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Chapter 3—On Baptism, Answering The Charge Of Disorderliness
Mr. Bridgman: "But as an ordination is a service similar to the first opening or anniversary of a chapel, I for one, nor I alone by many, consider the preacher quite as much breaking the rule of the Apostle, 'Let all things be done decently and in order,' as was Joseph in sprinkling an infant in the presence of John Andrew the dipper." My Reply: I never did know, and you are the first person who ever said within my knowledge, that an ordination is a similar service to that of opening a chapel, or to that of an anniversary: for, 1. At an ordination the church is required to give an account of the leadings of Providence, relative to their chosen minister, and this…
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February 14—Morning Devotion
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."—Matthew 28:20 What an encouraging declaration is this of our Jesus, to prompt the faithful to meet together on the Lord's day; or in short, any day, at all times, and all places. Observe, my soul, how sweet the Lord speaks; 'There am I in the midst of my people; not by my word only, not as represented in ordinances, not by the ministry of my servants, but I myself spiritually. The calls, the motions of grace felt in the heart, the tender tokens, the manifestations of my suitableness, fulness, and all-sufficiency; these are all truly mine, which, by the influences of my Spirit, I communicate among…
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3 Church Membership
The character of a building depends very much on the materials of which it is constructed. Christian disciples "are builded together for a habitation of God, through the Spirit." Any society or association is largely what its constructive elements are. Combination and intercourse may, to a certain extent, modify individual peculiarities, but the corporate character will be the result of the various personalities which compose the body. The estimation in which will be held its internal life and order, the efficiency with which it will work toward its purposed end, will all be determined by the character of its individual elements. It is sometimes said that a Church is a voluntary society. This is true in a sense, and only with an explanation. It is…
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Chapter 2—On Baptism, Anserwing The Charge Of Dishonesty
Mr. Bridgman: "I ask was it candid, was it fair, when bills were sent round to Pseudo-Baptist chapels, with requests to ministers and people to attend (not an immersion, but) an ordination, was it fair in the preacher to turn the opportunity into a clap-trap, to draw away the weak and simple among our people into your pools of water?" My Reply: My reasons for saying so much on baptism, on that and on all such occasions are, 1. Because so much is said against it without the least true authority of chapter or verse from the mouth of God. 2. Because so many of its professed friends say so little about it as a part of the revealed will of God and of their…
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2 A Christian Church
A Christian Church is a company of regenerate persons, baptized on a profession of faith in Christ; united in covenant for worship, instruction, the observance of Christian ordinances, and for such service as the gospel requires; recognizing and accepting Christ as their supreme Lord and Lawgiver, and taking His Word as their only and sufficient rule of faith and practice in all matters of conscience and religion. I. Meaning of the Word. The word Church is of uncertain derivation: English, Church; Scottish, Kirk; Anglo-Saxon, Cyric; German, Kirche; Danish, Kyrke; Swedish, Kyrka; Russian, Zerkow. It is used as the equivalent, if not derived from the Hebrew Kahal; Latin, Curia and has usually been derived from the Greek Kuriakon—"belonging to the Lord." This is, however, disputed by…
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Chapter 1—On Baptism, Answering The Charge Of Flippancy
Dear Sir,—Your letter came to hand Oct. 21, or the day following the date thereof. At first sight I thought of giving a short and private answer only, but in looking it over again, I feel convinced that justice to you, to myself, to the truth, and to the denomination to which I have the honor to belong, demands an answer in a very different way. My labor in the pulpit at Crosby Row, on the eighteenth, in stating the nature, constitution, and order of a gospel church, seems greatly to have displeased you, both in manner and in matter too; so that beside speaking very low and contemptuously of me, calling me "The Preacher" sixteen times on your single sheet, you have condemned our…
