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Brother John Thomas
on
'legal', 'legally', 'federal',
'constitutional', 'constitutionally',
'constituted sinners', 'constitution of sin',
'original sin' &c.What brother Thomas taught concerning the "legal" change(s) brought about by baptism has been disputed for many years now. I have compiled quotes from all his writings having performed searches on many terms or their roots including: legal, legally, federal, constitutional, constitutionally, constituted sinners, constitution of sin, original sin &c.
Having read through the context of every occurrence found of those words here is a summary of the significant points:
Notes:
1) I have attempted to list these in historical order
2) To the best of my knowledge the quotes are limited to the authorship of brother John Thomas
3) I do not claim this list is 100% complete but I consider it close. As a matter of conscience, I did not leave out any quote which had a bearing on our understanding of his writings
"None but a believer can enjoy the benefits annexed to it by Jesus who appointed it; for immersion is not Christian immersion unless a believer be the subject of it. No one can enjoy it by proxy, unless indeed a person can sin by proxy or be saved by proxy. It is an institution for remission of sins, consequently the subject must not only be a believer, but an actual transgressor. It is the means by which a sinner is 'purged from his old sins'—plural sins, not singular or original sin." (Apostolic Advocate, 1835, p. 7)
"We, however, affirm, without fear of confutation, that there are very few who say they believe it, have the least faith in it; for, if they did, they would produce fruits of a very different character to what they do. From these premises Michael's converts are not believers, their immersion, therefore, is invalid; and a confession with the mouth now on their part without a re-immersion would leave them in the state of unbaptised persons. They would stand in the same relation to Jesus Christ as a lover to his Dulcinea—unmarried, and therefore, without right or title to any of the privileges, immunities, or blessings, consequent upon the matrimonial alliance. They may express great affection for Him, but they must be married to Him before their profession could or would be reciprocated. To this it may be objected, however, that a person may be married to another without loving; they are, nevertheless married, and become mutually seised of each other's goods, chattels and effects. This is true, and assuredly holds good among men; but no such marriage can take place validly between Christ and such a person. If a man be married to the Bridegroom from such selfish motives as these, he will find himself deceived when the day of reckoning comes." (Apostolic Advocate, 1835, p. 101)
"Reader mark well what we say, it was none of these; but, in the words of the Apostle himself, it was this, namely, 'IN THEE ABRAHAM SHALL ALL NATIONS BE BLESSED. This was an announcement of 'Blessedness' — a blessedness on Nations, on all Nations placed constitutionally as nations 'IN' Abraham, the details of which, when the Galatians heard Paul unfold them, caused them so much joy, that if it had been possible they would have plucked out their eyes and given them to him." (Herald of the Future Age, 1847, p 53-54)
"What, then, is the destiny of the third class of humanity, composed of those who cannot, from physical or circumstancial impediments, obey the law of the Lord? We answer, they die under the constitution of sin, which sentences them to the dust in which they eternally remain." (Herald of the Future Age, 1847, p 130)
"'Original Sin' is a congenital quality within us, 'whose impulses are agreeable to us—a certain principle, which tempts us to do what gratifies the flesh ; and, having originally overleaped the law of God, is therefore, called 'Sin.' This congenital quality has descended, hereditarily, from Adam to all posterity. Just as there is found in fire a native energy, which mounts upwards; just as in the loadstone we observe a natural power of attracting steel, just so do we find in man, a primary impulse inciting him to do that which is evil." (Herald of the Future Age, 1847, p. 192)
"10. There are, then, two classes of persons 'in Christ Jesus'; first, those professors 'who walk after the spirit'; and second, those 'who walk after the flesh'. The the former it is said, 'ye shall live'; but to the latter it is said, 'ye shall die'. Bot classes, however, die one like all other men; it follows, therefore, that the latter shall rise again that they may suffer a second death. Now let it be remembered that when these two classes of professors 'sleep in the dust of the earth,' they are both constitutionally 'in Christ'. They are 'the dead in Christ.' If this reasoning be admitted as conclusive, and we see not how it can be avoided, if it be granted, that Jesus only can unconstitutionalize a professor, then good and evil persons will awake to life at the first resurrection." (The Herald of the Future Age, vol 2, p. 107)
