alse doctrine. A doctrine in opposition to the plain, simple
doctrine of Christ is the principal characterizing feature of a deceiver.
The doctrine of Christ is light. All who abide in the doctrine of Christ
are a light in the world. Any doctrine contrary to the doctrine of Christ
is darkness, and its propagator, a deceiver and an antichrist. This same
apostle in his first letter, cautions us to "try the spirits [and
doctrines], whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone
out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that
confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every
spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not
of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that
it should come; and even now already it is in the world." 1 John 4:1-3.

We feel like it would be justice to the reader to here explain how we can
confess that Christ is come in the flesh, and how we can deny that he has
so come. That this does not refer to his personal coming in the flesh, as
a sacrifice for sin, is evident. But few but what confess that Christ was
here in the flesh as recorded in the Gospels, yet many of them are not of
God. Jesus says, "We will come unto him and make our abode with him."
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?" "For ye are the temple of
God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will
be their God, and they shall be my people." "At that day ye shall know
that I am in the Father, and ye in me, and I in you." John 14:20. That day
spoken of is when the Holy Spirit would come and teach them all things.
That was at Pentecost. Then they knew that Christ was in them. This then
is Christ come in the flesh.

Now it is not every one either that confesses by the word of mouth that
Christ dwells in them that are of God. A Scriptural confession is not by
word only, but by the deed, or life. Every one who confesses by their life
that Christ is come in the flesh or dwells in them must and will abide in
the whole doctrine of Christ, and live just as he lived. Such a one is of
God, and is a light even as Christ was a light. Whoever rejects any of the
Savior's doctrine, and does not, and will not, experience and practise it
in his life, the same is an antichrist, however much he may profess to be
of God. Try all doctrines and spirits by the doctrine of Christ, is the
infallible rule.

The Prophecy