VOLUME 1 JULY.

1970 NUMBER 4

THEME OF THIS ISSUE

"THE CHURCH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT"

ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE

fhe Church - How Its Unity Is

Both Attained and Maintained
What Is The Church . . • . .
The Church 15 Undenominational 5
The Church Is The Saved • . • . 8
The Church Is The Blood Purchased . 11

The Body of Chnst .14

The Church of Christ-
The Kingdom of The King of Kings . 18
The Church Is The Family of God , .22
The Church Is Called Out • • • .26
The Church Is The Fulness of Christ .28
The Church Is The Ptllar and the Ground of Truth 31
You Can Be A Member of the Church .34
The Church Is The Bnde of Christ 38
Restonng The New Testament Church .42
Futu,. Article for thtl Ou•rter
Bind~ng By Implication .48
SPIRITUAL SWORD THE CHURCH - HOW ITS
Published quarterly by UNITY IS BOTH ATTAINED
the Getwell Church of
Christ, 1511 Getwell AND MAINTAINED
Road, Memphis, Tenn.
38111. What Solution Does God's
Word Give Us?
Second Class Postage Paid at Relevant at this point are a number of passages of
Memphis, Tennessee. Scripture. Among these are: John 17:1-21; Ephesians
4:1-6; Romans 12:4-5; I Corinthians 12:12-13; John
8:32; Acts 2:41-47; I John 1:4-7. Also relevant are such
passages as Ephesians 2:13-16, which sets out the fact
Thomas B. Warren, PhD. that reconciliation unto God is in the one body (the
Editor church) of Christ; Romans 6:3-5, which teaches that
Rubel Shelly men are baptized into Christ; and Galatians 3:26-27,
Associate Editor which teaches that men become sons of God when they
are baptized into Christ.
In the light of these, and other passages of Scripture,
I conclude: (1) that acceptable unity is attained by
RATES FOR persons being born again, into the family of God (the
ADDITIONAL COPIES church), and (2) that this unity is maintained by
"walking in the light" of God's word- that is, by living
in harmony with the Lord's instructions for the Christ-
100 copies. . . . 35.00
ian life.
50 copies. . . . 20.00
25 copies. . . . 12.00 This Unity is Attained
Less than by the New Birth
25 copies ... .60 ea.
When men obey the gospel plan of salvation, they are
Note: A check must "born again" into the family of God; they become
accompany your order. "children" or "sons" of God. AH persons in a family are
Mail orders to Spiritual united by virtue of their birth by virtue of a common
Sword, c/o G e t w e l l ancestry. All who are born into the same family partake
of the same nature. It is true that the members of a
Church of Christ, 1511 family may grow apart. But this fact should not be
Getwell Road, Memphis, viewed as detracting from the fact that men do attain
Tennessee 38111. unto a peculiar (and privileged) relationship to God
when they are "born again." And when this occurs, such
Additional copies of pre- men also attain unto a peculiar relationship to one
vious issues of the Spiritual another. One is "born again" (John 3:3) when he is
Sword are available through
Getwell Church of Christ. "born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). To be "born
Themes for Volume I are: of water and the Spirit" is to be baptized in water as the
Number 1 —"The Gospel means appointed by the Holy Spirit in His Word (the
Verses Liberalism", Number Gospel) for the new birth. Note carefully these passages:
2—"The Inspiration of the
Bible", Number 3—"Jesus
John 3:1-5; Acts 8:26-40; Acts 10:47-48; Ephesians
Christ the Son of God " (Continued on Page 4)
 WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
GUY N. WOODS

In a remarkable response to the fisher- translations, is the rendering of the Greek

