Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

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States Constitution one is required to accept princi
ples that are contrary to the Bible. The following
antichristian principles must be accepted: Firstly,
that nations need not acknowledge the sovereignty
of the Lord Jesus Christ. That this is a principle of
the constitution is shown by the fact that such an
acknowledgment is not found in it, in fact it was
purposely avoided. This principle is contrary to the
Bible. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all
the nations that forget God." Psa. 9:17.
Secondly, that Christianity is not a necessary
qualification for holding
office under the constitu
tion. This unscriptural principle is embodied in the
phrase "no religious test." Christianity
as well as
false religions is ruled out as a necessary qualifica
tion for officers. But the Bible says, "Moreover thou
shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as
fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and
place such over them, to be (Ex. 18:21).
Thirdly, that nations should not recognize
Christianity as the national religion. This unscrip
tural principle is embodied in the phrase "no estab
lishment of But religion."
since it is the duty of na
tions to recognize Christ, it is their duty to recog
nize His religion
by encouraging it in every legiti
mate way and by exercising Christianity, not sec
tarianism.
It must be remembered that every one who
takes the oath, whether for the purpose of taking of
fice or for any other reason, must accept these un
scriptural principles. This is true Whether it is taken
with an explanation or an interpretation. As long as
the constitution remains as it is, we cannot swear
allegiance to it and give the Lord Jesus Christ the
pre-eminence in all things. Only when the constitu
tion is brought into harmony with the Word of God
so that allegiance is in harmony with allegiance to
Christ, can we take the oath and still give the Lord
Jesus Christ the pre-eminence in all things
R. H. McKelvy
Lesson Helps for the Week of July 17, 1955
CYPU TOPIC
For July 17, 1955
STUDY IN GALATIANS, Chapters 5, 6.
Psalms:
by Alvin W. Smith, D.D.
112:1-3, page 277.
4:1-3, 5, 8, page 6.
Prayers:
1. For the ability to catch the spirit
of the apostle in his effort to save the
Galatians from error.
2. For God's blessing upon the teach
ing of the true gospel.
3. For the CYPU CAMPS.
THE LEADER'S RESUME
Supposing some to be in the meeting
tonight for the first time, let the leader
in about three minutes review our study
of the epistle to the Galatians, chapters
1-4, pointing out the author, readers in
tended, occasion, intensity of feeling re
vealed in the epistle : give leading teach
ings.
Proceed to Read Aloud ch. 5, 6
Note the apostle's appeals and exhor
tations. V:l VI:18
A. The call to steadfastness, 5:1-12
Christ hath set us free, stand fast
therefore in this liberty. Paul was using
his final argument. "I Paul that is,
"with all the authority of an apostle of
Christ, and as one who knows from bit
ter experience the truth of what I say.
Submission to circumcision would mean
going back to the method of seeking
salvation by law-works and would thus
mean accepting the obligation to keep
the whole law, which requires a perfect
fulfillment of all its precepts. See 3:10
To this no man can measure up.
June 29, 1955
Examine carefully these expressions
v. 4, "fallen from
(fallen down
from the higher plane of grace to the
lower plane of law.)
v. 7. "Ye did run well."
ning well . . . before
came). "Who did hinder
(Ye were run
the Judaizers
(a meta
phor from military operations, suggest
ing the idea of the breaking up of a
road to arrest the progress of an ad
vancing army.)
v. 9. "A little leaven." See 1 Cor. 5:6,
15:33. (The influence of a few perverted
converts to Judaism would soon prove
far-reaching
and pernicious.)
v. 10. "I have confidence in you . . .
Paul turns from reproof to encourage
ment. See 2 Cor. 2:3; 8:22. Sometimes
expression of confidence works when re
buke would fail.
v. 10. "he that troubleth v. 12,
"they which trouble ch. 1 :7 there
be some that trouble Acts 15:24,
"certain have troubled The
troubling was in the nature of 'unset
tling."
Paul expresses the wish that the
troublers would not stop at circumcision
but "entirely mutilate themselves" ... at
least 'sever themselves from all con
nection with the
B. The works of the flesh and the fruit
of the Spirit, 5:13-26
vs. 13-15. "Freedom from the require
ments of the law does not mean disobe
dience to its spirit, which is that of
love to
We hear so much about
liberty. How terribly it is abused!
life
vs. 16-26
"The spiritual and carnal
contrasted."
Recall the teachings
in Romans 7th and 8th chapters.
Works of the flesh. "Lightfoot classi
fies them under the four headings of
Sensual Passions v. 19.
Unlawful dealings in things spiritual,
v. 20.
Violations of brotherly love, vs. 20, 21.
Intemperate excesses, v. 21.
Fruit of the Spirit. 'A lovely nine-fold
cluster of fruit.' Again we make use of
Lightfoot's classification.
Habits of mind, v. 22
Social qualities, v. 22
General Principles of Conduct, vs. 22,
23.
In the exercise of these there is no
restraint.
C. Burden Bearing, Chapter 6:1-5.
Here is an appeal for helping a broth
er 'get 'back on the beam.' It is also
the figure of 'repairing damage' . . .
setting a broken bone or mending a torn
net. v. 1. (Who can do it and in what
spirit). Contrast 'bear ye one another's
burdens'
with 'every man shall bear his
own burden.' Paul is dealing with selfcenteredness
and that irritating thing of
laying
claim (in one's self)) to spiritual
superiority, vs. 2-4, also the problem of
personal responsibility, v. 5.
v. 6.
D. Sowing and Reaping
that is,
'Communicate'
'share.'
a. Give liberally for the financial sup
port of their teachers.
b. Share with the teacher in every
good work. (Every pastor seeks both).
vs. 7, 8. "The laws of God cannot be
trifled Reaping is in kind with
the sowing. Flesh and Spirit are the
seed-beds. Then there is the waiting
period before harvest. Do not faint from
apparent lack of results. Sow lavishly
NOW.
E. CONCLUSION. 6:11-18.
It appears that at this point, Paul as
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