The Signs of the Times, vol. 22

November 19, 1896

“Hear the Word” The Signs of the Times, 22, 46.

E. J. Waggoner

Since the religion of Jesus Christ has to do with the heart, the inner life and thought of men, and not merely with outward acts, it is evident that it must deal with individuals, and not with masses. The following texts of scripture plainly show this:— SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.1

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.2

“We see Jesus.... crowned with glory and honor, that he by the grace of God should taste death, for every man.” Hebrews 2:9. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.3

“For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work.” Mark 13:34. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.4

Consequently the Lord says, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.5

In order that we may properly carry on the work assigned, “unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7. The Spirit distributes gifts for the work, “dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Corinthians 12:11. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.6

For the manner in which men perform the work left them by the Lord, every man is responsible to God alone. “Who art thou that judgest another mans servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.Yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.7

The same principle applies also in matters of faith. “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God.” Romans 14:5, 22. Jesus said, “if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47. “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.8

Since no man can answer for another in the judgment day, but each one must give account of himself, it is evident that no one can believe for another, or prescribe another’s belief. Each man stands accountable to God for himself, independently of priest or minister. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.9

It is further evident, also, that no man can be justified before God for believing something just because some other person does, even though that thing be true. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10. Faith is the appropriation of the living presence and power of Christ, in his word. Accepting a theory merely, and that, too, on the authority of some other person, is no more like real faith than taking food at another person’s hands and putting it in a safe place in the cupboard is like eating. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.10

Some one will ask, “How about hearing the church, if each one is to decide his own faith and practice for himself? Is each individual to set himself and his ideas in opposition to the church?” By no means. And this brings up a principle that is too often lost sight of. A few words may suffice to set it forth. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.11

First, let it be understood that “the church” is not a law-making body. “There is one lawgiver,” and that is God. The church is composed of members who, altho they have different offices and different work, are in their relation to God absolutely equal. The greatest minister, even tho he was called pope, has no more authority to lay down rules for faith and practice than the poorest and most ignorant child. And a thousand men assembled in council, have no more authority in matters of faith than each man has individually. Truth rests on God’s word, and not in numbers in influence. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.12

That which is committed to the church is the word of God. This, and this alone, is to be spoken. This we are to hear. The fact that a number of men are agreed on a certain point, is no evidence that the thing is true. In a matter of faith, one hundred men are as likely to be wrong as one man is; and they are all sure to be wrong if they say anything aside from the word of God. Therefore if “the church” does not speak the word of God, it is no more to be listened to than is any individual. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.13

The “right of private interpretation” is not involved in this question. It is not a matter of interpretation, but of loyalty to the plain word of God. For one man to accept an interpretation of scripture simply because another man says that it is correct, is to accept that other man as pope; but for each man to set his own judgment and authority against everybody else, and to interpret scripture according to his own judgment, is to make himself a pope, and that is no better. What then shall we do?—Accept the Holy Spirit, the divinely-appointed guide. The gift of the Holy Spirit is to every man, to guide him individually into all the truth, which is the pure word of God. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.14

The Spirit will not lead a man to set himself in opposition to his brethren. He will take the word of God just as it reads, and humbly rest upon it. If all in the church do the same, there will be perfect unanimity because the word says the same thing to every man. But if his brethren do not the same, he will not fight them, nor create a rebellion. The child of God will never resist authority. He will hold to the truth, and if the “authority,” whether it be the church or the state, condemns him, he will submit to the condemnation and punishment, yet not compromising the truth. In this way he will be a true follower of the Master, “also, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously;” yet who never swerved in his steadfast witness to the truth. SITI November 19, 1896, page 721.15

E. J. W.