"These wretched men, however, were still of the same class as the First Fruits they had put on Christ, and were therefore, constitutionally in him. They were Christians, but an evil heart of unbelief had invaded them, and they had become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Herald of the Future Age, 1847, p 130)
"From these passages we see how the Name was taken in the Apostles' days, and viii. 12. points out the class of persons who use to take it. Now, if there has been no new revelation to set aside their teachings and practice, certainly there is no other way in which the Name can be obtained; and since all the blessings are attached to the Name, it is a just conclusion, one would suppose, that there is no other way of obtaining a legal title to them, than by being baptized into the Name. Thus the believer of the things of the Kingdom and Name of Jesus Christ the Anointed One, becomes a member of his mystical spouse, as well as a child of God by a new and heavenly birth." (Herald of the Future Age, 1848, p 219)
"He fell into a deep sleep; and, while thus unconscious and insensible, his side was opened by a spear, and forthwith rushed blood and water (Jn. 19:33-34). Being awoke out of his sleep, he was built up a spiritual body, flesh and bones; and, by his ascension, presented to the Father as the federal representative of his church. This is the aggregate of those, who, believing these things, have been introduced into Christ through the laver of the water; according to the saying of the scriptures, 'ye are all the children of God in Christ Jesus through the faith. For as many as have been baptized into Christ have entered into Christ,' ... ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and HEIRS according to the promise" (Gal. 3:26-29). (Emphasis in Original, Elpis Israel, p. 88)
"For from the day of his transgression, he began his pilgrimage to the grave, at which he surely arrived. He made his couch in the dust, and saw corruption; and with its mother earth commingled all that was known as Adam, the federal head, and chief father of mankind." (Elpis Israel, p. 70)
"Hence, of the saints it is said, 'the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit (gives) life because of righteousness' for 'since by a man came death, by a man also came a resurrection of dead persons. For as in the Adam they all die, so also in the Christ shall they all be made alive. But every one in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.' It is obvious that the apostle is not writing of all the individuals of the human race ; but only of that portion of them that become the subject of 'a pardon of life'. It is true, that all men do die; but it is not true that they are all the subject of pardon. Those who are pardoned are 'the many,' who are sentenced to live for ever." (Elpis Israel, p. 119)
"Sin in the flesh is hereditary; and entailed upon mankind as the consequence of Adam's violation of the Eden law. The 'original sin' was such as I have shown in previous pages. Adam and Eve committed it; and their posterity are suffering the consequence of it. The tribe of Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec many years before Levi was born. The apostle says, 'Levi, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.' Upon the same federal principle, all mankind ate of the forbidden fruit, being in the loins of Adam when he transgressed. This is the only way men can by any possibility be guilty of the original sin. Because they sinned in Adam, therefore they return to the dust from which Adam came — (greek), says the apostle, 'in whom all sinned.' There is much foolishness spoken and written about 'original sin.' Infants are made the subjects of a religious ceremony to regenerate them because of original sin; on account of which, according to Geneva philosophy, they are liable to the flames of hell for ever! If original sin, which is in fact sin in the flesh, were neutralized, then all 'baptismally regenerated' babes ought to live for ever, as Adam would have done had he eaten of the Tree of Life after he had sinned. But they die; which is a proof that the 'regeneration' does not 'cure their souls;' and is, therefore, mere theological quackery." (Elpis Israel, p. 131)
"Mankind being born of the flesh, and of the will of man, are born into the world under the constitution of sin. That is, they are the natural born citizens of Satan's kingdom. By their fleshly birth, they are entitled to all that sin can impart to them." (Elpis Israel, p. 131)
"But men are not only made, or constituted, sinners by the disobedience of Adam, but they become sinners even as he, by actual transgression. Having attained the maturity of their nature they become accountable and responsible creatures." (Elpis Israel, p. 133)
"They are simply under that provision of the constitution of sin, which says, 'dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return.'" (Elpis Israel, p. 133)
"As the constitution of sin hath its root in the disobedience of the First Adam, so also hath the constitution of righteousness root in the obedience of the Second Adam." (Elpis Israel, p. 134)
