Updated comment on The Exclusive Brethren web site in September 2009:-
I have before me a piece headed Marriage Vows which is worded as follows:
“I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I take thee, _________________, to be my lawful wedded wife, being committed to uphold in our household, scriptural principles, including the principles that have been set out and established by the ministries of these great men, with which I am in complete agreement.
In the name of the Lord Jesus,
Signed:__________________________
Similar wording is given for the wife, followed by the signature of Witnesses, the Celebrant and then dated. The piece is found at the date of writing on the website: http://theexclusivebrethren.com/documents/vows.pdf. Who the great men are is not stated, nor who the owners of the web site are.
I regard the vows as including shocking statements. However, having queried the genuineness of the document with a reliable source of information it appears that there is no reason to believe that it is not authentic. The reliable source said to me that she would rather die than take the vows. I fully sympathise with her statement.
It will be noted that the vows speak of great men and only mention the Lord Jesus as the name in which they sign. It is obvious that Exclusives have got into a state similar to that described by Mr. Darby in his letter dated Novenber 26th, 1881 which reads as follows:
“You know that the natural tendency, as numbers increase in the assemblies, is that the heart wearies a little of the truth, which at the outset had authority over us to cause us to walk in the truth in separation from human systems; and at the same time the mind gets more and more occupied with persons who compose the assembly, till at last the truth gives way to the persons in our hearts, the conscience to the intelligence, Christ to the man, and brethren become, in another way, a system of the worst description: this is Satan’s aim, and it is in this way that he assails the brethren.
The first fruit from this bad root is, that brethren are occupied with themselves to the exclusion of other Christians who are equally members of the body of Christ: they think of themselves more than of the Lord. They do all they can to keep the gathering together, losing sight more or less of the great truths which have acted upon hearts individually, and which truths formed the gathering, not as a great work visible and recognised on the earth, but as a testimony from God and for the glory of Christ in the midst of Christianity.
It is of the last importance that we should continually remember that brethren are a testimony and nothing else; that is to say, that it is the truth that has kept us for the glory of Christ, and not we ourselves. This is easily forgotten.” (Included in the Recovery and Maintenance of the Truth by A. J. Gardiner page 118, 1963 edition. It has also recently been quoted on the Peebs.net web site)
The danger of being impressed by big men is clearly in Scripture. Saul was a big man (1 Samuel 10:23). The New Testament Saul was later called Paul which means Little (Acts 13:9). Even Samuel had to be adjusted as to this matter (1 Samuel 16:6/7 ). Goliath was a big man, but was brought down (1 Samuel 17:4). In our day we have had a big man (Big Jim). Have not many of us been following what is big ? If we have, we need to see that we have been wrong.
Only yesterday I heard it pointed out that Simon (known as the sorcerer) made out that he was some great one when he was quite wrong (Acts 9:8). Later on in the chapter we find that Philip was caught away after baptising the eunuch. Philip had occupied the eunuch with Jesus, not himself. He was caught away most likely so that the eunuch could not make anything of him.
Speaking of men like Mr. Darby, Mr. Raven and Mr. Taylor Snr., it is worthwhile to see what they said of themselves. Mr Darby said: “Mr. Newton wrote to me that I was an apostle. This did not, I confess, inspire me with confidence” (Collected Writings Vol. 20 page 19). Mr Raven stated: “You could not put anything now on a level with the apostle’s ministry” (New Series Vol. 8 page 308) and again: “The position I have held has never been other than that of a help.” (New Series Vol. 3 page 316). He also said: “People get to depend upon their minister for doctrine. That has been proved abundantly to be a rickety foundation with ministering brethren of any kind. You may depend upon the power that is within you.” (New Series Vol. 5 page 169). Regarding the above Mr Taylor Snr. said: “The ministry of the last century... I use it constantly, but as provided of God to help - to edify, confirm, and sustain us in the truth - not as a basis of my faith.” (Letters Vol. 1 page 395). As to himself Mr Taylor said: “As to my being a prophet, etc., I regard it as absurd: it pains me dreadfully to hear such things. I am sure that if the saints only knew what I think of myself they would be ashamed to entertain such thoughts. I am no prophet, nor successor to Mr. Darby (I feel ashamed to have to mention it.)” (Letters Vol. 1 page 43). Finally, “To make the teaching of uninspired men a standard is false and pernicious, as placing it on the level of Scripture, the only true standard.” (J. T. Letters Vol.1 page 392).
In any case where ought we to be heading ? Firstly, are we not to get nearer to God and become more like Him ? Secondly, are we not to serve others and by our walk and speech to be lights in the world ? When I was young it was said: “God first, others second and self last”. Christ ought to have the first place with us. He is the Son of God and in Him God has spoken to us (Hebrews 1:2). If we follow Christ we become like Him and if we become like Him we become like God for he perfectly presents and represents God. There are plenty of Scriptures to support the foregoing. Consider, Ephesians 1:17; 4:13; Philippians 2:15; 3:8; Colossians 1:10 and 2 Peter 3:18. Christ when here spoke of doing things for his sake and that of the gospel. Note: Christ comes first (Mark 10:29).
We are to be ready for Christ when He comes. We are to be found doing the foregoing things (2 Peter 3:11 et seq; Luke 12:22 et seq). What we need to eschew is making a fair appearance in the flesh (Galatians 6:12), that is, becoming a company shut away to ourselves, having strained out every gnat that could possibly be regarded technically as an unequal yoke and given up having any intercourse with any one that does not have part with us in the things of God. In other words there are no divided households. We have become perfect in separation outwardly, that is, in flesh ! (Galatians 3:3) However, inwardly we may be far from God (Matthew 15:8/9). We need to get back to basics, that is, be circumcised in heart and ears (Acts 7:51; Romans 2:28/29).
September 2009