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SIGNS '630D-i-ki TIMES

THE WORLD'S PROPHETIC WEEKLY

*THOMAS *
JEFFERSON

GOD'S
FOUR

REEDOMS
Freedom of Speech:
"Their rulers, and elders, and scribes
ift-J.1“1141?t . . commanded them not to speak at all
nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter
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and John answered and said unto them,
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Whether it be right in the sight of God to
1115 Aii.£ 040 N !LICHT
:V1.01, hearken unto you more than unto God,
tit I P.:,:01"“)FP,..NORPIt judge ye. For we cannot but speak the
'WI
things which we have seen and heard."
Read Acts 4:1-20.
Freedom of Worship:
Oct "Render therefore unto Caesar the things
which are Caesar's; and unto God the
things that are God's."
Read Matthew 22:15-22.
Freedom. From Want:
"If thou shalt hearken diligently unto
the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe
and to do all His commandments, . . . all
these blessings shall come on thee. . . .
The Lord shall open unto thee His good
treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto
thy land in his season, and to bless all the
work of thine hand."
Read Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
Freedom From Fear: -
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be
not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea,
I will uphold thee with the right hand of
My righteousness."
Read Isaiah 41:10-13; 43:1, 2.
INTERNATIONAL -4
HAS MAN AN IMMORTAL SOUL? Vol. 71, No. 15 April 11, 1944
See Page 2
HAS MAN AN mmortal Soul ?
Is Eternal Life Inherited—
or-Received as a Gift?

W. E. STRICKLAND

ing creature, and may be applied to both


man and beast, since all live and move and
are creatures of God's making. •
In the beginning, God gave to man a
further blessing in the form of the tree of
Disobedience brought disaster
to our first parents, and be- life. As long as he ate of this tree of life,
cause of their sin they were driven from life was assured to him. We read: "Odt 'of
their Edenic home.
the ground made the Lord God to grow
.every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and
F good for food; the tree of life also in the
midst of the garden, and the tree of knowl-
OR centuries man has been taught that and man became a living soul." Here we edge of good and evil." Genesis 2:9.
he possesses a never-dying soul which lives have a positive statement concerning God's The power to live was and is from God
in his mortal body; and that when the body method of creating man, and of the mate- through Christ. He provided the tree of
dies the soul lives on, going either to heaven rial which He used in that creation. Man, life, and as long as man could eat of it, so
if good, or to hell if bad, there to enjoy or of course, is of a higher order than the ani- long would he have life. But his eating de-
suffer through all eternity, as the case may mals, being created in the likeness of God. pended upon his being obedient to God's
be. - Yet the material used to form this likeness commands.
As a consequence, men have come to be- or image is the same as that used in' form- It was disobedience that brought disaster
lieve that life is inherent within them, and ing all other creatures, for we read: "Out of to our first parents. Had they remained
that there is no occasion to look to another the ground the Lord God formed every faithful, the privilege to eat of the tree
—not even to Christ—for something that beast of the field, and every fowl of the would have been theirs eternally, and this
one already has. The Bible, however, air." Verse 19. world would never have known the anguish
teaches that there is no immortality apart While man and beast were made of the of sin and death. But when Adam dis-
from Christ. same material, the dust of the ground, yet obeyed, God could do no less than prevent
• To clarify this question, let us seek the man was different from the beast in that he his access to the tree. God could not allow
answer in the divine word.. Solomon said: was made in God's image, after His like- man to live on forever. He could not per-
"For that which befalleth the sons of men ness, and God gave to him power to have mit an immortal sinner. Therefore God
befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth dominion over the world and all that is sent man forth from the garden to culti-
them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; in it. But this language does not imply vate the soil and finally to die as a result of
yea, they have all one breath; so that a man that in making man God gave him a soul his sin. So today, in redemption's plan,
bath no pre-eminence above a beast: for all which can never die. man has life through Christ, but only as he
is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of It is true that "man became a living is obedient. God's requirements have not
the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who soul." Verse 7. But a similar expression is changed. What He required of Adam and
knoweth the spirit of man that goeth up- used concerning fish and beasts and fowls, Eve He requires of us; and if we would live
ward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth as we read: "God said, Let the waters bring that life which is eternal, we can do so only
downward to the earth? Wherefore I per- forth abundantly the moving creature that in and through Christ. Then eternal life
ceive that there is nothing better, than that a hath life ["soul," margin]." Genesis I:20. will be ours when He comes at the last day
man should rejoice in his own works; for See also verse 3o. It is therefore evident to raise His own from the grave.
that is his portion: for who shall bring him that the expression "living soul" means liv- "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
to see what shall be after him?" Ecclesi- return." Genesis 3:19. There is no basis
astes 3:19-22. here for the teaching that there is a spirit
Man and beast both come from the ele- life after death. God does not countenance
ments of the ground. At death both return OUR COVER the devil's lie, "Ye shall not surely die."
to the earth. Man has no pre-eminence This heroic statue of Thomas Jefferson Verse 4. How sad it is, then, that through
over the beast in this matter, for "they have dominates the beautiful memorial on the the centuries man has continued to believe
all one breath." Potomac dedicated to this great champion and to teach the doctrine of natural immor-
of the rights of man. April 13, the 201st
We read in Genesis 2:7: "The Lord God anniversary of his birth, reminds us again tality!
forined man of the dust of the ground, and that the world needs more men like Jeffer- But let us turn to the truth as it is in
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; son today. (Continued on page 7)

