Records, Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith, Roll, Indiana, Part 4

Author: Church of of the Abrahamic Faith (Roll, Ind.)
Publication date: 1873
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 222


USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Roll > Records, Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith, Roll, Indiana > Part 4


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Indictments of "Larger Hope" 17


trine are sufficient to show its anti- scriptural nature:


(a) Posthumous probation belittles angelic ministration (Psa. 68:17; Dan. 7:10; Psa. 103:20; 31:7; Matt. 2:13, 10, 20; 4:11; 26:53; 18:10; Ex. 23:20-23; Ileb. 1:14; Acts 8:26-39);


(b) It slurs the work of the Holy Spirit (John 14:6; 16:7-14; Rom. 8:26);


(c) It emasculates the word of God ( Acts 13:44-48; John 17:19, 20; Acts 18:10, 11; Isa. 55:10, 11; Ileb. 1:12; Jer. 23:28, 29; Num. 11:23);


(d) It denies the sufficiency of Christ's mediatorial prerogatives ( Luke 23:24; Acts 2:23. 37-11; John 1:46-49; Acts 5:31; Matt. 28:18; 1 Peter 3:22; Heb. 2:18; 4:15, 16; 5:2; 7:25; Rom. 8:26-28, 32-39); and


(e) It charges God with incompetence and insufficiency (Gen. 21:17, 20; 1 Sam. 2:18, 25; 3:1, 7, 19; Isa. 45:1, 4; Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:15; Gal. 1:16; John 4:23; Acts 8:10; Isa. 45:19; 59.1, 2, 3: 55:6, 7, 10, 11 ).


V. DESTRUCTION OF THE DEVIL


BY THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST


The death of Christ was a neces- sary sacrifice for sin in order that the law of sin and death, introduced into the world by the disobedience of the first Adam, might be nullified through the obedience of the second Adam who obtained a full discharge of its claims by a temporary surren- der to its power. Thus, immortality by resurrection was acquired in His


18


The Devil Defined


own case, and through Ilim will also be acquired by all believers in har- mony with the law of obedience. In Christ, sin is taken away, and right- eousness is established. The devil, a word which is used interchangeably with "sin," has been abolished in the person of Christ; and its power will also be abolished so far as His people are concerned when He redeems, im- mortalizes, and makes them like Him- self (John 1:29; Ileb. 9:26; Jno. 3: 16; Gal. 1:4; Titus 2:14; Acts 10: 43; Rom. 3:25; Aets 4:12; Rom. 1:3, 1; 2 Cor. 13:4; 6:9; Eph. 1:20, 21; Hleb. 2:14 ; Rom. 6:23 ; Heb. 9:26: 12: 4; John 13:2; 6:70; Aets 5:3, 9; Jas. 1:14, 15; Eph. 2:2; 1 Tim. 5:11, 15; Matt. 16:23; Mark 8:33; Luke 4:8; 1 Thess. 2:18; Rev. 2:10, 12, 13; Psa. 68:21 ; Jer. 51:20).


The Holy Spirit and Its Gifts


1. THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS


DIVINE, RADIANT POWER


THE SPIRIT of God is not a dis- tinet person from the Father, but His radiant power and energy in universal diffusion (Gen. 1:2; Psa. 139:2-12; Job 33:1; 26:13; Psa. 104:30; Judg.


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Spirit Gifts Only Temporary 19


14:6: Num. 27 :18 ; Neh. 9:30; 2 Peter 1:21).


11. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE POWER OF GOD IN OFFICIAL MANIFESTATION


The Holy Spirit is God's "free spirit" gathered up, concentrated, and focalized for the work of ereation, the bestowal of miraculous gifts, and the accomplishment of divine results (Psa. 51:11, 12; Luke 1:35; Acts 10:38; 1:5-8; 2; 11:15, 16; 8:17-19; Micah 3:8).


III. THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT


WERE ONLY TEMPORARY POWERS


The gifts of the Holy Spirit which were bestowed upon the official mem- bers of the church in the days of the apostles, accomplished the purpose for which they were given and, ac- cordant with reason and revelation, they ceased from the earth, not to exist again until the kingdom of God comes. That they were only tempo- rary gifts and powers appears from the considerations following :


(a) The gifts of the Holy Spirit are "the powers of the world to come" (Heb. 6:4, 5).


(b) When they were bestowed upon men in the past, they were given in a limited and measured form, except in the case of Christ. .They were but foretastes, first-fruits, ear-


1


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20 Spirit Gifts Not Extant Today


nests, and prophetic intimations of the feast of heavenly powers which we shall enjoy in full when the kingdom of God shall come ( Matt. 10:7; 12:28; Luke 9:1; 11:20; Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:13, 14).


