"Head Over All Things To The Church."

by F. McCormick | Category: Headship And Lordship | Jun 1951

"He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave His to be Head over all things to the Church" (Ephesians 1.22).

Here we must notice the distinction between being, "Head of the Body, the Church" and being "Head over all things to the Church." It is a comforting thought that He who commenced and continues to build His Church is the One who is able to meet every requirement of that glorious company until its final completion. All that is necessary for its preservation is found in Himself. He is also the Nourisher and Cherisher of the Church. It is the object of His eternal love and affection, and its every requirement is met by the unlimited resources of Him who is Head over all things to the Church.

He has designed that the members on earth should be ministered to through the gifts given from the ascended Head.

"Wherefore He saith, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men ... And He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the Body of Christ: till we can attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (Ephesians 4.7-13).

From the foregoing it will be observed that the purpose of this manifold ministry through the gifts was for "the perfecting of the saints," to supply that which was deficient or lacking, in order to fill up, or bring to full growth, and thus perfect them. How often have we experienced this through the healthful teaching of gifted men! We must not! however, confuse this with our standing in Christ, in which we are eternally perfect, and complete in Him. This has reference to our spiritual condition and growth which varies in saints in manifold degrees.

If those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus (saints) follow the teaching of the word in a healthy, spiritual condition, they will "attain unto the unity of the faith," that is "the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). Consequently they will be found as they were in New Testament times in "churches of God," in the "house of God."

This is the place for all the saints who have obeyed from the heart that form of teaching unto which they were delivered (Romans 6.17). All members of the Body on earth should be found in "churches of God" Those in that eternal, indissoluble union with Christ in the Body, should take their place for Christ in that conditional unity on earth in God's house (Hebrews 3.6), a testimony on earth to the Lordship and authority of our risen Lord.

It is in churches of God where the gifts should be manifested and exercised (1 Corinthians 12.l4; Romans 12; 1 Peter 4.10).

It should therefore be a matter of deep exercise before God as to the right place on earth where saints should be. He who is Head over all things to the Church, which is His Body, has their highest spiritual blessing in view in giving gifts to bring about on earth "the unity of the faith" wherein His Lordship is owned. We must, however, point out again that there is a vital difference between our heavenly union with Christ in the Body, and that conditional unity of obedient living members on earth in the house of God. The Body of Christ is never seen in completeness on earth at any time, therefore it could never function as such on earth at any time. Our purpose is to point out that Scripture sets before living members of the Body on earth (a part of the whole, for many more are in heaven) a unity which is of Himself, in which all living members should be, namely, the church and churches of God, which together form the house of God.

It is a comforting thought also to be reminded that our glorious Head has made full provision for those whose earthly house or tabernacle has been dissolved Every circumstance of all the members has been foreseen, and those who must pass through the valley of the shadow of death need fear no evil, for to be absent from the -body, is to be at home (among ones own people) with the Lord (see Corinthians 5.8). Many members of the Body have run well on earth, they have fulfilled their ministry, and accomplished their course. Such was the apostle Paul who could say "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4.7). No longer are they in churches of God on earth, nevertheless, they are still in the Church which is His Body. They are fallen asleep in (through) Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4.14) and have departed to be with Christ, where it is very far better. Such now await the completion of that glorious Church which He will present to Himself, not having spot or,wrinkle or any such thing.

We have noted the provision and place for the saints on earth who are willing to respond to His claims, and also the provision in heaven for saints who are absent from the body.

He who is "Head over all things" has also made precious and exceeding great promises regarding the future abode of His Bride, and He will perfect that which concerneth us. He Himself has declared, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto Myself" (John 14. 2-3}. He is attending to the preparation of that wonderful place - a place worthy of His own dignity and glory, reflecting the immeasurable Love which, He has toward her, "things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, and which entered not into the heart of man."

"Oh for the bliss of rising,

My coming Lord to meet?

Oh for the rest of lying

Forever at His feet!

Oh for the hour of seeing

My Saviour, face to face!

The hope of ever being

In that sweet resting place!"

In heaven, the heavenly multitude are heard saying

"Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let as give the glory unto Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready" (Revelation 19. 7).

He is over all, He has arranged and prepared all for that glorious event,

"And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." Precious blood secured the Bride, and eternal wealth is expended in that glorious eternal union in marriage. He will be for ever satisfied with her, and she will be brought into untold glory, and enjoy the wealth of her Beloved for all eternity. God hath given Him, who is Heir of all things, to be "Head over all things to the Church," and He is faithful that promised. "He which testifieth these things saith, Yea; I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22.20).

F. McCormick | Jun 1951
Headship And Lordship