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WHAT
OUGHT TO BE DONE AT THIS CRISIS
Written in 1849 shortly after
being re-immersed, Dr John Thomas addressed others who were finding out for
themselves that their existing associations with the reform movement in Britain
and America were inadequate. If there
was a crisis over 150 years ago can it be said that the political and
ecclesiastical stage has greatly improved with the passing of time? Israel is back in her ancient homeland,
Russia dominates the North, the Papal False Prophet continues to deceive, all
signs that the following advice can still be taken to heart today in this 21st
century, as the Apostles’ Fellowship is surely worth striving after. Only by going back to the source can any be
sure of building upon a firm foundation.
In
the following article, Brother Thomas sets forth the steps by which a Bible
Student may come to a correct understanding of the Scriptures, and particularly
as relating to Bible prophecy
A FEW FIRST PRINCIPLES
1. “The just shall live by faith” (Hab. 1:4, Rom. 1:16,17).
2. “Without
faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6).
3. “Faith
comes by hearing the Word of God” (Rom.10:17)
4. “Faith works
by love, and purifies the heart” (Acts 15:9, Gal 5:6)
5. “The
One Faith” is “the assured expectation of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, Eph:
4:5)
6. These
things are “the things concerning the KINGDOM of God, and the NAME of Jesus
Christ” (Acts 8:12)
7. “All
are the children of God in Christ Jesus through the faith. FOR as many as have been baptized into
Christ have put on Christ; and IF Christ’s then Abraham’s seed, and heirs
according to the promise” (Gal.
3:26-29).
8. Such
“will be presented holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight, IF they
continue in the faith grounded and
settled, and not moved away from the HOPE
of the GOSPEL which was preached (by the Apostles) to every creature which
is under heaven (Col 1:22,23): and “patiently continuing in well-doing” and so
seeking for glory, honour, and immortality” (Rom. 2:7)
9.
“Behold what great love the Father hath
bestowed upon” such “that they should be called the Sons of God.” They are even “now,” in this present state of
existence, “the Sons of God: and it doth not
yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when Christ shall appear, THEY
SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for they shall see him as he is. And every man at hath this hope in him
purifies himself, even as Christ is pure” (1 John 3:1-3), Hence
A BIBLE CHRISTIAN
is one, who
understandingly believes “the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name
of Jesus Christ,” with the humble, affectionate and obedient disposition of a
little child; is “immersed into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit”; and henceforth walks in “denial of the lust of the flesh, the
lust of the eye, and the pride of life, in hope of the gift to be brought to
him at the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ in his kingdom.”
OF AN ASSOCIATION OF BIBLE
CHRISTIANS
The duty and
privilege of an association of such Christians is:
2. To
advance from the principles of the doctrine of Christ and go on to perfection
(Heb.6:1), “Pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:14), “And so making itself ready for the festival of its
union with the Lord” (Rev. 19:7-8).
3. To
“earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints” (Jude
3); and to “make known unto the principalities and powers in high places the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph.
3:10).
HOW THE SCRIPTURES MAY BE SUCCESSFULLY SEARCHED AND WITH FACILITY
The following course of reading will very much conduce to a systematic comprehension of the Apostles’ doctrine.
I.
Read
attentively the family history of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, taking especial
note of THE PROMISES made to these fathers; such as:-
a.
The
making of A GREAT NATION of their descendants through whom all the Nations of
the earth shall be blessed (Gen.12:2,3; 17:4-7; 18:18; 22:17-18; 26:4; 28:14).
b.
The manifestation of A GREAT RULER in the midst
of the said nation, who with it and them, should possess the land in which
these fathers tended their flocks and herds (Gen.12:7; 13:14-17; 17:8; 26:3;
28:13-15; 35:12).
c.
The Confirmation
of this EVERLASTING COVENANT, by which the promises were ratified to
Abraham’s satisfaction, 430 years before his descendants arrived at Mount Horeb
under Moses (Gen. 15:7-21).
d.
Observe that Isaac becomes the allegorical
representative of the Shiloh of Israel in the substitutionary sacrifice and
figurative resurrection detailed in Gen. 22.
