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

sonal 30 Spirit, as the Church Fathers call him, and this in a divine manner, just as the Father is a true father and the Son a true ___ M son. c) Menno’s teaching concerning the redemptive faith is to be found in the following of his essays: “Concerning Faith” and “Believe the Gospel!” This Gospel is the good news and declaration of God’s good will and grace toward us in the forgiveness of our sins through Christ Jesus. Faith, through the Holy Spirit, accepts this and no longer relies upon its former righteousness or unrighteousness, but now hopes for things beyond hope, Rom. 4:8, indeed, throws itself unreservedly on the Lord’s grace, Word and promise, knowing full well that God is faithful and cannot but keep His promise. Ps. 33:4, Rom. 3:9, I Cor. 1:9. Thus is the heart renewed, turned around [converted], justified, made pious and joyous. Rom. 14:17, Gal. 5:22. A child of God is bom, John 1:13, approaches the throne of grace full of confidence, Hebrews 4:11, and becomes a co-heir with Christ, inheriting eternal life. Rom. 8: 14, I Tim. 1:2. Those who believe this are they of whom the Scriptures speak: He has given them power to become children of God, even to them that believe in His name; which were bom, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1. They are those who have been justified by faith, and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Rom. 5. All of this out of grace and love: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Rom. 3:23-25. No one on earth can boast that he has acquired his own faith and salvation; it is the gift of God. Eph. 2:8. All who have received faith from God, have received a tree laden with a variety of good and precious fruits. . . . The true and genuine faith acceptable in God’s sight cannot remain idle, it must bring forth fruit and manifest its character. It is constantly active in love; voluntarily enters righteousness; subdues flesh and blood while crucifying the lusts and desires; finds joy in the cross of Christ; renews and gives birth to newness of life, gives life, is candid and peaceable in Christ. Behold, such a faith is a gift of God, Eph. 2:8, by which, according to the Scriptures, the righteous shall live, Menno Simons 17 as Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rachel and all pious saints have done. Every good tree brings forth good fruit according to its kind. Matt. 7:17. And every tree which does not bear good fruit, though it have many leaves, must be condemned and consumed by fire. . . d) It is apparent that Menno was