"For as through the disobedience of the one man the many were constituted sinners; so also through the obedience of the one the many were constituted righteous" (Rom. 5:18-19). The two Adams are two federal chiefs; the first being figurative of the second in these relations (Rom. 5:14). All sinners are in the first Adam; and all the righteous, in the second, only on a different principle. Sinners were in the loins of the former when he transgressed; but not in the loins of the latter, when he was obedient unto death; therefore, 'the flesh profiteth nothing.' For this cause, then, for sons of Adam to become sons of God, they must be the subjects of an adoption, which is attainable only by some divinely appointed means." (Elpis Israel, p. 135)
"The apostle then brings to light two sentences, which are co-extensive, but not co-etaneous in their bearing upon mankind. The one is a sentence of condemnation, which consigns 'the many,' both believing Jews and Gentiles, to the dust of the ground; the other is a sentence which affects the same 'many,' and brings them out of the ground again to return thither no more. Hence, of the saints it is said, 'the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit (gives) life because of righteousness' (Rom. 8:10-11); for 'since by a man came death, by a man also came a resurrection of dead persons." (Elpis Israel, p. 135)
"Now, to these baptized believers he writes, and tells them that 'God made Jesus, who knew not sin, to be sin (that is, sinful flesh) for them, that they might be constituted God's righteousness in him' (2Cor. 5:21); so that, being introduced into him (for an individual cannot be in a federal person unless introduced into him) the crucified and resurrected Jesus became 'the Lord their righteousness' (Jer. 23:6); as it is written, 'of him, Corinthians, are ye IN Christ Jesus, who of God is constituted for us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption' (ICor. 1:30)." (Elpis Israel, p. 137)
"When things have come to this pass, he is a changed man. He has acquired a new mode of thinking; for he thinks in harmony with the thoughts of God as revealed in His law and testimony. He sees himself, and the world around him, in a new light. He is convinced of sin; and experiences an aversion to the things in which he formerly delighted. His views, disposition, temper, and affections, are transformed. He is humble, child-like, teachable, and obediently disposed; and his simple anxiety is, to know what God would have him to do. Having ascertained this, he does it; and in doing it is 'born out of the water.' Having been begotten of the Father by the word of truth (Jas. 1:18), and born of water, the first stage of the process is completed. He is constitutionally 'in Christ.'" (Elpis Israel, p. 138)
"The reader is invited to reperuse pages ninety and ninetyone on the subject of these laws, as it will prevent repetition in this place. The law of sin and death is hereditary, and derived from the federal sinner of the race; but the law of the mind is an intellectual and moral acquisition. The law of sin pervades every particle of the flesh; but in the thinking flesh, it reigns especially in the propensities." (Elpis Israel, p. 140)
Hence, men are required to be Christ's that they may be Abraham's seed. But why is it so important to be of the seed of Abraham? For the very obvious reason, that as the promise was made to Abraham, it is only by being constitutionally 'in him' that any son of Adam can obtain a participation in what belongs to Abraham." (Elpis Israel, p. 194)
"To be a son of the free-woman, a man, although a Jew, must believe in the promise made to Abraham', he must be of a like disposition with Abraham; he must be obedient like Abraham; he must have faith in Jesus as the seed of Abraham associated with him in the promise; he must believe in his name; he must be constitutionally inducted into Christ by immersion into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: — being the subject of these conditions he is included in the Family of God, to whose members it is said, 'ye are all the children of God in Christ Jesus through the faith.'" (Elpis Israel, p. 195)
"For it is manifest, that the will cannot be administered except by one who is all powerful. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all constitutionally in them, are legatees. The legacies bequeathed to them are eternal life, the land of Canaan, and 'a city,' or state, 'whose architect and builder is God.' Hence, the executor must be able to form them out of the dust, and to give them life for ever." (Elpis Israel, p. 245)
"When an individual has done this, he is in Abraham, and Christ, and an heir with him of the promises he believes. So that 'the seed,' though spoken of one person, that is, of Christ, comprehends all the believers of the promises, who by adoption are 'in him.' The phrase, 'the seed' is therefore used in an individual and federal acceptation. Hence, whatever is promised to Abraham and Christ is also promised to their federal constituents — to the sons of Abraham, and brethren of Christ, by adoption into the family of God." (Elpis Israel, p. 247)
