[As Usual, Elder Beebe could summarize succinctly an idea. So he has done with the doctrine of Eternal Vital Union! This is a newly digitized editorial of Elder Beebe. It is an excerpt from the upcoming eBook titled, Daniel Parker As Seen Through The Signs of the Times: Two Seed Doctrine, Non-Ressurectionism on Trial - ed]
While on the subject of redemption, we may as well notice the objection made by elder T. Boulware, on behalf of the Baptists of Missouri, to our views of redemption, as stated in No. 4 Volume, and to the doctrine of the union of Christ and his people, as set forth in the circular letter of Delaware River association, as copied into the Signs, No. 14, of this volume, and 106 pages. The objections stated in the letter on the 165th page, this number will show, are:
1st. That the doctrine is not clearly revealed in the Bible and is only sustained by vague deductions and inferences.
2nd. That it is identical with the “two-seed system;” or that the Baptists of Missouri can see no difference between the one and the other, and
3rd. That the five points, as stated in the letter, are regarded by the Baptists of Missouri as substantially embracing the faith once delivered to the saints; and as a vital and eternal union of Christ is not stated nor intended to be implied in the said five points, it is rejected as being no part of the faith which was done once delivered to the saints.
Before we proceed to notice these objections, we wish to be distinctly understood, that so far as they go, the five points laid down in Elder Boulware’s letter, are fully embraced in what is held by all old-school Baptists; that these five points do not substantially comprise all the faith once delivered to the saints; that is if taken abstractly or apart from the doctrine of vital union too, and identity with Christ. Whether all the Baptists of Missouri will consent to the version given of their faith, we are not able to say. We hope not. The “regular Baptist” published in that state, has agreed to drop these subjects during its present volume, after having duly apologized for having suffered such doctrine to be published in its first volume. How far we shall express the views of our brethren generally we will leave them to determine when we say to Elder Boulware and to all others, that if he or they can destroy the union and identity of Christ and his church, they shall be welcome to their five points; for in the absence of a vital union to Christ, these points could be of little or no advantage to us. Destroyed a doctrine of eternal union and you sat the foundation of Zion, and forever blast a prospect of salvation and eternal glory. But to the subject.
Is not the union of Christ and his church clearly revealed in the scriptures? By eternal union, we mean to assert that the heirs of salvation had a spiritual existence in Christ, their spiritual head before time began. This is no deduction or inference, but plainly and emphatically declared in the Bible, by such terms as, “created IN Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2.10. “According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,” Ephesians 1.4. “Sanctified by God the Father, preserved in Christ Jesus, and called,” Jude 1. “saved and called with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” second Timothy 1.9. “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself; that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; Even in him; In whom also we have received an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will,” Ephesians 1.9-11. “And the glory which you gave me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are; I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one; And that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them as you have loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which you have given me; from you loved me before the foundation of the world,” John 17.23-24.
Will elder Boulware deny the eternal union of Christ with the Father? And if it be even, then the identity and union of Christ and the Father is no more eternal than the identity of Christ and his people. But again, they are “his body, his flesh, and his bones.” They are the bone of his bone and the flesh of his flesh. He is their head, and they are his body and members in particular. He has been their dwelling place in all generations; “before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting you are God,” Psalm 110.1-2. “He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty,” Psalm 111.1. Christ is the secret place of the most high, and in that secret place, God has hidden the life of all his saints, and there they abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
In all candor, we ask Elder Boulware and all who quarrel with or lightly esteem the doctrine of eternal union, whether the saints can be in Christ, and not united to him? Can they dwell in him and not be united to him? Can they be his body, his flesh, and his bones, and not vitally united to him? And if they were, as we have proven from the scriptures, created in him, preserved in him, chosen in him, saved in him, and hidden in him before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth of the world was formed, could all this be true, and yet the eternal union a delusion, or an unimportant matter, not worth contending for or, and not belonging to, or embraced in the faith once delivered to the saints?
The second objection to eternal union, urged, is that the Baptist of Missouri can see no difference between it and the two seed system, as set forth by Daniel Parker, which denies that God is the creator of all the human family; And asserts that he is only the creator of the elect portion of them. Eternal union sets forth that, not our human or natural life, but, our spiritual life, was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; and that Christ is a spiritual head of the church, in the same sense that Adam was the natural head of all the human family That the natural life of the Saints was created in Adam in common with the natural life of all others of the human race; so they were by nature, children of wrath, even as others, and yet, wonderful to say, Elder Boulware can see no difference between the doctrines! If this be so, all our efforts to enlighten him will prove abortive until God shall give him light.
If elder Boulware’s five points, To the exclusion of eternal union, eternal, personal election, are to be the standard of old school orthodoxy, he may well apprehend danger that some who now claim that name will be found above or below par's; but the name has hitherto been exclusively applied to those who hold the doctrine, which his summary excludes.
Elder Boulware Like all others who put down new stakes, and boundaries for our faith, is opposed to controversy, he goes for peace; And desires that his remarks may not be considered as complaints; but he may rest assured that so long and so frequently as he will appear in the old school papers denouncing the most vital and fundamental principles of the doctrine of the gospel, he will draw forth the arrows of truth in their defense. Sooner by far could we consent to discontinue our connection with the signs, then suffer the assault of friends or foes upon so important a branch of the truth to pass unrebuked. We can but regret however that he has placed himself in the position which he has taken, and we indulge a hope that he will yet see the impropriety of consenting to the truth embraced in his “five points,” and rejecting the truth on which those very points are founded.
Editorial November 1, 1847
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