The Flock Of God

by J. Bowman | Category: General | Sept 1961

The expression "the flock of God" occurs only once in the Scriptures (see 1 Peter 5. 2), although the word "flock" appears several times.

When addressing His disciples the Lord said, " Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12. 82). This verse shows that the relationship of the disciples to God was that of children towards their father. Their relationship to the Lord was that of sheep to their shepherd; " I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad" (Matthew 26. 81). "The sheep of the flock" would indicate that there were sheep which were not of the flock. All sheep are born-again ones, but it must not be assumed that "the flock" is a term which describes all born-again persons. The word "flock" is a collective noun. "Sheep" is both a singular and plural word, and when used in the latter way is not synonymous with "the flock". Every born-again person is a sheep, but every sheep is not in the flock. To each sheep is given eternal life by the Shepherd who died for them (John 10.27, 28), but to the little Flock is given the kingdom by the Father. To each sheep is given the right to have a place in the Flock, and it is God's will that they should be there. The teaching of the Scriptures is clear in regard to this.

We may learn, from a consideration of John 10.16, how the sheep become a flock. "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring (lead, R.V.M.), and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock, one Shepherd." John the Baptist gathered the sheep into the safety of the fold. He was the porter and they entered in through baptism. Into this fold the Lord Himself entered and led out His own (John 10.4). He spoke of other sheep whom He would also lead (R.V.M.) and who would hear His voice, and who would, along with other disciples, become one flock (not fold, as in A.V.). The word translated "leadeth out " in John 10.8 is "exago," and the word translated "bring" in John 10.16 is ago. It is the same root word meaning "to lead." Dr. Strong gives one meaning of the word to be "induce." The thought is that the sheep are induced to follow. If, therefore, a sheep will hear the Shepherd's voice and follow, he will find himself walking in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake with others who are already doing so.

A believer may find a place in the Flock by hearing and obeying the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles. Their teaching was His teaching; He gave it to them. He gave "commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom He had chosen" (Acts 1.2). The teaching of the Lord comes to us through the apostles-" the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles " (2 Peter 3.2). Such is called" the apostles' teaching" (Acts 2.42), and in this the early disciples continued steadfastly.

The word "flock" was first applied by the Lord to His disciples, but He indicated that others would afterwards be associated with them. The flock would grow, but its responsibility would remain the same, viz., to give expression to the will of God on earth. This is what we believe the Lord meant when He said that they would be given the kingdom. The history of the divine movement which commenced with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost shows that as a result of the preaching many believed (they became sheep), then they were baptized and added (they were given a place in the Flock), i.e., among a collective people already in being. In that divine position they expressed the will of God by continuing steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and the Fellowship, in the breaking of the bread and the prayers (Acts 2.42).

Both Paul and Peter used the word "flock" when addressing believers, and their usage of it shows that they had a collective people in view. Paul's words are found in Acts 20.28, 29, where he is addressing the elders of the church of God in Ephesus. "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the Flock, in the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers (R.V.M.), to feed (or tend) the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the Flock." Those who are called the Flock are also called the church of God. To be in the Flock, therefore, means being in a church of God, where provision is made by the Holy Spirit, through men whom He equips, for the sheep and lambs to be cared for. Peter's message agrees with Paul's, but whereas Paul addressed the overseers of a single church of God, Peter wrote to the elders of many churches of God which were throughout the five provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, and the saints in those churches he wrote of as being built up a spiritual house, which house is the house of God. Those who are described as "the Flock" (1 Peter 5.2) are the same people who are built up a spiritual house (1 Peter 2.5). Such an observation must surely be accepted. "Of God" means

belonging to God "-the Flock of God, the church or churches of

God and the house of God, each of which expressions describe God's together people. The term "flock" can be applied to an individual church (Acts 20.28) or to a group of churches, for we do not read in the Scriptures of "flocks of God." "One Flock, one Shepherd" (John 10.16), such oneness can be expressed only by the sheep being together in one thing for God, as is revealed in His Word.

The flock views the people of God as sheep and lambs who require to be tended and fed by under-shepherds. The church of God views them as being together under the rule and government of God as administered by overseers, and the house of God views them as priests in service, which service is both holy (Godward) and royal (manward) in association with their High Priest who ministers in the heavenly sanctuary.

The work of tending the flock is one of very great importance. It is so to the Lord (1) and should also be to those (2) to whom He gives responsibility and to those (3) who come under their care.

(1) The Lord calls the sheep and lambs "My sheep," "My lambs" (John 21.15, 16). They have become His at very great cost, having been purchased by His own precious blood. He gives the care of His sheep and lambs to men who are devoted to Himself. If a man does not love the Lord, neither will he love the Lord's sheep.

(2) Elders are called upon to tend the Flock of God. The realization that the Flock belongs to God, and that they have been given a charge to care for it, should be sufficient to impress upon each elder the need to tend with loving care what has been entrusted to him.

(3) The sheep are exhorted to obey them that have the rule over them (Hebrews 13.17), and also to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake (1 Thessalonians 5.18).

Thus the binding force between the Shepherd, under-shepherds and sheep is love.

Elders are exhorted to make themselves examples to the flock. This is one of the greatest safeguards against any of the sheep going astray. It is characteristic of sheep to stray, and some have chosen to do so to their own hurt. Lambs need special care. They are much less sensitive to danger, and therefore more readily fall a prey to the adversary. In view of the activities of the adversary overseers are exhorted to be watchful. It is their duty to see the dangers to which the sheep, and especially the lambs, are exposed and to resist the enemy. No effort should be spared to recover lambs that fall a prey to the adversary. David's action is an excellent example to all under-shepherds. When the lion or the bear carried off one of his lambs, David did not account that he was helpless to do anything about it, but he pursued and by his skill and courage he delivered the lamb. David acknowledged that he owed his own deliverance to the LORD. He spoke of the LORD that delivered him out of the paw of the lion, and of the bear (1 Samuel 17.87). Overseers, too need to depend on the Lord's help. As Paul foresaw times of difficulty ahead for the Flock, he not only gave warning to the overseers of what would happen, but urged upon them the need for watchfulness. He encouraged them to this by his own diligent example which he showed when he laboured among them in Ephesus for three years, and ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears (Acts 20.81). What an example Paul is to all who have been given the charge to care for the Flock of God today!

J. Bowman | Sept 1961
General