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We make no pretension to have done justice to this great theme of the mystery; all that a pamphlet of this size
can do is to awaken interest and inquiry.
No. 4
"Comparing spiritual things".
Science divides the whole field of research into three great kingdoms, and all things must belong either to the
animal, vegetable or mineral kingdom. Sub-division is continued until at length we reach the individual of the
species, and this classification depends upon observing likenesses and differences. In this leaflet we wish to draw
attention to the value of the principle of "trying the things that differ", as the marginal reading of Philippians 1:10
suggests. Before proceeding to the Scriptures we desire that every reader should appreciate the value of this
principle, and ask him to notice the difference in the two definitions of man given below:
1. Man is an animal that eats, drinks and sleeps.
2. Man is an animal that reasons, speaks and wears clothing.
In the first description man differs nothing from the household cat; in the second, with three items of difference,
he stands out in marked separation from all creation. Many of God"s children have no clearer views of the teaching
of Scripture than No. 1 above gives of man. If they read the word "gospel" or "apostle" in Matthew and Ephesians,
it is all one and the same to them. We propose therefore considering a very well-known passage in this light, and
believe that by trying the things that differ the purpose of God for ourselves will be more clearly seen:
"When He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them
out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are
these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and
Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any
city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach,
saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils
(demons)" (Matt. 10:1-8).
We have here the following items that will repay attention:
1.
A GOSPEL.- The apostles are sent to preach.
2.
A DEFINITE ORDER OF APOSTLES.- The twelve are appointed.
3.
A RESTRICTION.- Go not into the way of the Gentiles.
4.
AN ACCOMPANIMENT.- Miraculous powers over disease and death.
1. THE GOSPEL.- The gospel which the twelve were sent to preach was "the gospel of the kingdom". This gospel,
accompanied by the self-same signs, was preached by the Lord Himself before this commission, as a reading of
Matthew 4:23 and 9:35 will show. We quote the latter passage:
"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the
kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people" (Matt. 9:35).
Before proceeding we would ask the reader a question. lt is this: "Would you consider a gospel, which knew
nothing of Jesus Christ crucified and risen, to be the gospel of God to be preached today?" We trust that the reader
will say "No! A gospel without Christ crucified and Christ risen has no message of salvation to sinful men, and
could not be owned of God". Well then, without binding ourselves to any existing chronology of gospels, we shall