man disciple's unqualified acknowledgment word ecclesia (pronounced ek' la si a), from
of his deity, our Lord said to Peter, ek, signifying "out of," and kaleoo, "to
"Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for call." thus, literally, to "call out." It is
flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto used in the New Testament to designate
thee, but my Father which is in heaven. that body of people which, in full and free
And I say also unto thee, That thou art response to the preaching of Jesus as Lord
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my believed his word and obeyed his will. The
church: and the gates of hell shall not steps particularly taken in this response to
prevail against it-" (Matt. 16:17,18.) The him are faith (John 8:24); repentance
chronicle of the events occurring on the (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38); confession (Rom
day the Christian Dispensation began—the 10:9,10; Acts 8:37); and, baptism in water
first Pentecost following the resurrection for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Those
includes these words: "And the Lord who thus did were (a) saved (Mark
16:15,16); (b) added to the church (Acts
added to the church daily such as should
2:47) and (c) made partakers of a divine
be saved." (Acts'2:47.)
fellowship (Acts 2:42-47.) Thenceforth
We thus learn that the Christ, in "the
those united in this fashion enjoyed a
coasts of Caesarea Philippi," announced to
warm and intimate association in the
the disciples generally and to Peter parti-
family of God, having become partakers of
cularly plans for the establishment of his
the divine nature. (II Peter 1:4).
church; and, Luke, its earliest inspired
historian, supplies us with ample evidence
of the implementation of this purpose. The WHAT IS THE CHURCH IN ITS
church of the New Testament became a PRACTICAL ASPECTS?
reality on that eventful feast day, and
references to it abound in Acts and in the A broad and comprehensive concept of
Epistles. (Acts 5: 11; 9:31; I Cor. 7:17; Gal. the church of our Lord will include and
1:2; I Thess. 1:1; Rev. 1:20.) Perpetuated embrace much more than is involved in the
by the preaching of the word of truth—the lexical significance of the term which
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ—in the first denotes it; such must include its character,
century, its continued existence, in our day its purpose, and its relationship both to
on the same basis, is a matter of simple Christ and to the world, as evidenced in its
logic. work and activities described in detail in
the Inspired Writings. What is the church as
WHAT IS THE CHURCH? thus contemplated?
The church is a body of baptized
The word "Church," in our English believers, called out from the world, over
*Guy N, Woods, internationally known evangelist is constantly engaged in conducting gospel meetings
all over the United States, has had more than one hundred public debates on religious issues, a member
of the bar in both Texas and Tennessee; staff writer, GOSPEL ADVOCATE; author of a number of
books, including two commentaries on the New Testament; writer of adult quarterly for GOSPEL
ADVOCATE study series.
Page 2

which Christ reigns as head, and in which not added to the church. (Acts 2:47; Matt.
the Holy Spirit dwells. 18:3.)
The church is a body of baptized
(1) The church is "a body...." As a believers. The membership of the church of
body, it is a life-possessing organism, con- which we read in the Bible consisted of
sisting of "members," (all true followers of believers, though not all believers were on
Christ, I Cor. 12:27), and "a head," (the its roll-only those believers which had
Lord, himself, Eph. 1:22). There is but been baptized.' "Then they that gladly
"one body," (Eph. 4:4), as there can be received his word were baptized; and the
but one "head," ("even Christ") (Eph. same day there were added unto them
4:15). It must, therefore, be obvious that a about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41.)
multiplicity of heads for the one body; or, Those who "gladly received his word,"
a variety of bodies for the one head would were believers; these were added to the
render monstrous the divine organism. Let church, not because they were believers,
the reader, for a moment, visualize one but because they were baptized. Believers
head to which is attached many bodies; or who refuse baptism place themselves out-
one body to which is appended many side the category of those approved: "and
heads, and the grotesque denominational all the people that heard him, and the
concept will be realized. Such a view publicans, justified God, being baptized
opposes both Scripture and our sense of with the baptism of John. But the Phari-
the fitness of things. sees and lawyers rejected the counsel of
(2) The church is a body "of baptized God against themselves, being not baptized
believers...." It is certain that the member- of him." (Luke 7:29,30.) "Even so faith, if
ship of the apostolic church consisted of it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
believers only. "And believers were the (James 2:17.) The Lord adds to the church
more added to the Lord, multitudes both those whom he saves, i.e., in the process of
of men and women." (Acts 5:14.) The saving the Lord also adds to his church.
phrase, "added to the Lord," signifies the (Matt. 16:18.) Those who are saved are
same act as that indicated in the words, those who believe and are baptized: "He
"added to the church." (Acts 2:47), inas- that believeth and is baptized shall be
much as the church is the spiritual body of saved," (Mark 16:16); therefore, the Lord
Christ: "And hath put all things under his adds to the church only those who believe
feet, and gave him to be the head over all and are baptized. Only baptized believers
things to the church, which is his body, the are members of Christ's church.
fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Eph. (3) The church is a body of baptized
1:22,23.) Luke, author of Acts, asserts that believers, "called out;" and this calling
those who were added were "believers," accomplished by the gospel, (II Thess.
and "men and women,"—exclude infants. 2:14), is a summons to those of the world
No babies were in the membership of the to separate themselves from it, and its
church about which we read in the New affairs, and to exhibit in life and disposi-
Testament. Babies are neither "believers," tion this fact. Christians are not of the
nor are they "men and women;" "be- world (John 15:19); and they must neither
l ie ve rs ," including both "men and love it (I John 2:15); nor have fellowship
women," constituted the roll of the early with it (Eph. 5.11). They must, indeed
church; therefore, there were no babies on ever keep themselves apart from it to enjoy
the roll of the church of the New Testa- the Lord's approbation: "Wherefore come
ment period. Never having been lost, in- out from among them, and be ye separate,
fants do not need to be saved; and are thus saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean
 Page 3

