The Result Of

by Hyland, T. M. | Category: Apostolic Teaching | May 1957

In former papers we have directed attention to the fact that the establishment of churches of God in various parts of the world was a vital and principal consequence of apostolic labours. This objective was pursued, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, according to the instructions laid down by the risen Christ before His ascension to the Father. We have observed that these churches of God were of the same pattern as the one which came into existence in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, which was composed of baptized disciples, added together-a clearly defined, separated company of persons. We have also discussed the unity and interdependence of these churches, and considered the relevance of the Jerusalem conference of apostles and elders (Acts 15) to the promotion and preservation of this unity. And we have traced the spread of the work of God to Europe, emphasizing the importance of the labours of Paul and his fellow-workers at Corinth, and remarked on the wide range of instruction given in the Corinthian epistles concerning church constitution and practice.

We now desire to examine these terms which throw considerable light on the functions a church of God is intended to perform in its locality. The church of God in Corinth is described as God's husbandry, God's building, Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3.9, 16). Each of these divinely originated descriptions implies divine ownership and divine Origin.

No doubt this company of disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in Corinth was regarded by the populace as an obscure and misguided sect; "not many mighty, not many noble" were amongst them. But as God looked upon this city in its wickedness and depravity He saw the church of God in Corinth as a verdant plot of land, properly enclosed, affording Him pleasure and yielding precious fruit. It was God's husbandry, God's tilled land. Such a place as this was in the mind of the apostle as he toiled on in Corinth. He and his fellow-missionaries preached the gospel, scattering the good seed of the word. The seed germinated in the hearts of many, disciples were made and baptized and then were taken and planted in the shelter of God's husbandry. These valuable plants needed careful attention. Apollos came along and watered them with his refreshing ministry and this resulted in divine blessing-" God gave the increase."

A church of God, then, under this figure, is viewed as an enclosed plot of land into which disciples are permanently planted and wherein God's ministers may labour so that growth may be promoted and fruit produced f6r the pleasure of the Husbandman. This is an important divine purpose. Each church of God should be a great teaching institution where disciples of the Lord in various stages of spiritual development are brought to maturity. For this, labourers are needed. The work demands skill and patience. Some plants need more care than others, but all labour bestowed on this divine plot is well worth while and will be suitably rewarded-" each shall receive his own reward according to his own labour" (1 Corinthians 3.8).

Then the church of God in Corinth is also described as God's building. Each disciple in the church had his place in this divinely designed structure. Before it was erected considerable preparatory work was necessary. Paul says of this part of his labours at Corinth:

"As a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation" (1 Corinthians a. 10) The foundation of a building is, of course, of the utmost importance. A novice, anxious to see rapid progress, might be tempted to skimp foundational work, but the apostle was a wise masterbuilder with exact knowledge of the structure this foundation was to support. This was to be God's building and therefore it must be established on a divine foundation. "Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid" says Paul, "which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3.11). That is to say that the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ is the only basis upon which a church of God can be founded. What is for God must have a divine beginning and must stand upon a divine foundation. These are important principles and the apostles did not deviate from them.

"The base having been well and truly laid a building began to take shape-the church of God in Corinth. The disciples who were formerly described as God's husbandry are now viewed as stones in a building forming something for God and standing as a witness for Him in that godless city. And not only so. The apostle goes on to say that the foundation he laid in Corinth provided a basis on which others could build-" let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon" (1 Corinthians 3.10). In its context this passage is of the utmost importance. A church of God is not only a spiritual nursery where disciples are cared for and grow to maturity; it is not only a building designed by God and standing as a witness to Him; it is also a place to which material may be brought for building purposes. In a church of God men and women are permitted to build for God. The real value of this work will not be apparent until it is tested "in that day." Its worth will not be assessed by its bulk but by its quality.

"If any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; each man's work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: hut he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3.12.15).

Providing there is purity of motive, service for God in a church of God is never wasted. Whatever may be the present results of such service, or the current assessment of its value by others, in "that day" it will be tested and appraised by an impartial Judge. Such a prospect stamps the labours of the present with the hallmark of eternity, and reveals in true perspective one divine, purpose in relation to a church of God. It is a place where disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ may build for eternity. Standing to the eternal credit of many a devoted disciple, unacclaimed by men, is a deposit of imperishable value wrought through earnest endeavour, 'midst weakness and fears in service for God in one of His churches. No less than this is implied in the pregnant passage quoted above!

We now pass on to consider a third description of the church of God in Corinth:

"Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3.16).

The word translated "temple " (Greek, naos) is the one used frequently in the Gospels to describe the inner sanctuary-the actual dwelling-place of God. One of the most solemn yet striking features of a divinely constituted church of God is that God, by His Spirit, dwells therein. This, of course, does not refer to the building in which a church of God gathers; it is the company of disciples themselves who are the seat of divine indwelling. Notice the definiteness of the assertion " ye are a temple of God." This is stated in spite of the fact that some disorder existed in the church of God in Corinth and that a serious case of immorality had occurred. These matters are referred to by Paul and instructions are given so that appropriate action should be taken in regard to them. Because of its character as God's temple such incongruities cannot be permitted in a church of God. If they are not speedily and adequately dealt with serious damage will ensue and it is to this solemn possibility the apostle refers in his words of warning, "If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy" (1 Corinthians 3.17). The word translated here " destroy" (Greek, phtheiro) describes a process of corrupting or marring. This destroying of the temple of God may be brought about in various ways; by the introduction of false teaching, by the spiritual declension of the disciples or by the toleration of moral evil in the church. The apostles were concerned not only with the establishment of churches of God but also with their preservation in "the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ" (2 Corinthians 11.3). This was their constant anxiety and the struggle they waged against the many forms of evil which attacked these churches is evident from the apostolic writings.

In its character, then, as God's temple a church of God is a place of divine indwelling and as such its purity must be maintained. This calls for the recognition by all the disciples of the impact of personal condition and conduct on collective purity. The words of warning against deliberate desecration of God's temple are solemn indeed.

It should be noted that the term "temple of God" is used only in the singular in the New Testament. There is no warrant for visualizing the churches of God as a series of temples. The term is again employed in 2 Corinthians 6.16, where it is associated with a citation from Leviticus 26.12, which gives a clear indication of its significance. This citation refers to the dwelling of God in the midst of His gathered people Israel and shows that the same feature is present in the New Testament counterpart. The people of God in New Testament times were gathered in churches of God and these together formed one divine dwelling place. It follows that, as churches of God were part of a whole, the quality or character of the whole extended to each part. It is to this the apostle refers when he writes to the church of God in Corinth "Ye are (a) temple of God."

We have emphasized the solemnity of the fact of divine indwelling in relation to a church of God. We now turn to examine other implications of this wonderful truth. In a unique way the divine presence brings a fulness of divine blessing and power. It is in this connexion that the apostle uses the words "we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Corinthians 6.16). Here is indicated not only divine indwelling but divine activity. God moved among His people of apostolic days and from those churches, so long as they retained their simplicity and purity, issued divine power and divine blessing. Reflect on the preciousness and tenderness of the promise "I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Viewed in its light the true significance of this subject becomes clear. The line of truth we have been exploring is no bypath but one which lies in the very forefront of our spiritual heritage-the Faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.

Hyland, T. M. | May 1957
Apostolic Teaching