Part 86
Concerning man’s free will, read: “Let him do what he will, he sinneth not; let them marry. Nevertheless he that standeth steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will.” 1 Cor. 7:36–38.
“And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the Lord to accomplish his vow, or a free will offering.” Lev. 22:21,23.
“Who might offend, and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it?” Syr. 31:10.
And Paul also says: “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also.” 2 Cor. 8:3,11; Phil. 14; Mark 14:7; 1 Cor. 7:36.
“Man can do nothing good of himself, by his own power; but through the grace of God, he, in his imperfectness, is able to keep God’s commandments. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philip. 2:13.
“Thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not.” Ezek. 12:2.
“For to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Rom. 7:18–21.
Read here all the Scriptures which unanimously testify that God does not desire the death of the sinner, but that he be converted, and live. Ezek. 18:32; 33:11; Wis. 1:13; Is. 55:7.
And that God has extended his saving grace not only to the elect, but to all of Adam’s race; and that he also died for those that perish. Concerning this, read: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Tit. 2:11.
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Is. 45:22.
“Therefore, as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Rom. 5:18.
“Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness,” etc. Acts 14:16,17; Rom. 1:19; 2:15.
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” 2 Pet. 2:1.
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Cor. 5:15. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,” etc. John 3:16.
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:3,4.
“He is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9; Rom. 2:4; Jas. 4:6; Acts 13:46. Read also: Matt. 23:36,37; Luke 13:34; 2 Esdr. 1:30.
As to how God the righteous Judge will pronounce the final judgment upon those who disobey[218] the Gospel, read: “When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess. 1:7,8; Mark 16:16. “This is the book of the commandments of God, and the law that endureth forever: all they that keep it shall come to life; but such as leave it shall die.” Bar. 4:1.
[218] The original says _obey_, which evidently is an error.--_Trans._
ARTICLE X.
_Of the providence of God, the election of believers, and the rejection of unbelievers._ Of this we confess: As we believe and confess that God is omnipotent; and that with him nothing is impossible; so likewise is he also prescient and omniscient, so that nothing is hid from him in heaven and in earth, neither that which is to take place until the end of all things, nor that which has taken place from all eternity. And through this exceeding high prescience (foreknowledge), knowledge and wisdom of God, which are unfathomable, he very well saw and knew from the beginning in eternity until the consummation of the world, who would be the truly believing recipients of his grace and mercy; and, again, who should be found unbelieving despisers and rejecters of said grace. And, consequently, he from the beginning and from eternity knew, foresaw, elected and ordained all true believers to inherit eternal salvation through Christ Jesus; and, on the other hand rejected all unbelieving despisers of said grace to eternal damnation. Hence the perdition of men is of themselves, and their salvation only through the Lord their God, without whom they can do nothing that is good.
But in no wise is it true that the gracious, merciful, and righteous God (who conforms to his holy nature) has from eternity foreseen, ordained or predestinated, and created, at a convenient time, by far the greater number of the human race unto eternal damnation; or that, they having fallen through the sin of the first man Adam, he let them remain without help in eternal death and condemnation, into which they had come without their knowledge and own actual evil works, without having in this case seen and known the just cause of their rejection. Far be it from us, to believe this from the only good and righteous God!
But, on the other hand, all true followers of Christ believe and confess: That the righteous God, in the beginning, created man good and upright, and gave him an existence, and he hates none of those things which he has created. And when through the subtlety of the devil they had fallen into eternal death, the blessed God, whose mercy is over all flesh, and who is not willing that any should perish, out of pure love and mercy, redeemed, bought, and delivered, through the atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the whole human race, without exception of persons, from eternal condemnation; so that, in consideration of the death of Christ, none shall perish on account of Adam’s sin; but God the righteous Judge will judge the world in righteousness, giving assurance unto all men, and rendering to every man according to his own works and deeds. The believers, who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for eternal life, attain glory and honor and immortality, but the unbelieving and disobedient, tribulation and anguish, and the everlasting wrath of God.
Concerning the foreknowledge or prescience of God, read: “And hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” Acts 17:26; Deut. 32:8.
“She foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.” Wis. 8:8; Dan. 2:28; 5:17.
“O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be.” Hist. Sus. v. 42; Is. 46:10; Job 42:2; Rom. 9:11; Acts 2:23,31; 1 Pet. 1:20.
“My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Ps. 139:15,16.
“He knew all things ere ever they were created; so also after they were perfected he looked upon them all.” Syr. 23:20; Acts 15:18.
Here it is to be observed with attention, how God, through his prescience, from the beginning elected the believers in Christ, and rejected the unbelievers. Read: “Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith?” etc. Jas. 2:5.
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen,” etc. 1 Cor. 1:27,28.
“I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.” Is. 48:5,8; Mal. 1:2; Rom. 9:13; Eph. 3:11; 2 Tim. 1:9.
“Before they were sealed that have gathered faith for a treasure; then did I consider these things,” etc. 2 Esdr. 6:5.
“And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people?” Is. 44:7.
“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified.” Rom. 8:28–30.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee,” etc. Jer. 1:5.