thing; and I will receive you, and will be a tion of the promise, the Spirit came, and
Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons infused life into what was thenceforth to
and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." be a living, vitalizing body with Christ as its
(II Cor. 6:17,18) head. This is "the household of God,"
(4) The church is a body of baptized which is "built upon the foundation of the
believers, called out from the world, "over apostles and prophets," and in which we of
which Christ reigns as head..." This rela- our day are privileged to enjoy the high
tionship of our Lord to "the body," which honor of being "builded together for an
is the church, was more than once affirmed habitation of God through the Spirit."
by inspiration. (Eph. 1:21-23; Col. 1:18.) (Eph. 2:19-22.)
This, indeed prompted Paul to offer this
relationship of headship in evidence as a What Then, Is The Church?
part of a premise on which he argues
Christ's preeminence. "For by him were all The church is (a) a body; (b) the church
things created....And he is before all things, is a body of baptized believers; (c) the
and by him all things consist: And he is the church is a body of baptized believers
head of the body, the church: who is the called out from the world; (d) the church is
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; a body of baptized believers called out
that in ail things he might have the from the world over which Christ reigns as
preeminence. For it pleased the Father that head; (e) the church is a body of baptized
in him should all fulness dwell." (Col believers called out from the world over
1:16-19.) Being the head of the body, the which Christ reigns as head and in which
church, it is of course his divine prerogative the Holy Spirit dwells.
to direct its affairs, provide its laws and
enforce them. These rights have never been From GOSPEL ADVOCATE, December 3,
delegated to any synod, conference, con- 1964. Used by permission of author and
vention, or council of men. Those who publisher.
presume to exercise such powers are in
'usurpation' of divine authority and in
rebellion to his will. QUESTIONS FOR CLASS STUDY
(5) The church is a body of baptized
believers, called out from the world, over 1. Discuss the relation of the establishment of
which Christ reigns as head, "and in which the church on the day of Pentecost to the
the Holy Spirit dwells." On the day of the question of what the church is.
establishment of the church and the be- 2. Discuss the relationship between Matthew
ginning of the Christian dispensation, an 16:16-18; Acts 2:41,47; I Cor. 12:13; Ephesians
event occurring on the first Pentecost 4:4-6.
following our Lord's resurrection from the 3. What does the word "church" mean?
tomb, the Holy Spirit came, in baptismal 4. Discuss the church in its material aspects.
measure, in fulfillment of a promise the 5. Discuss the point of the church's being a
Saviour made shortly before his ascension "body of baptized believers."
to heaven. In an address to his apostles in 6. Discuss the significance of "called out of the
the interval between his death and his world."
return to heaven he said to his little band: 7. Discuss the meaning of the expression "and in
"Ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit which the Holy Spirit dwells." Does the Holy
not many days hence." (Acts 1:5.) While Spirit dwell in us separate and apart from, or
assembled "with one accord" in Jerusalem independent of, the Word of God?
in patient, watchful waiting for the realiza-
Page 4

