Document: James White, “Gospel Order,” The Review and Herald 5, no. 10 (March 28, 1854): 76, 77. HTML, PDF.
Contents: Editorial emphasizing New Testament teaching of submitting to one another, to promote doctrinal unity.
Highlighted text was quoted by C. C. Crisler in Organization, pp. 56-60.
[p. 76]
Gospel Order.
There are two extremes which we would warn all against. One extreme is to resort to human creeds to secure church order; the other is no order, each one acting independently of the views and feelings of his brethren.
On the one hand, men have seen the need of order and union in the church, that the cause of Christianity might advance, and, to secure this, have formed creeds and rules of discipline to govern the church, instead of taking the words of life spoken by Christ, and written by inspired apostles. What a sad mistake!
Human creeds stand unyieldingly against the progress of light and truth; they bind the consciences of many, and stifle the voice of truth, that, were it otherwise, would cheer the hearts of the faithful, and arouse the sinner to flee from coming wrath. Human creeds may have the credit of holding together vast bodies of men professing Christianity; but it must be acknowledged that within their embrace are all the corruptions and damning sins of the age. Slavery and oppression in every form, pride, love of riches and all the lusts of the flesh are there. And there is not power in these creeds to purify the body. They shut out the light of those unfolding truths designed to purify men and prepare them for the coming of the Son of man, while these sins lie unrebuked upon the church, which will in the day of wrath sink her in perdition. “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:4. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.” 2 Cor. 6:17.
On the other hand, some who have seen the deadly influence of creeds, have run off into the fatal extreme of no order, but each in their teachings and mode of operation, acting perfectly independently of the views, feelings and wishes of their brethren. This extreme leads to anarchy and confusion. Our Advent brethren, in coming out of the churches, in breaking away from human organizations and creeds, did well; but their sad mistake has been in not being subject to the order of church association and discipline delivered to the church by inspiration of God.
Some of our dear brethren who engaged in the work of teaching the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and other truths connected with the message of the third angel, have stumbled, and some of them are now inactive, in consequence of taking this last extreme. They have hastily advanced new views without first consulting with their brethren, and in some cases have continued to teach error after their brethren have entreated them not to, and have pointed out the evils of such a course. Others have moved rashly and injudiciously in the use of means, and in the manner they have presented truth, even after they had been faithfully warned and entreated to take a different course; but their extreme views of individual responsibility, and not being in a scriptural sense subject to their brethren, led them to still pursue a course which has resulted in much evil. Some have taken upon themselves the work of teaching the word without the advice and approbation of their brethren, and too many among us have been more or less puffed up with pride, having an exalted view of their opinions, and their knowledge of spiritual things. These things have arisen for want of gospel order among us. And while we see the holy cause of present truth is hindered in its onward progress in consequence of these evils, we cannot remain silent on this subject.
The inquiry comes in from many places, “What is the matter? Why does not the cause of present truth move more rapidly?” The best answer we can give, is this:—God will not suffer this holy cause to move faster than it moves right. (What else could we expect in the last sealing work?) And he is waiting for his people to get right, and in gospel order, and hold the standard of piety high, before he adds many more to our numbers. We confess that we have not felt desirous of others embracing the truth, till the standard of Bible truth and holiness should be raised so high, that when precious souls embrace the Sabbath, they may be led on to higher and still higher attainments in the service of God. But it is a lamentable fact that in many places, soon after individuals embrace the Sabbath, and feel the sanctifying blessing that follows taking this cross, their hearts are made sad in consequence of trials produced by those who walk not according to the gospel rule, and they sink down into a tried discouraged state. While such sad causes exist among us, who can desire an increase of numbers? God will not intrust many souls to our watch-care, brethren, until we get into a position to lead them on in the path to eternal life.
A shaking is now going on among us, and we cannot pray, Stay thy hand, Lord, but we desire it to go on till we are left a holy and perfectly united people, prepared to work for God. But we are happily disappointed that our brethren all stand firm in the Sabbath, though in some places rather low.
There are many of our dear brethren who feel the need of gospel order. May the Lord help them to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:2. And, brethren, one and all, let us arise in the strength of the Lord, to the work before us. We see the evils that have existed and do now to some extent exist among us, and their sad results. It will not profit us to see these things, and sink in discouragement as we view them. But let us arise and put these things from us, that the frown of God may be turned away, and his power be manifested among us.
And to those who have been in error, and have wounded the precious cause of truth, we would say, Make clean work and confess to the bottom that you may be fully restored to the favor of God, and the fellowship of the church, and in that swiftly-hasting day, be sheltered from the wrath of God.
We have briefly noticed the two extremes, and their results. Between them we may find gospel order. Read the exhortation of the Apostle, given by inspiration of God, to those who feed the flock:—
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1 Pet. 5:1-6.
This thrilling exhortation expresses the mind of the Holy Ghost; and the servants of the Lord should mark well every sentence, and tremble at the word of the Lord. He is required:—1. To feed the flock of God. 2. To take the oversight of the flock. 3. This he is to do willingly, and not by constraint. 4. Not for filthy lucre, [gain,] but of a ready mind. 5. He is not to be a lord over God’s heritage, and rule with severity and force, but be an ensample to the flock. He must meekly follow Christ and lead the way, that the flock may safely follow his example. 6. The younger are to submit to the elder. How necessary that those of little experience should counsel with, and submit to the advice of those of experience and sound judgment. 7. “Yea, all of you be subject one to another.” 8. “And be clothed with humility.” 9. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
But we would call especial attention to the expression, “Yea, all of you be subject one to another.” It will be seen at once that if this injunction is obeyed, union will be certainly restored and secured to the flock. It strikes a death blow at the extreme view of individual responsibility, that men are not to be governed at all in the views they advance and the course they pursue, by those they believe to be the true church of God. It plainly shows that in these things they must be subject to the church. The pride of the natural, ungovernable, unteachable heart will start back at this plain gospel sentiment; but we dare not withhold it. There never can be gospel union until this gospel truth obtains and is carried out by the flock.
Turn to the fifteenth chapter of Acts, and there read the account of the course pursued by the apostle to secure the union of the faithful. Certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren that they must be circumcised after the manner of Moses in order to be saved. With them “Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation.” They then determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, unto the apostles and elders about this question. “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.”
Then Peter, Barnabas, Paul and James, addressed the assembly, touching the point of difference, showing that the gospel was for the Gentile as well as the Jew.
“Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. And they wrote letters by them after this manner: The apostles, and elders, and brethren, send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia.
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave NO SUCH COMMANDMENT. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch, and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.”
If such a course should now be pursued under similar circumstances, we should hear those who go for no-order exclaiming “Don’t abridge our rights: let us enjoy gospel liberty!” To such we would say that the teachings and example of the apostles do not abridge the lawful rights and liberty of any Christian: but they do rebuke him who would use his “liberty for a cloak of maliciousness.” 1 Pet. 2:16.
The spirit of the humble and pure will be in harmony with these words of Paul: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” Rom. 12:9, 10. “Submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Eph. 5:21.
“Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory [p. 77] but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Phil. 2:2, 3.
“And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Cor. 14:32, 33.