In every age, from the beginning of the world, the church of God has been constituted of faithful souls. Genesis 4:26; 1 Peter 2:9; Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 1:2. Through these chosen ambassadors, His spokesmen, He has been speaking to the children of men, revealing to them the “manifold wisdom of God.” Ezekiel 33:7-9; Acts 20:28. Through the church, the gospel has brought light and truth to all men, showing them the way back to God and to His glorious kingdom. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Acts 16:17.

It is the duty of every Christian to obey the laws of the land as long as they do not conflict with the law of God. Romans 13:1-7.

“The ten precepts of Jehovah are the foundation of all righteous and good laws. Those who love God’s commandments will conform to every good law of the land. But if the requirements of the rulers are such as conflict with the laws of God, the only question to be settled is: Shall we obey God, or man?”—Testimony for the Church, vol. 1, p. 362.

Christian temperance has to do with all facets of our life here on earth and recognizes the intimate relation that exists between the spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of our being. The condition of the body affects the mind, and the condition of the mind affects not only the body but also man’s spiritual relationship to God. True temperance may be defined as dispensing entirely all things which are harmful and making a judicious use of those things which are healthful. The general principle concerning temperance in all things has been outlined in the word of God by the apostle Paul. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

God saw that is was not good for man to be alone. Genesis 2:18. Therefore, He established the marriage institution and enunciated the law of marriage for all the children of Adam to the close of time. God Himself gave Adam one wife as a companion. “He ordained that men and women should be united in holy wedlock, to rear families whose members, crowned with honor, should be recognized as members of the family above.” Ministry of Healing, p. 356. According to the plan of God, in the marriage relationship, every man should consider his wife as his second self, “bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh.” Genesis 2:18, 23, 24; Mark 10:6-8; Ephesians 5:28, 29; Colossians 3:19.

After Christ’s ascension, and after the disciples had surrendered themselves fully to God, through faith and prayer, and after they had come into perfect unity, the Holy Spirit was poured out on them in fullness. Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4. Spiritual gifts were then committed to them, to be used for the common good of the church and for the advancement of the work of God. The gifts that were bestowed on the early Christians, by the Spirit, included apostleship, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, discerning of spirits, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues, teaching, administration, and charity (pure love in action). Amos 3:7; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28; Ephesians 4:7, 8, 11; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.