BY JOHN JAQUES, ELDER IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS.
The doctrine of Exclusive Salvation, or salvation by _one_ Lord, _one_
Faith, _one_ Baptism, _one_ method, _one_ system, _one_ Gospel, _one_
Priesthood only; is at the present time an exceedingly unpopular
doctrine. But popularity or unpopularity can never make truth error,
nor error truth. If the doctrine of exclusive salvation be a false
doctrine, world-wide popularity will never make it true. If, on the
contrary, it be a true doctrine, the most crushing unpopularity will
never destroy its immutability and truthfulness. The subject, then,
should be investigated in the abstract, entirely independent of
popularity or unpopularity. Let us rather call to our aid common sense,
reason, and revelation. My object will be to show most clearly that
exclusive salvation is a true, reasonable, and scriptural doctrine,
that it is an absolute impossibility for a real _Bible believer_ to
entertain a contrary thought.
Ostensibly a great part of Christendom disavow exclusive salvation.
But, if the point be pressed home, all sects must acknowledge the
truth of the doctrine, or at once proclaim themselves false teachers,
impostors, deluders, entirely destitute of the least shadow of legal
authority to officiate as teachers of religion. One or other of these
conclusions is inevitable.
I ask the Baptist minister, what induces him to occupy his time in
preaching up a particular creed? Why not labor in the fields, or at
some mechanical trade? He answers, he can be more usefully employed in
preaching. I ask, of what use is his preaching? His answer must be,
for the salvation of souls. But I may further remark, the established
church is supposed to exist for the very purpose of saving souls; has
colleges for to properly qualify persons to preach; has a church in
nearly every village where salvation is supposed to be taught; has
ministers who are paid, pensioned, salaried, for the express purpose
of doing this necessary work of salvation. Why not leave the work of
salvation to them altogether? Why interfere in their appointed and
acknowledged {67} calling? His answer must be, his only answer can be,
that the established church is not the true church; that its ministers
have no true authority, and that they do not preach the true method of
salvation; that his own Baptist church is the true church of Christ;
that Baptist ministers are the true authorized preachers of salvation,
and that they preach the true and only method of salvation. He cannot
shrink from this. He is driven in a corner. There is no way of escape.
He must either own his neighbor churchman a false teacher, and himself
a true one, or confess himself a base, hypocritical impostor, having
no authority whatever: a wretched wanderer to the depraved vitiated
mental tastes and itching ears of a dishonest or deluded portion of the
community. Thus he cannot deny the doctrine of exclusive salvation; he
is pushed upon it, and it breaks him to pieces.
Some might be inclined to suggest the idea that both Episcopalian and
Baptist churches are true, that the ministers of both churches have
authority--equal authority, the one with the other. This is virtually
condemning both parties. It is utterly impossible for two opposing
churches of equal authority to be one true church, or part and parcels
of the true church. No sane person could broach such an idea. Two
conflicting principles can never become one principle, worlds without
end. One principle must drop. If you tell me that two disagreeing sects
have equal authority, I am bold to affirm that neither of them have any
authority at all, and every sensible man will back my affirmation. Her
Majesty, Victoria, is the true and rightful queen of England. Her claim
is undoubted, her authority is indisputable. She reigns exclusively.
Why? Because she is the nation's only true sovereign. It is the thing
impossible for any other woman to have just claim to equal authority.
The royal prerogative is vested solely in one person. No other person
can have the slightest legal claim to it. So the true and legal
authority and prerogative of salvation can be solely vested in one
church. No other church can have the slightest lawful claim to it. The
true Church may have many branches upon various portions of the earth's
surface, but they must all be united, and subject to the Head.
