Christians are of the person of God, the Creator and Saviour of the
world! All this, too, in an age of the world boasting of blazing light!
of a millennial dawn! of the unparalleled march of improvement! but,
alas! the very God and Father of us all, who ought to be _truly_ known
in order to be rightly worshipped, is regarded as the most insensible
(a God without "_passion_" must be insensible), and irrational, and
unattractive as to form, of all beings that can be conceived of; and
the most surprising feature in all modern theology in an age of sanity
is, that this notion concerning the person of God, is deducible from
the scriptures of the Old and New Testament.
The New Testament tells us most unequivocally what kind of person God
has, and whether he is a Being having both passion and physical form.
It tells whether he can be so "_condensed_" as to speak to men, and
be seen of them, and talk to them face to face, as a man talks to his
fellow man. The New Testament declares that in Jesus Christ dwelt the
"FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD, BODILY."
Now, if the Godhead dwelt in the body of Christ, then it is certain
that God is not without a _body_. But He has a body; and what is His
body like unto? The New Testament tells us what His body is like. It
is so nearly and exactly like unto the body of Christ, that there is
no difference. Paul says, that Christ was the "_express image of his
person_." It is then beyond all dispute that the body and person of
Jesus Christ and the Father are alike. Language cannot express the
similitude of the Father and the Son in plainer or stronger terms.
Then, if we can show from the New Testament what kind of body or
person Jesus Christ had, we can also tell what kind of body the Father
has, because they are alike. One is the express image of the other.
If one has a fleshy material body, the other has the same. If one
resembles in stature the seed of the woman, the other also wears the
same resemblance. If one can be so "_condensed_" as to speak and walk,
and feel and act like a man, the other can do the same. If one wearing
a body of flesh and bones, in all points like unto his brethren,
is capable of holding all power in heaven and earth, and also of
displaying the brightness of celestial glory, the other can do the same
in a similar body of flesh and bones.
Well, now, what kind of body or person had Jesus Christ, which
looked so much like the Father's person? Was it an airy, invisible,
evanescent, mystical _nothing_, which some would denominate spirit? No,
by no means; very much otherwise. Hearken now, my dear sir, and all ye
readers, that have an honest desire to _know_ the living and true God,
and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, in order that men might know from
the person of the Son what is the personal appearance of the Father.
He, "_the Word, was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace
and truth_." Jesus had a fleshly form like the seed of Abraham, and
being begotten of the Father he partook of his likeness. Men beheld his
glory in human form, and Paul says that his glory was the glory of the
Father.
It appears from the conduct of some of his disciples, that they, like
sectarian churches now, were tinctured with the idea that Christ, after
his death and resurrection, was purely and exclusively a _Spirit_; but
he tells them to handle him and see that "_a Spirit has not flesh and
bones as ye see me have_." And he eat and drank with them as aforetime
with his resurrected body, and afterwards ascended up from their midst
with the same bloodless body into heaven; and in like manner will he
come again.
Thus, sir, the notion of a God that is exclusively _Spirit_ without
bodily form, was banished from the minds of the disciples that saw
the bodily image of the Father in the person of the Son after his
resurrection. From heaven he will come again in like manner, and every
eye shall see him, and they that have pierced him. But the popular
God of modern times, that has no body or parts, cannot be seen. But,
sir, this popular God that has sprung into fashion, since the age of
revelation, has no resemblance to Jesus Christ, who has both body and
parts, and is the exact image of his Father. Jesus Christ declared
that he could exercise all power in heaven and earth while he was in
the body. His Father could do the same, because they were alike. It
required no extraordinary _condensation_ of the infinity of Jesus in
order to reveal himself to men, or in order that men should behold his
glory.
But we have other proofs that the person of God the Father is like
the bodily form of Christ's resurrected person. God has declared that
man is in his image. Man was created in the image of God, and in the
likeness of God; and the bodies of holy men are destined to be like
unto Christ's own most glorious body; that is as much as to say that
they are like the body of Christ in the heavenly state.
If the foregoing, and many other similar passages of scripture, do not
go to show that the Supreme Being bears a personal appearance like unto
the person of his Son, and consequently like unto any other resurrected
body of a righteous man, then we are in a labyrinth of doubt how to
interpret the most plain and unequivocal language. If the language of
scripture does not bear me out in the conclusion that man is in the
form of God, then there are no infallible way-marks or criteria by
which I can safely interpret scriptures. And the votaries of Vishnoo
have as good scriptural reason to believe in their theory of deific
annihilation, as others have to believe in a God without body, or
parts, or passions.
The scriptures plainly deny both theories, as they do that God is a
person some millions of miles in the height of his stature. Common
sense cannot grasp the idea of any _being_ or _thing_ whatever,
that is without body or parts. Even the most subtle and refined
spirit conceivable, is a _material existence_ as far removed from
immateriality as the east is from the west.
