I am sorry all for the delay. My life has been very busy as of late. Things now though are getting better and I’m ready to bring back those truths from probably the greatest Baptist theologian of the 18th century, Andrew Fuller.
This section comes from one of Fuller’s circular letter for the Northamptonshire Association. It comes from the 1806 letter titled, “The Pastor’s Address to His Christian Hearers, Entreating Their Assistance in Promoting the Interest of Christ.” It is a challenging letter to Christians to be active and loving members serving Christ in their congregations.
This quote concerns the example of the early church for today (The Works of Andrew Fuller, III:346).
“The primitive churches were not mere assemblies of men who agreed to meet together once or twice a week, and to subscribe for the support of an accomplished man who should on those occasions deliver lectures on religion. They were men gathered out of the world by the preaching of the cross, and formed into society for the promotion of Christ’s kingdom in their own souls and in the world around them. It was not the concern of the ministers or elders only; the body of the people were interested in all that was done, and, according to their several abilities and stations, took part in it. Neither were they assemblies of heady, high-minded contentious people, meeting together to argue on points of doctrine or discipline, and converting the worship of God into scenes of strife. They spoke the truth; but it was in love; they observed discipline; but, like an army of chosen men, it was that they might attack the kingdom of Satan to greater advantage. Happy were it for our churches if we could come to a closer imitation of this model!”
Working out Salvation with Fear and Trembling 