Why Do Churches Of God Exist?

by McCormick, F. | Category: Why Do Churches Of God Exist? | Jun 1955

"THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD."

Into this those in the church of God in Corinth had been called (1 Corinthians 1.9). This Community or Fellowship of persons is referred to in Acts 2., when, as we have seen, the first church of God came into existence.

Thus we read that "they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship." This is the same Fellowship referred to above, which was a divinely organized community of obedient disciples. Into this they had been "called," and in this "they continued stedfastly." It is desc4bed as "the Fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." This is that for which He died, "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity (or lawlessness) and purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good works" (Titus 2.14). It was His by right of purchase, and His by claims of Lordship.

This Fellowship was His exclusive property; it was composed of those who had bowed their hearts to His claims, placing themselves under His authority. They not only had redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of their trespasses, but had also known the liberating and sanctifying power of the cross in their separation from all lawlessness, and consequently had sanctified Christ as Lord in their hearts. Being called of God, they entered into common possession, with those already divinely recognized, of a conditional heritage of truth which they were then responsible to hold and practise together.

It is well to note that this "fellowship" does not refer to a. condition of heart or soul, though that is required, but to a community of persons joined together, known, and clearly defined, with a common objective, to fulfil the will of God in the bonds of love and truth under the Lordship of Christ, and to share the joys and sorrows which may be entailed in so doing. While "the Fellowship had its commencement in Acts 2. in the first church of God, as other churches. came into existence, the extent of the Fellowship widened, yet it never became more than ONE. There are many churches of God, but Scripture speaks of only ONE FELLOWSHIP. This should be pondered well, as it sounds the death knell to the teaching of the independency of assemblies.

Persons received into a church of God, having heard the call of God, are also received into the wider thing, here described as "the Fellowship" (1 Corinthians 1.9), which is the widest possible community of separated and obedient disciples joined together in one thing upon earth in this dispensation according to the will of God The Fellowship is co-extensive with the existing churches of God at any given time, so that persons who are not in churches of God cannot be in the Fellowship.

To the Fellowship there is a within and a without. As persons received into a church of God are received into the Fellowship, so likewise, persons put away from a church of God are put away from the Fellowship, which is composed of all churches of God, for these are one in constitution, unity, and practice. See 1 Corinthians 1.2,9, "in every place, their Lord and ours," and 5.12, 13. How unlike is this pattern of teaching to that practised in many so-called churches or assemblies which stand as independent units, and persons, under judgement, may go from one to the other and be received! What God-dishonouring confusion this is! Moreover, the Fellowship is something which has to be steadfastly continued in (Acts 2.42). This shows clearly that the Fellowship is not based upon the relationship of a common life in Christ as though the Fellowship was synonymous with the church which is His Body, as some assert. There are no conditions, except faith in Christ, to find a place in the Church which is His Body. We do not get into the Body, or remain in, by "continuing stedfastly," Christ does all (1 Corinthians 12. 13; Matthew 3.11). No, the Fellowship is a conditional unity which has to be maintained, and continued in, by faithfulness and continued obedience. It was for this the Lord prayed in John 17 saying

"Sanctify them in the truth: Thy word is truth."

"That thee may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that thee also may be in Us: that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me." That they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me."

This is a visible unity of disciples desired by the Lord, and which was seen in fact in the churches of God in a later day, which churches together formed the house and temple of God, and also "the Fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

This is unity " of" and " for " God.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ... there the Lord commanded the blessing" (Psalm 133.).

This unity, to be a testimony to the world, is designed for the blessing of those in it, and for the glory and pleasure of our God. By it, the heart's desire of our adorable Redeemer is fulfilled, and it is the inestimable privilege of loyal-hearted disciples, in this scene of religious confusion and lawlessness, to be found rallying to His call, who loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.

We have sought briefly to answer the question, "Why do churches of God exist?" The position of churches of God is high in Scripture, the reason for which they exist in the divine purpose is also very high, and what God hath joined together let not man put asunder. Let us rather, in the fear of God, seek to attain to that standard well pleasing to Him.

" Who then offereth willingly to consecrate himself this day unto the LORD?" (1 Chronicles 29.5).

McCormick, F. | Jun 1955
Why Do Churches Of God Exist?