THE CHURCH-..(Con't from front cover) age acting out of harmony with God's will.
5:26; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:264:6.
According to this latter passage, by means Can We Have This Unity Today?
of the gospel ("the faith"), we become
"sons of God" (and thus "born again," Because we have the same "seed" (the
into the family of God). This occurs when word, Luke 8:11) as that "sown" (preach-
we enter Christ. We enter Christ when we ed) by the inspired Apostles and prophets
are baptized in obedience to the Gospel (II Peter 1:20,21; Ephesians 3:5; I
(Cf.: Romans 6:3-5). From the "grave" of Timothy 3:16-17),. we have the same
baptism, we arise to "walk in newness"- power (to save) available to us; that is, we
that is, in the state of having been "born have the Gospel, God's power to save
again." Thus Paul teaches us that by one (Romans 1:16,17). Because we have that
Spirit were "we all baptized into one same power, we have the same power to
body" (I Corinthians 12:13)-the church, attain and maintain unity as did those of
the "house" or family of God (I Timothy the first century (Acts 2:14-47)!
3:14,15).
When the "seed" of human religious
There is no other way to attain unity doctrine is sown in the hearts of men and is
than by obeying the truth (1 Peter believed and obeyed, those who thus obey
1:22-25). became something other than sons of God.
For example, let us suppose that in the one
This Unity Maintained by
building Minister X preaches "Pentecostal"
"Walking in the Light"
doctrine to those assembled and that in
Relevant to the question of maintaining another building Minister Y preaches
unity, after it is attained, is the following "Jehovah's Witness" doctrine. Thus, (since
passage: "If we say that we have fellowship both of these groups preach false doc-
with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and trines) they do not attain unto unity either
do not the truth: But if we walk in the with one another or with true sons of God
light, as he is in the light, we have (members of the Lord's church) by be-
fellowship one with another, and the blood lieving and obeying such doctrines.
of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from However, every person (without excep-
all sin" (I John 1:6-7). tion) who believes and obeys the true
Thus, it is clear that those sons of God Gospel of Christ enters the same body
who "walk in the light" (live in harmony that is, ail of them are added by the Lord
with the Gospel, Philippians 1:27) have Himself to the church for which He died
fellowship one with another. This means (Cf.: I Corinthians 12:13, Acts 2:36-47).
that they thus maintain the unity which Further, every child of God who walks in
they attained in the new birth. Further, to the light of God's word (lives in harmony
say that sons of God can maintain fellow- with the Gospel) has true fellowship
ship ("walk in the light") while they (or at ("unity") with every other baptized be-
least some of them) "walk in the darkness" liever who thus walks (I John 1:7).
(live according to false doctrine) is to lie May God help us to never "give ground"
and do not the truth. Faithful sons of God or compromise on this vital matter of unity
are to "mark" those who believe and live and fellowship, for God is concerned about
by false doctrine (Romans 16:17,18) and unity—deeply and vitally concerned about
are to do nothing which would indicate it. Let us act in harmony with that
approval of "going beyond" the word (II concern. Let us by both speech and deed
John 9-11). Children of God are never to uphold scriptural unity and condemn un-
speak or act in such fashion as to encour- scriptural division.
 Page 5

THE CHURCH IS UNDENOMINATIONAL

THOMAS B. WARREN

What is Unity people, and (4) the fact that there are
"Unity" is not attained by merely millions of people who seem to regard their
"agreeing to disagree." Rather, unity own views more highly than they do the
means "oneness, a state of being one." But Gospel of Christ.
it may be the case that the meaning of
unity can best be explained by the explica- Is This Situation
tion of how unity is attained. Acceptable to God?

Present Day Situation Among Those Denominationalism is not pleasing to

Professing to Follow Christ God! To set out evidence for this claim, 1
will do four things: (1) show that division
Presently in our world there are millions is condemned, (2) show that false doctrine
of people who profess to be followers of is condemned, (3) show that false teachers
Jesus Christ but who yet are divided into are to be rejected, and (4) show that unity
hundreds of denominations, with each of is upheld.
these denominations bearing a name which
is different from the name worn by every Division is Condemned
other denomination. Each denomination
espouses, teaches, and practices at least The Bible plainly teaches that the unity
some doctrine different from that believed, of God's people is upheld and that division
taught, and practiced by every other de- is condemned. After identifying the church
nomination. as being the body (Ephesians 1:22,23; Cf.:
Colossians 1:18), Paul says, "There is one
What Are The Causes of This Situation body..." (Ephesians 4:4). Thus, there is
only one church which has God's approval.
Generally, and basically, the cause of This one church is a vital element in the
this situation is the rejection of Christ's eternal purpose of God (Ephesians 3; 10;
authority. One rejects his authority by Cf.: Isaiah 2:1-4; Daniel 2:44; Jeremiah
rejecting his word, the Gospel. More speci- 31:31-34). The church was purchased by
fically, this state of confusion has been the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). There-
brought about by a number of things: (1) fore, every religious institution which has
the view that doctrine is simply not very come into existence as a result of the ideas,
important. (2) the fact that millions of plans, and actions of men are in competi-
people have a higher regard for the views of tion with that one church. No mere man
human ancestors than they do for the has been given authority to start a church
doctrine of Jesus Christ, (3) the fact that of his own. Jesus said, "Every plant which
many people are impressed by the views my heavenly Father planteth not shall be
that are widely held by multitudes of rooted up" (Matthew 15:13). The psalmist
"Thomas B. Warren, Ph.D. (Vanderbilt Univ.); Chairman, Department of Bible; Freed-Hardeman College;
Henderson, Tennessee; Staff writer, GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Page 6

