THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

is saved, Rom. 10:10. And you have come to fulness of life in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority, Col. 2:10, and you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship ... it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, Rom. 8:12-17; Phil. 2:15; Eph. 2:1-10; I Pet. 1:15, 16; 2:9, 10; Ps. 82:6. a) "They consider themselves to be endued with the same spiritual gifts as the apostles at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as a consequence each member of the church baptizes, appoints elders and those who will baptize, and threatens the doubting with the terrors of hell. b) “We confess that by grace we have received the same gifts, though we may not have been furnished with till the gifts given to the apostles. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, I Cor. 12:4-11. With this difference, as Jesus, in Matt. 25 : 14-30 said, the apostles were entrusted with more talents than we; but we earnestly strive to achieve the best gift, ‘love,’ (Cor. 13:1). Not everyone possesses every ministry, I Cor. 7:17; 12:28-30, rather everyone is to serve with the gift he has received 'as good stewards of God’s varied grace,’ Eph. 4:7; but only those who have been _ :amined according to I Tim. 3 and are capable of teaching are placed into that service by the laying on of hands of the elders of the chinch. However, all who truly believe with unfeigned love are members of the body of Christ, each according to his part, I Cor. 12:27, Eph. 4: 15, 16. Those who waver are warmly admonished, that they might increase in strength and be equipped for every good work. a) “They consider their religion to be the new apostolic church and without exception take it to be the one true faith over against the official state religions. b) "We strive to maintain the unity in the Spirit, not as the world decrees or teaches it, but according to Christ, Col. 2:8, so that we might be one body and spirit, since we were called to the one hope that belongs to our calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father (of us) all, who is above all and through all and in all, Eph. 4:3ff. Not every one who Local Councils against Einlage 329 says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven, they are his (Jesus’) brothers, and sisters, and mother, Matt. 7:21; 12:50. a) "They consider themselves to be without exception a Christian church, while others are all heathen. b) “Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him, Rom. 8:9. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned, Mark 16:16. Only those are truly members of the church who through faith have become children of God. a) “They consider themselves to be the only true C