Reply to Gellius Faber: Concerning the Church

Gellius complains that we destroy and leave the church of God, and that we are devilish sects and conspirators; and on the other hand he boasts that they gather an abiding church. Therefore, in my opinion, it is necessary first of all to compare the churches with the requirements of the Scriptures, so that the pious reader may know the difference and see which and what the Church of Christ is, and also what the church of antichrist is: how long they have both existed; whose they are; by whom they are brought forth; for what purpose they are begotten; of what disposition or nature they both are; what their fruits are; and by what signs they may be known. Then he will not be deceived by the preachers, and mistake the church of Christ for a heresy and conspiracy, and the church of antichrist for the church of Christ.

In the first place, it should be considered that the community of God, or the church of Christ, is an assembly of the pious and a community of the saints, as the Nicene Creed represents it. From the beginning they have firmly trusted and believed in the promised seed of the woman, which is the promised Prophet, Messiah, Shilo, King, Prince, Emmanuel and Christ; they accept his word in sincerity of heart, follow his example, are led by his Spirit, and trust in his promise in the Scriptures, Deuteronomy 18, verse 18; Genesis 49, verse 10; Jeremiah 23, verse 5; Jeremiah 33, verse 15; Isaiah 7, verse 14.

Such people are now generally called Christians or the church of Christ, because they are born of Christ’s word through faith, by his Spirit, and are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone, just as the children of Jacob, because of their natural birth, were called the house of Israel, Romans 9, verses 7 to 9.

On the other hand, it should be noted that the church of antichrist is a gathering of the ungodly and a community of the impenitent, who reject the seed mentioned above, Christ, and his word, and oppose his will. They are called the antichristian community or church for this reason: through the spirit and tricks of antichrist, although under a show of the word and in the name of Christ, they teach, believe, act and establish a strange worship, contrary to the Spirit, word, example and ordinance of Christ.

In the second place, it should be noted that the church of the pious has existed from the beginning; yet it did not always have the same ordinance, nor was it always called by one name in the Scriptures. For before their departure from Egypt they had no particular written law; yet they feared the great and powerful God, faithfully served Him, offered burnt offerings and walked in his ways, as may be seen in the case of Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and others. At that time they were called God’s children. Afterwards Abraham was commanded to circumcise himself and his household, and all the males after him, on the eighth day after their birth, Genesis 17, verse 10. About four hundred years after that, Moses gave the law; and from that time they were generally called the people of God, or the house of Jacob and Israel. At last Christ Jesus, the Messiah of all the world, to whom all the Scriptures point, appeared. All those who hear him, believe his word and follow him are now called Christians, or the church of Christ, as we have heard, Isaiah 58, verses 2 and 4; Jeremiah 23, verse 5.

At different times she was under different ordinances and practices, and the church is called by different names, as was said. Yet all who, before, under and after the law, walked and continue to walk in sincere, true fear of God according to the word and will of God, and trust in Christ, are one community, church and body, and will always remain so; for they are all saved by Christ, accepted by God, and gifted with the Spirit of his grace. It should also be noted that the church of the ungodly, which is the church of antichrist, began with the first ungodly, who were inspired by the spirit of the devil, which envies all good things; and it will continue to the end. For the anti-church has generally existed from the beginning side by side with the Christian church, and is the more numerous; and until the deluge the Scriptures speak of it as the “children of men,” Genesis 6, verse 2; John 8, verse 44. But from the flood until the circumcision of Abraham they are called Gentiles. After the time of the circumcision they are called Gentiles or uncircumcised, Genesis 17, verse 11; Romans 15, verse 9.

They did not know the true and living God, but worshiped and served the handiwork of men, gods of wood, stone, silver and gold, and besides these, dragons, serpents, oxen, fire, the sun, the moon and so on, until the apostles preached the gospel to all the world and gathered a church for Christ, Matthew 28, verse 19; Mark 16, verse 15; Romans 10, verse 17; Colossians 1, verse 23. This church has in the meantime been so destroyed by antichrist that the greatest number have degenerated into open Gentiles and idolaters, although outwardly they call themselves Christians; for they bend their knees to sticks and blocks and seek the help of the craftsman. Others, and these are the best-minded of them, seek comfort and their salvation in man-made ceremonies, water, bread, wine and absolutions; so that we are forced to say that they are the church of the impenitent and the church of antichrist.

In the third place, it should be noted that the Christian church is of God, as Paul says, “For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of one,” Hebrews 2, verse 11. For as Christ Jesus, who is the true Savior, is of God, indeed, God’s only begotten and firstborn Son, so also are all those who believe his word in sincerity of heart and are moved by his Spirit. John says, “But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on his name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God,” John 1, verses 12 and 13.