said, "Except Jehovah build a house, they 4:1-5), those who teach "fables" (II
labor in vain that build it" (Psalms 127:1). Timothy 4:1-5), "false prophets who come
Paul strongly condemned division when to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are
he said, "Now I beseech you, brethren, ravening wolves" (Matthew 5:15), "false
through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, apostles, deceitful workers" who try to
that ye all speak the same thing, and that make themselves appear to be "apostles of
there be no divisions among you; but that Christ" but who are really "ministers" of
ye be perfected together in the same mind Satan (II Corinthians 11:13-15), those who
and in the same judgment" (I Corinthians do not walk by the same rule (the Gospel),
1:10). Among the "works of the flesh" thus, who are enemies of the cross of
listed by Paul are "factions, divisions, Christ and "whose end is perdition"
parties (heresies)..." (Galatians 5:20). (Philippians 3:15-19). John commends
Further Paul said, "Now I beseech you, those who could "not bear evil men" and
brethren, mark them that are causing the who tried "them who call themselves
divisions and the occasions of stumbling, apostles and they are not" (Revelation
contrary to the doctrine which you learn- 2:2). Paul and Jesus both taught that those
ed: and turn away from them. For they who believe a lie (false doctrine) will be
that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but damned (II Thessalonians 2:8-12; Mark
their own belly; and by their smooth and 16:15,16). God's people are to "stand fast
fair speech they beguile the hearts of the
in the faith" (I Corinthians 16:13), to
innocent" (Romans 16:17,18). Thus it is
"contend earnestly for the faith" (Jude 3),
clear that Paul taught that we should mark
to be "set for the defense of the Gospel"
and turn away from those who cause
(Philippians 1:16), to be ready always "to
divisions, contrary to the Gospel.
give answer" concerning the hope we have
The Apostle John said, "Whosoever (I Peter 3:15). In order to be free (from
goeth onward and abideth not in the sin) we must both know and walk in the
teaching of Christ, hath not God: He that truth (John 8:32; II John 1-4). All religious
abideth in the teaching, the same hath both teachers are to be tested in the light of the
the Father and the Son. If anyone cometh Scriptures (I John 4:1; Acts 17:11) be-
unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, cause many such teachers are false teach-
receive him not into your house, and give ers. After a first and second admonition,
him no greeting: for he that giveth him factious men (heretics, purveyors of false
greeting partaketh in his evil works" (II doctrine) are to be refused (Titus 3:10,11).
John 9-11). No one can be a faithful child
of God while he gives approval to any Unity Is Upheld
teacher of false doctrine.
The Bible warns against: "false pro- In the Bible unity is upheld by both
phets" (Matthew 24:24-26). "Grievous precept and figure.
wolves" who speak "perverse things" (Acts The apostle Paul urged the brethren at
20:29,30), "false apostles" (II Corinthians Corinth that they should all "speak the
11:13-15), those who by "slight of men, in same thing" (I Corinthians 1:10). Jesus
craftiness" seek to carry men about by prayed to the Father that He would keep
"every wind of doctrine" after the "wiles His disciples (members of His church) "in
of error" (Ephesians 4:14), those who thy name" in order "that they may be
"pervert the gospel" (Galatians 1:6-9), one" even as He (Jesus) and the Father are
"false prophets" who bring in "destructive one (John 17:11-21). Jesus said, "Ye shall
heresies" (II Peter 2.1), those who teach know the truth, and the truth shall make
"the doctrine of demons" (I Timothy you free." All who learn and obey the
 Page 7

