QUESTION.--What is the Gospel?
ANSWER.--There is only one true system of doctrine that can properly be
called the Gospel; and that one system is so definite in every point,
and so exactly adapted to the situation of sinners, that every person
may immediately embrace it wherever it is preached, and by so doing
they become saints, or Christians.
The first principle of action required in the Gospel is belief in the
name of Jesus Christ, the once crucified and now risen Redeemer.
The second is repentance; which signifies nothing more nor less
than the putting away of sins, with humility and meekness before
God--feeling sorry for our sins, and a determination to forsake them.
The third is baptism, by immersion in water, in the name of the Father,
of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.
The fourth is the laying on of hands, in the name of Jesus, for the
baptism of the Holy Ghost. All who do these things in a proper manner,
and under proper authority, are saints; and if they endure to the end
they will be saved in the Kingdom of God.
Q.--Are there any conditions in this system which the sinner cannot
immediately fulfil, as soon as he understands them?
A.--The sinner can believe that Jesus is the Christ on good testimony.
He can turn from his sins, and put them away. He can also go forth, and
be immersed in water, in the name of the Lord Jesus.
God will not believe for us; He will not repent for us; He will not be
baptized for us; but these things are for us to do; and if we do them,
then God has promised to forgive us our sins, and to baptize us with
the Holy Ghost; then, certainly we should be the children of God, in
the enjoyment of religion.
Q.--Is it of any use for men to pray to the Lord to convert them and
give them religion, while they neglect to obey the Gospel?
A.--No. In _vain_ they call Him Lord, Lord, and do not perform the
things which He has commanded them. In _vain_ they worship Him,
teaching for _doctrines_ the COMMANDMENTS OF MEN. The Lord is praying
us to be converted, and we will not, while at the same time we are
praying Him to convert us.
Q.--But must not the Lord perform some special work, on His part, more
than He has done, in order to convert our souls and make us Christians?
A.--No. The Lord has died for us; He has risen again for us; He has
sent His word to us, with servants to administer it; and now He
requires us to obey it, and then He has promised to forgive our sins,
and to grant us the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Q.--But what! Can every sinner come immediately forward and obey the
Gospel when it is {530} preached, and thus become a child of God?
A.--Yes.
Q.--What! All the sinners in this town?
A.--Yes; and all the sinners in England, nay, in all the world. The
very moment they obey the Gospel they are free from sin, and are made
partakers of the Holy Ghost. If this is not the case, then the word of
God is of none effect, and the Gospel never saved a man since the world
began, nor ever will; for, if God has sent a message or Gospel into the
world which is insufficient to save sinners, and is under the necessity
of saving them some other way, independent of that Gospel, then surely
He has sent it in vain. But, on the other hand, if He has sent a Gospel
which would save one man by obeying its precepts, then surely it would
be the power of God unto salvation to all who would believe and obey it.
Q.--If these things are so, what would a minister of the Gospel say
if he were to be present at some of the religious excitements which
are got up in modern times, and were to see persons bowed down at the
penitent forms, trying to "get religion" in that?
A.--He would say, as Ananias said to Saul of Tarsus, "Why tarryest
thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the
name of the Lord."
Q.--But what would he say if they should refuse to comply with the
requisition, and should continue praying?
A.--He would say, "Why do you call Lord, Lord, and do not perform the
things he has said?" "In vain you worship him, teaching for doctrines
the commandments of men."