(Aug. 15, 1881.)
First: "Does the come-out element constitute the true church of
God?"
Answer: All true Christians in heaven and earth constitute the true
church of God. Eph. 3:15.
Second: "In what particular is the separationist, or come-out
church, better than the Wesleyan Methodist Church?"
Answer: This language places antisect Christians in a false light.
They never teach such a thing as a new sect, whose distinguishing
characteristic is simply the coming out of all other sects; such
is the impression made by the question, and it is a false one. The
Christians branded "come-outers" have founded no church or sect,
nor do they intend to; but, on the contrary, they have abandoned
all sects to live in the one church that Christ founded, and into
which we were inducted by regeneration. This fact is known by
hundreds who nevertheless misrepresent them continually: this goes
with them. God's church is composed altogether of "come-outers."
The word "church" (=ecclesia=) means the "called out," they are
called out of the world, out of heathen religions, and all corrupt
and bogus Christianity. But while the come-out element is embodied
in the very word "church," she is not to be called "Come-out"
church. She embodies water baptism, but is not a Baptist church.
She teaches the Sabbath, and the second advent, but is not a
Sabbatarian nor Adventist church. Her members are all brethren, and
united, but she is not the United Brethren church. The sin of all
this is in making one of the subordinate elements of the system
the center, and not God in Christ Jesus. But to the question. The
Wesleyan Methodist sect is an organized party in Christendom, a
schismatic, or cut-off party, all of which is condemned in the
Bible. "There should be no schisms in the body." The origin of all
such disintegrating factions, whether for Paul, Peter, or Wesley,
is carnality, as the Word of God teaches, "the result of sin," says
the Harvester. The Wesleyan Methodist sect is human, fragmentary,
and earthly, and will be utterly annihilated at the coming of
Christ, with every other schismatic party. The church of the living
God, in which "come-outers" inhere, to the exclusion of all human
organisms, was purchased, built, and sanctified by Christ Jesus,
who is its head, door, and foundation. It is the "pillar and ground
of the truth," and will stand through all eternity, that's the
difference.
* * * * *
Fourth: "Wherein does the come-out church excel the Wesleyan, and
manifest its divine origin?"
Answer: This is virtually a repetition of the question above
answered. We have often said, Why do not opposers of holiness go to
the standards of the doctrine and controvert what they say? They
never do. Again, we ask, Why do not sect apologists attack what
"come-outers" teach? They teach the one true and catholic church of
the Bible--this can not be overthrown, therefore sect worshipers
seek to hide their sin in misrepresenting all who abandon sects.
Come out of Babylon, brother, then you can see much clearer.