Correspondence

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
 
13. Τ. G., Florence. 2 John 1:9, 109Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (2 John 9‑10) this scripture does not take up the question of eating with relations, or strangers. On that, see 1 Cor. 5:9-11; 10:23, 279I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (1 Corinthians 5:9‑11)
23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (1 Corinthians 10:23)
27If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. (1 Corinthians 10:27), &c. But 2 John refers to the many deceivers who had entered in. The imperfect translation also completely hides the true meaning. In the literal translation it is, “Whosoever goes forward and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine, he has both the Father and the Son. If any one come to you and bring not this doctrine, do not receive him into the house, and greet him not; for he who greets him partakes in his wicked works.” This is a most important scripture. It refers to the fearful error called “development,” of which modern Christianity is the result. Just as with the Jews, the traditions or developments of the elders made of none effect the scriptures of the Old Testament, so the developments of the so-called church, or clergy, have made of none effect the complete revelation contained in the New Testament. Nearly all you find in Christendom today is development not abiding in what is written, but human additions. How narrow, then, the path of that Christian who desires to have only that which he finds in the beginning. How much of man will he have to give up. The elect lady was not to receive such into the house. Who can now count the number of false teachers?