Upon a review of brother A. Moore’s letter published in
this number of the MESSENGER, I have concluded to express some of my views in
relation to some ideas expressed in his letter. His views or mine, are of
little, or no consequence if they are not scripturally correct. But scriptural
testimony will stand though it may conflict with our views. I claim no
infallibility in my views any further than they are in accordance with the
scriptures.
The indissoluble union of Christ and the church, and the
distinction between Adam and Christ, are worthy of special attention. Two
separate and distinct families exist in Adam and Christ; the first is natural,
the second is spiritual. Christ existed before Adam, but Adam was the first in
the order of manifestation in time. Adam is the Head and Progenitor of all the
natural family. He was of the earth, earthy. Christ Jesus is the Head and
Progenitor of a spiritual family. The Head of the church is Christ, and the
Head of Christ is God. He is the Lord from heaven, a quickening Spirit. A
family must always exist in the Progenitor prior to their development, or
manifestation. So in relation to Adam and Christ. Christ existed anterior to
time, as one with the Father, and one with his people. An incorruptible
spiritual seed existed in him as the Son of God, and the life of the church. He
was glorified with the Father before the world was, and represented in himself
the elect or chosen family before that family were made partakers of flesh and
blood. The church had a spiritual existence in Christ in a oneness of life and
being, before she had a natural existence in Adam, when Adam was brought into
existence by the power of the Almighty. When Adam sinned the human family
sinned in him, and with him. The natural existence of the chosen family is in
the loins of Adam, and they were by nature children of wrath even as others.
Hence, by nature, there is no difference between them and the rest of the human
family. But in Christ Jesus provision is made for them, for they are blessed
with all spiritual {not natural} blessings in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus,
according as they were chosen in him {not into him} before the foundation of the
world, that they should be holy and without blame before him in love. A family
of children always partake of the nature of their Progenitor. That which is
born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. If the
seed is corruptible, the children will be corruptible. If the seed is
incorruptible, the children will be incorruptible. Christ and his people are
one. The existence in a oneness of life and being with Adam is one thing, and
the manifestation of the human family by natural generation is another thing,
or in other words the bringing forth of that which had an existence in the
Progenitor. So the spiritual existence of the family of God in a oneness of
life with Christ is one thing, and their being brought forth or manifested when
called by grace, or born again, is another thing. When sinners are called by
grace, or with a holy calling there is in them a new creature with spiritual
powers and faculties to see, hear, and understand spiritual things. They
receive the spirit of adoption whereby they cry Abba Father. When a person is
born naturally, it proves his union to Adam before he was born, and when a
person is born again it proves his union to Christ, before he was born again.
The manifestation of a thing is not the creating of that thing, but it is
simply bringing into manifest existence what actually did exist before. So in
relation to Christ and the church. Hence it is said; they are born of God, of
incorruptible seed, by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever. The manifestation
of the church in time by regeneration, justification, sanctification, and
complete redemption, is the carrying out, and accomplishment of the grand and
sublime purpose of God, not only in the manifestation of the sons of God
existing in the Sonship of Christ, but in the ultimate conformity of the
church, both soul and body, to the image of Christ. Therefore, in view of this
glorious truth, Paul said, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate
to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among
many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and
whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also
glorified.” Rom.8:29,30.
John said, “And this is the record, that God hath given
to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath
life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life.” The church in her connection
with the first Adam is lost, condemned, and in a state of transgression. The
natural life of all the human family is given to them in Adam, and the church
has natural life and existence in Adam. Could the natural family have life
manifestively, if that life was not in Adam before its manifestation? Of course
not. Therefore, when eternal life is given to us when called by grace, we are
manifested in possession of that eternal life which is in Christ. There would
be no christian experience, no heart-felt sense of heavenly things, no precious
view of Christ, if we had not actually a oneness of life in the Sonship of
Christ, prior to its bestowment upon us. That life is called eternal life. Paul
said, “For the wages of sin is death,” referring to our ruined condition by
nature, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” If
Christ is, experimentally, in us, we have that life which is the light of men.
Christ liveth in us, and the life we live in the flesh, we live by the faith of
the Son of God who loved us and gave himself for us.