Thus, then, there are three parties, yet constitutionally one family, who are heirs of the world as it will be politically organized in the Future Age, namely, Abraham, Christ, and the believers in the promises made to them, called saints; who are in Abraham as their father, and in his Seed as their elder brother. These are the inheritors of the kingdom and empire attached to the land of Canaan; 'the children of the promise who are counted for the Seed;' and 'not of the world,' or subjects." (Elpis Israel, p. 250)
"Now, it is written, 'in Isaac shall thy seed be called;' that is, Christ shall descend from him, and all who believe the promises, and put on Christ, shall be considered as 'in Isaac;' and, being thus 'the children of the promise,' shall be 'counted for the seed' (Rom. 9:6-8; Gal. 4:28), who shall inherit the land and the world for ever. 'The seed,' then, is a phrase that must be understood in a twofold sense; first as referring to Christ; and secondly, to all who are constitutionally in him. Isaac is representative of both; for Christ was in his loins, and all 'in him,' must be constitutionally in Isaac also." (Elpis Israel, p. 260)
"That Abraham was the constitutional father of nations; and with his sons, namely, with Christ and his brethren, the 'heir of the world;' which was memorialized by the change of his name from Abram to Abraham" (Elpis Israel, p. 290)
"Infants die because they are born of mortal flesh, and not because they have committed sin, or are responsible for Adam's sin. If this were remitted in baptism they ought not to die ; for when God remits sin He also remits the punishment, or consequences, it entails." (Clerical Theology Unscriptural, bro. Thomas as Boanerges)
"He knew that he was to possess the world as the federal father of the nations, when they should all be blessed in his Seed. He believed this when he was an old man and childless, and to all human probability would remain so. But 'against hope he believed in hope.'" (Herald, 1851, p. 163)
"'The filth of the flesh' was defilement contracted by touching any thing forbidden to be touched, or pronounced unclean by the law. To touch a dead body, a bone, or a grave was legal contamination of the flesh, which could not be got quit of under any circumstances in less than seven days; and if the unclean person neglected the carnal ordinances appointed in the law for the cleansing of such as he, he was to be cut off from Israel. 'A carnal ordinance' was an institution for the cleansing of the flesh contaminated as before mentioned. It had nothing to do with the conscience; for when the man was cleansed from the defilement of a bone, he might still be troubled in conscience for having coveted his neighbor's goods. Now Christian baptism is not a carnal ordinance although the body is bathed in water. It was not appointed for the putting away of the filth of the flesh; for since 'the emendation' of the law, it is not that which toucheth or entereth into an Israelite that defiles him, but that which proceedeth out of his heart. Filth of the flesh cannot be legally contracted now. There is no legal defilement to be put away by carnal ordinances, therefore carnal ordinances have been long since abolished ; and were never imposed upon Gentiles unless they became citizens of the Mosaic kingdom." (Herald, 1851, p. 149)
"In the present interregnum, believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom when justified in the Lord, and so made holy, and saved from their past sins, are still required to offer sacrifice, or to do service to their Father who is in heaven. The doing of service is indispensable so long as human nature is 'sinful flesh.' If when believers are justified and sanctified morally and constitutionally, they were also physically cleansed, or purified from that evil principle which brings them into death and corruption, religious service would be unnecessary. When they rise from the dead, they will be free from this evil; nevertheless they will perform religious service; but it will be for nations and individuals subject to this evil and not for themselves." (Herald, 1851, p. 203)
"This kingdom will rule over all other nations, which in the aggregate will form the secondary dominion, or empire. Thus a family of nations will be created of which Abraham, then risen from the dead, will be the federal father, and Israel, the First Born." (Herald, 1852, p. 30)
"To his descendants also in the line of Isaac and Jacob, circumcision was an individual ratification of the covenant made with their federal head; certifying to each of them their joint participation with him, so long as they walked in the footsteps of his faith." (Herald, 1852, p. 103)
"The Kingdom of God, or Jehovah's First Born of the many nations constituted His sons in Abraham, their federal paternal chief." (Herald, 1853, p. 8)
