Meeting of the Brethren
173
their strength and wisdom must come from him. When dealing with
obstinately offending members, the holy men of the church were to
follow the directions laid down by Christ; this, the only course of
safety for the church, has been traced step by step by the apostles with
the pen of inspiration.
When the church takes up the case of an offender, the prayer of faith
will bring Christ into the midst as an all-wise counselor. Men are in
danger of being controlled by prejudice or the reports and opinions of
others. Their own unsanctified judgment may balance their decisions.
Therefore, where important decisions are to be made in reference to
individuals in the church, the judgment of one man, however wise and
experienced he may be, is not to be regarded as sufficient to act upon.
Jesus has said, “Where two or three are gathered together in my
name, there am I in the midst.” With Christ to preside over the council
of the church, how cautiously should each man speak and act. Prayer
should be offered for the erring, and every means be used to restore
him to the favor of God and the church; but if the voice of the church is
disregarded, and his individual will is set up above it, then the offender
must be promptly dealt with, and the decision of the brethren, made
with prayer and faith, and according to the wisdom given them of God,
is ratified by Heaven.
[247]
The repentance of the sinner is to be accepted by the church with
grateful hearts. The church is empowered to absolve sins only in the
sense of assuring the repenting sinner of the forgiving mercy of the
Saviour, and in leading him out from the darkness of unbelief and guilt,
to the light of faith and righteousness. It may place his trembling hand
in the loving hand of Jesus. Such a remission is ratified by Heaven.
The directions of the apostles in regard to condemnation or acquittal
in case of church trials are to remain valid till the end of time. And the
promise of Christ’s presence in answer to prayer should comfort and
encourage his church today as much as it comforted and encouraged
the apostles whom Christ directly addressed. Those who despise the
authority of the church despise the authority of Christ himself.
Notwithstanding the refusal of Heaven’s best gift by Jerusalem,
the work of the apostles was to commence there. The first overtures
of mercy were to be made to the murderers of the Son of God. There
were also many there who had secretly believed on Jesus, and many
who had been deceived by the priests and rulers, but were ready to