Now, sir, suffer me to entreat you to abandon all such crude theories
concerning God, which are as baseless and unscriptural as the most
extravagant vagaries of the heathen, and confine your faith to the
simple obvious testimony of Jesus and the prophets. And remember that
this is not a subject of little importance; for it is written, that,
_to know God and Jesus Christ is eternal life_. No man can understand
the import of eternal life, nor how it is secured to believers, that
does not _know God_ and Jesus Christ. In God and Christ is eternal
life. This life is not barely the perpetuity of existence, for even the
wicked exist for ever, but it is called in scripture the "_power_ of
endless life." This _power_ of multiplying or creating life emanated in
that Melchizedek priesthood of which Jesus is the head and High Priest.
This is the gift of God to men who keep his commandments, and the
greatest of all gifts. Unsearchable riches accompany this gift. When
God created man, he created him in his own image (male and female), in
order that he too might have the power of multiplying life after the
order of Melchizedek, through obedience.
Now, sir, should it not be a matter of delight to you, that man is
created in the image of God, and crowned with glory and honour through
faith in Christ. Will not Peter and his fellow-desciples rejoice to
recognise that same Jesus who ascended to heaven with a body like their
own, and if Jesus bears the image of the Father, they will be equally
familiar with the Highest. What is there, sir, that contributes more to
the glory of God than his _creative power_, by which he brings myriads
of living intelligences into being, through whom a chaotic universe is
organized into works of beauty, taste, grandeur, and glory? All these
creations are for the righteous pleasure of Him who created them.
We all are the offspring of God, and the loyal offspring of God are the
greatest delight and concern of God. For them he is ever ready to make
the greatest sacrifice possible. Not only is filial reverence displayed
from them to Him, the fountain of life, but by them is shown forth the
manifold wisdom and power of God. And when men, by humble obedience,
become worthy of eternal life, the Almighty bestows upon them the like
precious _creative gift_. But this gift of life is in his Son, and He
never bestows it upon unworthy subjects. Thus by the law of adoption
men become the sons and daughters of the Almighty, and receive the
priestly "_power of endless life_," which is after the order of the
Son of God. Hence the marvellous language of scripture, "I said ye
are God's to whom the word of God came." Jesus virtually said on one
occasion, "If holy men are the sons of God, and consequently heirs
to His throne, privileges, and glory, then marvel not that I (Jesus)
should claim to be a God or the Son of God!" For Paul says, "_there be
in heaven Gods many, and Lords many, yet to us there is but one God.
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge_."
In conclusion, I will drop a passing remark or two concerning the abode
or dwelling place of God, with a brief hint of his moral attributes.
As Jesus is our light and example, we can learn of the Father's abode
from his Son. The Son ascended up into _heaven_ and to his God and our
God. The scriptures abundantly declare that a place called _heaven_ is
the peculiar dwelling place of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Now, if heaven is not a _literal, bona fide place_, but only
an imaginary phantom, then it follows that Jesus went to no place, but
continued to ascend up, till, in his glorious flight, He reached--
shall I call it Nichban--an imaginary phantom--or annihilation!
Be not displeased, dear sir, I am not trifling with your religion,
but am bound by truth and the love of God, to unfold its naked
absurdity, in order that you, my beloved friend, and all good men
may recoil from such gross Gentile vagaries, and exclaim, in the
language of scripture, "_Our Fathers have inherited lies, vanity,
and things wherein there is no profit_." If you will read carefully
the scripture accounts of the visions of holy men, that have been
permitted to look in upon the heavenly residence of God, where Jesus
and all the resurrected bodies of the righteous abide, and eat and
drink, you will be constrained to acknowledge every appearance of a
splendid local abode. Mansions--streets--rivers--trees--precious metals
--thrones--persons--apparel--animals--ministering personages in all the
courtly livery of unspeakable celestial glory! The heaven of all the
holy prophets!
God's holy dwelling place, is literal, local, real, and to its
occupants, it is visible and tangible. It is by no means a matterless,
passionless, mystical region of extatic and endless songs from the
lips of immaterial spirits, offered in praise to some Great Spirit,
equally passionless and immaterially chaotic, spreading infinitely
through all space without centre or circumference. If such is the God
that men expect to adore in heaven, mankind would present but a faint
image of him, yea, even Jesus, who partook of man's likeness, could not
have been the brightness of the Father's glory, and express image of
his person. He declares that He has given us an image and likeness of
himself in the person of man. But who would ever recognise their Father
and Jesus in the person of a boundless, centreless being, of no body or
parts, infinitely expanded.
