Three Dispensations
PATRIARCHAL God’s law to the patriarchs and Gentiles. Red Sea MOSAIC God’s law to the Jews given through Moses {Cross} CHRISTIAN God’s law to the world given through Christ
IX
THE SABBATH
Negative sermons are sometimes necessary. It is the duty of gospel preachers not only to proclaim the truth but also to condemn error and convict the gainsayers (Titus 1:9). Wherever false teaching raises its ugly head, we must strike it down with the sword of the Spirit. Wherever it lurks in secret hiding places to destroy unwary souls, we must search for it and expose it with the light of truth. We must warn people against it.
Much money and effort are spent to protect people from contagious diseases. In a public building of downtown Nashville yesterday I saw above a water fountain a sign which said, “Do not put your mouth on the faucet unless you wish to catch or spread disease.” Certainly we should labor diligently to prevent the spreading of religious error. I wish I were able to place a skull and cross bones sign across every false doctrine.
I
Purpose and Occasion
It is my purpose this morning to label and expose the false doctrine of the Seventh Day Adventists with respect to the sabbath. In view of the current meeting at the War Memorial Auditorium, this lesson is certainly timely. I’m taking no advantage of those whose teaching I examine, for my purpose has been duly advertised in the daily press, and they are invited to be here. The overflow crowd present this morning indicates a lively interest in this topic. I wish I had the opportunity to speak to all of those who have been listening to error in reference to the sabbath. I proceed with malice in my heart toward none.
The zeal and liberality of the Seventh Day Adventists are admirable. They are spending a lot of money to teach what they evidently believe to be the truth. The advertising for their current meeting is costing thousands of dollars. Their winning several converts to a doctrine that is not only false but also unpopular and inconvenient is evidence that advertising is effective. But their zeal is without knowledge and their converts have accepted error. The work they are doing at present constitutes a public challenge to all preachers of the gospel. That challenge shall not go unanswered. I make no personal criticism of their speaker but I condemn his teaching because it is false.
II
Three Dispensations
The Bible reveals unto us three distinct dispensations or periods of time. On the board I have a little diagram to represent those three dispensations. (See [p. 144].) The first lasted from Adam to Moses; the second continued from Moses until the death of Christ on the cross; the third began at the cross and will continue until our Lord comes again.