Two true churches, two true creeds, two true preachers, differing
from each other, contradicting each other, present an irreconcilable
impossibility. It is perfectly senseless--monstrous--the wildest, most
far-fetched idea that could be conceived. Its birthplace must have
been "beyond the bounds of time and space." The simplest capacity,
the narrowest {68} mind, can perceive at a glance the thorough
unreasonableness of such an idea. Yet unreasonable as it is, senseless
as it is, monstrous as it is, still it is a favourite point, a bright
specimen of the wise folly of our "gospel blaze," Christendom. Can
we wonder at the rapid spread of deism, atheism, infidelity, or
unbelief, when we consider the foolish, nonsensical doctrines which
are gravely taught in our day, with all the sanctity, longfacedness,
impudence, and insolence, imaginable? Can we wonder the world is sick
of religion? Is it strange that intelligent Roman Catholics should
consider sectarianism a wicked soul-destroying heresy? What is the
natural effect of men seeing an hundred opposing sects, all believing
differently, teaching differently, and acting differently, yet at
the same time taking one another by the hand as brothers, and with
all gravity declaring to the world they have conjointly one faith,
one hope, one calling? Why, the natural, the legitimate effect is,
that straightforward thinking men will consider them all as so many
arch deceivers, conniving at the accomplishment of party purposes,
or grossly ignorant of what they affirm, and in either case their
profession is a misnomer upon themselves. On the other hand: what
is the natural effect upon clear-minded men of an hundred different
sects, all calling themselves Christians, all believing in one Bible,
one code of laws, all professing to be guided by one spirit; yet, at
the same time, none teaching in accordance with the Bible, each one
teaching contrary doctrines, each one governed by contrary laws, each
one actuated by contrary spirit, each one openly declaring all the
rest are false, and, of course, condemning them to eternal flames? Let
us take the answer of Cobbett, "The natural, the necessary effect is,
that many will believe that none of them have truth on their side, and,
of course, that the thing is false altogether, and invented solely
for the benefit of those who teach it, and who dispute about it." The
French infidels knew full well there could be but one true religion;
consequently, if forty were presented before them, thirty-nine must of
necessity be false.
View it whichever way we will, the notorious inconsistency of
sectarianism is singularly manifest. THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE FAITH.
Common sense, reason, and revelation establish the undeniable fact.
It is, out of sheer necessity, an incontrovertible truth. A deist,
or an atheist, is called all sorts of ill names, and his society
considered pestiferous by professing Christians, because he will not
associate the inconsistencies, confusions, and glaring contradictions
of modern Christianity, with the beautiful, sublime, and magnificent
idea of an overruling {69} Deity, possessing infinite power, wisdom and
glory. Whilst these same professing Christians embrace with cordial
affection those who credit the monstrous lie, the base calumny, the
heaven-daring libel, that the Great Jehovah is the grand author of all
this confusion. O folly! Fie, fie! Christendom!
The doctrine of exclusive salvation is an eternal principle,
indestructible as the Throne of Jehovah. It existed before the first
creation, has existed ever since, and will exist after the last
creation. Were it not for this principle of exclusiveness there
would be no law, no justice, no mercy, no order, no organization,
no honor, no glory, no virtue; no reward, no punishment, no heaven,
no hell; nothing to fear, nothing to hope. This earth would be as
good as heaven, and Jehovah's throne no more to be desired than the
prison-house of the damned. It is this very principle of exclusiveness
that creates the difference between truth and error, between angels and
devils, between salvation and damnation. It is this very principle that
determines, with unerring certainty, every gradation between virtue and
vice, between honour and dishonour, between glory and shame.
But now let us examine scripture evidence upon the subject of exclusive
salvation. We will begin in the beginning, and trace downwards in the
course of time.
The only way in which the harmony of heaven could be maintained was by
rigid observance of the exclusive doctrine of perfect submission to the
head. Lucifer, son of the morning, undertook to question the point. He
was cast down. Others sided with him and shared his fate.
Adam was placed in the garden of Eden, where was everything that
would please the eye, captivate the senses, or delight the heart.
Jehovah revealed to him the doctrine of exclusive salvation: "In
the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." The only, the
exclusive method of salvation proposed from sin, sorrow, and death,
was this,--abstinence from the fruit from a particular tree. It was
an irrevocable decree, by lawful authority, even the Eternal God. It
mattered not what the devil said, what Eve said, or what any other
personage said, however exalted his station or great his authority.
The doctrine of exclusive salvation was given; it was true, it was
faithful. The devil, wily and subtle, preached against exclusive
salvation; said it was a false doctrine: "Ye _shall not_ surely die."