But it is sometimes urged that man only resembles God in his moral
attributes. Morally, says the divine and doctor, man bears the image
of God. Aye, indeed! The absurdity of such a supposition is still
greater. By moral, I must then understand, that the resemblance
between God and man, consists in their being of like social, civil,
and religious temperament and affection. Other things being equal, a
holy man as Adam originally was, would cherish the same propensities
with God--have a similar sense of justice and truth according to the
measure of knowledge belonging to each. But the absurdity and query
are here: an immaterial, infinitely expanded God, without physical
form and locality, is as unlike to man as light to darkness, or as the
most diverse animals can be supposed to be, and cannot in the nature
of things have those sympathies and moral sensibilities that man has.
Material sensibilities must differ from those which are immaterial, as
much as the elements of land and water differ.
My sheet being full, allow me to subscribe myself
Your friend and servant,
ORSON SPENCER.
LETTER IX.
THE PRIESTHOOD.
_Liverpool, September_ 30, 1847.
Reverend and Dear Sir,--In close connexion with an account of the
character of God, I will proceed to give you a brief and succint
description of THE PRIESTHOOD. It is feared, however, that the present
subject will not be more congenial to your views than the foregoing.
Still it shall be treated according to the spirit of the scriptures of
the Old and New Testament, which you ardently profess to believe.
You will admit that God is the righteous Ruler over all the moral and
intelligent creatures of the universe. His government is both temporal
and spiritual. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His
notice. He clothes the lilies of the field; much more doth He watch
over all the varied interests of intelligent beings both in heaven and
upon earth.
I shall then define priesthood to be that order of authoritative
intelligences by which God regulates, controls, enlightens, blesses
or curses, saves or condemns all beings. To it, under God, all things
are subservient in righteousness, whether in heaven, earth, or hell.
God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is at the head of all genuine
priesthood. But as it is His will that all men should honour the Son,
even as they honour the Father, Jesus now stands accredited as the
Apostle and High Priest of our profession. Subordinate priests in the
same apostolic order of the Son of God, are such as he has put in his
church. These are called apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, &c.
Now, sir, by means of this order, extending from Jesus the High
Priest, to the lowest grade of priesthood in conjunction with the Holy
Ghost, God teaches and governs all things. Out of the line of this
order, there is no power whatever that is acknowledged and approved
of God. Magistrates, rulers, kings, potentates and principalities,
if not legitimately ordained and clothed with the authority of this
priestly order of the Son of God, are usurpers and not of God--for the
scriptures declare that there is no power that is not of God. Even the
angelic order is in the line of subordination to Jesus Christ, and in
the same chain of priesthood with apostles and prophets upon the earth.
The priesthood exhibits a regular gradation of knowledge and authority
from Jesus the great High Priest in heaven, to the lowest description
of ordination in the church below. Jesus said that "all power was given
him in heaven and upon earth." But how did he propose to exercise all
that power which was given him both among the nations of the earth
and in heaven? My answer is, that he proposed to do it through a
delegation of power to the different orders of his priesthood. We are
told distinctly what the priesthood consists of, which is established
on the earth, viz., apostles, prophets, evangelists, &c. The heavenly
order, minister to the authorities of the earthly order. The ruling
object to be accomplished by the latter is, the work of the ministry,
the perfecting of the Saints, the edifying of the body of Christ.
The first object of this priestly order is to teach all nations to
become loyal and good citizens of the kingdom of God, observing all
the commandments of God. One universal commandment of God is, for all
men every where to repent and be baptized, and keep all other laws of
God, as they shall be dispensed from the great High Priest through
the delegated authorities. Now if all men do not obey these commands,
they are liable to be dealt with as transgressors, and punished as
evil doers. The command to obey is imperative upon _all_ men. Hence
whatever orders of civil government--or order of domestic compact--or
order of business transaction--or order of religious worship--or
rule of commercial transaction may contravene the established order
of priesthood, the same must bow to the requisition of the inspired
priesthood of God; and God acknowledges no other power with approbation.
Now, dear sir, it is this imperative attitude of authority and power,
which the Almighty boldly claims, and fearlessly attempts to exercise,
through a chosen priesthood over all mankind, Jews and Gentiles, that
greatly displeases the rebellious portion of our race. They cannot bear
that this "man should reign over them." False notions of independence
and liberty rise against an order of delegated authorities claiming
inspiration and officiality from God. The rebellious profess that they
are ready to obey the Almighty God, but as for these men claiming
priesthood, we will not have _them_, to reign over us.
The abuses practised by an apostate and uncalled priesthood for the
last seventeen hundred years, has wrought an honest but wofully
misguided prejudice against the true priesthood; and a large portion
of mankind demand also, that God shall communicate with themselves
directly, without the intervention of agencies chosen from mere men
like themselves. And this captious spirit of dictation, as to the
manner in which God shall teach and govern them, has been fostered in
their minds by the erroneous notion that God is such a centreless,
boundless spirit of ubiquity, that he can teach and govern all worlds
without the aid of other agencies. We might as well suppose that he
can see without eyes, or hear without ears. But God's being like man,
though infinitely exalted above him, and unspeakably perfected in
every faculty and power, puts to shame these dark vagaries about the
inutility of delegated powers.