(c) Christ excepted, they have been sel- dom possessed and rarely exercised in the past () Cor. 12:27-30; Eph. 1:8-12; 1 Sam. 3:1; Luke 4:23-28; John 40:4] ).


IV. THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE NOT EXTANT TODAY


The following arguments are con- clusive on this point :


(a) When the gifts of the Holy Spirit were possessed they were employed puni- tively in association with their benevolent uses (Ex. 4:6-8; 8:13, 17, 29; 9:22, 29; Num. 12:10, 13; 2 Kings 5:14, 27; Isa. 38:1, 2; Acts 6; 8:20, 24; 13:9-11).


(b) The design and purpose of God in giving them was fulfilled in a confirmed word and completed revelation. Spirit gifts how are superfluous, and if they existed they would discredit the word of God (John 14:26; 16:12; Eph. 4:7, 8, 11-16; 2 Cor. 13:9; 1 Thess. 3:9, 10; Col. 2:10; Acts 20:17-23; John 20:30, 31; 1 John 5:10-13; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Jude 3, Greek).


(c) The prophetie word requires the ces- sation of miraculous powers now, and exist- ing facts corroborate the prophecy (Psa. 74:7-10; Mieah 3:6-12; 1 Cor. 13:8-15).


21


Man's Mortality


The Nature of Man


I. THE SOUL


SOUL as used in the Bible means primarily, a creature or person, and is employed to express the variety of aspects in which that creature can be contemplated, such as person, life, mind, disposition, etc .; but in no in- stance does it express the idea of im- mortality (Gen. 1:20, 24, 30; Job 12: 10; Num. 31:28; Isa. 29:8; Prov. 6: 30; Jos. 11:11: Jer. 2:34; Job 7:15; Psa. 105:18, margin; Judges 16:30; Acts 3:23; Isa. 38:17; 53:11, 12; Matt. 10:28; Rev. 16:3).


Il. THE SPIRIT


"Spirit," as employed in the Bible. signifies breath, life, energy, mind, disposition, etc; but it is never used to express the idea of an immortal principle in man (Gen. 6:17; 7:15; Eccl. 3:13-21 ; Psa. 104:29-30; Jas. 2: 26; Jos. 5:1 : Gen. 3:8, margin ; 8:1). III. THE GHOST


"Ghost" does not refer to an immor- tal entity in man, but to the expira- tion of his life (Gen. 6:17; 7:21, 22; 25:8; Mark 15:37, 39; Luke 23:46).


22


Conditional Immortality


IV. MAN IS A CREATURE OF THE


DUST AND MORTAL BECAUSE OF SIN


(a) Man is often declared to be mortal (Job 4:17; Rom. 5:12; Gen. 3:19, 22, 23; 1 Cor. 15:22; Psa. 49; 89:48; Gen. 7:22; Isa. 2:22);


(b) Man is affirmed to be unconscious in death (Psa. 6:5; Ecel. 9:5, 6, 10; Psa. 146:3, 4; Isa. 38:18, 19; Job 3:11-17; 14:10-12; 10: 18, 19; Psa. 39:12; Acts 2:29-34; 13:36; Gen. 15:15);


(c) Immortality is a conditional gift of- fered to man through Christ (2 Tim. 1:10; John 6:40; Rom. 2:7; 6:23; 1 John 2:25: 2 Tim. 1:1; Titus 1:2; 3:7; Rom. 8:24, 25; Gal. 6:8; Mark 10:30; Luke 20:35, 36; John 17:2; 1 John 2:17);


(d) Man obtains immortality at the resur- rection (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28, 29; Luke 14:14; John 6:39, 40, 44; 11:24; 1 Thess. 4:16; Isa. 26:19; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:13, 14, 42-44, 51-53; Job 19:25-27; Phil. 3:8, 11, 20-21); and


(e) After he obtains immortality he enjoys it on the earth (Prov. 10:30; 11:31; Matt. 5:5; Psa. 37; Rom. 4:13; Heb. 11; Rev. 5:10; Dan. 7:27).


V. IRRESPONSIBLE MEN ARE NOT RAISED FROM THE DEAD


Those of mankind who are ignorant of the gospel are not eligible to either reward for obedience or punishment for disobedience post-resurrection- ally. They are irresponsible, and


The Resurrection of the Dead 23


they pass away in death as though they had never existed.


(a) They are irresponsible, mortal, and comparatively worthless (Psa. 39:5; 103: 14-17; 144:3, 4; Isa. 40:6, 7, 8, 15, 17; Dan. 4:35);


(b) Their existence terminates forever in death (Isa. 26:13, 14; Jer. 51:39, 57; Prov. 21:16; Eph. 4:17, 18; 2 Cor. 4:3; Psa. 49; Isa. 43:17; Psa. 17:14; 73:22; 88:4, 5; Amos 8:11-14; Oba. 16; Job 3:11-19; 10:18, 19; Eccl. 6:1-6).