He deceived Eve; Eve persuaded Adam; Adam transgressed; the devil was
proved a liar; Adam discovered by painful experience, and his posterity
to this day are witnesses in themselves of the truth of the {70}
doctrine of exclusive salvation. Thus it will be seen that it is a true
doctrine, and the devil the opposer of it from the beginning.
But we must pass hastily through the scriptures. We have not space nor
time to examine the testimony of the ancient worthies, the prophets,
one by one, or we should discover that they all, without exception,
preach the doctrine of exclusive salvation; who were sent to preach at
all.
We come to Noah, the famous diluvian preacher of righteousness. One
hundred and twenty years whilst the ark was building did Noah preach
the doctrine of exclusive salvation. The only, the exclusive method
of salvation prepared and appointed, was the ark. It was perfectly
immaterial what other prophets or teachers might teach or believe. The
doctrine of Noah was true, and God would authorize no one to preach any
other contrary doctrine. Noah's doctrine was an exceedingly unpopular
doctrine, if we may judge by his numerical success. The majority of
mankind made light of it: "They were eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark." The
terrific roar of the overflowing waters was a fearful testimony to the
antediluvians, in favour of the doctrine of exclusive salvation.
Lot preached the doctrine of exclusive salvation; and the inhabitants
of Sodom and Gomorrah experienced its truth to their utter dismay,
consternation, and destruction.
Moses preached the doctrine of exclusive salvation, and the punishments
consequent upon opposition to this doctrine were severely felt by the
Egyptians at the Red Sea, by the Israelites in the wilderness, and by
the Canaanites who fell before the children of Israel.
Looking up to the brazen serpent made by Moses, was the exclusive
method of salvation from the deadly effects of the bite of the fiery
serpents which the Lord sent.
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, Saul, Uzzah, and the prophets of Baal, can
testify to the truth of this doctrine.
Naaman's indignant wrath, and haughty pride were all in vain; his
servant persuaded him that the exclusive method of salvation from
his leprosy consisted in obedience to the voice of God, even washing
himself seven times in the river Jordan. No matter what Naaman or
anybody else thought or said. _Six_ washings in the river Jordan would
not have availed anything, neither would _seven_ washings in _any other
river_ but the river Jordan have produced the desired effect.
{71} Repentance at the preaching of Jonah, proved exclusive salvation
to the Ninevites.
John the Baptist preached the doctrine of exclusive salvation: "And
now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore every
tree which bringeth forth not good fruit is hewn down and cast into the
fire."
Jesus Christ preached the doctrine of exclusive salvation: "Verily,
verily, I say unto you, except a man be born of water and of the
spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish. I am the way, the truth, and the life; no
man cometh unto the Father but by me. He that entereth not by the
door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is
a _thief and a robber_. There shall be _one_ fold and _one_ shepherd.
Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me,
that they may be one as we are. Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized shall
be _saved_, but he that believeth not shall be _damned."_ Exclusive
enough this. There were many Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes, in the
days of Jesus, but their religions were not sufficiently exclusive:
"Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and
Pharisees, ye shall _in no case_ enter into the kingdom of heaven."
On the day of Pentecost, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, preached
the doctrine of exclusive salvation to men of every nation under
heaven. Hear him: "Repent and be baptized every _one of you_, in the
name of Jesus Christ. Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
Three thousand persons believed the word of exclusive salvation by
Peter, and in token thereof were baptized the same day. The reader
will recollect that these three thousand persons were not what are
generally considered _wicked sinners_, but _religious, devout men_,
who had proven their sincerity and faithfulness by coming up from all
nations to Jerusalem, expressly "to worship." But their religion, their
devotion, their worship was insufficient; it was not exclusive enough,
and Peter had sufficient charity to boldly proclaim this. Sincerity in
an individual is _no proof_ that he is in the "right way." I might wish
to go from Manchester to Edinburgh, but if I unwittingly started on the
London road, with my back to Edinburgh, I should not reach the place
of my destination, but every step I took would increase the distance
between me and it. The only, the exclusive means by which I could reach
Edinburgh, would be to travel on the road to Edinburgh.
{72} Hear Peter further: "Neither is there salvation in any other, for
there is none other name under heaven given amongst men whereby we must
be saved."
