(Translated from the German.)
DEAR BROTHER, ― Forgive me for not replying sooner to your letter. You complain of―for not attending the Conference of the Evangelical Alliance at B —, where about 1,200 children of God were present, from Germany as well as from other countries, and where after the first meeting brothers and sisters of all denominations greeted one another. It is not my place to answer for the―, but at any rate, to my knowledge, they were in no wise forbidden to go, and whoever had gone, would have had to answer to the Lord individually for his action.
You ask me what position I take with regard to the “Alliance” of which you call yourself a “member.” We cannot deny that the “Alliance” sprang from a legitimate recognition of the fact that the children of God are members of “the one body.” If we are already children of one Father and members of one body, why form another alliance? It seems to me that the dear brethren of the “Alliance” have stopped halfway. If it is right to manifest the unity of believers during one week of the year (e.g., the week of the New Year), surely it ought to be right to do so throughout the whole year.
It is quite true, as you say, that such barriers ought to be removed, but does the “Alliance” in reality remove them? No, for as a matter of fact those dear brethren who belong to it say, “We will only shake hands over the fence.” Moravians remain Moravians, Baptists remain Baptists, Methodists remain Methodists, and so on. When the Conference is over they all retire once more behind their barriers. Such a display of unity is defective, and not its full manifestation according to God’s Word, for if it were, these brethren would not separate again, but would be like the early Christians who “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers” (Acts 2:4242And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)). They would come out once for all from whatever divides them, and would meet together simply as brethren under the direction of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)).
I do not say that outward separation from human systems, evil doctrines, infidels, &c., suffices as testimony for the Lord―on the contrary it does not suffice, for there must be also inward separation, that is to say godliness of walk, and the two are united in God’s Word. See for example 2 Tim. 2:21, 2221If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:21‑22); 2 Cor. 6:11-18, 7:1. Without this there can be no true worship. The children of this world certainly cannot “worship in spirit and in truth” which is what the Father seeks with His children (John 4:2323But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (John 4:23)).
In speaking thus, we do not pretend that a believer who remains in the National Church or a Free Church may not be more godly in his walk, and have a larger heart and warmer affections for the Lord, for His people, and His work, than many others who have come out of human systems, and are meeting according to God’s Word with Christians united simply as brethren. But if it is a question of the manifestation of the unity according to Scripture, you cannot assert that it is fully realized in the “Alliance,” seeing that the “barriers” against which you rightly protest still subsist in principle, and are only broken down for a few days or hours. Moreover, you are not ignorant of the fact that amidst the “Alliance” many evil doctrines are tolerated, some of which overthrow the very foundations of the truth, such as non-eternity of punishment, annihilation, perfectionism or supposed deliverance from the sinful nature dwelling in us. And yet God claims from His children not only unity, but holiness, and this in doctrine as well as in walk.
~~~
Do not imagine, dear brother, that I wish to encourage stiffness, pride, narrowness of heart, or spiritual idleness, wheresoever they may be found, and unfortunately they are to be met with here and there amongst those who profess to be gathered simply to the name of Jesus. This is, of course, extremely sorrowful, and the more so because we there assume to meet on the ground of grace, unity, and truth. On the other hand you cannot call it narrow-mindedness if a Christian, walking in the fear of God, refuses out of love and obedience to His Word to go and mix himself up with all that is done in the present day, even though it may have prolific results. God is above all, but His children are bound to His Word.
Under certain conditions and circumstances, we can pray, work, and read the Word with all our brethren even though they be not separated; and if on the one hand there were fewer proud prejudices with less fear of a certain reproach, and on the other more grace, humility, patience, understanding, and Divine forbearance, in short on both sides more love for the Lord, for His own, and for the poor unconverted around us, I am persuaded that such a thing would be more often the case and would be for blessing to many or all. But these meetings for prayer, reading, or service would not, properly speaking, be the manifestation of the unity, for this finds its expression at the Lord’s table (1 Cor. 10: 17), where the question of holiness, that is to say of Scriptural discipline, also comes in.
Enough for today, dear brother. I salute you with sincere brotherly love, although you are personally unknown to me.
E. D.