"Signs of the Times," April 11, 1944. Vol. 71, No. 15. $1.50 a year in the United States. Printed and published weekly (50 issues a year) by the Pacific Press
Publishing Association at Mountain View, California, U. S. A. Entered as second-class matter September 15, 1904, at the post office at Mountain View, California,
under Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, and authorized September 18, 1918.
Page Two SIGNS of the TIMES
CHRISTIAN Baptism
Is It Necessary?
"there was much water," if baptism were to
be done by sprinkling.
What Does It Symbolize? The term "baptize" is derived from the
Greek baptizo; and in lexicons is invariably
defined: "to dip," "to immerse," "to
plunge." There are eight words in the
Greek of the New Testament used to de-
by scribe the application of liquids. It is sig-
nificant that with this wide choice of words,
FRANCIS A. SOPER meaning "sprinkle," "pour," and "im-
merse," only the one meaning "immerse"
is used in describing water baptism.
In New Testament times this was a fa-
miliar word, readily understood by all and
r 1HE preaching of John the Baptist to this earth and identified Himself with in common usage. The apostles of Christ
had stirred the whole Jewish nation. sinful humanity to show us the path that understood it. Their practice in the early
- Thousands flocked into the wilder= we are to walk, and to give "us an example" church was in accordance with the Master's
ness to hear him proclaim: "The kingdom that we "should follow His steps." I Peter command: "Go ye therefore, and teach all
of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:2. As a 2:21. nations, baptizing them in the name of the
result, many were brought to repentance If the Master set us an example in this Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
and "were baptized of him in-Jordan, con- matter, it behooves us to follow it. There Ghost." Matthew 28:19.
fessing their sins." can be no doubt as to the value and neces- At the Day of Pentecost, as the public
News of John's message reached the sity of the ordinance of baptism when Jesus ministry of the apostles was beginning,
small Galilean town of Nazareth, where Himself led the way. But how was He they began to carry out the parting com-
Jesus—realizing that the time for the be- baptized? What mode was used in this mand of the Lord and preached the word
ginning of His public ministry had come— "example" that He set for us? with power. Many who heard "were
joined the large bands of His countrymen There are several types of baptism in pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter
who were journeying to the Jordan. vogue today. Some churches practice im- and to the rest of the apostles, Men and
As Jesus came requesting baptism, John mersion while others use sprinkling or brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter
recognized in Him something different pouring. But Jesus was baptized "in" Jor- said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
from all the others—priests, rabbis, soldiers, dan. The very word "in" indicates that the every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
publicans—who were being baptized. He ceremony took place in the water, not on for the remission of sins, and ye shall re-
saw a purity of character that he had never the bank or somewhere near by. Also, the ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts
before seen, and he shrank from granting record states that the Spirit came upon Jesus 2:37, 38.
the request of Jesus, exclaiming: "I have as He was "coming up out of the water." As the result of this meeting three thou-
need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Obviously, then, He had first to go down sand persons were baptized, and Jerusalem
Thou to me?" He realized his own un- into the water. must have been greatly stirred as its pools
worthiness to baptize one whom he felt to In John 3:23 we read: "John also was were crowded with waiting candidates.
be the world's Messiah. baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because As the early church grew, the believers
However, Jesus gently but firmly replied: there was much water there: and they came, "went everywhere preaching the word." It
"Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becom- and were baptized." This makes it plain is recorded that Philip the evangelist went
eth us to fulfill all righteousness." So John that Bible baptism was performed where to Samaria "preaching the things concern-
finally acceded and led Jesus into the Jor- there was no scarcity of water. It would ing the -kingdom of God." Upon hearing
dan and buried Him beneath the water. surely be strange to select a place where the gospel, many were convicted of sin, and
The record continues: "And "when they believed, . . . they
straightway coming up out of were baptized, both men and
the water, He saw the heavens women." Acts 8:4, 12. No dis-
opened, and • the Spirit like a crimination was made; all who
dove descending upon Him." believed, "both men and
Mark t:to. women," received the rite of
It was not as a confession of baptism.
guilt, or on His own behalf, that After a short time, Philip was
Jesus was baptized. He was the led by the Holy Spirit into the
Sinless One and did not for desert region between Jerusalem
Himself need to receive that and Gaza. Here, by divine guid-
rite which symbolized the re- ance, he met the Ethiopian
moval of sin. Rulers and com- eunuch who was returning to
mon people alike confessed their his own country after Worship-
guilt• and were baptized, thus ing in Jerusalem. As Philip ex-
signifying that they desired to pounded to the distinguished
have a part in the kingdom of officer the prophecies in the Old
the coming Messiah by having Testament concerning the Mes-
their heart and life purified and siah and their fulfillment in
cleansed. But Jesus was baptized A modern baptismal scene in the River Jordan Jesus Christ, the Ethiopian was
for a different purpose. He came near where John baptized Jesus. (Continued on page 5)