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,” etc. Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; John 15:16; Acts 13:48.
ARTICLE XI.
_Of the written word of God, the law of Moses, and the Gospel of Christ._ We confess: That the old law which was given by Moses and received by the disposition of angels, was a perfect doctrine and rule for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with whom God had made and established this his covenant. According to the doctrine and tenor of this law, this people had to conduct and regulate themselves, without transgressing any part of it, or taking away from, or adding to it, or following their own opinion in regard to it, on pain of being exterminated, and falling under a great curse. On the other hand, those who hear, believe and fulfill this law, are promised life, and many glorious blessings. This blessing and curse extended mostly to temporal and bodily things.
This law of God--the five books of Moses--embracing also all kings, priests and prophets, who prophesied and spoke, through the Spirit of God, among this people, Israel (agreeing with the law of Moses), which is the entire Old Testament, has through the grace of God been made known to us in the Bible. This law is also spiritual, the bringing in of a better hope, and the schoolmaster to Christ. By its various figures and shadows, as the Levitical priesthood, ceremonies and sacrifices, the land of Canaan, kings, the city of Jerusalem, and the temple, it pointed and led to Christ Jesus, because the old law was an intolerable yoke of bondage, which brought condemnation upon all who did not continue in, and perform all that is written in the book of the law. And since men, through the weakness of the flesh, could not perfectly keep all this, they could not obtain the eternal blissful life through the law, but would have had to remain under the wrath and anger of God. But Christ Jesus came, who is the end and the fulfilling of the old law, and the beginner and author of the new law, of perfect liberty, and the real, true light, to which all the dark shadows pointed; he came sent from God, with full power in heaven and on earth and is the one who has abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.
He has made a new covenant with the house of Israel, and the house of Judah, and has invited thereto all the Gentiles and nations of the earth, who in time past were strangers and enemies, but who now, through grace, are all invited, and for whom the way unto life has been opened and well beaten; so that by obedience through grace, they may now become fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And this is the word of reconciliation, by which Almighty God, through his Spirit, works faith, regeneration, and all the good fruits resulting therefrom in men; in which word of the New Testament are proclaimed to us full grace and peace, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, together with all things that pertain unto life and godliness, yea, all the counsel of God. According to this proclamation all believing children of the New Testament must necessarily regulate and conduct themselves in all matters relating to the faith; in accordance with which, finally, an eternal judgment will be held. And it is so much worthier, and better established than the Old Testament, as it was given through a higher and worthier ambassador, and was sealed with a more precious blood; and it shall not cease, but continue till the end of the world. And as a man’s covenant, if it be confirmed, may not be changed, or anything taken from or added to it, so this New and everlasting Covenant, which is confirmed with the precious death and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, may still much less be diminished, or anything added thereto, nor may it be bent and distorted according to one’s own individual opinions; but all Christians are in duty bound to bow their whole heart, mind and soul under the obedience of Christ and the mind of the Holy Spirit expressed in the holy Scriptures, and to regulate and measure their whole faith and conversation according to the import thereof.
The Old Testament is to be expounded by and reconciled with this New Testament and must be distinctively taught among the people of God: Moses with his stern, threatening, punishing law over all impenitent sinners as still under the law; but Christ with his new, glad tidings of the holy Gospel over all believing, penitent sinners as not under the law, but under grace.
To this new law of Jesus Christ all decrees, councils and ordinances made contrary to it by men in the world, must give place; but all Christians must necessarily, as far as the faith is concerned, regulate and conduct themselves only in accordance with this blessed Gospel of Christ. And as the outward man lives outwardly by the nourishment of bread; so the inward man of the soul lives by every word proceeding from the mouth of the Lord. Therefore the word of God must be purely and sincerely preached, heard, received and kept, by all believers.
Of the law of Moses: how it was written with the finger of God on tables of stone, and given by the disposition of angels, concerning this read: Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6; John 1:17; Acts 7:53; Ex. 31:18; 32:16.
Of the severity of the law, and how we must neither take away from, nor add to, it; in regard to this, read: “Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them: and all the people shall say, Amen.” Deut. 27:26; Gal. 3:10.
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” Deut. 12:32,8; 29:19; Prov. 30:6; Deut. 4:2.
Of the imperfectness of the law, read: “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things,” etc. Heb. 10:1; Col. 2:17.
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before, for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did.” Heb. 7:12,18,19; Gal. 2:16; Acts 13:39; Rom. 8:3.
How Christ is the end and fulfilling of the law; with regard to this, read: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Rom. 10:4; Matt. 5:17; Rom. 7:4; Gal. 1:19.
Of the power and dignity of the holy Gospel, read: “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth,” etc. Rom. 1:16; John 1:17; Luke 16:16; Mark 1:15; 1 Pet. 1:12.
“Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” 2 Tim. 1:10; 1 Pet. 1:25.
Of the usefulness and power of the holy Gospel, read: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:15–17; 2 Peter 3:15.
“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.” “He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said,” etc. John 5:39; 7:38; James 1:21; Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3; Wis. 16:26; Revelation 22:18; Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4.
