Fellowship
For a number of years, we attributed this article to bro. Thomas. This was the way it was presented to us, and with no ability to check the original documents, we had no reason to question this. It appears this was actually written by Albert Anderson. It does appear in the Herald for 1847, which was edited by bro. Thomas. It's value is that it is a powerful explanation and call to sound fellowship, made from the foundation of the Truth.--Jim Phillips"That which was from the beginning, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of Life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal Life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly, our fellowship (is) with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." -(1 John 1:1-3)
Thus writes one of the Apostles, showing the true ground and importance of christian fellowship, or partnership. We ought, therefore, to understand the things declared by the Apostles, in order to enjoy society with them, and with the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ.
Let us attend to a primitive and a well instructed disciple, expressing himself very emphatically and summarily, with reference to the same things. Thus he writes:
"Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the Word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightiest know the certainty of those things wherein thou has been instructed" (Luke 1:1-4).
From this passage of Luke, in connection with his account of the things testified concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ, it is clearly of vast importance, that we labor for a perfect understanding of all things as from the first, as things delivered by eye-witnesses, and ministers of the Word. It is this perfect understanding, which is symbolically styled light, and in which when we walk, we have fellowship with God.
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; but if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:5-7).
The Apostles, and the Holy Spirit and the Father, all witness concerning Jesus, all have partnership or society in him and with all his.
Now in view of these high and holy associations, can they who enjoy them get their own consent to pollute such associations by seeking communion with darkness?
Let us hear an Apostle, on this point, speaking thus:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the Temple of God with idols? for ye are the Temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, etc." (2 Cor. 6:14-16).
Surely, with these promises, we must advocate purity, individually and congregationally. Indeed, the apostle says-
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
Truly, such as have obeyed this injunction, are placed under the highest obligations to avoid all corruptions, and to contend, with all fidelity and boldness, for the faith, as formerly delivered to the Saints.
It is not the approbation of any number of uninspired men, although called a church or congregation, which satisfies the enlightened man. He seeks the approbation of the High and Holy One, whether in regard to individuals or to congregations. It is evident that the first congregations were composed of individuals who had all submitted to baptism for the remission of sins in obedience to the Gospel of the Kingdom, divinely authorized. Even John the Baptist preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And certainly the Apostles were plain upon this point, as exemplified in Peter on the day of Pentecost. It is of the greatest importance to build according to divine injunction.
If I have received that which was from the beginning, as reported by the witnesses and the ministers of the Word, I am in society with the most illustrious personages in the universe. Shall I mingle myself with the congregations or collections of men and women partly purified and partly not purified, some of them not having obeyed? Are they not all defiled?
The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable; God is pure, and He will not dwell with the impure. I would, ten thousand times rather be in society with the few purified ones than with the many impure ones. It is the truth obeyed which makes pure; let us then persevere in the doctrine of Jesus and know the truth and be purified or freed from sin by it. Let us study all the truth in the scriptures of inspiration, as being profitable, or able to profit, in doctrine, in conviction, in correction, in instruction, or training in righteousness.
When fully enlightened by these sacred studies, we shall in the ration of this light, enjoy fellowship, or society with all the enlightened sons of God, and with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. We shall then joyfully wait for the hope, which is predicated upon the righteousness by faith. We shall contemplate the future, as rendered unspeakably resplendent with the glory of God, in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus we shall be animated and strengthened unto all patience and all long suffering, and shall conquer through him, who has loved us, and more than conquered-being made stronger than all enemies-and shall obtain a triumph in honor of being conquerors-and enter abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I am, I humbly trust, one of the sons of that liberty with which Christ makes his people free-the liberty of the truth.
Brethren, let us do or die.
-Herald, 1847