Jacob refers to Shiloh’s
death by Levi (Gen.49:6). In verse 10,
he foretells his dominion over the world.
Hence the faith of Abraham consisted in these particulars.
1. That
his descendants in the line of Isaac, Jacob and his 12 sons, would become a
great and mighty nation;
2. That
when this should be accomplished in the full sense of the promise, they,
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, would be living witnesses of it;
3. That
at the time indicated in No. 2, they and their nation would be in actual
possession of the land of Israel from the Euphrates to the Nile;
4. That
there should be a great and powerful ruler, or king, arise out of the nation, whom they
styled SHILOH, or the giver of peace;
5. That
he should be “Heir of all things,” of
the nation, the land, and the dominion of the world.
6. That
he would descend in the line of Judah;
7. That
He would be slain; but, on the third day (Gen. 22:4), from the sentence passed
upon him, be raised from the dead in the land of Moreh, as prefigured in the
case of Isaac;
8. That
he would be slain by the descendants of Levi; therefore, exclaimed Jacob, “O my soul come not thou into their
secret; but unto their assembly, mine honour be not thou united!” and,
9. That Faith, or a full persuasion, that what God promised He would perform, would be counted for righteousness to all to whom Abraham became the father; and that to realise the hope of righteousness, the righteous must rise from the dead.
Such was the faith and hope of
the Gospel believed from Abraham to Moses (Gal. 3:8); but which that generation
of the Israelites did not believe whose carcases fell in the wilderness of the
land of Egypt; and on account of which faithlessness, “Yahweh hath sworn in his
wrath, that they shall not enter into his rest.” These things appeared so improbable, that
those who believed them were esteemed by their contemporaries as worthy of
reproach. This was styled “THE REPROACH
CONCERNING THE CHRIST,” to which was and is attached, “the recompense of the
reward”; on account of “the Christ,” Moses refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh’s daughter, and cast in his lot with a nation of slaves. Let us therefore also go forth unto him
bearing his reproach.
II. Having acquired an understanding of the promises made to the fathers, become acquainted with the history of their descendants.
1. In their deliverance from Egypt: Exod. 1 to 14.
2.
In their organisation as a body during the forty
years in the wilderness: Exod. 15 to Deut. 34.
3.
In their conquest and settlement of Canaan:
Josh. 1 to 24.
4.
Under judges for life: Judges to 1 Sam.10.
5.
As a united nation under kings: 1 Sam. 11 to I
Kings 12:15
6.
As two separate nations and kingdoms – the one
under the house of David: the other under Jeroboam, the son of Nebat; 1 Kings
12:16 to 2 Chron. 36.
7.
As to the overthrow of the Ten Tribes by the
Assyrian, 390 years after their revolt from the house of David, and in the
sixth year of Hezekiah: 2 Kings 17:5 to 18:12.
Here it should be noted, that the Ten Tribes have been in dispersion
ever since. Hence, all prophecies
relating to their restoration and future glory remain to be fulfilled.
8.
As to the subversion of the kingdom of the Two
Tribes under the house of David: 2 Kings 24:10 & 25; Jer.39.
a. In relation to the captivity of Jehoiachin,
etc., in the eighth year of
Nebuchadnezzar.
b. In
regard to the destruction of Jerusalem, etc., in the 19th year of
his reign.
The history of these two
kingdoms should be well understood, or great mistakes will be made in the
interpretation of the prophets.
It should also be remarked
that David’s kingdom and his throne have never been restored since the
overthrow by the Chaldeans: but numerous prophecies declare that they shall be
in more than their former glory when Solomon occupied them. Therefore, this remarkable event remains to
be fulfilled.
a. From
Jehoiachin’s captivity to the destruction of the city: Ezekiel 1 to 24.
b. From
the same to the overthrow of Babylon: Daniel.
a. A seed to David, who would be the sovereign of
a kingdom.
b. That
he should build a temple for Yahweh (Zech. 6:12, 13,15);
c. That
his throne should be everlasting;
d. That
he should be Son of God as well as Son of David;
e. That
he should suffer for the iniquity of men, but mercy should not forsake him;
f.
