from "The Christadelphian" November, 1873
The following letter, sent through the post, to all the brethren and sisters in Birmingham will best explain the crisis just at maturity there.
To the Brethren and Sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ (collectively and individually) assembling in Temperance Hall, Temple Street, Birmingham, from Robert Roberts, a fellow-partaker of the holy calling, and partner in the tribulation of the present evil world, to which the saints are subjected in hope.
Greeting in the Lord.
Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied unto you abundantly, from Him who is the Father of all, You are aware that there have risen up among us those who deny that Jesus Christ was God manifest in our condemned nature, for the putting away of sin by the sacrifice of himself. The doctrine thus denied is a vital element of that truth which constitutes the basis of our acceptance with the Father through His Son; consequently its denial is a barrier to fellowship between those who receive and those who reject it.
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Ed.: This heresy is still with us today, which denies the faith and the saving power of Christ's sacrifice.through His beloved one, our Lord and Master, who was manifested to put away our sins, and now sits, glorified, at the right hand of the Majesty on high, waiting the time when his enemies shall be made his footstool.
I find it necessary to address you from the retirement forced upon me by the weakness of this sin-stricken body (Rom. 8:10Rom. 8:10 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.; Col. 3:3Col. 3:3 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.), but from the immediate burden of which I hope presently to emerge, in renewal of the good work to which the truth calls everyone who has ears to hear. You are aware that there have risen up among us those who deny that Jesus Christ was God manifest in our condemned nature, for the putting away of sin by the sacrifice of himself. Unfortunately there are among us a few who have identified themselves with the rejectors of this saving doctrine of the cross, and who seek to force upon us the heresy which they themselves have accepted.The doctrine thus denied is a vital element of that truth which constitutes the basis of our acceptance with the Father through His Son; consequently its denial is a barrier to fellowship between those who receive and those who reject it.
Unfortunately there are among us a few who have identified themselves with the rejectors of this saving doctrine of the cross, and who seek to force upon us the heresy which they themselves have accepted. It was hoped that time and the testimony so largely adduced within the last three months, would have enabled them to recover themselves from the snare of the devil into which they had fallen; and removed from our midst the unseemly discord which their departure from and resistance to the truth have caused. But this hope becomes less and less likely to be realised; and it becomes necessary for those who hold fast the name, and have not denied the faith, to take that attitude which duty and their own peace and edification and growth in peace require; and that is, to withdraw from all who persist in their rejection of the important element of the truth now in question.
The question now in agitation is a constitutional question; it affects the foundation; therefore, every brother and sister must act on it individually, as before God.This is no matter for the action of the managing brethren, whose duties are confined to the superintendence of the working affairs of the ecclesia as established on the truth. They have no jurisdiction in questions affecting the constitution of the ecclesia itself. The question now in agitation is a constitutional question; it affects the foundation; therefore, every brother and sister must act on it individually, as before God. For this reason, I do not address you as one of the managing brethren, nor in conjunction with them. I act in my private capacity as a brother of Christ, whose duty towards Christ cannot be fettered by any artificial rules of convenience we may find it necessary to adopt. I come forward as one striving to be, in this dark day of apostacy, an obedient believer of the gospel, walking in the simplicity and purity of the doctrine apostolically delivered, asking fellow believers to agree as to what duty requires at our hands.
Nor is this a matter to be dealt with under the law of offences between brother and brother. Our foundation is called in question, as to which we are bound publicly to take positive ground, regardless of consequences to individuals. We must, in this matter, know no one after the flesh.A first principle is openly rejected and assailed. Our foundation is called in question, as to which we are bound publicly to take positive ground, regardless of consequences to individuals. We must, in this matter, know no one after the flesh. Our partialities, on the ground of personal acquaintance, must never stand in the way of our duty to that gospel of our salvation wherein we stand, and wherein only is friendship of any account. Let us decide on our duty first, and let the consequences take care of themselves. Our declaration will bear unfavourably on no one unless he be unfavourable to the truth, and in that case, he, and not our decision, will be responsible for the result.
I would also say that this is not a matter depending upon any vote that might be given. It relates to individual duty, which cannot be affected by votes one way or other. Voting is all very well for the settlement of mere matters of business or temporal arrangement. It is nothing to do with the question of whether we are to fellowship a lie. I will withdraw from the fellowship of that lie if all were to vote in its favour. I say this not that I fear such a thing, but merely to illustrate that our decision in this matter does not depend upon discussion and voting, like some things we have had to consider; but rests solely on an individual conviction.
Further delay would only hinder our edification, impede the inquirer, and disgrace the truth. I, therefore, ask you to join me in a general declaration of withdrawal from all who deny that Jesus Christ was God manifest in our mortal nature.There has been time enough for the settlement of mature conviction, since this mischievous controversy was originated three months ago. Further delay would only hinder our edification, impede the inquirer, and disgrace the truth. I, therefore, ask you to join me in a general declaration of withdrawal from all who deny that Jesus Christ was God manifest in our mortal nature. I ask you to do so in a manner that will enable us to give peaceable effect to our convictions, avoiding the turmoil of further discussion, which we may well dispense with after the thorough canvass of the question which has taken place, and which could lead to no good result, while it could not fail to be painful to many, and perhaps productive of some things that would be regarded with displeasure by the Master of the household and the Higher than the highest.
My request is, that if you agree with me, you will sign and return the declaration which you will find at the end of this letter. Addressed to me at the Athenæum Rooms it will reach me in my retirement; and on my return, I will ask you to meet me at the Athenæum Rooms, on Thursday night, October 30th, that our united declaration may be promulgated, and that we may take such further steps as the new situation will call for; after which it will be necessary to redraw ecclesia roll, that we may know who thereafter constitute the Birmingham ecclesia, on the basis of the unadulterated truth.
Thus may we hope to secure unity and peace at the table of the Lord, in the company of those who, in all humility before God, and zeal for His name, are waiting for His Son from heaven, in full desire with all diligence to purify themselves from the works of the flesh, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, in love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
Those who do not join in this act will remain in fellowship with those who deny the truth, and will disconnect themselves from those who may unite in stepping aside from a connection which has become a fountain of every evil work. Please then, if you think well so to do, sign and return (not later than Sunday, October 26th, addressed to me at the Athenæum Rooms, Temple Row), the Declaration on the back of this sheet.
Robert Roberts.
Tuesday, Oct. 14th, 1873.
DECLARATION 1
I do not agree with the doctrine concerning Christ which has emanated from Nottingham, in the Tract entitled "Thirty-two Questions" and otherwise, within the last three months. On the contrary, I believe that Jesus, in the days of his flesh, was a manifestation of God, in the mortal nature of David, and, therefore, inheriting, in his flesh, equally with ourselves, the mortal effects of descent from Adam, from which, by the Father's power, he was himself delivered by obedience, death, and resurrection; and is now the deliverer of all who truly come unto God by him. I hereby withdraw from all who do not believe this.