Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/551

171* to go to show themselves to the priests and to offer gifts in accordance with the Law of Moses. Therefore, even though this was recorded in the Scripture, later on no apostle ever sent cured lepers to the Jewish priests, nor was any Christian obligated to give thankofferings in accordance with the Law of Moses. This was written as a (historic) act of the power of Jesus and of a custom of the priests of the Old Testament, but not for an imitation by coming generations of Christians.

The story of John and his soldiers must be understood in a similar manner. He did certain things and spoke in a certain way which Lord Jesus neither did nor spoke... And we understand that John was sent before Lord Jesus to prepare his way, that is, to move the people to repentance and to an expectation of Lord Jesus, saying that he who will come after him will be greater Therefore John who preceded in time our Lord Jesus was still under the Law of Moses which he was bound to observe in all his acts and words – excepting baptism and bearing witness to Jesus; this was outside the Law But John could not have changed the laws (concerning) the (established) order of things.

Luke 3:14. St. Augustine often uses this. "The gospel nowhere attacks the calling of soldier, so it views it as lawful." ., 138,ii,15; also , v:21, i:20, v: 12,13,16,24,26; xix:17, xv:5, iv:4, v:15;xv:7; xix:21, xx:9; etc.

Cf. , xxii:74. Augustine is quoted with approval by Calvin: "If Christian discipline condemned all wars when the soldiers asked counsel as to the way of salvation, they would have been told to cast away their arms Those whom he orders to be contented with their pay, he certainly does not forbid to serve." MacGregor,, 1941, p.20.

Possibly I, 19,20.

Luke 17:14.

John 1:15.

John 1:15.