truth will be truly united. Peter said, The unity of God's people is also upheld
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in by the use of various "figures."
obedience to the truth...having been be- In I Timothy 3:14,15, the church is
gotten again, not of corruptible seed, but referred to as the "house" of God. Thus we
of incorruptible, through the word of see that the church is God's family; that is,
God..." (I Peter 1:22,23). In Matthew 16 the church is the body of people who have
we have the record of the apostle Peter's been "born again" into God's family (John
confessing that Jesus was the Christ the 3:3-5) and therefore have become "sons of
Son of God. In reference to that truth, God" (Galatians 3:26,27). Since God has
Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my but one family, and since the family is the
church" (Matthew 16:18). Jesus said, "My church, it is clear that God approves of but
c-h-u-r-c-h"-not "my c-h-u-r-c-h-e-s"! Paul one church!
said, "There is one body"-that is, one In looking forward to the establishment
church! of His church, Jesus said, "...they shall
Although there were many individual become one flock, one shepherd" (John
members of the church, the apostle Paul 10:16). There is one—and only one—
taught that there is only one body (I shepherd (the Lord Jesus Christ), and there
Corinthians 12:12). Further, Paul stated is one—and only one—flock (the church).
that all (obedient ones) were baptized into Paul refers to the church as a body and
one body (I Corinthians 12:13). It must be asserts that even though there is a multipli-
noted that all of the apostles and all city of members, there is one—and only
faithful preachers preach the Gospel of one-body (I Corinthians 12:12-14;
Christ (Romans 1:16,17; Galatians 1:6-9) Romans 12:4,5). Jesus is the head; the
and that all who heard, believed, and church is the body. There is one head and
obeyed that Gospel were baptized into one one body. It would be ridiculous to con-
and the same body (I Corinthians 12:13). tend that there are many heads (Christs) for
Thus, by learning and obeying the truth, the one body. Also, it would be ridiculous
one can be certain that he is a member of to contend that there are many bodies
the church for which Jesus died (Acts (churches) for the one head (Christ).
2:41-47). The Bible thus clearly teaches The passages set out above make it clear
that men can learn and "walk in" the that there is one—and only one—church!
truth, for the early disciples did so (Acts Men should be satisfied with God's way
2:42-46; 4:4,32; 5:42; 6:7). If this were and stop trying to substitute their own
not the case, there would have been no plans for the plan of God by such devices
sense to his giving warnings against false as the inventing, establishing, and maintain-
teachers. Every member of the church had ing of the denominations. The church is
been obedient to the same doctrine—the neither a denomination nor a combination
Gospel of Christ, "the faith." (Ephesians of denominations.
4:4-6)! The apostle Paul said, "There is one
Unity is not only desirable but is neces-
body, and one spirit,...one hope of your
sary if those involved are to be pleasing to
calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
God.
one God..." (Ephesians 4:4-6). There is no
(One should see the Editorial of this
authority whatever in the Bible for saying,
issue for a discussion of the solution which
"There are many Gods and one is as good
the Bible sets out as to how men can attain
as another." Neither is there any authority
unto an acceptable unity.)
whatever for saying, "There are many
churches (bodies) and one is as good as
another."
Page 8

