Part 2 (1/2)
Peter Newby closed the debate by saying: ”Next week we shall study the sixth chapter of Romans. The young man who spoke tonight seems to know considerable about the Scripture, so we shall appoint him leader. I will find that text he asked for. It is in my old Bible at home.” And the crowd dispersed.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE SCHOOLHOUSE DEBATES (continued)
Robert Davis did much studying between the two prayer meeting nights.
Peter Newby searched through his old Bible at home for ”he that saith he liveth and sinneth not is a liar,” but he could not find it. The nearest text he could find that was like it was 1 John 1:8, and he knew that Robert Davis had already explained it. Peter studied hard, however. He found several texts, such as Prov. 20:9; Matt. 19:16, 17; Rom. 3:10; 1 Tim. 1:15; Rom. 7, and others, which he thought supported his theory that no one could live free from sin. He reckoned without taking his opponent into account, however, and came off worse confounded in the second encounter than he did in the first. Romans 6 was rather hard on Peter's theory, and he decided it would not pay him to say much about it.
The prayer meeting was well attended on that night. The air was full of expectancy. Peter's long supremacy in debating caused several to wish secretly for him to be beaten; others took his side, and did all that they could to encourage him. A few were interested for truth's sake. After the chapter was read, Peter Newby was first on his feet and began his diatribe.
”Verse 4 means water baptism,” he said, ”and if a man is not baptized he cannot be saved. We go down into the water a sinner, and come up a Christian. Some of you people have never been baptized, and yet you claim to be saved.
”Now, last prayer meeting night, I promised to find that old familiar text, 'He that saith he liveth and sinneth not is a liar and the truth is not in him,' but I have not found it yet. But I will find it, mind you. Moreover, I have some texts that prove my contention that no one can live free from sin while in this life.
”Prov. 20:9: 'Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?' This text can mean only one thing, which is that no one can be clean from sin.
”Matt. 19:16, 17, 'There is none good but one, that is G.o.d.' Now, how can any man call himself good in the face of this scripture?
”Read Rom. 3:10: 'As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.' No, not one! Do you hear it? No, not one!” Peter shouted.
”And Paul said that 'Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief' (1 Tim. 1:15). And if Paul was the chief of sinners, do we think we can live free from sin? No, sir! we can not.
And in Romans 7 he declared that he was carnal, sold under sin (Rom.
7:14). I tell you we cannot live better than Paul did. But I am a Christian, for I was baptized fifty years ago in the Big Sandy river, and the Scriptures say that he that 'believeth and is baptized' the same shall be saved.” And Peter again resumed that air of triumph that made him famous throughout the community. Then he cast his eyes around the audience, and poised his head at various angles, in token of his victory.
”The brother has gone a long way from his text for his material tonight,” said Robert Davis. ”He took what we boys used to call a 'running jump.' The text he quoted from Proverbs proves nothing whatever against a holy life. No man can save himself, for salvation is by faith, not by works. But, again, let me remind Mr. Newby that Christ has come since Solomon spoke, and surely Christ has done something for us. The other texts he quoted are easily explained. In Matt. 19:16, 17, Jesus was stating a primary truth, as all goodness comes from G.o.d, yet, he was trying to impress upon the young man that he, Jesus, was G.o.d. No man is good in and of himself. G.o.d must come in before he is good. G.o.d's people are righteous, good. John says, 'He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous'
(1 John 3:7). Now, let us read Rom. 3:10: 'There is none righteous, no not one.' I wish Mr. Newby would read the verses following the tenth verse. What kind of people was Paul writing of? Christians? What! Do Christians have a throat like an open sepulchre? Is their mouth full of cursing and bitterness? Are their feet swift to shed blood? How about it, Mr. Newby? How about it friends? What is your verdict?”
”That cannot mean Christians,” said a voice from the back of the room.
”Of course, it can not. Paul was describing the wayward sinner. As for Paul being actually the chief of sinners when he wrote 1 Tim. 1:15, it is preposterous. He does, indeed, speak in the present tense, 'I am,' but it is perfectly evident that he makes use of a rhetorical expression which is permissible, without being called in question as to his life. If he was, in reality, the chief of sinners at that time, he could hardly say, as he did, 'Ye are witnesses, and G.o.d also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe' (1 Thess. 2:10). And it is entirely inconsistent to believe that the Christ would permit a chief-sinner to be an amba.s.sador for Him. Mr. Newby's text in Romans 7:14 will come up for discussion next week; so I will not speak of it now.
”You did not find your text, Mr. Newby. The five dollars is ready whenever you find it,” said Robert Davis, as he sat down.
All eyes were now upon Mr. Newby. Here was an opponent that was not to be stampeded or intimidated, one who knew his ground, and kept close to his texts. It was easy to see that Peter Newby was nonplused. It usually had been easy for him to silence an opponent, or to get an expression of agreement, so that he smarted under the feeling that he was near to being defeated. His texts were gone. He had no more to offer, and he hardly dared to expound any of Romans 6, so there he sat, red in the face, his right hand pulling nervously at his stubby white mustache. It was either rise or admit defeat. So Peter Newby rose. His voice was cold and sinister.
”I do not propose, friends, to be browbeaten by an upstart of a preacher. I tell you I have been a student of the Scriptures, and I have heard many learned ministers of the gospel preach, and I have never heard one of them state that they lived free from sin. I try to do my best every day, but, I tell you, the devil is strong, and the flesh is weak, so I often fall into grievous sins and errors. But I feel that I am a Christian, nevertheless. I have been baptized, and know that I believe.” And the old man sat down.
”Well, we have not discussed our chapter very much,” said Robert. ”Has any one any explanation to give?”
People glanced at Peter, but it was evident that he was about through for the evening. Robert then rose, and said:
”Friends, this sixth chapter of Romans is full of proof-texts favoring holiness of life. Paul asks, 'Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?' 'G.o.d forbid,' he answers. And then Paul asks a most significant and conclusive question, 'How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?' Mark the words, 'dead to sin.' What could Paul mean, except that we are to become dead to sin?
”Now, notice verse 6, please, 'Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.' Crucifixion means death. The 'old man,' which means the old fleshly, sinful life, is to be killed, so that he may no longer dominate the life. Praise G.o.d!”
When Robert said these last words all in the house looked at him.
They were not used to such expressions. Robert was a little surprised himself, as that was the first time he had ever said them. But his heart was full of heavenly joy. He knew G.o.d saved him.