The Scriptures testify that Jews and Gentiles are all
under sin. God had a special regard to National Israel for centuries, while he
suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. But when the appointed time had
come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, &c. God
had a people among the Gentiles. The Jews and Gentiles were twain, or two, but
by the blood of Christ, or in other words, the blood of the cross, they are
made one in Christ Jesus. They are both reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. Read
Ephesians chapter 2, 10th verse to the end of the chapter. Also II
Cor.5:17-19, inclusive. It was according to God’s purpose and grace given to
the church in Christ, that Jews and Gentiles are made one in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, as the Head and Representative of his people, Jews and Gentiles
manifestively, are made the recipients of his love and mercy.
So long as Israel continued as a Nation there was but a
remnant according to the election of grace, who worshipped God in the Spirit,
and had no confidence in the flesh. So among the Gentiles the chosen family are
but few in point of comparison with the mass of the human family. And they are
saved experimentally by grace, and are made to say that, “Salvation is of the
Lord.”
God loved his people, and chose them in Christ Jesus
before the foundation of the world. He loved them when they were dead in
trespasses and sins in the loins of Adam. He loved them among the Jews, and
among the Gentiles. And he will love them everlastingly. And they reciprocate
his love when they experience his love bestowed upon them.
God reconciles sinners to himself by Jesus Christ, but
the carnal mind is enmity against God, not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be. The Lord’s dear people learn daily that their carnal mind is
enmity against God, and continues to be while they remain in time. But when
they feel the spirit of reconciliation to God’s will, they are at peace with
God and their fellow men.
Notwithstanding the expression of my views as above
stated, I will simply remark further that I have no fellowship with the
Manichean theory of two seeds, revived and improved by Daniel Parker, and
referred to in brother Moore’s letter. There is no scriptural authority to
suppose that through some fortuitous cause an eternal, self-existent evil
spirit entered the bounds of God’s government, with a seed or family to be
manifested in time. All worlds, creatures, and things, are embodied in the
creation of God. The Lord, by the prophet declared, “I form the light, and
create darkness; I make peace and create evil; I the Lord do all these things.”
Isa.45:7. The seed of the woman is Christ, and the seed of the serpent, is the
man of sin, that wicked, the son of perdition, or anti-christ. It is said in
scripture, “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which
the Lord God had made.” Gen.3:1. Therefore, I infer that the serpent is a
creature of God. God made all things for himself, even the wicked for the day
of evil. His universal and absolute government is over all things, visible and
invisible, worlds, creatures, and things.
What I have written is through no other than the most
kind, and brotherly feeling towards brother Moore, and the brethren in general,
and I trust it will be kindly received by all concerned.
Newton County,
GA., Dec.16, 1856.
BROTHER BEEBE: - I had concluded not to write any more by
way of discussion with brethren, upon what is called the “eternal union of
Christ and the Church,” inasmuch as it does not appear to be profitable to many
of the readers of the MESSENGER, and it seems to be almost impossible to
be understood upon the subject. But since brother Moore has expressed his
views, and presented the difficulties and objections which are upon his mind, I
have concluded to write again, not by way of discussion, but simply for the
relief of my own mind. I shall write with deference to the views and feelings
of brother Moore.
I must confess if I was going a voyage to sea, I should
choose a ship or vessel whose hull I knew to be completely sound, and the
masts, rigging, and sails, in good order to encounter the stormy billows and
convey me safe to my destined port. Just so in relation to a professed
system of salvation, I desire something as sound and as substantial as the
eternal throne of Jehovah, and that will convey me safe over all the storms,
vicissitudes, and trying scenes which surround the pathway of the saint in his
pilgrimage through this vale of tears to that heavenly world on high. Such a
system of salvation has God revealed from heaven in the person of his dear Son.
That system or plan was hid in God, or concealed in the secret place of the
Most High under the shadow of the Almighty until he spread abroad the starry
sky, and laid the foundations of the earth, and spoke all created things into
manifest existence. The revelation of the glorious plan of salvation is in
time, whereby the subjects of grace are made to speak forth the high praises of
our God and King.
I understand that it was embraced in the grand counsel
and purpose of Jehovah in the creation of this world, and all things which were
created, to develop or manifest the church in an earthly or natural state of
existence in the loins of Adam, and to exhibit the riches of his grace and
mercy in the salvation of sinners in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul
said, “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one, much more they which
receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in
life by one, Christ Jesus.” Rom.5:17. Here are the two Adams. The first Adam
{by order of manifestation} is of the earth, earthy – a natural man; the second
Adam {by order of manifestation} is the Lord from heaven – a quickening Spirit.
