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MENNONITE HANDBOOK

instances arise in which such obedience would violate the higher law of God, "we ought to obey God rather than man," that Church and State are separate, and while believers are to be subject to, they are not a part of the civil, administrative powers; that it is contrary to the teachings of Christ and the apostles to engage in carnal warfare; that Christians should "adorn themselves in modest apparel, not with broidered hair or gold or pearls or costly array;" that the swearing of oaths is forbidden in the New Testament Scriptures; that secret orders are antagonistic to the tenor and spirit of the Gospel; and that life insurance is inconsistent with filial trust in the providence and care of our heavenly Father. I Pet. 2:13,14,17; Rom. 13:1-7; I Tim. 2:1,2; Acts 5:29; Matt. 22:21; Mk. 10:42-44; Jno. 18:36; II Cor. 10:4; I Tim. 2:9,10; I Pet. 3:3-5; Matt. 5:34-37; Jas. 5:12; Jno. 18:20; Eph. 5:11,12; I Jno. 3:17; Gal. 6:10; Jer. 49:11; Eph. 1:22,23.

ARTICLE XIV.—Of Apostasy

We believe that the latter days will be characterized by general lawlessness and departure from the faith; that on the part of the world "iniquity shall abound" and "evil men shall wax worse and worse;" that on the part of the Church there will be a falling away and "the love of many shall wax cold;" that false teachers shall abound, both deceiving and being deceived; and further, that present conditions indicate that we are now living in these perilous times. j[ Tim. 4:1,2; Rom. 16:17, 18; II Tim. 3:1-5,13; II Pet. 2:1, 2, 10; Matt. 24:11, 12; II Thes. 2:3.

ARTICLE XV.—Of the Resurrection

We believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ and in the bodily resurrection of all men, both of the just and the unjust of the just to the resurrection of life, and of the unjust to the resurrection of condemnation. Jno. 20:20,24-29; Luke 24:30,31; I Cor. 15:42-44; Acts 24:15; Jno. 5:28,29; I Cor. 15:20-23.

ARTICLE XVI.—Of the Coming of Christ

We believe in the personal, imminent coming of our Lord as the blessed hope of the believer, that we who are