Raising The Banner

by QUARTUS | Category: For Young Believers | May 1952

Many young people have asked questions concerning the origins of the present testimony. "Did it start in various places at the same time and gradually get moulded into a unity? Or was it commenced as a result of a conference of leading men, the effect slowly radiating outwards?" To answer these and similar questions we give a simple, concise account of the origin of the "Churches of God in the Fellowship of the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord" (see 1 Corinthians 1.9). In such a brief space it will be obviously impossible to give all relevant details and supporting Scriptures, but it is our sincere desire to be factually impartial and historically accurate. May our gracious God preserve us from rancour and prejudice, and grant us humility and discretion!

The history of the churches in the days of the apostles is filled with records of great efforts made to corrupt the Faith. Therefore, in any attempt to get back to the position enjoyed by the early churches, it was essential to rely on the teaching of the Scriptures alone. It was not sufficient to make the Word of God prominent; it had to be paramount-the basis of belief, the guidance for action (see 2 Timothy 3.16, 17). Interpretation of the Word of God was the sole ground of action-and well it might he! Doctrinal principle alone was at stake.

Another feature of special interest was that the separation from "Open Brethren" was not a momentary affair. One of the pioneers of those days, Mr. Henry Elson, wrote thus in a letter to an enquiring friend. "The separation ... was not effected by one concerted, rounded-off movement at a certain time. There were minor and local movements in various places while matters were working up to a climax .... a clean cut, an outpurging, that they might be together to hold, teach and practise what they had learned from Scripture to be the Way of God for His people."

As early as 1876, it became evident that there was a certain exercise in the hearts of many "brethren" concerning the Scriptural principles of assembly gathering. Having seen and practised the divine truth of separation in obedience to the call of God, they were grieved to discover, in many of those with whom they were associated, a great slackness towards the Scriptural call to separation from the religious sects. Let us give just one example. Many of their fellows practised "Occasional fellowship" with various religious bodies, some evangelical and some not. It became very obvious that many Christians desired to maintain, in general, an "open" position, whilst others were discovering from the Word the need for a more separated pathway.

This exercise led to much earnest seeking after the truth of God. "It sent many to their Bibles to learn the way of God more accurately." Diligent searching resulted in joyful finding. The all-sufficient Scriptures again proved their sufficiency. The Holy Spirit pointed out therefrom the clear delineations of such terms as the Church which is His (Christ's) Body, the church of God, the churches of God, the House of God and the Kingdom of God.

In 1883 a tract appeared-"The Church, and the churches of God." This was written by Mr. Frederick Arthur Banks, a young man deeply taught in the Word. In point of fact, Mr. Banks was still "very young in years" when he passed into the presence of his beloved Master, for whom he had laboured abundantly (yet without robust health) in Great Britain and the West Indies. F.A.B. was a pioneer in Scriptural exposition. His ministry, both oral and written, was marked by brevity, lucidity and opportuneness. These characteristics are in evidence in the 1888 publication. It suggests an outline of truth in connexion with "My Church," the church of God, and the churches of God. It stresses such cardinal principles as life in Christ alone, the responsibility of each church of God in its locality, and intercommunion of the churches of God. (See Matthew 16.13-18, Galatians 3.28, Acts 20.28, 1 Corinthians 1.1, 2; 1 Corinthians 11.22, 1 Corinthians 11.16, 1 Thessalonians 2.18, 14, etc.)

This tract "had a salutary effect on the minds of many brethren at the time at which it appeared, and for years after. Some date the dawning of new light upon their exercised minds from the day the tract fell into their hands. It proved to them as beaten oil for the light of the testimony which was within a few years to be raised to the truth." To the early "brethren movement" we are all greatly indebted for the recovery of such truths as the Body of Christ, and the coming of the Lord for His own. But the Scriptural ground for the saints of God in collective life and testimony was now dawning on many of the Lord's disciples. To carry out the principles of the churches of God of earlier and purer days, now became the attainable ideal, by God's help.

In 1887-8, a "circular message" was distributed stating it was "proposed to issue a New Quarterly Magazine, having as a special reason for its existence the regular presentation of truth as to the Assembly of God, the fellowship of saints, the fellowship of assemblies, the order of the House of God, and kindred subjects." The new magazine was called "Needed Truth," the truth contained therein being peculiarly opportune to the time present. The first number appeared in October, 1888, under the joint editorship of brethren J. A. Boswell, John Brown, A J. Holiday, W. H. Hunter and C. M. Luxmoore. The magazine appeared quarterly until 1891. It has continued monthly ever since, with a brief lapse, 19O9-18.

By 1891, there were differences on matters of doctrine and practice which were considered sufficiently acute as to warrant the calling of a special conference at Windermere. This meeting was for confession and prayer, and also quiet and careful examination of the Scriptures. The main result was to emphasize how far apart brethren were in doctrine and practice. There was failure to reach agreement, but there remained deep exercise and searchings of heart concerning the truth of God so recently recovered.

Many assemblies holding these truths soon realized their responsibility to their Lord and to their fellow Christians. So in the years 1892-4 many letters were issued "setting forth the reasons for the attitude adopted and henceforth to be taken by the individual assemblies." These letters stressed the need of practising such truths as believers' baptism, and reception into Fellowship. They deplored such practices as fellowship with sectarian associations, occasional fellowship and the reception in one assembly of someone put away from another. These communications were concise and positive statements, supported by Scriptural references. They were not stereotyped in form, neither did they bear the touch of any masterly organiser. Although diverse in form and detail, they were alike in general purpose and intention. Many assemblies gave precise dates for severing old connexions and equally precise dates for making the new and separate stand.

From widely scattered cities, towns and villages these letters emanated: London, Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff, Liverpool, Armagh, Cromer, etc. The result was that by the close of 1894 a considerable number of assemblies in Great Britain and in other lands had taken their stand for the truth of God, on the "impregnable rock of Holy Scripture."

"For that the leaders took the lead in Israel,

For that the people offered themselves willingly,

Bless ye the LORD" (Judges 5.2).

And so we believe the divine banner of collective truth was hoisted towards the close of the last century.

QUARTUS | May 1952
For Young Believers