The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-31
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EVERYBODY'S BIBLE BOX.

Q.-What is the Scriptural method
of ordination? 1t seems to me that
the laymen should have something to
say as to who shall be their repre-
sentatives Have the clergy arrogated
| to themselves privileges in this con-
nection to which they are not en-
titled -(American.)
Answer.-Priestcraf and not the
teachings of our Lord and His Apos-
ties, is responsible for the division OF
the church into two classes, called
CLERGY and "laitY." 1t is still the
spirit of priestcraft that seeks to lord
it over Gods heritage in every way
posSible-proportiona to the dens-
ity of the ignorance prevailing in any
congregation. The word ordain, in re-
spect to elders, those who preside over
the church, occurs in Titus /. 5. 1t is
from the Greek which signifies to
place down "Set in order the things
that are wanting, and ordain elders IN
every city, as l gave thee charge"
r. V. On the face of it this text
seems to imply that Titus was en-
powered to appoint these elders re-
gardless of the wishes of the congre-
cations (churches, ecclesias); ana IL Is
on this view that the whole clerical
system rests. The leading churches
all claim for their bishops an apostonc
authority to set, to place or appoint,
elders for the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
the stretching forth of the hano' OF
vote of the church. This text is the
bulwark of this idea; but 1t appears
to be rather a weak support When we
notice the last clauSe-As L gave
thee charge''-and reflects that me
Apostle would surely not give TITUS
charge or instruction to do dlnereEst-
ly from what he (the Apostle) otu III
this matter. The account of the apps
Ties own procedure, rightly translateu,
is very explicit: And when they nad
elected the elders by a sho" VI
hands in every ecclesia, and had pray.
ed with fasting, they commenced lhSAi
to the Lord" (Acts xiv, 2S.)
ON the parable of the vine and
the branches, given by the Loro 0e-
sus John XIV, 1-S); are we to unoer-
stand that the branches would repre-
sent the different churches ana ueho 1nl-
nations ?-(Sunday School Scholar.
Answer-A critical examination Oh
the parable should thoroughly convince
any Bible student that the oranches
could in no way represent the nVe OF
six hundred different religious denoml-
nations of Christendom. At the time
the parable was given, there were no
denominations, and none were organ
lied until several centuries arterWdru.
The Lord never authorized the lorna
ton of these UNCONVENTIONAL systems,
and Furthermore, He has never recog-
nized them as His representatives II
anything, they are of the wine Oh the
earth" RevelatioH xiv, 49, for they are
of an earthly or human origin. II Is
very evident that this fact is coming
more and more to be recognized even
by the representatives of the various
religious bodies, as, in general, they
are advocating a federation OF de-
nCminational lines. See what the
Apostle has to say about denomlnation-
aiism-I Corinthians, iii. 8, 4. The
Master was addressing His disciples
and telling them that they were the
branches. His language is Il am the
true vine, We are the branches. 1t be-
comes more apparent that He was re-
ferr1ng to the individual when, in the
sixth verse, He says IF a man abide
not in me, he is cast forth as branch"
This same intimate relationship exist
ing between the Lord and His faithful
followers is pictured by the Apostle
when he uses the illustration of the
natural body to show how the brethren
in Christ are members in particular of
the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians xii,
1927.
O-What is the rhurcn's message to
the world at this time? This is a day
of transition; new lines of thought and
new conditions are rapidly superseding
the old, and does not this apply to &C.
clesiasticaI affairs as well? (Rever-
end.)
Answer-This is one of the funda-
mental questions of the times. Minis
tiers everywhere are asking themselves
and each other as to the proper course
to pursue in their efforts to keep
abreast of the times. Many are max
ing the mistake OF ignoring the foun-
dalton teachings of the Scriptures, and
are devoting themselves to setting
forth the theories of Evolution" and
Higher Criticism" which are nothing
more nor less than insidious forms OF
skeptieism and infidelity. Any clergy
man who proclairns these theories
he 1rif n
title of Minister of the Gospel" He
Is either a knave or a hypocrite If he
continues to pose as a Christian min
lister, while undermining the faith of
his hearers, in proclaiming that which
is in direct opposition to the teachings
of the Bible. 1t Is no cause for sur
prise that so few people attend church
services nowadays, when we reflect
that many clergymon preaching
anything but the Gospel. The duty of
all true Christians is to make known
the wonderful tidings of salvation
through Christ and His coming King
ID - l. 49,