Oct 1994 - Editorial

by Geoffrey Hydon | Category: Editorial | Oct 1994

A promise of Christ to His disciples was that the Holy Spirit would lead them into all the truth. As we consider the variety of religious practices in what is sometimes termed "the Christian world", we might well ask ourselves why such disparity has arisen if there is an absolute body of truth into which the Spirit would lead. All believers are of course fellow members of the Body of Christ. But what should govern their religious activity? How is unity in doctrine and practice to be achieved? There has to be an acceptable means of determining what Scripture requires or, as history has shown, there will simply be a repetition of the early sorrowful comment of God about His people: "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judg. 21:25).

Paul's faithfulness, expressed in his assertion that his teaching was uniform in every place and in every church of God, can surely be emulated today, with the Holy Spirit's guidance and help. This is achieved by bringing elders together, on the pattern of the meeting described in Acts 15, to allow the Spirit to work through the hearing and answering of godly men until it may be said: "It seemed good unto the Holy Spirit, and to us" (Acts 15:28). Such a meeting was held in Nottingham, U.K. in September, attended by representative elders from churches of God around the world. So it also becomes possible for readers of this magazine to be assured that its teaching is given consistent expression in churches of God throughout the world. Scripture places distinct importance on this issue. Clear, unified presentation of the Word of God is a valid evidence that "God is among you indeed" (1 Cor. 14:25), and an even more meaningful one than speaking in tongues was to people in apostolic days. How glad we should be to see this evidence of the Holy Spirit's work today!

Geoffrey Hydon | Oct 1994
Editorial