Though Cornelius received the ministration of angels, and the gift
of the Holy Ghost, he found that salvation was exclusive, and Peter
commanded him to be baptized, in order that he might be saved.
The devils know the truth of the doctrine of exclusive salvation. Said
one,--"Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?"
James preached the doctrine of exclusive salvation: "But whoso looketh
into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not
a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed
in his deed. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in
_one point_, he is _guilty of all."_
Jude preached the doctrine of exclusive salvation. "It was needful for
me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend
for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. How that they
told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk
after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who _separate themselves_;
sensual, having not the Spirit."
St. John preached the doctrine of exclusive salvation: "They went out
from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they
would no doubt continued with us; but they went out that they might be
made manifest that they were not of us. These things have I written
unto you concerning them that seduce you. Beloved, believe not every
spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false
prophets are gone into the world. We are of God; He that knoweth God
heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the
Spirit of truth, and the Spirit of error. He that hath the Son hath
life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. And we know
that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. Whosoever
transgresseth and _abideth not_ in the doctrine of Christ, hath not
God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father
and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not _this doctrine_,
receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that
biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds."
Lastly, the apostle Paul firmly believed and strenuously contended for
the doctrine of exclusive salvation. He knew it was the hope of the
righteous, and the bulwark of heaven. {73} What does he say? "Be it
known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is
preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe
are justified from all things, from which ye _could not be justified_
by the law of Moses. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for
it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to
the Jew first, and also to the Greek, now I beseech you, brethren, by
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the _same thing,_
and that there be _no divisions_ amongst you: but that ye be perfectly
joined together in the _same_ mind and in the _same judgment_, for it
hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of
the house of Chloe, that there are contentions amongst you. Now this I
say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul and I of Apollos, and I
of Cephas, and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for
you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For ye are yet carnal;
for whereas, there is amongst you envying and strife, and divisions;
are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul,
and another I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal [A]? Who then is Paul,
and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord
gave to every man? For other foundation can no man lay than that is
laid, which is Jesus Christ."
[Footnote A: For whilst one saith, I am of Wesley; and another says, I
am of Luther; and another says, I am of Calvin; and another says, I am
of Campbell, are ye not carnal? We have need to learn again the _first
principles_ of the gospel.]
"Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of _one mind_. I marvel that ye are
so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto
another gospel: which is not another: but there be some that trouble
you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach _any other gospel_ unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now
again. If any man preach _any other gospel_ unto you than that ye have
received, let him be accursed. O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched
you, that ye should not obey the truth? That in the dispensation of
the fulness of times he might gather together _in one_ all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. For this cause
I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the
whole family in heaven and earth is named. There is _one_ body and
_one_ Spirit, even as ye are called _one_ hope of your calling. _One_
Lord, _one_ faith, {74} _one_ baptism, _one_ God and Father of all,
who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Till we all come in
the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every kind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie and wait to deceive. That ye stand fast
in _one_ Spirit, with _one_ mind, striving together for the faith of
the Gospel, when the Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven,
with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that
know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils, _speaking lies in hypocrisy_. Take heed unto thyself and
unto the doctrine: continue in it; for in doing this thou shalt both
save thy self and them that hear thee. This know, also, that in the
last days perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers of their
own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of
God, having a _form_ of godliness but denying the _power_ thereof:
from such turn away. Ever _learning_, and never able to come to the
_knowledge_ of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses,
so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobates
concerning the faith. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and
worse, deceiving and being deceived; for the time will come when they
will not _endure_ sound doctrine, but _after their own lusts_ shall
they _heap to themselves_ teachers _having itching ears:_ and they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
_fables_. They _profess_ that they know God, but _in works_ they
deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work
reprobate."