"shall, by a mighty hand, and outstretched arm, be constitutionally inducted into Abraham and his Seed, the Christ, and keep the DIVINE SABBATISM, the rest that remains for Israel in their own land under their glorious and immortal rulers" (Herald, 1853, p. 171)
"Mankind then have descended not from a righteous but a guilty pair. Had the first parents never sinned, the generations of mankind would have been born holy or clean, that is, without sin in the flesh; and there would have been no distinction in the world of 'saint' and 'sinner.' But the reverse is the fact. The first parents were defiled by transgression, and so became unclean; hence, Job, speaking of 'man that is born of woman,' inquires, 'who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?' and then answers the question, saying emphatically, 'Not one. Man dieth and wasteth away: yea, he giveth up the ghost and where is he? He lieth down and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake nor be raised out of their sleep.' The uncleanness of all born of woman causes them to die and waste away; and this uncleanness is sin in the flesh. 'By one man sin entered into the world, in which man all sinned;' for at that time the germ of the future race was in his loins. Hence the constitutional genealogy o mankind is, the serpent by his subtlety begat sin in the human nature, and sin in the flesh, or the will of man, begat Cain and all his brethren; so that all mankind by natural generation, 'are—ek toon katoo—of things below,' pertaining to the world, 'servants of sin,' children of the devil. Hence, they were 'made sinners' by a constitution founded on the disobedience of the first man. They were made or constituted sinners from the physical necessity of the case; and this elemental quality of man’s nature, the devil within him, causes all the evil manifestations emanating from individuals and organizations of individuals, popularly styled societies, associations, governments, &c., such as the 'all things created, the things in the heavens, and things upon the earth, things seen and unseen, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or powers;' and which, as a whole, constitute the—aioon tou kosmou toutou—the Age of this World—a system of things over which Sin presides, as 'the prince of the power of the air,' styled by Paul 'the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.' (Herald, 1853, p. 189)
"The Jewish and other nations will constitute a family of nations, of which Israel will be the firstborn ; Abraham, the federal patriarch ; and Christ, his seed, the King. This divine family of nations will be so highly civilized, that the present state of society will be regarded as intensely dark and barbarous; for then 'the knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea.'" (Herald, 1854, p. 73)
When this appointed time shall have elapsed, the work of establishing the Kingdom's economy in the land promised to Abraham and Christ, and to all constitutionally in them, will be commenced. He also told them what that royal economy should consist in, namely, a heading up of the all things in the Christ, both the things in the heavens and the things of the earth." (Herald, 1854, p. 225)
"That Jerusalem will be its Capital, and the Holy Land its immediate locality. That the Image of Human Satan-power,—the Constitution of Sin,— embodied in the governments of the world —ecclesiastical, monarchical and republican, will be destroyed" (Herald, 1855, p. 192)
"Covenants are of no force until purged 'Almost all things are by the law purged with blood.' To purge anything in the Scripture sense, is to cleanse it from legal or from moral defilement; and to impart to it a virtue co-efficient with the detergent or cleansing principle. This is a general definition which may not apply in every case, but it is sufficiently precise for the subject on hand. The covenant made with Abraham was confirmed with Jehovah's oath, saying, 'Know of a surety' and by the consumption of sacrifices by fire from heaven. This was confirmation not purgation. It was not purged until two thousand and eighty-nine years after, when a virtue was imparted to it co-efficient with the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than the blood of Abel; that is, the blood of Jesus, which he says, is 'the blood of the New Will, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.' The history of the death and resurrection of Jesus, is that narrative which relates the story of the purging, or the rendering effective of the covenant, testament, or will, through which remission of sins, eternal life, and an everlasting possession of the land with all its inseparable attributes, may be obtained by every one who believes the things promised therein." (Herald, 1855, p. 198)
"To Abraham and the Christ were the promises made says the apostle. To Abraham, as the federal father; and to Christ, his son, as the federal elder brother of the great family, or nation, was the inheritance bequeathed." (Herald, 1856, p. 6)