The Resurrection of the Dead


RESURRECTION is a future awakening to life and consciousness of people who are dead and in the dust of the earth (Job 11:13, 14: 19: 26, 27; Psa. 17:15; 19:15; Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 15).


Il. THE SUBJECTS OF RESURRECTION


Those who are raised from the dead consist of two classes only ; the just and the unjust. the righteous and the wicked, both of whom have enjoyed the privilege of a knowledge of the gospel (John 3:18, 19; 9;40, 41; 15:22, 24; Jas. 4:17; Rom. 4:15; Acts 17:23, 30, 31; Luke 12:47, 48).


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24 Rewards and Punishments


III. THE REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS


The righteous are those who have learned, believed and obeyed the gos- peł. They come forth at the resur- rection invested with immortality (in company with "the changed" among the living (1 Cor. 15:50-54) to reign with Christ as joint-heirs of the king- dom, co-possessors of the earth, and joint administrators of God's author- ity among men in everything. The kingdom of God is the inheritance to which they are called by the gospel, and it is that which is presented as the object of hope (1 Thess. 2:12; Luke 12:32: Jas. 2:5; Matt. 25:34; 2 Peter 1:11; Luke 13:29; John 3:5: 1 Cor. 15:50; 6:9).


IV. THE DESTINY OF THE WICKED


That class which is called "the un- just" embraces apostates and all oth- ers who have known the gospel whether they have believed and obeyed it or not. They come forth at the resurrection and, in company with the wicked who are alive at the time, are


(a) Cast into hell ( Mark 9:43; Isa. 66:24; Matt. 10:28; Jude 7; Isa. 34:8-10; Matt. 3:12; Psa. 21:8, 9; Heb. 12:29; Mal. 4:1-3; Rev. 21:8; Rom. 1:32).


Limited Resurrection-Baptism 25


(b) Where they are consigned to death with attendant circumstances of shame and suffering (Psa. 37:10. 20, 34; 2 Thess. 1:9, 10; Job 20:5-8; Psa. 115:20; 104:35; Job 21:30; 2 Cor. 2:10; Prov. 13:13).


V. RESURRECTION OF THE


RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED IS SIMULTANEOUS


Both classes have


(a) \ simultaneous resurrection (Dan. 12:1, 2; John 5:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; 1 Thess. 1:16; Rev. 11:15, 18); and


(b) \ simultaneous execution of judg- ment ( Matt. 10:32, 33; Mark 8:38; Rev. 21:7, 8; 22:12-15; Matt. 16:24-27; 7:21-23; 25:10, 11-16; 13:38-43; John 5:28, 29; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:5-16; 2 Cor. 5:9-11; 1:5; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 1 Cor. 3:12-15; Col. 1:28; Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 2:19, 20; 1 John 2:28: 4:17; Rev. 3:5; 1 Tim. 5:21, 25; 2 Tim. 4:1).


Baptism : Acts, Subjects and Design


1. THE ACT


IMMERSION is essential to the ordinance of baptism as evidenced from


(a) The meaning of the word baptism ( Mosheim's Ecel. Hist., 1:87; Schaff's list. Apostolic Church, pp. 568-9; American Cy- clopedia, Artiele "Baptism"; Stanley's Ihst. Eastern Church, Seribner's Edition, p. 117; Coybeare and llowson on Rom. 6:4; Barrow's Sermon on the Doctrine of the Sacraments) ;


26 Subjects and Design of Baptism


(h) The figurative uses of the word (1 Cor. 10:2; 1 Peter 3:20, 21; Luke 12:50; Mark 10:38, 39; John 3:5; Rom. 6:3, 4. 5; Acts 1:5; Luke 24:49; Acts 2; 2 Cor. 5:2-4); and


(e) The combination of circumstances at- tending the ordinance (Matt. 3:6, 16; John 3:5, 23; Acts 8:36-39; Rom. 6:4, 5).


II. THE SUBJECTS


(a) Only believers of the gospel are proper subjects for baptism ( Mark 16:15, 16; Aets 2:37-41; 6:7; 8:12, 36, 37; 10; 11:14; 16:30-34; 18:8; Eph. 4:5);


(b) The immersion of those ignorant of the gospel is invalid. After such have learned and believed the gospel of the king- dom they must be immersed again (Eph. -1:5; Rom. 16:26; 8:24; Greek; Aets 19:1-5; Bible Lesson 1:10, 11; 3:7, 8, 9).