for APRIL 11, 1944 Page Three


00.9 1301 aRictItom

Obsolete Doctrine or a Living Truth?

Broadcast Over the Mutual


System by the

VOICE OF PROPHECY.

HE Bible doctrine of blood-bought Christ's payment of his penalty, he


salvation grows less popular in the church is forgiven. His sins are under the
today. Look at some of the new church blood. Christ gave His life in the place of
hymnals and try to find the old songs about man's life. He died for our sins. I Corin-
the blood of Jesus Christ and His sufferings thians 15:3.
on Calvary. You may be surprised to find The highest angel could not die for man.
that many of those old songs have been It must be the sinless Son of God. The
omitted. Not long ago one large denomi- innocent must die for the guilty. So in an-
nation suggested that all songs referring to cient times God used a lamb as the symbol
the blood, or to salvation through the shed of the innocent Saviour who was to die
blood of Jesus Christ, should be eliminated for us.
in the revised hymnbook. When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he © NEWTON

In spite of this so-called modern attitude said: "Behold the Lamb of God, which tak-
toward the shed blood of Christ, it is still eth away the sin of the world." John 1:29.
Bible truth that no man ever lived who had If we look back to the beginning of time,
his sins remitted without the shedding of we see Abel. bringing a lamb to the angel-
blood. We read in Hebrews 9:22: "With- guarded gates of Paradise. Continue to
out shedding of blood is no remission." look, and you see the harmless creature
"All have sinned." Romans 3:23. All slain. Its blood is shed, and soon you see their lambs for sacrifice were taught to look
are lost. Therefore, all need salvation. All the smoke of a sacrifice ascending. not to the lamb they offered, but to Christ
can find salvation. It is provided for all, Later, when God required congrega- the true Lamb and His death for man.
because Christ died for all. 2 Corinthians tional worship, all the lambs for sacrifice We have a description of that beautiful
5:14, 15; Romans 5:6. But all who are lost were brought to the sanctuary or temple. tabernacle or sanctuary in Hebrews 9:1-3,
must come to God by way of the spilled Exodus 25:8, 9, 40; 29:38, 49. Here the 6-1o. The two apartments of the tabernacle
blood of Christ. There is no other way to priest from the tribe of Levi shed the blood were known as the holy place and the most
climb to heaven, no other avenue to re- of the lambs twice each day. holy place, and were separated by a curtain,
demption, no other door, no other gate. This sanctuary and its entire service was or veil, interwoven with gold and silver.
"No man cometh unto the Father, but by ordered by the Lord and was a shadow, or In the holy place was the altar of incense,
Me." John 14:6. lesson, of heavenly things. the golden table of shewbread, and the
No human being can be cleansed with- "Now of the things which we have seven-branched candlestick. In the most
out the shedding of blood. spoken this is the sum: We have such an holy place the only object was the ark of
"If we walk in the light, as He is in the high priest, who is set on the right hand of the covenant, containing the tables of the
light, we have fellowship one with another the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a Ten Commandments. 'Over the top of the
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son minister of the sanctuary, and of the true ark of the covenant was the mercy seat,
cleanseth us from all sin." r John 1:7. tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and where God came to meet with the children
As soon as a man becomes conscious that not man. of Israel.
he needs a Saviour, he turns his eyes to "For every high priest is ordained to offer Every day the priests went into the holy
Christ. Then Christ covers his sins with gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of neces- place and ministered the blood for sinners.
His own precious blood. When God looks sity that this man have somewhat also to Once every year the high priest alone went
upon that sinner, He sees Christ's righteous offer. . . . Who serve unto the example into the most holy place to cleanse it from
life. Christ takes our place. The broken and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses the record of the sins of the whole year.
law cannot , condemn that man because' was admonished of God when he was about Thus, these sacrifices were typical of only
Christ stepped in and offered His life in to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith' He, one thing—the salvation which Jesus was
place of the man's life. that thou make all things according to the to bring. Not only was Jesus revealed as
The wages, or penalty, of sin is death. pattern showed to thee in the mount." the Lamb of God, dying for sins, but as the
Romans 6:23. Christ paid the penalty. So, Hebrews 8:1-5. High Priest in God's tabernacle of heaven
as soon as the lost sinner with the death Everything, even the dress of the priests, working out a plan of eternal redemption
penalty written up against him recognizes was significant. The people who brought for us on the basis of His spilled blood:
Page Four SIGNS of the TIMES
Paul tells us in Roman 3:25 that Jesus and advocate in the heaven of heavens. It
was the propitiation for our sins, and the was as if a living voice had spoken to the
word "propitiation" comes from the Greek worshipers There is now an end to all
word meaning "mercy seat." Jesus is our sacrifices and offerings for sin. The Son of
mercy seat. God is come according to His word, To, I
The Passover was another service which come (in the volume of the Book it is writ-
was an acted prophe.cy of Christ. We read ten of Me,) to do Thy will, 0 God: By His
in 1 Corinthians 5:7: "For even Christ our own blood' He entereth 'in once into the
•Passover is sacrificed for us." holy place, having obtained eternal redemp-
Christ was crucified at the time of the tion for us,' Hebrews 1o:7; 9: I2."—The
