A letter has been received raising the question "Which assembly or church is more scriptural, the
Independent Fundamental Church, or the Assembly of brethren" (so called)? The writer then
proceeds to prove that the former is the more scriptural, by laying down a number of charges as to
the assemblies of brethren, and drawing a comparison in each case with what he believes to be the
more scriptural character of the independent fundamental church.

More than a hundred years ago God recovered for His people truth that had been hidden since the
days of the apostles. This recovered truth consisted primarily of the doctrine of the "one body of
Christ", the church, united by the Spirit to the living Head in heaven; the abiding presence of the
Spirit of God in the church from the day of Pentecost; and that blessed hope, the coming of the Lord
for all His own_and related truth. In addition much light was thrown on all of scripture. Many have
rejoiced in this truth, some of which is now being challenged. With the Lord’s help I will proceed
to test these assertions by "what saith the scripture."

The writer states, first:"The assembly of brethren do not have a written constitution, but are
nevertheless bound by certain rules set forth in the Bible and each must adhere to these rules, or be
out of fellowship with the assembly."

It is true, we have no human constitution, but we do have a divine one_the Bible. It is not true,
however, that we are bound by "certain rules set forth in the Bible"; we are bound by the entire Word
of God. Neither are those put out of fellowship who do not "adhere to these rules." The amount of
light one has is not made a test of fellowship, because the scripture does not make it so. Virtually all
of Paul’s epistles were written to impart truth that was unknown and to correct error that had come
in. Paul says in Philippians, "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:and if in. any
thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have
already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing" (Phil. 3:15,16).

Now as to the question of discipline, it would take us beyond the scope of our paper to treat this
subject in detail. However, it is clear from scripture that the church is not to permit evil men in its
midst_whether they be mere professors or children of God acting in the flesh. "Them that are
without, God judgeth," but the saints are distinctly told to "put away from among yourselves that
wicked person" (1 Cor. 5:12,13).

Putting away from among ourselves is not simply to put one out of fellowship with the assembly,
for "truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3). The church
(assembly) is the habitation of God through the Spirit. It is the body of Christ linked by the Spirit to
its glorious Head in heaven. We owe it to the Lord Himself to preserve the holiness of His table. The
primary object before us therefore, in discipline, is the glory of God.

Secondly, the church is to approve itself "to be clear in this matter" (2 Cor. 7:11). In 1 Cor. 5:6 in
connection with moral wickedness, and Gal. 5:9 in connection with doctrinal evil, it is written "A
little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." We are told to "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye
may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and
wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor.5:7,8).

Thirdly, discipline is in view of recovery of the one who has erred; that by faithfully dealing with
him, he might be led to true repentance before God (2 Cor. 2:6-8).

Scriptural authority for church discipline is given in Matt. 18:18-20. "Verily I say unto you,
whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching
any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. For where
two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them."

Scripture teaches also that discipline does not always take the form of excommunication. Such action
is indeed the extreme measure employed when all else fails. In 1 Tim.5:20 it is said:"Them that sin
rebuke before all, that others also may fear." "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which
are spiritual, restore such an .one in the spirit of meekness" (Gal.6:1). "If any man obey not our word
by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count
him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thess. 3:14,15). See also Matt. 18:15-17.

Another important consideration is the spirit in which discipline is to be carried out. It is not to be
done in a spirit of pride or harshness, but is an occasion of deep sorrow and humiliation to all, and
should be carried out in a spirit of meekness "considering thyself".

The writer proceeds:"it seems easier to write out what we believe are the teachings of the Bible so
each believer can give assent to them and that will cause less confusion than if each believer in the
assembly is to interpret the Bible as he sees fit."

Although each believer is individually responsible to God, no believer has the right "to interpret the
Bible as he sees fit". This is the prerogative of the Holy Spirit who indwells each believer; He only
can guide us into all the truth_can take the things of Christ and show them to us. "Ye have an
unction from the Holy One and ye know all things." "But the anointing which ye have received of
Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:but as the same anointing teacheth you
of all things, and is the truth, and is no lie" (1 John 2:20,27). The believer is not dependent on man
for written or oral truth, though God may use these as His instruments. Every believer, by virtue of
the new nature, has a capacity for the knowledge of the truth and a power to know it by the Spirit
which has anointed him. Written or oral ministry can call attention to the truth but not give authority
to truth. Here the Word and Spirit have their supremacy with the soul. "They, and they alone, are the
guarantee of truth," one has said. Even as to the apostles ministry, it says of the Bereans, "they
searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so." Paul did not commend the elders at
Ephesus to a "constitution," but "to God and to the Word of His grace," and this in view of his
departure, after which grievous wolves would enter among them, and of their own selves men would

arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Depend upon it, my brethren, it
is not a "constitution" but God and the Word of His grace that can "build you up, and give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:27-35).

It is claimed that a "constitution" is easier, less confusing. Is God’s Word less clear, less plain-
speaking than man’s word? Does He not speak even to babes_to the unlearned? Is He our Father
and hides His mind from us? To supplement His Word with a constitution, an authoritative creed
(it is said "so each believer can give assent to them"), is in fact to supplant it. It is to say, God has
not done for us what man can do. Can any constitution written by man claim what all scripture can
claim, that it "is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16,17)? Are we not to live by every word which proceedeth out of
the mouth of God? Is it not a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path? We gather together as
members of the body of Christ, unto His Name, in the recognition of the presence and power of the
Spirit of God, and not as giving assent to certain views of truth. We endeavor to keep the unity of
the Spirit already formed, not form a new unity bound by written rules. (To be continued, D.V.)