possible restore the erring one. If, however, the steps commanded by Christ have all been taken and no restoration effected25the sinning one refusing to hear the church itself: then, “let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” In other words let him be “separated from the church,” out where he was before he came in. But, says one, “Must not the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest, which is the end of the world?” Yes, in “the field” which “is the world” as a whole. Matt. 13:38. And even in the church, which constitutes a part of the present inhabitants of earth, there will be some that are really tares, yet who look so much like wheat that one can scarcely tell them from wheat. Such are also fitly represented by the bad fish in the net, which, when the net was full and drawn to shore, were cast away. Matt. 13:47-51. Thus, “at the end of the world,” will take place the final and complete separation. There will be no doubt then in the case of the most deceptive looking tare. “Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Malachi 3:18.
But while all this is true, yet “Christ has plainly taught that those who persist in open sin must be separated from the church.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, page 71.) It is the “character or motive” which we cannot judge. We must deal with “open sin” when persisted in. This we must do to save the church from becoming like Babylon, leavened all through with iniquity, and filled with open sin.
“Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” “Therefore, put away from among yourselves that wicked person” who will not repent26and will not be restored. Read the fifth chapter of first Corinthians. Even after such a man has been put away from among the members of the church, in other words “censured of many” (2 Cor. 2:6, margin), then he may be forgiven, if repentant; and comforted and received again with love. For proof see 2 Cor. 2:5-11.
A church that is faithful in discipline, like the church at Corinth, is one to have “confidence in.” See 2 Cor. 7: 8-16.
—We must exercise discipline also for the sake of the persistent backslider himself, in order that he, refusing all brotherly admonition and help, may, by being put away from church fellowship, realize at last that he is in a lost condition, being out of the body of Christ and belonging to Satan, and may then repent and come back to the Father’s house, never more to leave. As Paul says, “Learn not to blaspheme.” 1 Tim. 1:19, 20. Thus “the flesh” will be “destroyed” and the “spirit saved.” 1 Cor. 5:5.
This will often be the happy result when God’s way is followed according to the rules of the faith once delivered unto the saints.