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 From
the sermons of J.M. Trible, pub- lished in 1892. we have made
the following digest. The subject is “Against Creeds,”
although this month we will have room for his “introduction”
only — material we believe will be of historic interest to
you.
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“The
movement for the reformation of the church and the restoration
of the faith of the apostolic church, has always been most
outspoken and uncompromising in its opposition to human creeds
as bonds of union and tests of fellowship among the followers of
Christ. We have undoubtedly toned down in respect to some other
things.
We
do not make the same undiscrim- inating warfare on a regular and
settled ministry as was the custom of our fathers. While we
recognize that their attacks were not without great provocation
and fair semblance of reason, we have learned, as most of them
learned, that a regular ministry of the gospel, and paid
pastoral care (1) of the churches, are indispensable to the life
and growth of the church; and whatever may be their tendencies
and perils, they can never work such harm to the churches as to
leave them without such care.
So
likewise the leaders of this movement were inclined at first to
commit themselves against missionary societies, (2) as both
inexpedient and unlawful for the church’s adoption. But we
have gradually given over our opposition to them, and now use
them as a necessary means of discharging the great commission
which the Lord has left to his church. (3) Not one person in
twenty among us today regards the society issue
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as anything else than both a false issue and
a dead issue. I have been in a position to speak on this subject
from knowledge. and I declare to you that one in twenty is a
very liberal allowance for those who think the society principle
opposed to the word of God.” (4)
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(1)
This equating of regular support of a preacher, and “paid
pastoral care,” was responsible for a “Pastor” system that
ignored or downgraded scripturally appointed elders, and created
opposition to the proper support of preachers who did only their
God-appointed work.
(2)
The writer acknowledges that early restoration leaders were
opposed to missionary societies. But the “expediency”
arguments, by which much early opposition was “gradually”
overcome, he now replaces with “necessary means” of
functioning.
(3)
A basic fallacy in liberal thinking, then and now, is that the
great commission was given to “the church” (as some sort of
functional organization) and, hence, some means must be found
whereby the universal church may poor means, and act as one in
“carrying Out the commission.” The “church” (all saints)
manifest God’s wisdom and goodness by what they are; (Eph. 3:
10-f) and instruct as individuals (2 Tim. 2:2) or through the
organizational structure of the local church. (Phil. 4:15 2 Cor.
11:8)
(4)
God and one can take twenty.
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