That David’s house, throne, and kingdom should be established for ever before him, i.e. he should be a living
witness of its perpetuity;
g. That
therefore he should rise from his sleep with his fathers, and live forever.
David styled this “THE LAW OF
THE ADAM,” which related to his house for a
great while to come. In his last words (2 Sam 23:3) he informs us
that God spake to him about this personage, laying down this general principle in relation to the
kingdom he had promised, namely that “he that ruleth over men must be just,
ruling in the fear of God.”
But, that the members of his house were not of this character, yet, that God “had made with him an EVERLASTING COVENANT, ordered in all things and sure,” and that such a character would arise out of his family to “rule the world in righteousness.” Therefore, said he, this Covenant “is all my salvation, all my desire,” although appearances at present do not indicate its accomplishment. Read Psa. 89; 132:2-18; Acts 2:25-31.
“And the Lord shall be King OVER ALL THE EARTH, in that day shall there be one Lord, and his Name one” (Zech. 14:9).
Where, then, will be the thrones, principalities, and the dominions which now oppress the world, sitting as a nightmare upon the nations, and binding them in the fetters of ignorance, superstition, and political chicanery? A resounding joyous shout, as the roar of a multitude of waters, will reverberate through the heavens, saying “destroyed, abolished, gone for ever, to be found no more at all!” Then will come a reign of peace, and righteousness and wisdom and knowledge will become the stability of the times, when the nations will glory in their King, in whom they will be blessed and free. The glorified Saints will possess the dominion of the world (Dan. 7:14, 18, 27; Rev. 5:9, 10).
III. To advance still further in the Apostles’ doctrine, such an association as that before us must proceed to the investigation of the plain and unsymbolical prophecies, such as the Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Micah, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.
Their contents maybe arranged as to generals under the following heads; namely:
1. The
calamities predetermined upon the two nations of Israel;
2. The restoration of the house of Judah from the
Chaldean captivity – Haggai;
3. The
restoration from its present dispersion;
4. The
bringing back of the ten tribes and reunion of all Israelites into the one
kingdom and nation in the land of Israel;
5. The
glory, power and blessedness of the Israelitish nation during one thousand
years, during which all other nations will rejoice in Israel’s king;
6. The
rebirth, life, sufferings, moral, sacrificial and pontifical character, etc. of
the king of Israel;
7. His
resurrection and ascension to heaven, there to remain a limited time;
8. His return and subsequent glorious and triumphant reign on the throne of his father David, from the time of the restoration of God’s kingdom again to Israel until “there shall be no more death” – “he shall be a priest upon his throne,” “after the order of Melchizedec” (Zech. 6, Psa. 110:4).
IV. These things being understood, the personal testimony of the Apostles, evidential of the rightful claims of Jesus to the Messiahship, or regal, imperial, and pontifical sovereignty over Israel and the world, may be next proceeded with.
This testimony is contained in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John’s writings. They were written that men “might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing they might have life through his Name.” They show:-
1. That
Jesus is the hereditary descendant of David, in whom is vested the sole right
to his kingdom and crown.
2. That
he is the acknowledged Son of God by
paternity of first birth; and by being born again of his spirit from the dead;
3. That
he possessed two natures: first, that of mortal flesh; secondly, that of his
present one, which is holy, spiritual flesh – “the Lord , the Spirit”;
4. That
without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins (Heb.9:22);
5. That
the blood of animals cannot take away sins (Heb.10:4);
6. That
for a sin offering to be an efficient atonement it must not only be slain, but
made alive again; which constitutes it a living sacrifice;
7. That
Jesus was such a sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, and without blemish – that
is, “without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
8. That
the blood of Jesus is “the blood of the New Institution, shed for many, for the
remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28);
9. That
he rose from the dead: and ascended to the right hand of the Majesty in the
heavens and that he will return in like manner as he departed, and to the same
place;
10. The
attributes of Jesus constitute his NAME;
11. That
through this name, repentance, remission of sins, and eternal life, are offered
to all intelligent believers of childlike disposition;
12. That
if men would receive the benefits of the Name, they must believe in it, and put it on.
