|
 Ponder
these words from "A Short History of the Baptists," by
Henry C. Vedder; p. 45-46.
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"So
soon as the churches founded by the apostles lost sight of the
truth that man must be born again, and that this new birth is
always associated with personal faith in Christ, the way was
prepared for all that followed.
In
the earliest Christian literature, after the apostolic period,
we may trace three tendencies toward degeneration, all
proceeding from this common cause, developing along lines
parallel at first, yet distinct, afterward converging, and at
length constituting a logical, consistent whole. These are: the
idea of a Holy Catholic Church, the ministry a priesthood, and
sacramental grace.
Jesus
prayed that his disciples might be one, and his apostles taught
that the church is the temple of the Holy Ghost, and therefore
both one and holy. Early in the second century however, these
ideas assumed a different form from that of the New Testament.
The churches were conceived of as forming together one Church,
not spiritual merely, but visible, extending throughout the
world, and therefore catholic (i.e., universal).
Persecution
doubtless had much to do with emphasizing in the minds of
Christians their unity, but an exaggerated notion of the
value of formal oneness came to prevail until schism was
reckoned the deadliest of sins a
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Christian could commit. The
preservation of outward unity thus becoming the paramount
consideration, it followed that whatever error a majority in the
church might come to hold, the minority must accept it, rather
than be guilty of this deadly sin of schism. (Emphasis
mine-- and I would like to request that you reread these
statements carefully. rft) This ideal of a Holy Catholic Church,
outside of which was no salvation, unity with which was
necessary to unity with Christ, prepared the way for all the
Corruptions that were introduced."
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In
our own time we have known brethren who seemed to be more
concerned about maintaining union (oneness in an external way
— meeting in the same building) than in developing commonness
of purpose and spirit in the hearts of true saints. To say or
write such a thing is almost like questioning motherhood, and
yet it was Jesus who said, "Think not that I am come to
send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword. For
I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the
daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her
mother-in-law" (Matt. 10:34-35).
True
oneness will be found among brethren who are alike determined to
put God first; who love the praise of God more than the praise
of men. It is the result or product of unity of spirit, but
never a substitute for it. When union with men becomes more
important to us than conscientious service of God, we have come
to love men more than we love God. True saints will never
forget, God is a majority.
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