Things Concerning The Faith

by G. E. HORNE | Category: General | Sept 1943

The faith is a large subject, and this article is not intended by any means to be exhaustive, but to deal particularly with the truths of the Church which is the Body of Christ and the Churches of God.

To Israel were entrusted the oracles of God. The Law was given to that nation and it contained the will of God for them in that day (Romans 3.2).

There is an analogy in connection with God's people in this present dispensation, for to them has been delivered, once for all, "the faith" (Jude 8). This, we understand, comprises all God's will for us in these days. Please note the expression, "once for all." In giving what we speak of as The Great Commission to His apostles in Matthew 28.18-20, the Lord Jesus concluded with these words,-" and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (or, the consummation of the age, R.V.M.)." Thus we see that, to the end of the age the Lord's presence was assured to His servants as they taught the disciples to observe all things whatsoever He commanded In accordance with His own words in John 16.12 13 additional things to what He Himself had taught were made known when the Holy Spirit came. These are revealed in the writings of the apostles and constitute an integral part of the faith Those who profess to have received further revelations since the completion of the Scriptures have no authority for such a claim and it is a solemn truth that God will not hold guiltless those who either add to or take away from that which He has caused to be written (Revelation 22.18, 19).

The doctrines of the faith are unfolded in the New Testament writings and saints ought to contend earnestly for them. It is worth while contending for them, and, if need be, even dying for them, as in fact many noble men and women have already done.

In the book of Ezra, chapter 8 we read of a company, under the leadership of this noble man carrying through the robber infested desert, on a four months' journey, much gold and silver, with very valuable vessels given by King Artaxerxes and his counsellors for the service of the house of God in Jerusalem (chapter 7. 15-19) This company, without a military escort but under the protecting hand of God, duly discharged their responsibility and privilege and eventually delivered "the whole by number and by weight into the hands of those appointed to receive them in the house of God.

>From generation to generation the truth of God should be handed down. Paul instructed Timothy to commit to faithful men, who would be able to teach others, the things which he had learned from him (2 Timothy 2.2).

Owing to unfaithfulness much precious truth was lost for centuries in this dispensation. Little by little much has been regained. A solemn responsibility is laid upon us who have received such a precious heritage, to contend earnestly for it, and to deliver "the whole by number and by weight" to the generation following or to hold it fast until the Lord comes. God, in His goodness, has been pleased to teach us much. Some truths have lost greatly in weight, though still held in name. For instance the ordinance of baptism has degenerated into infant sprinkling, thus losing all the significance of its teaching of burial and resurrection with Christ.

When the remnant returned from Babylon, stones once forming part of God's house were revived out of heaps of rubbish. Similarly to-day precious truth has been revived from among the accumulated rubbish of the traditions of men.

Among these truths is that of the Church which is the Body of Christ, referred to in Ephesians 3.11 as God's "eternal purpose," or as the margin of the revised version gives, "The purpose of the ages," as though this is God's great masterpiece. This church embraces every believer in the Lord Jesus, from the day of Pentecost till the coming of the Lord to the air for His saints, all of whom have been baptised in one Spirit into one Body (1 Corinthians 12.18). The only

condition for membership of this church is faith in Christ (Ephesians 1.18). Death does not affect one's place therein; one can sever us therefrom (Matthew 16.18 ; John 10. 28, 29). How blessed is this union with Christ! What a precious relationship to be a member of His Body! So closely are we linked with Him that Christ and the church are referred to as " the Christ " (1 Corinthians 12.12). Surely our hearts should rejoice when we remember that " Christ also l6ved the church, and gave Himself up for it." He nourishes and cherishes it, because we are members of His Body. In a coming day He will "present the church to Himself, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing" (Ephesians 5.25-32). As we meditate upon His wondrous love to us our love is drawn out to the Lord and under its constraining influence we make it our aim to be well-pleasing unto Him.

