Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-28

~ the Almighty
Second How We may distinguish
between the essential and non-essen-
tial or incidental things. First-If an
official act is repeated precisely and
Substantially in the same way it is to
he regarded as essential. II not re-
peated precisely it is to be regarded as
non-essential or incidental.
When Paul was converted he was
three days without sight or food. That
was non-essential as precedent of
conversion as it wassnot repeated. But
belief is repeated precisely or sub
stantially in the same way and conse-
quently is an essential condition Of
conversion
'fSecond-If an official act is not re-
peated, but the circumstances indicate
customary observance, then it is to
be regarded as essential. The circum-
stances indicated that the disciples in
meeting on the first day of the week
to observe the Lords Supper were OBJ
serving a prevalent custom. Hence
meeting on the first day CT the week
to observe the Lords Supper is par
ticularly essential to spiritual life.
Three Rules of Elimination.
'iFirst-lWe are to eliminate things
that are local.
"Second-We are to eliminate things
that are temporal
"Third-We are to eliminate things
in the line of supernatural and mirac-
.ulous.
'fAll other things belonging are es-
sential.
The Application of the Text.
"Third-The Corinthians heard the
word. Applying the principles hereto
fore explained, we find that hearing
the gospel was an act repeated precise
ly and substantially in nearly all cases
of conversion mentioned in the New
Testament. Hence hearing is an es
sential step in the conversion of man
to Christ. This then implies preaching
the word. The word is made up of
great facts of the Gospel of Christ,
such as the life, the death, the burial
and coronation of Jesus. These pro-
duce conviction when presented to the
mind and heart of man
'TSecond-The Corinthians believed
We find that, according to the princi-
pies heretofore explained, that belief
was repeated many times in the ac
counts of the conversion in the acts Of
the Apostles and the belief compre-
hends three things-the intellect, the
heart and the will. When man is
converted there is a change of views
and sentiments. a change of heart. and
a change of will All these changes,
growing out of belief, necessitates two
things not mentioned in the ext-re-
pentance and confession.
''Third-The Corinthians were bap-
tiled. Baptism is mentioned in near
ly all the New Testament conversions.
Hence is an essential step in the con-
version of man to Christ. 1t is the
overt act of obedience.
when we say that it is essential
to the conversion of man we do not
mean to say that it is the only thing:
1t is no more essential than faith and
repentance, but it proves the genuin-
ness Of faith and repentance. Paul
called it putting on Christ. 1t repre-
sents, as in Romans GA, the death, bur-
ial and resurrection of man to new life
and Is very suggestive of the death, bur-
ial and resurrection of our Saviour. Je-
sus made it part of his commission when
he said: He that believeth and is bap-
tiZed shall be saved
Thus the conversion of Corinthians
gives us a very clear scriptural prece-
dent of conversion for the present use