Passover feast and fulfilled this acted Desire of Ages, pages 756, 757.
prophecy made nearly fifteen hundred years All these ancient services pointed for-
before. ward to Jesus Christ as the Lamb slain. The
The lamb for the Passover was trouble with our world today is that it is
separated from the flock several days getting away from the blood of Christ.
before it was offered. In John I : In Exodus 12:46 we are told that not a
47-54 you will find that Jesus was bone of the lamb was to be broken. As
marked for death as the Lamb of God Jesus hung upon the cross, crucified be-
several days before His crucifixion, tween two thieves, the soldiers came to
and that after He was marked for break their legs; but when they came to
death by the high priest He walked Jesus and found that He was dead already,
no more openly among the Jews. they did not break His legs. John 19:33. So
According to Mark 15:25, we find the Scripture's prophecy was fulfilled—that
that Jesus was nailed to the cross not a bone was to be broken. Psalm 34:2o.
about 9 o'clock in the morning. The Then they pierced His precious side with
Jews had two evenings—one began a spear, and there came forth blood and
at noon, and the other at 6 o'clock. water, showing that He died of mental
Some people still say "Good evening" anguish—of a broken heart! John 19:34-37.
in the afternoon. It was the same in In every way the Passover lambs pointed
the time of Jesus. The lamb was slain to Christ, but men's eyes were closed lest
"between the two evenings" (Exo- they should see, and their ears were stopped
dus 12:6, margin), or halfway be- lest they should hear.
tween 12 and 6 o'clock, which would Every day the lambs were dying, and the
be 3 o'clock. At that time—the ninth priests were offering the blood upon the
hour—Jesus cried with a loud voice, altar and before the veil of the temple. By
"It is finished." John 19:3o; Mat- this service God was trying to teach the
thew 27:5o. Israelites that there was no salvation out-
"When the loud cry, 'It is finished,' side the Lord Jesus Christ.
came from the lips of Christ, the If I had been the only sinner, Jesus would
priests were officiating in have come to the cross of Calvary and shed
the temple. It was the hour His blood for me! If you had been the only
of the evening sacrifice. The lost soul, Christ would have come to Cal-
lamb representing Christ vary and died as the Lamb—for you!
had been brought to be Yes, the Saviour was willing to shed His
The Lamb of God shed slain. Clothed in his , sig- blood for us! And when, by faith, we see
His blood for all mankind, nificant and beautiful dress, Him on the cross, from the depths of our
and by His infinite sacri-
fice we are redeeined. the priest stood with lifted hearts comes the response:
knife, as did Abraham when
he was about to slay his son. I lay my sins on Jesus,
The blood of the lambs With intense interest the The spotless Lamb of God;
did not save men in those He bears them all, and frees us
people were looking on. But From the accursed load;
days, but the faith of the the earth trembles and I bring my guilt to Jesus,
people was thus pointed to the great Lamb quakes; for the Lord Himself draws near. To wash my crimson stains
of God, Jesus Christ. When a man brought With a rending noise the inner veil of the White in His blood most precious,
a lamb for a sacrifice, he first laid his hand temple is torn from top to bottom by an Till not a stain remains.
upon its head and confessed his sins—show- unseen hand, throwing open to the gaze of —Horatius Bonar.
ing his faith that God's lamb must bear the multitude a place once filled with the
his sins. Then he shed its blood! Imagine presence of God. In this place the Shekinah
how deeply his mind was impressed with had dwelt. Here God had manifested His Christian Baptism
his need of a divine Saviour from heaven! glory above the mercy seat. No one but the (Continued from page 3)
His faith was not in the blood of animals, high priest ever lifted the veil separating deeply impressed and requested baptism.
but in the blood of Christ. this apartment from the rest of the temple. "And as they went on their way, they came
The bread upon the golden table repre- He entered in once a year to make an atone- unto a certain water: and the eunuch said,
sented Jesus as the Bread of Life. John 6:35. ment for the sins of the people. But lo, this See, here is water; what doth hinder me to
When the mercy seat was placed over God's veil is rent in twain. The most holy place be baptized ?"
Ten Commandments in the sanctuary, it of the earthly sanctuary is no longer sacred. The record continues: "Philip said, If
pointed to Jesus. God's law, the Ten Com- "All is terror and confusion. The priest thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mandments, when violated, demands death. is about to slay the victim; but the knife mayest. And he answered and said, I be-
"The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23. drops from his nerveless hand, and the lamb lieve that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
But between man and the death penalty is escapes. Type has met antitype in the death And he commanded the chariot to stand
the mercy seat where God, in Christ, ex- of God's Son. The great sacrifice has been still: and they went down both into the
tends mercy to the sinner. And in that made. The way into the holiest is laid open. water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
solemn service of the Day of Atonement, A new and living way is prepared for all. baptized him. And when they were come
the blood of the lamb was sprinkled on the No longer need sinful, sorrowing humanity up 'out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord
mercy seat over the broken law. Thank await the coming of the high priest. Hence- caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw
God for Jesus as the mercy seat for us! forth the Saviour was to officiate as priest (Continued on page 7)
for APRIL 11, 1944 Page Five
On the Trail of
Tradition4