Again, “Everyone who loves is born of God,” First John 4, verse 7. On the other hand, it should be noted that the church of antichrist is of the evil one, as the Lord said to the Pharisees, “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not abide in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it,” John 8, verse 44. “He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning,” First John 3, verse 8.

Reader, take note. By these words the spirit of truth has already judged all liars, bloodshedders, greedy people, perjurers, adulterers, drunkards, the pompous and idolaters, together with all the unrighteous: they are of the devil; that is, they are the devil’s community. Nevertheless they boast that they are the church of Christ, just as the Pharisees boasted that they were Abraham’s seed and children, John 8, verses 39 to 44.

In the fourth place, it should be noted that the church of Christ is begotten by sincere, pious preachers and Christians, who are moved by the Spirit of Christ; who, like Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, Paul, John and so on, are blameless in doctrine and life; who seek the salvation of their neighbors in pure and faithful love; who can say sincerely with Paul, “Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ,” First Corinthians 11, verse 1; who preach the word in the power of the Spirit; who are shining lights before all men; and who strive with all their strength with the talent they have received, so that they may make a great gain for the treasury of the Lord, Philippians 2, verse 15; Matthew 5, verse 16. For from the beginning it was God’s way and will to proclaim the doctrine of repentance through pious and blameless servants, as has been sufficiently shown above under the heading of the “Calling of the Preachers.”

On the other hand, it should be noted that the church of antichrist is brought forth by faithless preachers, who are moved by the spirit of antichrist; who with Korah, Dathan and Abiram seek the applause of the people, Numbers 16, verse 2; who with Balaam seek inordinate gain, Numbers 22, verse 24; who with the prophets of Jezebel seek choice food; who with Hananiah flatter the people, Jeremiah 28, verse 11; who with the false prophets preach Peace, Ezekiel 13, verse 16; who are earthly and carnally minded, and seek nothing but the world, ease, honor, belly and gain, Philippians 3, verse 19; Romans 16, verse 17.

O reader, how the greatest and most highly esteemed preachers of our day, whose names have spread far and wide, seek the poor, naked and crucified Christ Jesus and the souls of men with their gospel, may, alas, be gathered from the accursed, ungodly pomp and splendor of their houses, and from the vain and elaborate ornaments, chains, rings, silk and satin of their women and children. Nevertheless their doctrine is called evangelical theology, and they are called the servants of the holy word.

In the fifth place, it should be noted that the church of Christ is begotten by the Spirit and word of Christ. For as an honorable woman can bear no legitimate children except from the seed of her lawful husband, so also the bride of Christ, namely, the church, can bring forth no true Christians except from the legitimate seed of Christ, that is, from the unadulterated word, rightly preached through the Holy Spirit and conceived in the hearts of the hearers. Paul says, “In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel,” First Corinthians 4, verse 15. James says, “Of his own will he begot us with the word of truth,” James 1, verse 18. Read also Romans, chapter 10; First Peter, chapter 1.

On the other hand, the church of antichrist is begotten by deceiving doctrine, through the spirit of error. Paul says, “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy,” First Timothy 4, verse 1. Indeed, reader, what else has the church of Christ abolished, and the church of antichrist re-established, but the false doctrines of the learned, and the many inconsistent councils, decrees, statutes, doctrines and commandments of men? What else blinds the German nation today, and what else keeps them in their ungodliness, but the light-minded doctrine of the preachers, the ungodly infant baptism, the unscriptural, idolatrous supper, and the neglect of the Lord’s ordinance (separation) as it was practiced by the apostles?

The prophets complained on every hand that Israel turned their ears to false preachers, Isaiah 30, verse 9; Jeremiah 8, verse 8; Jeremiah 14, verse 14.

Christ Jesus and his holy apostles faithfully warn against false prophets in many Scriptures: they deceive you, says Christ; they serve their bellies and not the Lord Christ, says Paul; they promise others liberty and are themselves servants of corruption, says Peter. They turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, Jude, verse 4, and they are of antichrist, Matthew 7, verse 15; Matthew 16, verse 9; Second Peter 2, verse 19. O reader, reflect diligently on what I write.

In the sixth place, it should be noted that the church of Christ is begotten for the purpose of hearing the Lord, and of fearing, loving, serving, praising, honoring and thanking God sincerely, as Moses says, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul; to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes,” Deuteronomy 10, verse 12.