During the whole period of the world, God has ever and invariably
attempted to teach and govern mankind by means of an established
priesthood consisting of men; and this priesthood has been as
invariably resisted from the days of righteous Abel till now. By this
priesthood, it is the design of God to establish a Divine government
upon the earth, even as it is established in the heavens. All other
forms of government have proved a complete failure in every nation and
period, in which the experiment has been attempted.
But the most humiliating feature in the whole history of governments
is, that many have sought to ape the Divine government with an
uninspired priesthood. They have thereby made every species of
religious government a stink and confusion in all the earth. Their
uninspired systems have been like a fair woman without discretion,
or like jewels in a swine's snout. Sometimes they have united church
and state, and swayed a sceptre of oppression; at other times they
have been passive and non-resistant, even to the utter extinction of
thousands whose defenceless blood has crimsoned the earth. But the time
for experimenting upon false forms of government, civil or religious,
has nearly gone by never to return, "save for a little season."
A priesthood chosen not of men, but chosen first of God, and inspired
with his wisdom, truth, and power, is now called and ordained to teach
all nations, and fill the earth with the knowledge of God. By means
of this order, and this order alone, the kingdoms of this world,
whether temporal or spiritual, pagan or christian, are all to be merged
in one universal kingdom. And this will be the best and greatest
kingdom ever known this side of heaven. Its constitution, laws, and
method of administration will be after the model of the heavenly
order. It will embrace politics, arts, war, merchandize, science, and
religion--- things temporal and things spiritual. And the energy and
wisdom of Omnipotence will, like the little leaven in meal, increase
and magnify in the priesthood, till the whole world is brought into
happy subordination to this plan of government. The nations of the
earth will then become one family and brotherhood. Kings and rulers,
of all grades, will then be chosen of God through the priesthood, of
which priesthood rulers will be a part and portion; and without being
ordained to the priesthood, no man ever can rule in this great kingdom.
Thus, dear sir, you perceive that I attach great importance to
the priesthood, and consider it the grand instrumentality of
revolutionizing, and saving, and governing the whole earth. But what
harm in all this? Do you think there is too much power invested in
this chosen order of men? Why, certainly not! They have not chosen
themselves; neither have they come to office by the votes of the
unthinking mass; nor by blind hereditary lineage, nor by violence
and the usurper's arts. They have been chosen of God, who knew their
spirits before the foundation of the world. They are a royal priesthood
and holy nation, for God will have no other in his priesthood. Says
Jesus to his apostles, "Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you."
Whom God approves men should not refuse.
Moses was a priest and lawgiver, and had to do with the temporal and
spiritual affairs of his subjects. Moses sought to unite church and
state, in obedience to the command of God. Joshua was also a priest
and ruler, and united both temporal and spiritual interests in his
government. David was a priest and king, and likewise Solomon, his
son. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were as much directed, by God, in
their temporal concerns or movements as they were in their spiritual
devotions. Jesus Christ came to establish a temporal kingdom fully
as much as a spiritual kingdom. Both Jews and Romans suspected his
designs, and charged him with the crime of treason. They said that he
called himself a King. Some will say that he explicitly declared that
His kingdom was not of this world. True: He did make this declaration;
but what does it prove? It proves simply, that this world was not
the father, author, or origin of His kingdom. His kingdom was from
_heaven_, and He had come here for the very important purpose of
establishing it on the _earth_. He called it kingdom of heaven, in
distinction from kingdoms that were of earthly origin.
It is strange, indeed, that the sectarian clergy should borrow the
idea that His kingdom was not a temporal kingdom as well as spiritual.
It was the prayer of His heart, and the prayer that He taught His
disciples, that God would establish His kingdom on earth, and cause
His will to be done here as it is done in heaven. Consequently, he
organized the kingdom here after the pattern of heaven, with all proper
officers, and laws suited to every temporal and spiritual occasion, and
then gave commandment that all nations should yield allegiance to the
laws and authorities established, and also submit themselves to the
ordinances of His Kingdom. And being in possession of living teachers,
even the word of inspired men, they (all mankind, if they would obey)
would be thoroughly furnished to "_every good word and work_." In
other words, they would know how to act in every calling and sphere of
business, whether temporal or spiritual.
Jesus Christ did not design that his servants should fight one another,
or fight and conquer mankind into allegiance to Him. The world would
act on these principles through disobedience, but his disciples would
not, because they were shown a better way to universal dominion and
government.