THE DESIGN


Baptism expresses the faith of the candidate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the means of his introduction into Christ beginning a union which is prepara- tory to perfect assimilation at the resurrection. To the sinner, there- fore, it is essential to


(a) The remission of sins (Mark 1:5; Luke 1:76, 77; Acts 2:38-41; 10:43, 48; 1 Peter 3:21; Col. 2:12, 13; Titus 3:5-7; Rom. 6:3-5, 17, 18) ; and


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The Commandments of Men 27


(b) An adoption into Christ with an heir- ship of the gospel, salvation and the king- dom of God ( Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:27-29).


The Commandments of Christ


I. THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN MUST NOT BE OBSERVED


TIIE COMMANDMENTS and doc- trines of men are legion (Col. 2:22). Here we have only space to mention


(a) Keeping the Sabbath in this dispensa- tion (Gal. 3:8, 17; Gen. 2:3; Ex. 19:18; 2 Kings 15:11, 12; Bible Lesson 3:3, 4; Deut. 5:2, 3; Neh. 9:13, 14; Gal. 3; 4; 2 Cor. 3; Col. 2:16-22; Acts 15:28, 21);


(b) Ceremonial feetwashing (John 12: 1-3: 13:1-16; 1 Tim. 5:9, 10); and


(e) Numerous annulments and emenda- tions relating to the Lord's supper ( Matt. 26:26; 1 Cor. 11:24; 10:10; 11:26, 28; Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:11; Acts 15:29).


Il. THE COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES MUST BE OBEYED


(a) After baptism our final salvation de- pends upon keeping the commandments of Christ ( Matt. 28:20; John 15:14; 13:17; Matt. 7:21; John 15:10; 1 John 2:4; Rev. 22:14).


28 The Commandments of Christ


(b) The commandments of Christ include those which He gave by Ilis apostles (1 Cor. 14:37; Luke 21:15; John 16:7; 15:26; Matt. 10:19, 20; Acts 2:33; 1 John 4:6; John 20:21; Matt. 10:16).


III. SOME OF THE COMMAND- MENTS DEFINITELY STATED


The commandments of God are numerous. The following are defi- nitely specified because they may be overlooked by the servants of God, and are entirely ignored and dis- obeyed by the world. Christ and His apostles


(a) Condemn retaliation and all evil speak- ing (Matt. 5:44; 1 Peter 3:9; 2:1; Rom. 12:14);


(b) Insist on peace-making and personal. private communication with the offender with this in view ( Matt. 55:24; 18:15; Col. 3:13);


(c) Command kindness to the undeserving and the evil ( Matt. 5:14; Luke 6:35; and


(d) Prohibit participation in war (Matt. 26:52; Rev. 13:10; Matt. 5:39-41; John 6:15; Luke 12:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 23; Isa. 53:0; Jas. 5:6; 2 Cor. 11:20; Rom. 12:19-21; 1 Thess. 5:15; Heb. 12:14).


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The Lord's Supper Weekly


IV. THE BREAKING OF BREAD IS A COMMANDMENT OF CHRIST


(a) From the observance of this ordinance the Church of God must debar the world, exclude adherents to false religions, and ex- communicate its own members for doctrinal and moral transgressions ( Matt. 18:17; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:8-11; 2 Thess. 3:6; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 3:10; 2 John 10, 11; Gal. 5:9, 12; 6:14).


(b) Its observance on the part of baptized believers is essential to acceptance with God (Psa. 116:12-14; Cant. 1:12; John 6:53-56; Matt. 26:26-28; Ex. 12; 1 Cor. 5:7, 8; Heb. 10:22-29, 38, 39; 1 John 1:6-10; 2:1-3; 5:3-6).


V. THE BREAKING OF BREAD


(a) The Church of God is the house of God (1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 10:21);


(b) In the house of God there is always the table of the Lord (1 Cor. 10:221; Ex. 25: 30; Lev. 24:5-9; Heb. 3:6);


(c) The breaking of bread includes the drinking of the cup as part of the institution ( Matt. 26:27; ] Cor. 11:20; Hliad 2: lines 381-399; 8:53-66; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor. 10:16; Acts 2:42);


(d) The breaking of bread is a weekly memorial of the Lord's death, and is an in- dispensable part of worship in all stated meetings of the Church (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; 11:20-26; 10:26; Matt. 26:29).


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Conclusion


Dear Reader :


A member of the Church of God presents this "Confession of Faith" with the devout entreaty and earnest prayer that you will "search the Scriptures daily" and see if the things herein confessed are so (Aets 17:11; 1 Tim. 6:12-14; Heb. 10:23). If this resume of the faith is too brief to understand satis- factorily, and should you desire personal in- struction in gospel truth, your wishes may be gratified by expressing them to any mem- ber, deaeon or elder of the Church of God, of the Abrahamic Faith, Roll, Indiana.


.


APR 75


N MANCHESTER, INDIANA





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