They had the
words of Christ, 'Go ye into _all the world_, and preach the Gospel to
_every creature_;' yet it required nearly ten years, and a special
vision, to make them understand that _every creature_ included the
Gentiles.
Nor have we any proof that the Spirit ever made the Apostles infallible
in every little matter. Paul says, when speaking of the resurrection,
'That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die.' Now the truth
is, that the seed from which the harvest springs, does not die. It
simply expands and unfolds. His doctrine was right, but the notion on
which he grounded his illustration of it was an error. But it answered
his purpose. And there is a sense in which seed dies. It ceases to be a
seed in becoming a plant.
Bishop Watson says, 'a grain of wheat must become _rotten_ before it can
sprout;' but that is not the case. It ceases to be a mere grain to
become a plant; but it does not become rotten; it remains alive and
sound.
The Apostle is an able minister, a glorious interpreter of Christ and
His doctrine; and there is nothing seriously amiss in his illustrations;
but several of them are based on prevailing misconceptions.
Some say, 'If the Apostles were not infallible in everything, their
writings would be of no use to us.
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