The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-24

lent sermon on THE Catholicity OF the
Position of the Disciples of Christ IN
the New Assembly hall, on Drinker
street, last evening. The text was tax
en- from Matt. xviii, 20: Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever
l have commanded you" In part, he
spoke as follows:
1T is the sacred duty of Christ's fol-
lowers to heed this Divine command.
Out Of this conviction sprang the
movement which now includes over a
million communicates in the United
States with missions in Japan, India,
China and Africa. This movement is
based upon fidelity to Gods word as
the only and all sufficient rule of faith
and practice. 1t is abreast of the best
Christian thought of the age, and is in
hearty accord with the growing desire
in all churches for the union of all
Christians in an undenominational
church and under an undenominational
Christ. The following outline will i'm
part information as to our views
"First-We hold that the Bible as
Gods holy and inspired word, con-
stitutes the only authoritative value of
faith and practice. All Christians agree
Will lle llSI pdIl VI tnlS SthlViiNc' pu'
many add to this inspired rule. the
decision of pope, or council. the tradi-
ton of the fathers, or the standard, or
confessions OF faith.
"Second-In common with all evan
gelical Christians. we believe that Jesus
| Christ Is the only begotten Son OF
| God But we do not require any 9th
| er confession of faith, as pre-requis-
ite to baptism, than that which the
apostle Peter made Matt. xvi, 1S)
Thou art the Christ, the Son Of the
| living God Here we differ from 9TH
er Christians only as they differ from
Gods word, which knows no other
! creed.
"Third-We believe in the personality
of the Holy Spirit, but differ from
many in declining to define that which
Eoly Scripture has left underlined. We
| prefer to express our views on this
| profound theme Not in words which
I2ar's wisdom teaches, but which the
spirit teaches (Cor. ii: 49,.
Fourth-We believe with all Chris.
tians in the Holy Spirits influence in
conversion. But we differ from those
who hold that the Spirit converts with.
out the instrumentality of the word
The words that speak unto you, they
are Spirit, and they are life John vi
| 63).
Fifth-In common with all Christians
we believe that the Spirit of God dwells
in every Christians heart, but we diff
fer from those who teach that the spir
it enters the sinners heart prior tC
| conversion, and for the purpose ol
turning him to the Lord. Such a view
is, in our judgment, opposed to suct
Scriptures as John xiv, IL John /. II
Gal iv, 6; Acts ii, 3S.
"Sixth-In common with all Chris
tians We hold, as our Lord taugh
Mark xvi, 49, He that believeth anC
is baptized shall be saved! Hence tina
a penitent believer is a proper subjec
for Christian baptism. We differ from
those who affirm that infants are Scrip
| tural subjects for baptism, as thes
| little ones have never sinned, they nee(
baptism no more than they need faith
or repentance. If they die in infanc!
they are saved by the atoning bloot
Of Christ.
"Seventh-In common with the Who'll
Christian world, we teach that tn
immersion of a penitent believer int
the name of the Father, Son and Hol,
Spirit, is Christian baptism; but diff
fer from those who hold that any 9th
er mode of baptism is Christian bap
tism.
"Eghth--We believe in two Chris
tian ordinances-baptism and tn
Lords supper. The communion we OBJ
serve each first day of the week (Act
Xxx, y, and believe that the Lord
table should be free to all his follow
ers.
'Ninth-In common with all churche
we hold that the name Christian" i
proper and Scriptural designation
both for the individual believer an
for the churches, but We differ fror
many in neglecting all human and non
scriptural names, believing that the
rerpetuate schisms in His church.
"Tenth-We hold It to be the sacre
duty Of every Christian to labor fO
Christian union, that the world ma
believe that God has sent Christ int
the world John xvii, 2D. Hence. W
invite all who love our common Re
deemer, to study carefully this trul
Catholic position"