Overseers And Their Work (2)(continued)

by J. Rodgers, Toronto | Category: Overseers And Their Work | Aug 1979

In a former article we traced throughout Old Covenant Scripture the prominence given to rule in respect to divine things. We are impressed with the increasing emphasis placed upon the importance of this principle in the regulation of the life of Israel as the people of God. If this principle played such an important part in the counsels of God in those early days may we not expect something equivalent to it in this age? Since things written aforetime were written for our learning", surely it becomes us to look for its counterpart among those subject to the will of God in New Covenant times.

As previously mentioned, the recognition of elders in Israel continues into New Testament times (e.g. Matt. 26:47 and 57), and possibly as long as there was some semblance of national status. However, the Lord Jesus Christ announced that Israel, at least temporarily, would be succeeded by another nation; in the words of Matthew 21:43, "... The Kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof". Suffice it to say at this point, that the nation thus referred to is described in 1 Peter 2:9 as a "holy nation". It comprised those who fulfilled the conditions outlined earlier in this chapter and are "built up a spiritual house" (see verse 5). Through the correlation of scriptural passages we are led to conclude that churches of God were, and are, divinely united to form that spiritual house, controlled by God-given laws. The spiritual house, or house of God, as it is elsewhere designated, exists subject to specified conditions being fulfilled and maintained. These are partially outlined in Hebrews 3:1-6. They demand acknowledgement of the Lordship of Christ which can, in its entirety, be given effect to only within churches of God.

Comparing the verse earlier referred to in Matt. 21:43 with Luke 12:32, which states, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom", it is readily seen that the nation which the Lord refers to in Matthew is composed initially of His disciples. This is the same flock which is mentioned in Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:2, although then greatly increased numerically. We draw attention to the fact that the increase or decrease of numbers does not alter the designation given to this body of people as "the flock".

In linking these thoughts together we observe that notice is given to Israel of their forfeiture of the kingdom upon which the disciples received the promise of its being given to them together with others, who at a later date would also be comprised in "the flock". Finally the new birth is essential to primarily seeing, and this of course is necessary before one can enter, the kingdom (John 3:3,5). From 1 Peter 2:9 we conclude that these things have their culmination in those thus spoken of as becoming "a holy nation". Those thus referred to have fulfilled certain conditions (1 Pet. 2:1-5) and in consequence are "built up a spiritual house". That spiritual house is therefore composed of those who form "the flock", which in turn is comprised of those in churches of God according to the citations from Acts 20 and Peter's first epistle.

One of the outstanding differences between the Church which is His Body and a church of God is that to be part of the former is unconditional: it is the portion of everyone who accepts Christ as Saviour (see 1 Cor. 12:13), whereas certain conditions apply to being in a church of God and the house of God. The nucleus of God's house is seen (Acts 1:15) in the gathering together of "about a hundred and twenty". The doctrinal basis for addition to that church is contained in the sevenfold principle of Acts 2:41-42 which still applies today. In the fulfilment of this the disciples were greatly multiplied, according to Acts 4:4: 5:14: 6:1. At that time Jerusalem was the centre of divine operation, the place, and the only place, where a church of God existed. In the permissive will of God "there arose ... a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem" (Acts 8:1), resulting in a scattering of the disciples, and consequently, the preaching of the word throughout Judea and Samaria (see Acts 8:1-4). The apostles were not included in those who departed from Jerusalem as a result of the persecution. God seemingly kept them together as a body of men, a unit to which reference can be made in respect to government within the churches (see Acts 11:1-18; Acts 15:1-35). This can readily be appreciated as a God-ordained plan. To them was directly revealed from the Lord during the forty days following His resurrection, "the things concerning the kingdom of God" (Acts 1-3). To teach and administer the laws of this kingdom it was imperative that the apostles be together for consultation and united action in these early days of church formation.

Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, the apostles realized the necessity of extending the responsibility for rule in the churches; even in these early days of testimony, elders were recognized. Such is not only true of cities outside of Judea, e.g. Antioch (Acts 11:30) and Ephesus (Acts 20:17), but also of Jerusalem, where the apostles were located (see Acts 16:4). We are given an insight into the method employed in the recognition of elders in Acts 14:23, where the apostle Paul (with Barnabas) "appointed for them elders in every church". This emphasizes the need for elders in every church. There was a limit to the apostles' ability to reach out to, and remain for a sufficient length of time in, the various churches for the recognition of those who were being fitted of God to rule amongst the saints. Accordingly, the apostles delegated authority to others, e.g. Titus, to whom Paul says, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest... appoint elders in every city" (Titus 1:5). Apostolic succession is not taught in Scripture, hence there remains neither apostolic authority nor delegated apostolic authority in the present day. We may well ask, therefore, for scriptural authority for elders in the churches and guidance for their recognition in the twentieth century.

(To be continued).

J. Rodgers, Toronto | Aug 1979
Overseers And Their Work