“The Light of Life”
397
who was speaking the truth that was given Him from God. In plotting
[467]
against Christ, the rabbis were not doing the works of Abraham. A
mere lineal descent from Abraham was of no value. Without a spiritual
connection with him, which would be manifested in possessing the
same spirit, and doing the same works, they were not his children.
This principle bears with equal weight upon a question that has
long agitated the Christian world,—the question of apostolic succes-
sion. Descent from Abraham was proved, not by name and lineage, but
by likeness of character. So the apostolic succession rests not upon the
transmission of ecclesiastical authority, but upon spiritual relationship.
A life actuated by the apostles’ spirit, the belief and teaching of the
truth they taught, this is the true evidence of apostolic succession.
This is what constitutes men the successors of the first teachers of the
gospel.
Jesus denied that the Jews were children of Abraham. He said, “Ye
do the deeds of your father.” In mockery they answered, “We be not
born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.” These words, in
allusion to the circumstances of His birth, were intended as a thrust
against Christ in the presence of those who were beginning to believe
on Him. Jesus gave no heed to the base insinuation, but said, “If God
were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came
from God.”
Their works testified of their relationship to him who was a liar
and a murderer. “Ye are of your father the devil,” said Jesus, “and the
lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the
beginning, and stood not in the truth, because there is no truth in him....
Because I say the truth, ye believe Me not.”
John 8:44, 45
, R. V. The
fact that Jesus spoke the truth, and that with certainty, was why He
was not received by the Jewish leaders. It was the truth that offended
these self-righteous men. The truth exposed the fallacy of error; it
condemned their teaching and practice, and it was unwelcome. They
would rather close their eyes to the truth than humble themselves to
confess that they had been in error. They did not love the truth. They
did not desire it, even though it was truth.
“Which of you convicteth [Revised Version] Me of sin? And if I
say the truth, why do ye not believe Me?” Day by day for three years
His enemies had been following Christ, trying to find some stain in
His character. Satan and all the confederacy of evil had been seeking