With such an overwhelming flood of Scripture testimony in favour of
salvation by one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one Priesthood, one
Gospel, how does our blood boil within us, and our bosoms burn with
indignation, when we recollect that _teachers of religion_, with the
_Bible_ in their hands, have the unblushing effrontery to promise us
salvation by just what Lord, what faith, what baptism, what priesthood,
what gospel _we choose?_ And some have actually the infamous audacity
to tell us that we can be saved _without any priesthood or_ {75} _any
baptism at all!_ Oh, how have our eyes been _blinded!_ How grossly
we have been _deceived!_ How awfully we have been _deluded!_ How
completely we have been _"bewitched!"_ How horribly we have been
_imposed upon!_ How has the _truth_ been turned into _fables!_ How has
the _word_ of God been made of none effect through the _traditions_ of
men! "Our fathers have _inherited lies, vanity_, and things wherein
there is _no profit!"_
Hear for yourselves, think for yourselves, judge for yourselves, act
for yourselves, and then you will _know_ for yourselves that every
prophet that came with the "Burden of the word of the Lord," preached
EXCLUSIVE SALVATION.
Why, the very _presence_ of a new prophet argued that all the people
were "gone astray." The very _presence_ of a prophet of the Lord always
did, and always will, involve the salvation or damnation of the people
to whom he is sent. Jehovah does not trifle with men, but expects to be
heard and obeyed through his servants the prophets.
The Lord _never did_ send two or more contradictory messages to
any people. It is thoroughly inconsistent with his character and
perfections. When two men profess to have been sent by the Lord to
the same people with conflicting messages, it is a certain truth that
one or both of them are false teachers, impostors, wicked designing
men, feeding and fattening on the credulity of the people. The message
which any true prophet brings is always an exclusive message. It is
approbation or condemnation. It proves a saviour or life unto life,
or of death unto death. There is no middle course. The people must
_receive or reject it_. If received, it will prove their exclusive
salvation. If rejected, it will prove their exclusive damnation.
There is no alternative. It is a stern law of necessity. A truth that
proves itself without reason, and without argument. If a people to
whom Jehovah sends a message have power to receive or reject that
message with impunity, _they are not accountable creatures_. Jehovah
has _no power_ over them. They are his equals. And who thinks of
rendering homage to their equals, especially when those equals send a
message to us requiring our implicit submission, filled with terrible
denunciations in case of our refusal? No one, certainly. We should
treat the message and its authors with perfect contempt.
In precisely a similar condition, do the opposers of the doctrine of
exclusive salvation place the all-powerful Jehovah.
If Wesleyan Methodism be true; if Wesleyan Methodist preachers be sent
of God; then every other form of religion {76} is a gross imposture,
and all other preachers are false teachers, crafty deluders, having
no authority whatever from God. Every man who does not become a real
Wesleyan Methodist must be damned, and every one who does become a real
Wesleyan Methodist must be saved.
On the contrary, if the Roman Catholic church be the true church; if
Roman Catholic priests be sent of God; then Wesleyan Methodism, then
"Mormonism," and every other ism is false; then Wesleyan Methodist
preachers, and all other preachers are false teachers; if we believe
their words it will not save us; if we reject their messages we shall
not be damned, If the Roman Catholic religion be true, we cannot be
saved without becoming Roman Catholics, and we must be damned if we do
not become Roman Catholics. No other religion will save us or avail us
one jot, and no other religion can condemn us. If the Roman Catholic
religion be false, we cannot possibly _be saved by it;_ neither can we
possibly _be condemned by it_. It is altogether powerless: it is worse
than useless.
God never did, and never will save a single soul by means of a _false
religion_, or through the medium _of false prophets_. He will not give
the glory and power of salvation to imposters: or impostures: but he
will judge all the world by that system, that Gospel, that Priesthood,
that man which _He has ordained, and by no other_. When the works of
false religions and false prophets are presented before the bar of
God, the great Judge of all the earth will say--Who hath required this
at your hands? Depart from Me ye cursed; I never knew you. Then if
not before, will all know for themselves the truth of the doctrine of
exclusive salvation. Then will it be manifest that _those authorized of
God, and those alone_, have power to bind one earth and bind in heaven,
to loose on earth and loose in heaven. Salvation will be confined
exclusively to those who obeyed the warning voice of the duly empowered
servants of God, and damnation will be _poured out exclusively_ upon
those who rejected the warning voice of those servants. What, then,
becomes of Sectarianism? It will be blasted to the four winds of
heaven. It will crumble to dust before the majestic march of Eternal
Truth. It will be swallowed up in the victorious triumph of the Kingdom
and Sons of God. Amen.
_Published by F. D. Richards, 15 Wilton Street, Liverpool_.
{77}