CHURCH AND POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22823, 6 March 1936, Page 5

CHURCH AND POLITICS

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Though your article under the above' heading which appeared in the Times of February 24 was a very tail' criticism of what was said on the subject at the Methodist Conference, sitting at Christchurch recently, it has had a disquieting effect on the Rev. AY. M'Arthur. of Portobello, to judge by his letter ot February 27. When Christ is put into His right place, then politics and everything else will fall into place, 'he way to do this is to study the Bible, but ministers ywho dabble in politics are usually the ones who have no use tor God's'Word. And, therefore, they do not see that the Church and politics are two different spheres. When such men step into the arena of politics they often play into the hands of the Communists.

Here is Christ's commission to His disciples which has never been withdrawn: "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel (good news) to every creature." Mark xvi. 16. And here is what Christ sent Paul to to: "To open then (the Gentiles) eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified Acts xxvi, 18. This is how the apostles spent their time after Pentecost: "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Acts v, 42. Ihey certainlv put Christ in His right place! The first place!

Peter was speaking of the Christ when he said: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby wo must be saved." Acts iv, 12. In Acts x we have a most interesting account of "a certain man in Cassarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." This man had a wonderful vision of an angel coming in to him who spoke to him and concluded with these words: "Now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside: he will tell thee what thou oughtest to do. Then Peter had a vision, too. to prepare him for the men who were sent to him by Correlius. So when they arrived he was willing to go with them to Gassarea. After receiving a warm welcome trom Cornelius we road this: "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth 1 perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.

"The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching Peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:) that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judma, and began from Galileo, after the baptism which John nreached: H/nv God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witness of all things which rle did both' in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem; Whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day and showed Him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto the people and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick (the living) and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."— Verges 34-43. Not only was Cornelius converted through the above address, but also his kinsmen and near friends whom he had called together to hear Peter preach. And thus was the door of the Gospel opened to the Gentiles by the Apostle Peter. From Acts xiii and onwards we find that the Apostle Paul is mightily used bv God in proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation and leading sinners to Ihe Saviour. Towards the end of a remarkable address by Paul as recorded in Acts xiii we read this: "Be it known unto vou therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man (the Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye would not be justified by the law of Moses."—Verses 38, 39. Paul tells us this about himself: "Christ sent me to preach the Gospel. —1 Corinthians 1: 17. And, further on in the same epistle, he says: lor though I preach the Gospel I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me. if I preach not the Gospel! "—1 Corinthians ix: 1-0. In Acts xv we havp the account of the first church council, but there is no reference to politics in it—l am, etc., Maran-atiia.