Again, “You shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and you shall serve him, and cleave to him,” Deuteronomy 13, verse 4. Peter says, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,” First Peter 2, verse 9.

See, the church of Christ is begotten so that his great miracles, his Almighty Majesty, his inextinguishable love and his adorable, high and holy name may be glorified forever.

But the church of antichrist despises, hates and reviles God, as the prophet says, They transgress my covenant as Adam did, and by it they despise me. Indeed, all who reject the Lord’s will, word, counsel, admonition, chastening, grace and love hate him and will not be ruled by him. They do not do his will, but their own; they say in their hearts: Depart from us, we want to know nothing of your ways; who is this Most High, that we should serve him? See, this is how boldly they despise the Almighty, eternal God, who is the Creator, Messiah and Lord of all the world. May the dear Lord grant them eyes to see their great faults, and hearts to realize them; this is my sincere wish for them, Amen.

In the seventh place, it should be noted that the church of Christ, in her weakness, is disposed and minded as Christ is; for Paul says, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature,” Second Corinthians 5, verse 17. He is led by the Spirit, and knows through this Spirit that he abides in God and God in him; he partakes of the divine nature. Indeed, dear reader, the true church hates what Christ hates and loves what he loves; for she is his Bride, flesh of his flesh, and “made to drink into one Spirit.” Therefore she cannot be minded otherwise than Christ is minded, for she is begotten of his word and abides in him, and he in, over and through her, First John 4, verse 12; John 15, verses 4 to 7.

Compare this with the church of antichrist, and you will find that she is of the same nature as her father, by whom she is begotten: proud, envious, murderous, false, disobedient, self-conceited, earthly and carnally minded, selfish, greedy, bold, proud, pompous, extravagant, impure, and altogether opposed to Christ. For everything Christ forbids, they do; and what he commands, they despise; whatever he hates, they love, and whatever he loves, they hate; and yet they boast that they gather an abiding church, as we have heard, First Corinthians 8, verse 6; First John 3, verse 24; First John 4, verse 13. He who has ears, let him hear, and judge whether or not I speak the truth.

In the eighth place, it should be noted that the church of Christ brings forth the fruits of Christ, as he says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit,” John 15, verse 5.

Every tree bears after its own kind. All who are born of God and partake of the divine nature fear, love, serve and praise God with all their heart; walk blamelessly; teach, admonish, reprove, support and comfort their neighbor as brothers; die daily to the flesh and its lusts; shape their ways according to the word of the Lord; and continually lament that they are such poor, weak and frail sinners, Matthew 7, verse 17.

They strive to be made conformable to the death of the Lord, so that they may rise from the death of their sins and attain to a perfect being in Christ. Not, my reader, that they have already attained it or become perfect. By no means; but with Paul they strive to follow after, if so be that they may apprehend that for which I also am apprehended by Christ Jesus, Philippians 3, verse 12.

On the other hand, look at the fruits of the church of antichrist. Their preachers teach falsely, deceive boldly and live an easy, extravagant life. The magistrates behave as if they were born for no other purpose than to make war and tumults; to torture, to murder, to destroy cities and countries; to make a vain show, to drink, to carouse and to live in all manner of lasciviousness. Indeed, many act so that, alas, they would better be called Leones rugientes (roaring lions) and lupi vespertini (howling wolves) than humani (human beings) and reasonable persons, to say nothing of Christians. [Note 1]

The common people drink, carouse, curse, swear, grab, snatch, lie and cheat. In short, we find such behavior on every hand, as if God were a chimera and his word a fable. See, such are the fruits of those who boldly boast that they are the church of Christ. Oh, would to God that they could see what Christ Jesus, after whom they call themselves, and his holy apostles have taught them in plain words, and what example they left them, so that they might still be saved. For as it is, they only play with the letter, cry out and boast; but, alas, no spirit, work, power and fruits are to be seen.

Kind reader, although I think the difference between the two churches may be fully seen in the foregoing comparison, yet for the sake of greater clearness I will briefly present the following signs by which the one church may be told from the other, so that the truth may be the more fully testified and made plain.