"The nations will be Christ's when they are brought into federal relationship to Abraham after his resurrection from the dead. Gentile settlers may then inherit the land with the Jews, as it is written, 'Ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, who shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.;" (Herald, 1856, p. 7)"Sanctified by the covenant with Abraham, inaugurated and made purifying by the death and resurrection of his seed, this federal person and all in him, when that all is filled up, entered, they perceived, on the possession of the kingdom and glory by resurrection from among the dead, or by transformation if living contemporary with the event." (Herald, 1856, p. 129)
"Here, then, are other four points set forth in Jehovah's Will and Testament to Abraham and his seed, as federal persons." (Herald, 1856, p. 131)
"But, he will also have learned, that the righteous only are to inherit the promises; and that men being hereditary, constitutional, and practical sinners, they can only become righteous by being constituted such upon divine principles. He will understand, that to be constituted righteous is to be pardoned for all his past sins, by which he will have no more conscience of sins; so that his conscience being perfected, the pardoning act by which it is perfected, will give him 'the answer of a good conscience,' and it will have become 'the spirit of a justified man made perfect.' (Herald, 1857, p. 54)
"That Adonai Jehovah, Israel's Shepherd-King, will dwell with them, and be to them lailohim, for Elohim, or Gods—for all the saints or future kings and priests of Israel and the nations, are constitutionally or federally 'in him;' HE is for Gods." (Herald, 1857, p. 76)
"Adam habited in fig leaves under the inspiration of the Serpent, is the incarnation of them all. He was THE WORD OP THE SERPENT MADE FLESH; the Federal Patriarch, or Chief Father, of all who walk in his steps : — the type, or representative patterns of all clerical and philosophical Jews and Gentiles who, 'with the flesh,' or its reasonings and gospel-nullifying traditions and practices, 'serve the law of sin'". (Herald, 1858, p. 14)
"They are invited a to 'put off the Old Man with his deeds, and to put on the New Man.' When they have put on the New Man they are a constitutional part of him, and consequently 'joint-heirs with Christ' of the earth and world, and all the fullness thereof. (Herald, 1858, p. 92)
"These are the words of Jehovah by Hosea ; and though spoken of a multitude, in that multitude is included the Messiah; who federally speaking, was in the loins of Nahshon at the Exodus ; and personally, came out of Egypt at Herod's death." (Herald, 1858, p. 148)
"We must become then, children of Abraham, (the federal patriarch of this nation) through the faith.— Rom. iv. 13-16. The faith, then, of Abraham was, that he and his seed (the Christ) should possess the Land of Canaan, when all nations shall be blessed through them with a righteous government.—Gal. iii. 7-18 ; Isa. iii. 1-4." (Herald, 1858, p. 229)
"All mankind are born of corruptible parents into a state of sin. By this natural birth, they become members of this sinful and evil state, and heirs of all its disabilities. By Virtue of this birth, they are 'constituted sinners', though they could not help, and had no hand in the matter. Now, one would think, there could exist no rational man who could affirm that if such an one were to die a 'constituted sinner', without the offer of a means whereby he might change his state, he would be turned over to the pains and penalties of hell forever. Yet, such there are! But the truth is, that 'constituted sinners' in such a state of helplessness are regarded in Scripture as living under 'times of ignorance'; hence Paul said to the 'constituted sinners' of Athens, 'the time of this ignorance God hath winked at', or overlooked: and to those of Lycaonia, 'God, in former generations, permitted all the nations to walk in their own ways'. (Herald, 1861, p. 12)
"These are the proclamations which convert Times of Ignorance into Times of Knowledge. It is knowledge which makes a 'constituted sinner' responsible for his sins; and if responsible, therefore, obnoxious to the vengeance of God, if he die unpardoned. When men are made acquainted with God's law, they can no longer plead ignorance as an excuse; for it then becomes a matter of their own choice, whether they will become 'constituted righteous' persons, or 'enlightened transgressors': for the knowledge of God's law renders it absolutely impossible for them any longer to remain merely 'constituted sinners'. It was 'through the disobedience of one man (Adam), the many (his descendants, babes and adults) were constituted sinners', and so it was 'by the obedience of the one (Christ), the many (or true believers) are constituted righteous'." (Herald, 1861, p. 13)