13. That
this Name is inseparably connected with the institution of immersion – so that
if a believer of the Gospel would put it on, he must be immersed into the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit (Acts 2:38; 10:44-48);
14. That
the Gospel is the glad tidings of the kingdom in the name of Jesus; if
therefore a man would be saved, he must believe this gospel and obey it (Mark
16:15-16);
15. That
if an angel preach any other gospel that this he is accursed (Gal 1:8-9);
16. That
all who obey not this gospel shall be punished (2 Thess. 1:7-10);
17. That
it is the law by which man shall be judged (Rom. 2:12-16);
18. That the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor.6:9-11);
This outline of the Apostles’ Doctrine may be still further condensed into these four propositions:
1. That
when the Christ should make his first appearance in the world he should appear
as an afflicted man;
2. That
having drunk the cup of bitterness to the dregs, he should rise from the dead;
3. That
Jesus of Nazareth was he; and
4. That there is no other name given among men whereby they can be saved (Acts 17:3, 4:12);
V. To understand what genuine Christianity is, in its associational and individual relations, men must make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the Acts of the Apostles.
It contains an illustration of the manner and order in which they executed the commands of Jesus. A christianity in doctrine, spirit, and practice will be found in the little tract written by Luke, such as the present generation of the human family hath no conception of. It narrates also the concise history of the establishment of the religion of Christ in the Roman Empire.
From these and the Acts may be learned the origin of that GREAT APOSTACY from primitive Christianity which constitutes the superstition of Europe and America and styled by the Apostle “a Strong Delusion.” Its elements are termed by Paul “The Mystery of Iniquity,” which were secretly at work in his time; but openly from that of Constantine until they brought Europe to what we find it in all its mischievous and debasing forms of impiety and spiritual absurdity. In its beginning, this mystery of iniquity was concocted out of:-
1. A combination of Judaism with Christianity
(Acts 15:1-5);
a. Teaching
that the immersed believers must also be
circumcised;
b. Thereby
showing that “baptism in the room of circumcision” was not thought of in the
apostolic age.
2. A
further combination of Gentileism with this Judaized Christianity; from which
resulted a compound of the three – a fourth something unlike either of its
constituents.
VII.
Lastly,
we may proceed to the investigation of the symbolic prophecies, such as those
of Daniel and the Apocalypse.
To master these, the inquirer
must acquaint himself with:-
2. The
things revealed in it;
3. The
history of Assyria, Persia, Macedon, Rome and Modern Europe, from the
extinction of the Western Empire to the date of this document;
4. The
right interpretation of these prophecies by persons versed in items 1,2,3,
depends
a. Upon their freedom from all
dogmatic-theological bias;
b. Upon
their having their senses exercised by reason of use (Heb. 5:14);
c. Upon
their skilfulness in the word of righteousness.
5. THE
APOSTLES’ FELLOWSHIP
To have fellowship with the
Father and his Son Jesus Christ, men must have fellowship with the
Apostles. This is accomplished only by
believing and doing the truth promulgated by them. This is styled “walking in the light as God
is in the light, by which we have fellowship one with another” (I John
1:3-7). A man might be in approved
fellowship with all “Christendom,” papal and protestant, church and dissenters,
and yet have no fellowship with God; “for if we say we have fellowship with
him, and walk in the darkness (ignorance) we
lie, and do not the truth.” Hence
Papalism, and Protestantism are a great lie; mere antagonistic evils claiming
fellowship with God, while they are mantled in the darkness of human tradition,
and pervert and persecute the truth.
“THE LAMB’S WIFE”
Which is called upon to prepare herself for the approaching consummation (Rev. 16:15; 19:7-8).
She must be “sanctified and cleansed
in the laver of the water by the word,”
that she may be “holy and without “blemish.”
Such a body must “edify itself in
love” (Eph.4:16); and meet every Lord’s day to commemorate his death and
resurrection, to show forth the praises of God, to make their united requests
known to Him through Jesus Christ, to proclaim His goodness to the children of
men, and to convince them of the judgment which has come upon the world at
last.
All of which is
benevolently submitted to the public, by Dr John Thomas