The first sign by which to distinguish the church of Christ is the wholesome and unadulterated doctrine of his holy and divine word. God commanded Israel to abide by the doctrine of the law and not to turn aside from it, either to the right hand or to the left, Deuteronomy 5, verse 32. Isaiah admonished them to conform themselves to the law and its testimony, or they would not receive light, Isaiah 8, verse 20. Christ commanded his disciples, saying, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” and “teach them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you.” The prophets testify on every hand that they spoke the word of God: Thus says the Lord of hosts, they say; again, the mouth of the Lord says; again, thus says the Lord God who has led you out of the land of Egypt, and other such testimonies. Paul also says, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed,” Galatians 1, verse 8. In short, where the church of Christ is, there his word is preached purely and rightly. But where the church of antichrist is, there the word of God is adulterated; there we are pointed to an earthly and unclean Christ and to means of salvation that are foreign to the Scriptures; there a broad and easy way is taught; there the great are flattered and truth is perverted into falsehood; there easy things are taught, such as the poor, ignorant people will gladly hear. In short, there they are comforted in their unhappy state, so that they think little of it, and they say, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace,” Jeremiah 8, verse 11. They promise life to the impenitent, while the Scriptures say that they shall not inherit the kingdom of God, First Corinthians 6, verse 10; Galatians 5, verse 21.

The second sign is the right and Scriptural use of the sacraments of Christ, namely, the baptism of those who are born of God by faith, sincerely repent, bury their sins in Christ’s death and rise with him in newness of life; who circumcise the foreskin of their hearts with the circumcision of Christ, which is done without hands; who put on Christ and have a clear conscience, Titus 3, verse 5; Romans 5, verse 4; Colossians 3, verse 11; First Peter 3, verse 21. Again, the giving of the Lord’s Holy Supper to the penitent, who are flesh of Christ’s flesh, who seek grace, reconciliation and the forgiveness of their sins in the merits of the death and blood of the Lord, who walk with their brothers in love, peace and unity, who are led by the Spirit of the Lord into all truth and righteousness, and who prove by their fruits that they are the church and people of Christ.

Where baptism is practiced without the command and word of Christ, as by those who baptize not only without faith but also without understanding or awareness; where the power and meaning of baptism, namely, dying to sin, the new life, the circumcision of the heart and so on, are not only not upheld but are even thoroughly hated by those of mature age; where the bread and wine are given to the greedy, the pompous and the impenitent; where salvation is sought in mere elements, words and ceremonies; and where a life is led contrary to all love, there is the church of antichrist. All intelligent persons must admit this. For it is plain that they reject Christ, the Son of God, his word and ordinance, and put their own ordinance and works in its place, and so establish an abomination and idolatry.

The third sign is obedience to the holy word, or the pious, Christian life which is of God. The Lord says, “You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy,” Leviticus 19, verse 1. Christ says, “You are the light of the world.” Paul says, “Be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” Philippians 2, verse 15. John says, “He who says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked,” First John 2, verse 6.

But how holy the church of antichrist is, how her light shines, how blamelessly and purely they walk, and how their life conforms to Christ’s life, may, alas, be gathered from their words and works on every hand.

The fourth sign is the sincere and unfeigned love of one’s neighbor, for Christ says, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another,” John 13, verse 35. Indeed, reader, wherever sincere brotherly love without hypocrisy is found with its fruits, there we find the church of Christ. John says, “Let us love one another; for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love,” First John 4, verses 7 and 8.

But whether the church of antichrist is not there where brotherly love is rejected; where they hate, defame, strike and beat each other; where everyone seeks his own interest; where they treat each other deceitfully and faithlessly, curse, swear and slander; where they defile their neighbors’ maidens, daughters and wives, rob each other of honor, possessions and life, and commit all manner of recklessness, abominations and malice against each other, as may, alas, be seen on every hand, all intelligent persons may judge according to the Scriptures.

The fifth sign is that the name, will, word and ordinance of Christ are confessed without reservation, in spite of all the cruelty, tyranny, uproar, fire, sword and violence of the world, and are upheld to the end. Christ says, “Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven,” Matthew 10, verse 32. “Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels,” Mark 8, verse 38. Paul also says, “For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” Romans 10, verse 10.

But what kind of church is found where they are papist when with the papists, Lutheran when with the Lutherans and so on, now building up and then tearing down, and playing the hypocrite to suit the magistracy, everyone who is enlightened by the truth and taught by the Holy Spirit may judge.