The first, the seminal Head of the natural family, the second the seminal Head
of the spiritual family. Both families had an existence in their Progenitors
before their birth or manifestation. Hence the language of our Savior to
Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of
the spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born
again.” John 3:6,7. I must acknowledge to my mind it does appear that every
intelligent person that has any idea of cause and effect in the nature and
operation of things, must rationally see at least the force of scriptural
illustration in relation to the two births.
I understand the Scriptures to teach that Christ Jesus,
not only existed in his eternal, underived Godhead, but also in his Sonship as
the Head of the church, ere time began, Prov.8:22-31, John 1:1,5 & 17:5.
And every Scripture which speaks of him in his manifestation, both before, and
at the time of his humiliation under the law, confirms his actual or real
existence anterior to time, and before his incarnation. He proceeded forth and
came from God, or the Father. It was said to Mary, “therefore also that holy
thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35,
Isaiah 9:6,7.
Jesus said on a certain occasion, “Verily, verily I say
unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abideth
alone; but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24. Hence I
understand Jesus had reference to himself under the figurative expression “a
corn of wheat.” Christ is declared to be the “ONLY BEGOTTEN Son of God.” “He
saith not and to seeds as of many, but as of One, and to thy SEED {speaking to
Abraham} which is CHRIST.” Gal.3:16. He was alone the embodiment of the church
of God, as Adam was alone the embodiment of the human family when his bride
existed in him. A grain of wheat will not germinate alone by itself, but put it
into the ground and it dies, but in its death, it will germinate and put forth
fruit after its kind. Christ was alone in his sufferings and death as the seminal
Head of the church under the law and its curse, but in his resurrection from
the dead he is declared to be the Son of God with power. He is therefore the
resurrection and the life in the bringing forth and manifestation of the
children of God. “And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs
with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together.” Rom.8:17. Every person that is called by grace knows that before he
experienced the resurrection power of the Son of God in the forgiveness of his
sins, that he did experience a death under the law, and under its curse. I am
writing experimentally.
Brother Moore has written in a manner which is calculated
to produce the impression upon the minds of brethren, that the spiritual
life-union of the church in the Sonship of our Lord Jesus Christ before the
world began, conflicts with election, predestination, the Mediatorial character
of Christ, purpose, experimental union, and other kindred principles of truth,
while in fact this spiritual life union is the foundation for
election, predestination, Christ as Mediator, purpose, experimental union,
&c. Paul said, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto
us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” I Cor.1:30.
On the principle of relationship, and ownership, Christ died for his people, he
died for the ungodly. On the principle of substitution alone, there can
be no legal transfer, or imputation of the sins of the elect to Christ.
It is folly to suppose that the mortal bodies, and human
souls of the saints existed in the Sonship of Christ before the world began. It
is scarcely necessary to use words to explore such a construction of the
sentiment of eternal, or spiritual life-union. Every person of common
intelligence knows that the mortal bodies, and human souls of the saints come
into manifest existence by ordinary generation in Adam. They became sinners in
Adam, but are experimentally called, justified, and glorified in Christ Jesus.
Speaking of the resurrection, Paul said, “And as we
have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of
the heavenly.” I Cor.15:49. And then speaks in the subsequent verse how it
shall be accomplished.
The abundance of Scripture brother Moore has quoted in
reference to the state of sinners by nature, and the bestowal of spiritual
blessings upon them, whereby they are called by grace, and receive the spirit
of adoption, and are manifested heirs of immortal glory, is very much to the
point in regard to the effect of a prior cause, Christ the life of his people,
and that life manifested when they are born of God.
I do not expect to be able to remove the difficulties
which present themselves to the mind of brother Moore in relation to the
reception of the sentiment of eternal, or spiritual life-union. I have no
disposition to strive for the mastery in a discussion with him. I am willing to
give my views, and also to receive his views so far as
I can understand and believe them. I will here state that so far as the
writings of uninspired men are concerned on religious subjects I take no man,
nor class of men as a standard of my religious views. The Scriptures are the
only standard, and so far as my views or the views of any man are in accordance
with the Scriptures, they are right, otherwise they are wrong. As much as I may
respect the writings of Dr. Gill and others, I cannot believe all that he or
they have written. As I have a degree of confidence that brother Moore has not intentionally
and designedly garbled and perverted the sentiment of “eternal union,”
as some others have done. I still continue to respect him as a brother in
Christ. He has given his views, and presented the difficulties and objections
which are in his way. I will notice his objections in the order in which they
stand. In relation to the phrase “eternal union of Christ and his church,” he
says, “1st. It is not scriptural.” I admit that the phrase is not
found in the Scriptures, but the sentiment is there in its fullness and glory.