"In this life, then, there are two states in relation to God and the children of Adam - the one a state of sin, and the other a state of favour; the former is occupied by 'constituted sinners' of all ages, from the babe to the old man, of every shade and variety - and by illuminated transgressors, whose sin is not only constitutional but voluntary; and the latter state is composed of persons who were not only constituted sinners and voluntary transgressors, but who, by obedience to the laws of God and to Christ, are constituted righteous. In regard to the righteous, they are delivered from the fear of death, because, having obeyed the truth, they have passed from death to life; but this is not the case of the constituted sinners and intelligent transgressors. These are both under the sentence of death eternal, with this difference only, that the punishment of the constituted sinners is the common lot of man, aggravated by the demoniacal institutions of Idolatry, Mahommedanism, etc., 'ending in death' which is uninterrupted by a resurrection; whereas the actual transgressors who know the law, though subject to all this, are raised to judgment and the terrors of a second death, the eternal consummation of their woes." (Herald, 1861, p. 13)
"If a lady wish to take on herself a man's name, that she may have a legal right to all that belongs to his name, she must come lawfully to the marriage ceremony. When this is performed, his name is named upon her, and she acquires new rights and privileges on account of his name. If she be married to another, the ceremony imparts nothing to her; but if she be legally eligible, then the ceremony gives her everything on account of her husband's name. Now, the church is represented as the bride of Christ." (J. O. Woodruff, Herald, 1861, The Essential Baptism: What is it?, p. 118; quoted in Clerical Theology Unscriptural, p. 34)
"Mentally, that is, as to mind, disposition, and character, or as we might say, spiritually, and constitutionally, they are sons of God; but as to the flesh, they are, on this side the resurrection, still the children of Adam." (Eureka, vol 1, p. 30)
"Man, then, having introduced Sin, 'death entered into the world by Sin; and so death passed upon all men * * * to condemnation; for by one man's disobedience the many were constituted sinners; and the wages of sin is death to those who obey it'—Rom. 5 : 12, 18, 19 ; 6 : 23, 16. But though constituted sinners in Adam, if no law had been given after his transgression, his posterity would not have known when they did right or wrong; for Paul says, 'I had not known sin, but by the law.' The law is, therefore, 'the strength of Sin.' Sin reigns by 'the holy, just, and good law,' through the weakness of the flesh'—Rom. 7 : 7, 12 ; 8 : 3. Where there is no law there is no sin; for 'sin is the transgression of law:' so that 'without the law sin is dead'—ch. 7 : 8 ; 1 John 3 : 4. This shows how inherently bad flesh is in its thoughts and actions, that a good thing should stir it up to wickedness." (Eureka, vol 1, p. 247)
"The third part has to do with the affairs of the Saints exclusively, and belongs to the things written on the inside of the scroll. It announces the appearance of 'the Lord, the Spirit,' and the blessing at this time of all Saints who shall not be found naked or uncovered. In this part of the sixth vial, 'the King comes in to see the guests furnished for the wedding' — Matt. 22:10,11; and to scrutinize them, that it may be seen who of them are fit associates for his majesty, and who are not. At this epoch 'the Great White Throne' is placed, styled by Paul in Rom. 14:10; and 2 Cor. 5:10, 'the Judgment Seat of Christ,' before which all constitutionally in Christ appear. They stand before it bodies, or living souls, such as Adam was when he was created from dust of the ground." (Eureka, vol 2, p. 100)
"This does not teach the inherent and hereditary immortality of ground-souls; it does not teach, the salvation from, or ****ation in, flaming sulphur, of infant immortal souls; it does not teach sacramentalism; or the impartation of converting and regenerating spirit, technically styled 'grace' by Laodiceans, through unenlightened formalism; or the subjection of an infant, or ignorant faithless adult, to the ceremonial use of water, bread, and wine, in any form; it does not teach, either baptism or rantism — immersion or sprinkling — for the remission of original sin; nor does it teach, that baptism came in the room of circumcision." (Eureka, vol 2, p. 261)
"He, being the truth, dwells in their hearts by faith; and having got into him constitutionally by water burial, they continue to dwell in him; so that having come forth from the water-grave, the life which they live in the flesh, they live by the faith of the Son of the Deity, who loved them, and gave himself for them (Gal. 2:20)." (Eureka, vol 2, p. 316)
"In the present state, the believers, who are constitutionally in the Christ-Ephod, and therefore citizens of the Foursquare Polity which decorates it, are Urim, and addressed as such by Paul in Phil. 2:15, in the words, 'in a crooked and perverse generation, ye, the sons of the Deity, shine as lights,' or Urim, 'in the world:' and in Eph. 5:8, 'ye were formerly darkness, but now light in the Lord; walk as children of light.'" (Eureka, vol 2, p. 334)
"These all were the spiritual 'tribes of Israel's sons' — the Sons of Deity, and brethren of Jesus, constitutionally manifested as such by immersion, as the outward sign." (Eureka, vol 2, p. 319)