RISE OF THE

PAPACY
by
HERMAN 0. OLSON GALLOWAY

Modern Rome with the Tiber River in the foreground, Hadrian's tomb on the right,
and the dome of St. Peter's Church in the distance.

ITHIN the clergy there early de- ality in the former capital. The patriarch and is our wish, and honoring your blessed-

W veloped a hierarchal difference of of Constantinople, on the other hand, be-


degree: The powers of the bishops came increasingly dependent on the em-
increased continually. They were exalted peror, and at times even more so on the
ness as a father; we have hastened to bring
to the knowledge of your holiness all mat-
ters relating to the state of the churches.
above the presbyters, and those in certain queen. It having been at all times our great desire
politically or religiously influential cities en- After the empire was divided, Rome be- to preserve the unity of your apostolic chair,
joyed a superiority in dignity over other came the capital of the Western Roman and the constitution of the holy churches
bishops. The one located in the chief city Empire; but in spite of this, the popes con- of God which has obtained hitherto, and
of each province was called the "metropoli- tinued to make their influence carry weight still obtains.
tan," while the name "patriarch," which in the West. They also sought to retain " 'Therefore we have made no delay in
had been applied to all bishops, was applied their power in the East. After the fall of subjecting and uniting to your holiness all
exclusively to those in Rome, Antioch, Alex- Western Rome in 476, the pope at times suf- the priests of the whole East. . . . We can-
andria (at the Council of Nicaea, 325), fered defeats under the invasions of the not suffer that anything which relates to
Constantinople (at the Council of Constan- Goths and other tribes into Italy, but with the state of the church, however manifest
tinople, 381), and Jerusalem (at the Coun- the aid of the eastern emperor these Arian and unquestionable, should be moved,
cil of Chalcedon; 451). hordes were subdued. without the knowledge of your holiness,
In the nomenclature of the West, the Because of the high prestige of the pope who are THE HEAD OF ALL THE HOLY
name "papa" (pope) had also been a gen- of Rome, the emperor also desired to stand CHURCHES, for in all things, as we have
eral title of honor to the bishops, while in in favor with him. He sought, therefore, already declared, we are anxious to increase
the East it was applied only to the bishops to decide the controversy between the patri- the honor and authority of your apostolic
of Alexandria and Rome. In Italy, how- arch of Constantinople and the pope to the chair.' . . .
ever, in the sixth century it began to be advantage of the latter by means of the fol- "The emperor's letter must have been
applied exclusively to the bishop of Rome. lowing letter, which is quoted by George sent before the 25th of March, 533. For, in
After the death of the emperor Theo- Croly: his letter of that date to Epiphanius he
dosius (395) the Roman Empire was di- " 'Justinian, pious, fortunate, renowned, speaks of its having been already dis-
vided in two, the West and .the East, the triumphant, emperor, consul, etc., to John patched, and repeats his decision, that all
latter also called the Greek or Byzantine, the most holy archbishop of our city of affairs touching the church shall be referred
Empire. This political division, and the Rome, and patriarch. to the pope, 'head of all bishops, and the
continual rivalry between the bishops of " 'Rendering honor to the apostolic chair, true and effective corrector of heretics.' "—
Rome and Constantinople for superiority, and to your holiness, as has been always The Apocalypse of St. John, pp. 167, 168,
tended to separate the church of the East 1827 ed.
(also called the Byzantine) from the church "Toward the close of the sixth century,
of the West. The one who exerted the John of Constantinople denied the Roman
greatest influence in giving the church of FILL IN - MAIL TODAY supremacy, and assumed for himself the
the East a distinguishing character from title of universal bishop; whereupon Greg-
that of the church of the West was the em- Date ory the Great, indignant at the usurpation,
peror Justinian I. The Byzantine Church denounced John, and declared, with uncon-
Circulation Dept., PACIFIC PRESS
became limited mainly to Eastern Europe scious truth, that he who would assume the
and Asia Minor. Its distinguishing fea- Mountain View, California title of universal bishop was Antichrist."—
ture was that the emperor became the head PLEASE send the Signs of the Times
Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation,
of the church, and that church and state page 287.
for one year to the following address.
became closely related—caesaropapism. When Gregory the Great was pope (590-
I enclose $1.50 ($2.00 in Canada and