How Christ Jesus will pronounce the last judgment upon the obedience of the Gospel, read: “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48.
“When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,” etc. 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Matt. 24:14; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 20:12.
ARTICLE XII.
_Of saving faith._ We confess: That saving faith is not a vain or hidden thing unborn in man; nor does it consist in us having a historical knowledge derived from the holy Scriptures, and that we have much to say about it, without having the real substance or signification thereof. But the real and true faith, which avails before God, is a sure knowledge of the heart in a sure confidence, which we receive from God, not through our own power, will, or ability, but through the hearing of the word of God; and which, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, is imprinted on, and written in, the heart, and works so effectually in us, that we are drawn away by it from all visible and perishable things, to the invisible and living God; acquiring thereby a new spiritual taste for that which is heavenly, and not for that which is earthly. For saving faith, accompanied with hope and love, is of such a nature that it conforms to things not seen. Hence, all true believers gladly and obediently submit themselves to all the commandments of God, contained in the holy Scriptures, and, when necessary, testify to and confess them with the mouth before kings, princes, lords, and all men, not allowing themselves to be drawn away therefrom by any means whatever, though, on account thereof, money, property, body and life be sacrificed unto spoiling, water, and fire. For the power of God, which preserves them in the faith, strengthens them, so that they esteem all the sufferings of this time brief and light, not avenging themselves, but praying for their persecutors, gladly suffering for the name of the Lord what is imposed upon them, because of the faith, hope, and love which they have to their Creator and his heavenly riches.
Where this true faith is received in the heart, there the fruits of the Holy Spirit, as witnesses of the same, must follow and flow out. On the contrary, unbelief, with its unfruitful works of darkness must flee, as darkness before the clear sunlight. By this faith, which is the beginning of the Christian doctrine, we become children of God, overcome the world, are armed against all the subtle wiles of the devil, become sanctified, justified, saved, and partakers of all the benefits of God shown in Christ Jesus; and without this faith it is impossible to please God.
In this true faith we cannot stand still, but, with humble fasting, praying and supplicating in the Spirit, we must plead for help, assistance, and new strength in all divine virtues, unto the end, in order that God may strengthen and preserve us in the same. Where this is neglected men may fall from the faith; the good Spirit may be taken away, and their names blotted out of the Book of Life, and written again in the earth. To this true faith, which is a noble gift of God, all men, who have attained to understanding and knowledge, so that they can hear and understand the word of God, without distinction of persons, are called through the divine word, and invited to come; but all infants, and those whom God permits to remain in their infancy are herefrom excepted and excluded. They are under the grace and pleasure of God through the atonement of Jesus Christ, by which he, through his blood, cleansed and redeemed the whole human race from the fall of Adam, without requiring of them any other means than faith, hope, love and the observance of certain commandments of God. It is therefore a great error that some ascribe faith to new born infants; or [that they say] that without this they cannot be saved. It is a sure sign that said persons do not know the true faith, and do not believe the words of Jesus Christ, who has promised the kingdom of heaven to infants without this.
For, as true faith consists in hearing, believing and accepting the good things which God offers us through his word; and, again, as unbelief consists in despising and rejecting those things; and since infants have neither knowledge, ability, inclination, nor emotion concerning any of these things, as all intelligent persons see and know; therefore it must truly follow that neither faith nor unbelief may be attributed to infants; but they are simple and ignorant, and in this state perfectly pleasing to God, he having set them as examples for us, that we should imitate them in their simplicity.
How the true faith is a gift of God, and is wrought in the hearts of men through the hearing of God’s word, read: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8; Rom. 12:3; Col. 2:12; Phil. 1:29; Jude 3.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17; Heb. 6:2.
With regard to how we must believe in God through his word, read: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” John 17:20; Eph. 1:9; John 7:38; 14:1; Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:15.
Concerning how true faith is not vain, but manifests its effectual power and nature, read: “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations,” etc. Rom. 1:5; 16:25; Acts 6:7.
“When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
“In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Gal. 5:6.
He that does not evince from his faith the seven virtues required, “is blind, and cannot see afar off,” etc. 2 Pet. 1:9; Jas. 2:26.
“But the just shall live by his faith.” Hab. 2:4; Heb. 10:38; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11.
By faith we become righteous and partakers of the benefits of God. Acts 26:18; Rom. 10:10; Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Mark 16:16.
We must pray to God, to be strengthened and kept in the faith. Luke 17:5; 1 Pet. 1:5.
When the grace of God is neglected through unbelief and evil works, one may fall away from the faith, and be blotted out of the Book of Life. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith. 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Tim. 6:10.
“Which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Luke 8:13.
“One that returneth from righteousness to sin: the Lord prepareth such a one for the sword.” Syrach 26:28; Jer. 17:13; Prov. 3:21; Heb. 6:6.
“The Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Ex. 32:33; Rev. 3:5; Ps. 69:29; Isa. 1:2; 30:1; Jer. 18:7.
How infants are simple and ignorant, and that therefore neither faith nor unbelief may be imputed to them; but that they are well-pleasing to God through his grace, without any other means, read: “Moreover, your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.” Deut. 1:39; Matt. 19:14.