"To walk in the name of any one is, first, to have said name constitutionally placed upon the walker; and, secondly, to shape the course of life according to the precepts and institutions of such name. Every one that does this is in said name; and, therefore, denominationally a part, or element, of that name." (Eureka, vol 4, p. 207)
"First, believing 'the truth as it is in Jesus,' the Name of the Deity has been constitutionally placed upon them, according to the command that all such believers be 'immersed into THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit' (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:47; Acts2:38; 8:12,16)" (Eureka, vol 4, p. 207)
"By faith in 'the truth as it is in Jesus,' and obedience, he puts on Christ, and is therefore, 'in Him;' and being in him, he is constitutionally holy or a saint; and sitting together with him in the Most Holy, not personally, or corporeally rather; but by faith." (Eureka, vol 4, p. 320)
"Every one not drunk or insane knows that a babe is not an actual transgressor; and, therefore, has no sins to be released from. But, as they refer to the fact, that 'all men are conceived and bora in sin,' it is to be inferred that this is the sin to be released from — 'original sin,' as causing the flesh to be what it is. There is no other sort of sin a babe can be released from. To be released from sin is to be released from subjection to it, and from the penalty thereby incurred. Does such a release result from the subjection of a babe to the 'outward visible sign?' Is it released from sin's flesh and its 'emotions?' If so, how does it come to be sick or to die? The punishment of sin is death, a sentence passed upon all the descendants of Adam, eph ho pantes hemarton, in whom all sinned—Rom 5:12. Upon this federal principle, the babe sinned in Adam, and, therefore, falls sick and dies, although it has committed no sins. What a monstrous absurdity in the face of these stubborn facts, to say that sanctified water (supposing it were really sanctified) or the essence of holiness supposed to be in it, releases a babe from the only sin that can be imputed to it, seeing that it is released from none of the evils that sin entails! (Eureka, vol 4, p. 399)
"The things represented by these symbols, however, are not the only wood, or fuel, of the lake of fire. The reader will remember that before the Judgment Seat of Christ in the wilderness of Teman, there were two classes of saints in Christ Jesus constitutionally; the one class consisting of 'the called, the chosen, and faithful;' or as Paul styles them in 1 Cor. 3:12, 'gold, silver, and precious stones,' which are made manifest as such in the day when things are revealed by fire; and the other class consisting of 'the called,' but not 'chosen,' because not 'faithful;' or, as Paul styles them in the same place, 'wood, hay, and stubble'. The constitution and destiny of these two classes, though originally built upon the same foundation, is widely divergent. (Eureka, vol 5, p. 315-316)
"The mixed multitude of believers constitutionally in Christ, in the present evil world, are styled in Scripture, 'the house of the Deity,' and 'the temple of the Deity'". (Eureka, vol 5, p. 345)
"In this life then, there are two states in relation to God and the children of Adam--the one a state of sin, and the other a state of favor; the former occupied by 'constituted sinners' of all ages, from the babe to the old man, of every shade and variety--and by illuminated transgressors, whose sin is not only constitutional but voluntary; and the latter state is composed of persons who were not only constituted sinners and voluntary transgressors, but who, by obedience to the laws of God and to Christ, are constituted righteous. In regard to the righteous, they are delivered from the fear of death, because, having obeyed the truth, they have passed from death to life; but this is not the case of the constituted sinners and intelligent transgressors. These are both under the sentence of death eternal, with this difference only, that the punishment of the constituted sinners is the common lot of man, aggravated by the demoniac institutions of Idolatry, Mohammedanism, etc.. 'ending in death' which is uninterrupted by a resurrection; whereas, the actual transgressors who know the law, though subject to all this, are raised to judgment and the terrors of a second death, the eternal consummation of their woes." (The Revealed Mystery, p. 24)
Clarification: the quote from "The Essential Baptism: What is it?" is not from brother Thomas but from John Woodruff. But bro. Thomas uses it in "Clerical Theology Unscriptural" and approves of it through Boanerges.
Another part of that same article has been quoted by some Unamended brethren as supportive of the Unamended position but the author states the legal change is adoption and heirship: Unamended brethren have confounded adoption and heirship with legal cleansing from Adam's sin.
Last Updated: August 24, 2007