When; about A. D. 330, Constantine 604), he greatly expanded the power and
moved the seat of the empire from Rome foreign). honor of the papacy. In 577 the papal chair
to Constantinople and made this the capi- Name became independent of the emperor. The
tal, it gave the bishop of Rome greater inde- pope soon crowned and excommunicated
pendence and political influence. The Address rulers. He was the real ruler of Rome.
papacy, therefore, developed rapidly in the Pepin the Short, who had placed himself
western part of the empire, and the bishop on the throne of France, conquered the
of Rome became the outstanding person- Lombards who had made conquests in
Page Six SIGNS of the TIMES
Italy. He gave the exarchate to the pope in
756, and thus laid the foundation of the
"states of the church" and the temporal
power of the popes.
An Immortal Soul?
(Continued from page 2)
Christ. Wherein lies the true hope of the
s ,4TIMES
':
SIGNS 6tv
Advocating a return to the simple
The son of Pepin, Charles, known as the -human race? Says the apostle Paul: "The gospel of Christ, and a preparation
Great, or Charlemagne, expanded and rati- wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is for His imminent second appearing
fied his father's gift. In gratitude for these eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." . ARTHUR S. MAXWELL
EDITOR . .
favors, Pope Leo III placed on his head the Romans 6:23. We have within ourselves no ASSOCIATE EDITOR . . MERLIN L. NEFF
Roman imperial crown as the king knelt in ethereal substance that lives on and on CIRCULATION MGR. . H. K. CHRISTMAN
St. Peter's Church on Christmas Day, 800. through all eternity; our hope for eternal
Some of the archbishops of the West were life is in Jesus Christ our Lord. The future RATES in U. S. A.: Single copy, one year . . . $1.50
Clubs of five or more to one address, each . . 1.25
reluctant to acknowledge the supremacy of immortal life is the gift of God to all those To Canada and other countries taking extra postage:
the pope, but many bishops, priests, and who believe. Thus we can say: "He that Single copy, one year (U. S. funds) $2.00
Clubs of five or more to one address,
monks saw an advantage in placing them- hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not each, (U. S. funds) 1 50
selves directly under the Roman chair in the Son of God hath not life." I John 5:12. Please make all checks and money orders payable
to "Signs of the Times," Mountain View, California.
order to gain greater independence from Christ is man's only way to eternal life. In requesting change of address, please give both
their next superior archbishops or bishops. Without Him there can be no life. old and new addresses.
As the papacy became more ambitious No papers are sent except on paid subscriptions, so
Would you be saved? Would you escape persons receiving the "Signs of the Times" without
and involved deeper in secular affairs, it the punishment of eternal death? Would having subscribed may feel perfectly free to accept it.
was felt needful to have documentary sup- you have immortal life? Then accept
port for its claims. There are two outstand- Christ. Believe on Him, follow Him; and
ing examples of attempts to manufacture all the blessings that go with eternal 'life were baptized into Jesus Christ were bap-
such evidence. The first is the feigned will be yours at His second coming, when tized into His death? Therefore we are
"Donation of Constantine," which issued the dead shall be raised and the living trans- buried with Him by baptism into death:
from certain bishops in France about A. D. lated to meet Him in glory. that like as Christ was raised up from the
800, and according to which this first Chris- dead by the glory of the Father, even so
tian emperor had given to the popes cer- we also should walk in newness of life. For
tain territories in Italy. The second ex- if we have been planted together in the like-
ample is a collection of ecclesiastical rules, Christian Baptism ness of His death, we shall be also in the
the Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals. The pur- (Continued from page 5) likeness of His resurrection." Romans
pose of this forgery was partly to prove• that 6:3-5.
him no more: and he went on his way re-
the spiritual power has precedence over the joicing." Acts 2:36-39. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward
secular—the priests are the "apple of God's change of life. The old man dies and is
eye"—and partly to vindicate the position No dOubt is possible concerning •the
buried, and the new man lives by the power
that in controversies the bishops have a mode of baptism used in this experience.
of God. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians,
right to appeal directly to the pope. The If sprinkling or pouring had been em- says:
