Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-12
POWERFUL SERMON
PREACHED BY
DR.. COOMBS
HIS SUBJECT, 'WHAT DOES THE
CHRISTIAN CHURCH BELIEVER"
WAS HANDLED IN A MAS
TERLY WAY.

Last night DR.. J. V Coombs. in the tent
at Auburn avenue and Ivy street, gave
a powerful address to an immense crowd
on What Does the Christian Church
Believe He said he was not going to-
talk about my church NOR our church, but
the church. There is but one church, the
church of Christ. He said:
1--WE do not claim to be the only Chris
tian, but what we do desire is to be Chris
tians only We find ourselves in very hap
py agreements on many points with Chris
tians who still continue to bear the name
of the various sects around US.
Take for instance. the Baptist breth-
rem, we agree with them In nineteen
twentieths Of their creed. They believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; so
do we. They believe that faith in Him
is necessary to salvation; so do we. They
regard repentance and baptism as neces-
sary prerequisites to church membership,
so do we; Baptists and Disciples ought to
get married and so they would If you
could take away the preachers and lock
them up in prison for about three years.
'"Our attitude towards the bible is very
clear We regard both old and new tes-
taments as the inspired word of God. The
old testament was written for and had
authority over the conscience and con-
duct of the Jew, the new testament SUI
UerCeQeS the OlQ anu IL 4OW AAc bOoA
that has authority over the conscience
and conduct OF the Christian. Everything
that an unconverted man needs TO know
in order to get into the Christian church.
he will find in the new testament and
everything that a Christian once in the
church needs for his guidance through
life to heaven. he win find in the new
testament Only that part of the old
testament that has been re-enaeted in
the new is binding upon the Christian;
for we are no longer under Moses bue
under Christ.
1--WE have no human creed. A creed
that is larger than the bible is too large.
creed that is smaller than the bible Is
too small, one that says the same thing
as the bible is unnecessary, because we
have it already. For this reason we viii
have no man made creed.
I'VE are very careful to be known by no
other name than the scriptural name Of
Disciples or Christians. Christ is the
heavenly bridegroom. the church is the
bible the bride should wear her hus-
bands name and no other.
I'VE believe in the personality Of the
Holy Spirit and that His operation is nee
essary in conversion. There never is
true conversion without the work of the
Holy Spirit. Conversion Is change.
Change of thoughts. desires. viii. We
do not demand from our converts to tell
a religious experience before they can
possibly have one. We claim TO stand
upon undisputed ground. Ground admit
ted to be scriptural even by those who
take other grounds. We therefore claim
to stand upon the strongest platform.
Our position can be summed up under
two heads. First, the union Of Christen-
dom on a purely scriptural basis; second,
a rational plan of salvation
DR.. Coombs Is a most interesting speak
er, often eloquent and impsssioned, al
ways clear and Illuminating every point
with Illustrations and anecdotes. The
crowds that attend these meetings are
increasing nightly.