Monday, July 14, 2014

From Hassell's History

In "Hassell's History," this is written:

"The moment Saul heard the voice of the Son of God he lived (John 5:25); from his death in trespasses and sins he was quickened by the Holy Spirit into spiritual life (Eph. 2:1; John 6:63); he was a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17); his stony heart was replaced by a fleshly heart (Ezek. 36:26, 27), his carnal mindedness by spiritual mindedness (Rom. 8:6); and every thought was brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. x. 5). In an instant and forever Saul was converted to God (John 17:3). “Out of the noonday God had struck him into darkness, only that He might kindle a noon in the midnight of his heart.” “It pleased God, who separated him from his mother’s womb, and called him by His grace, to reveal His Son in him” (Gal. 1:15, 16). “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,” soon “shined in his heart, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6)." (The Church of God From The Creation to A.D. 1885 by Elder Cushing Biggs Hassell Revised and Completed by Elder Sylvester Hassell Chapter VII THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES. — THE GOSPELS AND THE EPISTLES)

I don't know whether the above was written by C. B. Hassell (father) or Sylvester Hassell (son), but I suspect it was by the senior Hassell.  The author of the above words seems clearly to put regeneration and conversion together, so that where the one is, there is the other.  Even the younger Hassell, wrote the following:

"Jesus is the Great Preacher, and, by His omnipresent Spirit, He preaches His gospel savingly to His people (Isa. 61:1-3,10,11; Luke 4:16-30; Heb. 2:11,12; Psalm 110:3)." 
(see here)

The description of regeneration clearly involves coming to cognitively "know" Christ, and to adhere to him. Further, by this description, no one who is not converted, or does not know Christ, is regenerated. Yet, though this was the teaching of the first Hardshells of the 19th century, it is denied by nearly all of today's Hardshells. According to this standard work of the Hardshells, being quickened and spiritually alive involves having one's thoughts brought in obedience to Christ, having "the light of the knowledge" of the Gospel to shine in the heart, or in the understanding. It involves having Christ revealed in a person.

In Hassell's history this is cited with approval:

“Should the Lord create an humble, teachable and inquiring disposition in the heart of an inhabitant of China, Japan or the unexplored parts of Africa, He would sooner send an angel from Heaven, or a minister from the uttermost part of the earth, to show him the way of salvation, than leave him destitute of that knowledge, for which he longs and prays without ceasing. The alms and supplications of such persons spring from right principles and motives, and go up as a memorial before God, not to merit His favor, but to plead with Him to fulfill His gracious promises.” “The sublime subjects which pertain to redemption through the blood of the Son of God seem more proper for the tongues of angels to proclaim than for us poor worms of the earth. Doubtless, in many respects, they could preach them unspeakably better; yet our humiliating and thankful experience may balance something on the other side. In that case, however, it would not be so evident that the excellency of the power, which makes the word successful, is wholly of God; nor would their presence and language be so suited to man’s weakness, or so conducive to his comfort.”—T. Scott.

All the oldest Hardshell church's articles of faith say that they believe that all the elect will be both regenerated and converted, which is what Hassell is affirming. But, ironically, this is denied by today's Hardshells.

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