real object was indeed to establish the tem- ployed, there would have been small reason
for Philip and the Ethiopian to go "down "Buried with Him in- baptism, wherein
poral and spiritual monarchy of the popes. also ye are risen with Him through the
The first pope who adduced these decretals both into the water," and "come up out of
the water." Remember, too, that this was a faith of the operation of God, who hath
in support of his authority was Nicholas I raised Him from the dead." Colossians
(858-867). The historians of the time of baptism performed under the direct guid-
2:12.
the Reformation rejected these fables, the ance of the Holy Spirit.
When we go into the watery grave -of
falsity of which has later been admitted by The ministry of the other apostles fol-
baptism and are buried with the Master,
the popes. See Loevgren's Kyrkohistoria lows the same divine pattern as was used
we rise to "walk in newness of life." We
(a Swedish church history), pages 99-101; by Philip. It is told of Peter, proclaiming
become new creatures in Christ Jesus, being
also Edward Gibbon's History of the De- the gospel for the first time to a company
"born again." Sin is cleansed away, and
cline and Fall of the Roman Empire, ch. 49, of Gentiles in the household of Cornelius
at Caesarea, that "he commanded them to we inherit the name and all the benefits of
par. 16. the family of God. Jesus becomes our Elder
The Eastern Church propagated Chris- be baptized in the name of the Lord." Acts
10:48. Brother, and we are "no more strangers and
tianity in the Slavic countries, and, there- foreigners, but fellow citizens with the
fore, the patriarch in Constantinople laid When Paul and his companion Silas saints, and of the household of God." Ephe-
claim to the highest authority in these as visited Philippi, they were thrust into sians 2:19.
well as in other sections of the Eastern prison; but, as the result of their consecra-
Church. In addition to the other subjects tion to God and His interposition on their Jesus calls upon us today to be baptized
of controversy between the pope and the behalf, the jailer was converted, crying out: "in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
patriarch, the latter accused the Christians "Sirs, what must I do to be saved ?" The and of the Holy Ghost," and to be adopted
of the West of heresy. The pope, Leo IX, apostles replied: "Believe on the Lord Jesus into the family of saints fit to live with Him
sent messengers to Constantinople to negoti- Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy throughout eternity. His loving command
ate concerning the matter. As these were house." Then the jailer "took them the comes to us as it did to Saul through the
unable to accomplish anything, they placed same hour of the night, and washed their disciple Ananias: "Now why tarriest thou?
on the altar in St. Sophia Church a papal stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
bull which excommunicated the patriarch, straightway." Acts 16:30-33. sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
Acts 22:16.
Michael Cerularius, and his followers. The Among the many examples of baptism in
patriarch answered by excommunicating New Testament times, we do not find one
the pope. This completed the separation of example of, or any command concerning, THE heart of God yearns over His earthly'
the Church of the East and the Church of infant baptism. The Lord has carefully de- children with a love stronger than death.
the West, the year being 1054. fined those who are to be baptized. They In giving up His Son, He has poured out to
By these steps the papacy became firmly must be taught the gospel (Matthew 28: us all heaven in one gift. The Saviour's life
established with its seat of power in the 19, 20), believe in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:37), and death and intercession, the ministry of
city of Rome. Kings and emperors bowed repent of their sins (Acts 2:38), and be angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father
to the decrees of the Roman pontiff, and converted (Acts 3:19). Infants cannot un- working above and through all, the un-
the destinies of men seemed to be under derstand or believe the great truths of sal- ceasing interest of heavenly beings,—all are
his control. vation. enlisted in behalf of man's redemption.
• The ceremony of baptism represents the . . . Shall we not regard the mercy of God?
I HAVE seldom known anyone who de- death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. What more could He do? Let us place our-
serted truth in trifles that could be trusted Paul describes it thus: selves in right relation to Him who has
in matters of importance.—Paley. "Know ye not, that so many of us as loved us with amazing love.—E. G. White.
for APRIL 11, 1944 Page Seven
Never were Bibles as
cheap as they are to-
day. Heaven's best
gifts are free for the
asking.

