The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-09

the Gospel of CHRIST, and afterward to sig
Nifty the believers faith in the resurrection
iii. IL; Romans vi. 3-5; Colossians ii. 12i
JESUS commands probably not the sign, but
the thing signifed. The apostles were in
structed to make disciples of JESUS by pro-
claiming his truth, bringing them by their
acceptance of it into fellowship with the Fa.
Their, Son and Holy Spirit. JESUS revealed
COP as the Father of mankind. He was the
Son of GoD, in whom the Divine sonship of
mankind is revealed. The Holy Spirit is the
Divine Spirit, or Spirit of GoD, which dwelt
in him and inspired his life, and by the in
dwelling of which all may become truly the
sons of GoD. This language of JESUS has
been adopted as the formula for the admin
istration of the rite of Christian baptism,
though it appears that the apostles baptized
simply in the name of JESUS, the CHRIST
(Acts ii. 3s, and many other passages).
PREACH THE wORD."-The disciples
of the apostles ministry were not only to be
taught the truths concerning the kingdom OF
heaven, the administration of the family
government of mankind by God, their heav-
emily Father; bit they we're to be taught obe-
dience thereto. Being the children of COP,
they must be persuaded to live like children
and manifest His Holy Spirit. To effectively
preach the Word is to successfully persuade
men to live according to its precepts. 1t is
the function of the Christian preacher and
teacher to proclaim doctrine and declare a
duty. The Divine Fatherhood, human broth
erhood, and the felicity of the whole family
of COP, on earth and in heaven, through
obedience of the law of the family govern
ment, the divine law of love; these are the
grand themes of the apostolic and Christian
ministry. The faithful Sunday school teacher
may share in this ministry and its blessed
rewards.
THE PR0MIsE.-The apostles were en-
couraged to faithfulness in their ministry
with the promise of their Masters perpetual
presence unto the contamination of the age
(the end of the world). That was the period
when his kingdom should be gloriously es-
tablished, marked by the end of the Jewish
age, and the beginning of the Christian dis
pensation. By their ministry the apostles
were to prepare people who should consti-
buJ0 lIto M0eSldu hluSuOAl, thO oPAAsuoA
community of Christian disciples represented
by the Christian Church. He had assured
his disciples by his temperance that death
had no power over him, and that he was alive
forevermore. Though bodily absent he
might still be nearer to their spirits, and he
assures them now that before he shall mani
fest his presence in his kingdom, at the con-
summation of the age, he would be spiritual
ly present every day with his faithful minis
tiers who were preparing for him kingdom
of truth and righteousness. The kingdom
having been inaugurated and now in force
in the world, the king is spiritually present
with his church and its ministers of the Cos
pei. The promise, "Lo, l am with you all
the days." has become perpetual promise
and source of courage and hope to all Chris
tian workers. The presence of the Christ is
manifested in the blessings that the Church
has conferred upon mankind, and the sac
cess that constantly attends Christian enter
prises, as well as in the encouragement and
corporation that all sincere Christian work
ers are sure to receive.