Words are ordinary in their signification and use, and have no other meaning
only such as are put to them, and often require explanation so as to be
understood in their use. He says further, “2nd. It confounds the
distinction between the things of time and eternity.” Here I must differ from
him. I understand that it establishes the distinction so fully, that it makes
the things of time, so far as eternal salvation is concerned, to be founded
upon the things of eternity. Further he says, “3rd. It destroys the broad
and obvious distinction between cause and effect, recognized everywhere
throughout the Scriptures, the life of Christ, the cause of life in his
saints.” Here I again differ from him. Instead of destroying the distinction,
in my judgment it fully establishes it. “4th. To most minds it
represents the creature as holding a kind of partnership with the Creator
in his eternal underived existence.” No such representation can justly
be drawn from the premises, as I understand the subject. “5th. It
confounds ‘the election of grace’ with a kind of necessity.” As I am not
certain what is meant by this last specification, I will pass to the next. “6th.
To most minds it represents the sinner of the most desperate character, as
being in union with a spirit of holiness.” In no sense will this representation
apply only as we understand that the sinner after he is born again has to
exclaim like Job, “Behold I am vile,” or like Isaiah, “Wo is me, for I am
undone, for I am a man of unclean lips,” &c., or like Paul, “O wretched man
that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Every saved
sinner {experimentally saved in the present tense} has a union to the spirit of
holiness and loves holy things; yet exclaims, I am a sinner of a desperate
character, not in his actions or conduct, but in a sinful nature. “7th.
It represents a branch as growing in two different stocks at the same
time.” The church of God in her militant state possesses the life of Christ,
and the natural life of Adam, both existing in the person of the saints. The
saints manifestly are the church of Christ. Their earthly location which is
temporary is in time, in different parts of the habitable earth, while their
spiritual location is in Christ Jesus. While the outward man {the Adamic man} perishes,
the inward man {the spiritual man} is renewed day by day. “8th. It
represents to most minds that the saints lost nothing by the fall, and the
sinner gains nothing by redemption.” It may so appear to the minds of some, but
it is not correct. I cannot tell what the representation of those with whom
brother Moore is conversant, has been upon the subject, but to my mind no such
representation is deducible from the sentiment of “eternal union.” The saints
are sinners by nature and are lost by the fall, lost as to the holiness of
God’s character and the purity of his law. By redemption the bodies, and souls
of sinners {elect sinners,} are brought into union experimentally and
manifestly with God the Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord, in time, and at the
resurrection. They sing, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb.” Rev.7:10. If they had never been lost in Adam, and saved in
Christ Jesus, they never could have sung the foregoing song. “9th.
It represents a sinner who is dead as united to Christ who is life, or that the
sinner is not really dead, being united to Christ, and needs no quickening.” To
my mind it appears plain that no such representation is deducible in a correct
view of the subject. Sinners are dead in trespasses and sins until spiritual
life is communicated and they are quickened, and united to Christ
experimentally. “10th. It destroys the distinction between purpose,
and existing realities.” I think not brother Moore. It was not a reality that I
personally existed before I was born, but it is a reality that I did
exist in Adam {not in purpose} before I was born. If I am a child of God {and
God knows whether I am or not,} it was not a reality that I had a personal or
individual existence in Christ, anterior to time, but that I did exist in
Christ in a spiritual sense, I certainly believe.
Just so in illustrating the subject now before us, in
relation to the distinction between purpose and existing realities. It was not
an existing reality that the church had her existence in her militant state
before time, but it is a reality now. It will be a reality that she will exist
in her triumphant state in the world of unsullied glory. This will be the
accomplishment of God’s purpose of love and mercy which had its real existence
in the eternal Mind and in the Sonship of Christ before the world began.
My communication has rather assumed the form of
discussion, though I did not intend it when I began. I wished to relieve my own
mind only. I could write more upon the subject at issue, but I cannot reconcile
my own feelings to the strict propriety of doing so. Some may say that what I
have written is mere abstractions, or a system of metaphysical reasoning. Be
that as it may, God is my judge, and I feel to rest upon his word and promise.
With a sort of fearfulness of mind that my communication will produce more
disquietude among the saints than it will profit and edify, I submit it for
publication. There is some probability that I shall not write any more upon the
subject, any further than what may be embodied in the great subject of gospel
truth.
Without possessing any unkind feelings towards any person
under heaven, if I know my own heart, I close this imperfect scribble.
Newton County,
GA., April 4, 1858.
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