The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-12-01
The New Covenant.

tiOnal church Sunday morning, No
vember 26, 1899 The author upholds
Rev. Sheldon and his church in adopt
ing the new covenant.
"Thou art the Christ. Mark viii,
20.
mo man can say, Jesus is Lord,
but in the Holy Spirit. "-1 Corinthi-
ans, xii, 3.
These two texts are the creeds of the
first and second generations of the
Christian era. Jesus does not de-
mand that Peter shall sign or assent
to long list of ecclesiastical dogmas
before entering his kingdom as dis
ciple. He is satisfied with the ac-
knowledgmsnt of Him as the true
Messiah, which acknowledgment went
deeper in life than a mere Affirmative
nod of the head. Paul seems certain
that only the Holy Spirit can cause
man to honestly say, "Jesus is my
master and Lord in every walk of
life. " With him the true Christian is
he who allows Jesus to be his ruler.
So that Jesus condition of disciple
ship is in marked contrast to that Of
later Christianity, or even to that OF
some churches to-day. The latter
place before him who knocks at their
doors as new disciple frightful
survey of theological decisions, and
remarks that that is one of the condi
tions of membership. 1t requires in a
child the intellect of Gladstone, il it
does not actually make him speak an
untruth. Which is right, Jesus or
such churches? How long shall we
demand of the young Christian that
which Jesus did not ask?
Ecclesiastical dogma must give way
TO the teaching and requirements of
Jesus. Ecclesiasticism has sought for
the completed pyramid of belief, where
as. Jesus would lay it's foundations in
the heart of him who seeks the light
from above. Ecclesiasticism would
scale the heights at one bound, whereas
Jesus says: beginning at the bot
tom, ascend slowly but surely the
mountain of firm faith.'' Ecclesiasti-
| cism discourages the young mind at
| once, but Jesus encourages the stu
dent of God with small but basic les
sons.
The main difference between the old
and revised covenants, the latter of
which was adopted by Rev, Sheldon's
church, of Topeka, is in the omission
of the Apostles Greed. This was
formulated in the Ninth century A. D.
upon the basis of q Fourth century
system of doctrine. 1t is only legend
| which tells US that the twelve apostles
had anything to do with its origin,
Erasmus being one of the first to dis
pute such beginning. 1t was the
fruit of those centuries of heated dis.
|cussions of the church when theolog.
ical wrangles and ecclesiastical dis.
putes swayed the minds of the church e
leaders. 1t is much out of date as q
condition of Christian discipleship for
these reasons: First-It contains q
misconception of God, II believe in
God the Father Almighty, maker OF
heaven and EARTH" ~ 1t emphasizes
over much the almightiness and Gre
atorship of God. This, to me, for the
Christian, is a very small satisfac'
tiou. We must think of Him more as
the loving father, great sympathizer
and true friend of man. 1t is not much
wonder that men have been afraid Ol
God when continually confronted with
His almightiness. Secondly-It has
hard theological statements concern
ing Jesus, such only rs are suitable
for a seminar in systematic theology
There are conclusions about Jesus
which the Christian can honestly ac'
cept or reject only after years OF med
itation and deep research, and to- ask
the average. young convert to accept
them without such study is an insul'
to the dignity and independence OF tht
human intellect. Thirdly-It con
tains erroneous teaching in regard te
the parousia, commonly called the
"second coming of Jesus. The
phrase "second coming, had its or
ligin only in the ecclesiastical litera
lture of the early centuries. The word
used-paronsia-m the presencs
of Jesus. or any one; SO that il is mo-
4 spectacular event, but . succession