1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

denominational organizations, each of which binds its membersto a mental union on the basis of some creed or dogma of itsown (many of them anything but lovely) and each having itsown laws.These laws emanate from their heads or rulers and law-givers;so it is clearly seen that these present day churches have andrecognize as heads, or directing, ruling powers over them theancient founders of their various creeds while their clergy inconferences, councils, synods and presbyteries, interpret andenforce the "traditions of the elders" which "make void theWord of God." These take the place of the true head of thechurch--Jesus--and the true teacher and guide into all truth, theHoly Spirit. Hear the Prophet Isaiah express it, (chap. 9:15.)"The ancient and honorable, he is the head, and the prophet thatteacheth lies, he is the tail."Will they own this to be so? No, for Babylon the great--themother of harlots, and all her daughters, the complete nominalchurch in this evil day, represented in Isa. 4:1 as the sevenwomen, take hold of the one man (Christ Jesus) saying: "Wewill eat our own bread (which the world supplies) and wear ourown apparel (the filthy rags of their own righteousness), only letus be called by thy name, to take away our reproach." And sothey assume the name of Christ and call their organizationsChristian churches. Theirs is a union of hands but not a union ofhearts."These are hard sayings, who can receive them?" But these arenot our sayings: it is the warning voice of the "sure word ofprophecy... whereunto ye do well that ye take heed." And it is aloving voice for again our Lord declares: "As many as I love, Irebuke and chasten."There are two senses in which the true church of Christ may beconsidered: All who like the early church were fully consecratedto the doing of our Father's will, amenable only to Christ's willand government, recognizing and obeying none other --thesesaints from the beginning of the Gospel Age down to its close,when all of this class are sealed and the door to the high callingcloses, constitute the "CHURCH OF THE FIRST BORN,"whose names are written in Heaven. These are all one in aim,hope and suffering, and in due time will be joint-heirs with JesusChrist to the great inheritance --heirs of the kingdom which Godhath promised to them that love him.R295 : page 9The other sense in which this same class is recognized, is, bycounting a part for the whole, thus all the living of this classmay be spoken of as the church; or again any part of this class ofliving followers who may meet together may properly be calledthe church; for by the word of Jesus we know that wherever twoor three are assembled, he will be among them, consequently