E. H. Broadbent’s...
“The Pilgrim Church” We need to wake up to the facts: Despite the dominance of the Roman Church, God has always kept His faithful witnesses in every generation. In the world’s eyes, they may have just been a small, trivial group. Yet, in God’s eyes, they have been the faithful remnant (see Romans 11:15 & Revelation 12:17). We need to beware of echoing Elijah’s cry, “They have ... killed all your prophets, except me. And now they are even trying to kill me!” (1 Kings 19:14). God’s answer will be the same, “I have kept … people for myself.” The victor, we are told, writes history. When it comes to the history of the Church, it is true that the largest “Christian” group in the world – the Roman Catholic Church, has written it. Too often, Protestant Churches teach Church history from this biased view. Almost 100 years ago, one man sought to rebalance this bias. His name was Edmund Broadbent, a missionary closely associated with the Brethren movement. His book, ‘The Pilgrim Church’, is probably the best and most complete attempt at this task. The English used may seem dated to modern readers and, of course, it is not a short, ‘easy read’. However, the effort taken to read this book will be well rewarded. You will find the true church bravely standing for the truths of God’s Word. Yes, the author, is biased by his Brethren, Sunday-keeping and relatively Western view of Christianity. However, this book will allow you to see a faithful God. One who has kept for Himself a faithful remnant through all the ages. It will also help you to begin to find the truth for yourself. You will discover, the Roman Church has repeatedly vilified and cruelly persecuted those who sought to remain true to God and His Word. Too often Jewish people have been falsely accused of vile practices; the same people have spoken in the same way about our bible believing brethren. Truth is, the enemy
hates God’s people and uses the same lies about them again and again. You will see that God’s true church is rarely ‘successful’ in the World’s eyes. We need to learn what success means in God’s eyes. Among the many things Broadbent shows us, is his belief that time and time again, God’s faithful remnant has resorted to ‘the sword’ to protect themselves. He suggests, quite rightly, when this occurs, God removes His Spirit from their movement. It is not that he is a Pacifist. Rather, the State might have a right to call us to arms, but we are not called by God to use violence to protect our faithful witness to the Truth. This brave soldier of Christ took seriously His Lord’s words, “But I tell you not to try to get even with
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A REVIEW by Philip Clark
a person who has done something to you. When someone slaps your right cheek, turn and let that person slap your other cheek.” (Matthew 5:39) E. H. Broadbent’s book, ‘The Pilgrim Church’, is available free to read on your computer or tablet at: goo.gl/0wssOV If you prefer a printed copy, ‘The Pilgrim Church’ is still published by a variety of publishers. However, it is not the cheapest of books and it is well worth looking for it in second-hand bookshops. p Examples of where it is easily available are: Amazon (look for the paperback version “by E. H. Broadbent and Resurrected Books”); http://thepilgrimchurch.com/ (not the cheapest); AbeBooks website is always worth checking.
January - March 2015
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