Fellow-membership of Christ's Body brings us into very close relationship to each other, and should cause us to love one another The figure of the human body is taken by God to set forth this union; How closely are the various members of our bodies related to each other, and all are controlled by the head! Each member has a particular function, but all should work together in harmony. So it should be with members of the Body of Christ. Each should contribute unto the well-being of the whole (1 Corinthians 3. 12. Ephesians 4.7-16).

We must clearly distinguish, as the Scriptures do, between the church which is the Body of Christ and local churches of God. As we have seen, faith in Christ is the only condition necessary unto being in the former, but more than simple faith is needful before a person is received into a church of God. All believers on earth should be in churches of God, but unhappily they are not. The well-known words of Acts 2.41 shew that baptism and addition are both necessary unto a child of God being in a church of God, and stedfast continuance m the apostles' teaching, and the fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers is essential unto the maintenance of this position (verse 42). The church in Ephesus, having left its first love, is warned that the lampstand will be removed, unless there is repentance (Revelation 2.4, 5). So churches of God may cease to exist, but the church which is His Body is eternal.

A man was put away from the church of God in Corinth for immoral conduct, but he could not be severed from the Body of Christ.

The term " church of God" is always applied to a local company, of which there were many in early days, but there is only one Body (Ephesians 4.4), which is universal and dispensational. Most of the members of the Body are now in heaven.

Perhaps enough has been said to shew the clear distinction that exists between the church which is His Body and the churches of God.

It may be clearly seen from Scripture that a very real and close relationship existed between the various churches of God. Letters of commendation were given to persons in one church visiting a church in another t9wn (Acts 18.27; 2 C6rinthians 3.1). These assured to them participation in the privileges and responsibilities of the church which they visited. All the churches in a province acted together in making a contribution to the poor of a distant church (Romans 15.26). A brother was appointed to act on behalf of all the churches in that province who accompanied others in taking this gift to the needy church (2 Corinthians 8.19). One letter was written to the churches in the province of Galatia (Galatians 1.2). Seven letters to the seven churches of Asia were written in one book, and at the end of each the injunction is given to every one who has ears to" hear what the Spirit saith," not only to that church in which he was, but" to the churches" (Revelation 1.11 ; 2.7, 11, 17, 19; 3. 6, 18, 22) Peter's first letter was addressed to those in churches scattered throughout five large provinces, occupying an area larger than the British Isles. In chapter 5. of that epistle the elders are addressed as a unit, and are exhorted to tend the flock of God. There was only the one flock for which the elders had a joint responsibility. The unity of the churches was maintained by the unity of the elderhood. A fine example of this I seen in Acts 15.

As churches were planted, elders were appointed in every church. There was no one man rule, nor one man ministry; but the pattern is " elders in every church" (Acts 14.28).

In Acts 15.6 we find the apostles and the elders of the church in Jerusalem gathered together in conference. In Acts 20.17 Paul calls to him the elders of the church in Ephesus. In both of these cities there were large numbers of disciples, and of necessity many meeting places would be, used, but all in each city constituted the one church of God therein and were under the joint care of the one circle of elders or overseers in the city. The elders of the provinces of Achaia and Macedonia acted as units in connection with the monies sent to Jerusalem, as we have seen. The elders of the five provinces addressed in Peter's first epistle are seen to have a joint responsibility for the care of the many churches in that large area. In no other way could the unity of the churches be maintained, but by the joint pastoral care and united action of the elders.

Thus we see that a very real fellowship existed in those early days. All the churches were embraced in the Fellowship of God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1. 9). The Fellowship here does not refer to a condition, but to a concrete thing the Fellowship belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Into this Fellowship God calls his redeemed, and happy indeed are those who respond to His call.

The figure of the temple in Jerusalem, with its many buildings, appears to be used to shew the union of the churches. Thus in Ephesians 2.21 we read,-" In whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord."

There was no independence, but all together formed the one temple or house of God. "Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25.8) was God's word concerning Israel. It is still His will that His people be" builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2.22). To miss the privilege of being built as a living stone into God's house is an irreparable loss for any of God's children. May our hearts find expression in the words of the Psalmist,-" LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth" (Psalm 26.8).

G. E. HORNE | Sept 1943
General