Chapter 51—God’s Claims are First
We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29
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The message that we have to bear is not one that we need cringe to
declare. Its advocates are not to seek to cover it, to conceal its origin and
purpose. As those who have made solemn vows to God, and who have been
commissioned as the messengers of Christ, as stewards of the mysteries of
grace, we are under obligation to declare faithfully the whole counsel of
God.
We are not to make less prominent the special truths that have separated
us from the world, and made us what we are; for they are fraught with eternal
interests. God has given us light in regard to the things that are now taking
place, and with pen and voice we are to proclaim the truth to the world.
The Sabbath is the Lord’s test, and no man, be he king, priest, or ruler, is
authorized to come between God and man. Those who seek to be conscience
for their fellow men, place themselves above God. Those who are under the
influence of a false religion, who observe a spurious rest day, will set aside
the most positive evidence in regard to the true Sabbath. They will try to
compel men to obey the laws of their own creation, laws that are directly
opposed to the law of God.... The law for the observance of the first day
of the week is the production of an apostate Christendom.... In no case are
God’s people to pay it homage.
The banner of truth and religious liberty held aloft by the founders of the
gospel church and by God’s witnesses during the centuries that have passed
since then, has, in this last conflict, been committed to our hands.... We are
to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and
teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when
its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than
men. God’s word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A
“Thus saith the Lord” is not to be set aside for a “Thus saith the church” or a
“Thus saith the state.” The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems
of earthly potentates.
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