The sixth sign is the pressing cross of Christ, which is taken up for the sake of his testimony and word. Christ says to his disciples, “You shall be hated by all nations for my name’s sake,” Matthew 24, verse 9. “All who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” Second Timothy 3, verse 12. Sirach says, “My son, if you come to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation. Set your heart aright, and constantly endure, and do not make haste in time of trouble. Cleave to him, and do not depart away, that you may be increased at your last end. Whatever is brought upon you, take cheerfully, and be patient when you are changed to a low estate. For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity,” Ecclesiasticus 1, verse 5. Read also Matthew 5, verse 10; Matthew 10, verse 23; Matthew 16, verse 24; Mark 13, verse 13; Luke 6, verse 22; John 16, verse 2; Acts 14, verse 18; Second Timothy, chapter 2; Hebrews 11, verse 37; Hebrews 12, verse 2. [Note 2]

That this very cross is a sure sign of the church of Christ has been testified not only in olden times by the Scriptures, but also by the example of Jesus Christ, of the holy apostles and prophets, by the early and unadulterated church, and also by the pious, faithful children of the present day, especially here in our Netherlands.

On the other hand, the ungodly, heathenish lying, hating, envying, abusing and blaspheming, and the merciless arresting, exiling, robbing and murdering, as may be witnessed in various places, are plain signs of the church of antichrist. For John saw that the Babylonian “woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus,” Revelation 17, verse 6. He also saw that the beast which rose out of the sea was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemy against God and his holy name, and his tabernacle or church, and those who dwell in heaven. And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, Revelation 13, verses 5, 6 and 7. Indeed, dear reader, this is the proper way and work of the church of antichrist: to hate, persecute and put to the sword those whom she cannot bewitch with the golden cup of her abominations.

O Lord! O dear Lord! Grant that the wrathful dragon may not entirely devour your poor, small number; grant that by your grace we may conquer in patience by the sword of your mouth, and may leave an abiding seed, which shall keep your commandments, hold to your testimony, and praise your great and glorious name forever. Amen, dear Lord, Amen.

With this I will cut short the doctrine of the churches, and conclude this subject with the following questions and answers, which, I trust, will by the grace of God give the diligent reader considerable light.

Question. What is the church of Christ?

Answer. A community of saints.

Question. With whom did she begin?

Answer. With Adam and Eve.

Question. Of whom is she?

Answer. Of God, through Christ.

Question. By what kind of servants is she begotten?

Answer. By those who are blameless in doctrine and life.

Question. By what means do they beget her?

Answer. By the Spirit and word of God.

Question. For what purpose do they beget her?

Answer. That she shall serve, thank and praise God.

Question. Of what mind is she?

Answer. Of Christ’s mind, in weakness.

Question. What kind of fruits does she bring forth?

Answer. Fruits that conform to the word of God.

Question. What is the church of antichrist?

Answer. A community of the unrighteous.

Question. With whom did she begin?

Answer. With the first ungodly.

Question. Of whom is she?

Answer. Of the evil one, through antichrist.

Question. By what kind of servants is she begotten?

Answer. By such as are blameworthy in doctrine and life.

Question. By what means do they beget her?

Answer. By the spirit and doctrine of antichrist.

Question. For what purpose do they beget her?

Answer. That she may despise, forsake and hate God.

Question. Of what mind is she?

Answer. Of an earthly, carnal and devilish mind.

Question. What fruits does she bring forth?

Answer. Fruits contrary to the gospel.

1. By an unadulterated, pure doctrine, Deuteronomy, chapters 4, 6, 5 and 12; Isaiah 8, verse 5; Matthew 28, verse 20; Mark 16, verse 15; John 8, verse 52; Galatians, chapter 1.

2. By a scriptural use of the sacramental signs, Matthew 28, verse 19; Mark, chapter 16; Romans 6, verse 4; Colossians 2, verse 12; First Corinthians 12, verse 13; Titus 3, verse 5; First Peter, chapter 3; Matthew 26, verse 25; Mark 14, verse 22; Luke 22, verse 19; First Corinthians 11, verses 22 and 23.

3. By obedience to the word, Matthew, chapter 7; Luke 11, verse 28; John 7, verse 18; John 15, verse 10; James 1, verse 22.

4. By unfeigned, brotherly love, John 13, verse 34; Romans 13, verse 8; First Corinthians 13, verse 1; First John 3, verse 18; First John 4, verses 7 and 8.

5. An unreserved confession of God and Christ, Matthew 10, verse 32; Mark 8, verse 29; Romans 10, verse 9; First Timothy 6, verse 13.

6. By oppression and tribulation for the sake of the Lord’s word, Matthew 5, verse 10; Matthew 10, verse 39; Matthew 16, verse 24; Matthew 24, verse 9; Luke 6, verse 28; John 15, verse 20; Second Timothy 2, verse 9; Second Timothy 3, verse 12; First Peter 1, verse 6; First Peter 3, verse 14; First Peter 4, verse 13; First Peter 5, verse 10; First John 3, verse 13.