Part 1 (1/2)
The Last Reformation.
by F. G. [Frederick George] Smith.
PREFACE
G.o.d's true people everywhere are looking for light on the church question. A deep undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the present order of things exists in the ecclesiastical world. The historic creeds are stationary and conservative, but religious thought can not always be bound nor its progress permanently hindered. Honest Christian men and women will think, and they are now thinking in the terms of a universal Christianity. If I am able to discern the signs of the times, the rising tide of Christian love and fellows.h.i.+p is about to overflow the lines of sect and bring together in one common hope and in one common brotherhood all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
What will const.i.tute the leading characteristics of the church of the future? This is the burning question. Spiritual-minded men are conscious that things can not long continue as they now are, but what and where is the remedy?
After this book was completed and in the hands of the printers, I received a copy of ”The Church and its Organization,” by Walter Lowrie, and was surprized to find in it much truth that I had already received through independent investigation and embodied in my ma.n.u.script. I refer particularly to the charismatic organization and government of the church. It is gratifying to know that other minds are being led to the same conclusions regarding a subject of such vital importance to the future of Christianity.
In writing the present work I have endeavored to present the Scriptural solution of this great problem, a solution which takes into account, and gives due respect to, historic Christianity, the prophecies respecting the church and its destiny, and the fundamental characteristics of our holy religion as it emanated from the divine Founder.
If this work can be of service in pointing out Christ's plan and purpose to ”gather together in one the children of G.o.d which are scattered abroad,” and also be instrumental in helping to accomplish this grand Christian ideal, I shall feel abundantly repaid. F.G.
SMITH.
Anderson, Indiana, May 6, 1919.
INTRODUCTION
”THE TIME OF REFORMATION”
In ecclesiastical history the term Reformation has been applied specifically to the important religious movement of the sixteenth century which resulted in the formation of the various Protestant churches of that period. Since the sixteenth century there have been other religious reformations, some of considerable importance and influence.
[Sidenote: A present reformation]
There is a present reformation specially distinguished from all those that have gone before. It is resulting from the particular operation of the Spirit of G.o.d as predicted in the Word of G.o.d, and its influences are being felt in varying degrees throughout all Christendom. Many Christians are already stirred to action by the conscious knowledge of Christ's message for these times, while multiplied thousands of others who love the Lord Jesus are experiencing within their own hearts the awakening of new aspirations and impulses, the real meaning of which they do not as yet understand, but which are, through the leaders.h.i.+p of the Holy Spirit, unconsciously fitting them for their true place in this great world-wide movement which is destined to exceed in importance and influence all other religious reformations since the days of primitive Christianity.
Since, as we shall show, the present reformation is the work of the Spirit affecting all true Christians, drawing them together for the realization of a grand Scriptural ideal, it is evident that no particular band of people enjoy its exclusive monopoly. May the same Holy Spirit illuminate our hearts and minds in the contemplation of the truths of the divine Word.
The term _reformation_ signifies ”the act of reforming or the state of being reformed; change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt.” In its application to the religion of Christ, reformation means the correction of abuses and corrupt practises that have become a.s.sociated with the Christian system; the elimination of all unworthy, foreign elements. In other words, it implies _restoration_, a return to the practises and ideals of primitive Christianity.
[Sidenote: What the final reformation must include]
If we inquire concerning the limits of true reformatory work, we see at once that, if there is to be a final reformation, such a movement must restore in its fundamental aspects _apostolic Christianity_--its doctrines, its ordinances, its personal regenerating and sanctifying experiences, its spiritual life, its holiness, its power, its purity, its gifts of the Spirit, its unity of believers, and its fruits.
This a.s.sumes, of course, that during the centuries there has been a departure from this standard.
[Sidenote: The church itself the real object of reformation]
No reformation since apostolic times has covered all this ground. All the reformations taken together fall far short of this standard. They have been reformations only in part, each movement simply placing special emphasis on particular doctrines, or ordinances, or personal experiences. Hence the need of further reformation. The present movement embraces all the truth contained in all the previous reformations of Protestantism. But it does not stop there. It stands committed to all the truth of the Word of G.o.d. It goes straight to the heart of the reformation subject and reveals the pure, holy, _universal_ church of the apostolic times as made up of all those who were regenerated, uniting them all IN CHRIST; in the ”church of the living G.o.d,” which church was ”the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15); the church that was graced with the gifts of the Spirit and filled with holy power.
The true apostolic church has been largely lost to view since the early Christian centuries, when a general apostasy dimmed the light of truth and plunged the world into the darkness of papal night.
In modern times the term ”church” as applied to a general body of religious wors.h.i.+pers is usually employed in a restricted sense, specifying some particular organization, as the hierarchy of Rome or the aggregation of local congregations const.i.tuting a Protestant sect.
By a natural reaction from the Romish extreme, wherein the church and church relations.h.i.+p are exalted above the personal relations.h.i.+p of the individual with his G.o.d, many teachers now incline to an opposite extreme, which makes little of the church as an inst.i.tution, subst.i.tuting therefor a sort of ”loyalty to Christ,” _individualism_, subversive of true New Testament standards.