RINSE?, SLACK STAR

L N R AT 0 N IE ID IIC 11-11 IF S
by
sI walked along a street in my we may pray as much as we like, and as

A home town today, I noticed a


number of women running. Old
women and young women, large women
C. L. PADDOCK often as we like. God invites us to
"come" and to "ask," and He promises
to "hear" and to "give." "And all things, 1
and small women—all hurrying in the whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believ-
same direction. They were all going into ing, ye shall receive." There are no re-
'a chain grocery store. into working order again now that we strictions, no charges. As Christians we
I didn't run, but when I reached the can't drive the car every time we want have not lived up to our privileges.
door of this particular store my curiosity to go around the block. We shall all be God's word, the food of the soul, is
prompted me to go in, too. The place better off physically for the walking. free and plentiful. Never were Bibles
was jammed with people. There were It may have been a bit painful to some as cheap as they are today. 'And if any-
several long lines of customers reaching to cut down on coffee, but if we are hon- one is too poor to buy a copy, one can be
from the back of the store up to the cash- est with ourselves we will admit we are had free. "Thy words were found,-and I
ier's counters. better off when we don't drink it. did eat them; and Thy word was unto
"Business seems to be good with you It was pretty handy to have all the me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart."
today," I said to the manager, who had canned goods we wanted on our shelves, Jeremiah 15:16. We may eat of this
a worried look. "Yes," he replied, "we but our fathers and mothers gOt along spiritual food as often as we will. Most
got in a few boxes of butter this morn- without them, and I suppose we can, of us have been quite faithful in getting
ing, and these people are buying their too; at least for a time. • to the table for our physical food three
ration of butter." But while the physical side of this times a day, but we have gone long
We agree that rationing is the only story isn't as gloomy as we once thought periods without reading our Bibles.
fair way to divide commodities; yet it it might be, the spiritual phase of it is It seems possible that we may come
is still a bit irritating to us to think we cheerful as ever. Spiritual blessings are through this war period better physically
can't have everything we want. not rationed. They haven't been and as a result of the restrictions placed upon
However, some blessings are already they never will be. us, and why shouldn't we come out of it
coming to us out of this novel situation. We should remember that "man shall better Christians? We can if we will but
We all have to admit that we have been not live by bread alone." Our souls need make full use of the unrationed riches of
extravagant and wasteful, and we are feeding as well as do our bodies. These the grace of God.
finding that we can get along on much spiritual blessings are not sold in stores "Come ye, buy, and eat; . . . without
less than we once thought possible. A or rationed by governments. money and without price," is the divine
reduced food intake has proved a bless- We have been urged to cut down on invitation. Isaiah 55:1. No fees. No
ing in disguise to many, as doctors at our telephone calls, and most of us have coupons. Heaven's best gifts are free for
least will agree. We had almost forgot- been willing to co-operate; but the lines the asking and free to all. Let us take
ten how to walk, but our legs are getting to heaven are open day and night, and them while we may.

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