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS STUDY shalt call his name Jesus; for it is he that
shall save his people from their sins," Mt.
1. Describe the present-day religious situation. 1:21. John the baptizer said, "Behold, the
2. Designate the causes of the situation. Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of
3. Discuss each of these causes. the world!" (Jno. 1:29). The Samaritans
4. Discuss thoroughly the fact that division (of a said to the woman, "Now we believe, not
certain sect) is condemned. because of thy speaking: for we have heard
5. Discuss thoroughly the fact that unity is for ourselves, and know that this is indeed
upheld by the Bible. the Saviour of the world," Jno. 1:42. "For
the Son of man came to seek and to save
that which was lost," Lk. 19:10.
The word "Jesus" means "saviour." The
Lord came to save. He came to save men
from sin. He came to deal with the
problem of human sins—completely, effec-
tively, thoroughly. He gave himself for our
THE CHURCH IS sins "...that he might deliver us out of this
present evil world...," Gal. 1:4. He gave
THE SAVED himself for us "...that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
ROY DEAVER people for his own possession, zealous of
good works," Titus 2:14.
In Ephesians 5:23 the divine record To save men from sin the Lord had to
says, "For the husband is the head of the save men from all the component parts of
wife, as Christ also is the head of the (or aspects of) sin. If there are three basic
church, being himself the saviour of the aspects of sin, and if the Lord failed to
body." deliver men from either of these—then the
Thus Paul clearly and forcefully affirms salvation would not be complete.
(1) That the husband is the head of the In the light of the Bible's teaching on
wife; (2) that Christ is the head of the the subject of sin we suggest that there are
church; (3) that the relationship of the three basic aspects: (1) the guilt of sin, (2)
Christ (as head) to the church is as the the practice of sin, and (3) the "other"
relationship of the husband (as head) to tragic consequences of sin-condemnation,
the wife; (4) that the Christ is Saviour; and death, and hopelessness. The Lord delivers
(5) that that of which He is the saviour is from the guilt of sin by the shedding of His
the body. blood, Heb. 9:22; Heb. 10:10. He delivers
In the present study we are especially from the practice of sin (1) by the marvel-
concerned about points four and five. ous example which He set for us; (2) by
Since this reading declares that the Christ is the divine rule book which he gave to us;
the saviour of the body, it seems to be a and (3) by the Holy Spirit whom He gives
passage especially pertinent to the proposi- to those who obey Him. He delivers from
tion that "The Church Is the Saved." the "other" tragic consequences of sin:
condemnation, death, and hopelessness. He
Christ Is The Saviour delivers from condemnation (Rom. 8:1) by
making it possible for us to have the
The angel said to Joseph, "...and thou continued approval of the heavenly Father
*Roy Deaver, Director of Brown Trail School of Preaching, Hurst, Texas. Gospel Preacher; in demand
as speaker on college lectureships and gospel meetings.
 Page 9

(II Tim. 2:15; I Jno. 1:7). He delivers us points: (1) the fact of it, (2) the condition
from death and the related fears by giving of it, and (3) the locations of it. We have
us assurance that on one day "...all that are quoted from the American Standard Ver-
in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall sion, which correctly follows the Greek
come forth...," Jno. 5:28,29. He delivers us text. Verse 15 does not say "that whoso-
from hopelessness by giving us wonderful ever believeth in him..." Rather, it says
hope, blessed hope. We are saved by hope "that whosoever believeth-may- in him-
(Rom. 8:24) and which hope we have "...as have eternal life." "In him" is the preposi-
an anchor of the soul, both sure and tion "en" used with the locative case, the
steadfast and entering into that which is case of location. "Eternal life" is located
within the veil...," Heb. 6:19. "in him."
If salvation is in him, and if redemption
Salvation Is In Him is in him, and if eternal life is in him—then
we must be concerned about how to get
The Bible plainly teaches that salvation into him. There are two New Testament
is located in Jesus Christ. In II Tim. 2:10 passages which deal simply and specifically
Paul says, "Therefore I endure all things with this point: Rom. 6:3,4 and Gal.
for the elect's sake, that they also may 3:26,27. Each of these states in language
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus too plain to be misunderstood that one is
with eternal glory." According to Eph. 1:3 "baptized into Christ."
spiritual blessings are to be experienced "in Those in Christ are those who have
Christ." Paul says, "Blessed be the God and salvation, redemption, forgiveness, eternal
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath life. Those in Christ are the saved; the
blessed us with every spiritual blessing in saved are those in Christ.
the heavenly places in Christ..." In verse 6
of Eph. 1 Paul refers to Christ as "the The Saved Are in the Body
Beloved," and then says: "in whom we
have our redemption through his blood, The church of our Lord, in the aggre-
the forgiveness of our trespasses, according gate sense, is called the "body" of Christ.
to the riches of his grace..." Clearly, it is in The local congregation is never called the
Christ that we have our redemption. We "body," but the universal church of the
should note also that verse 7 shows that it Lord is his spiritual body. God "put all
is in Christ that one has forgiveness of sins: things under his feet and gave him to be
"in whom we have our redemption through head over all things to the church, which is
his blood, the forgiveness of our tres- his body, the fulness of him that filleth all
passes..." in all," Eph. 1:22,23. In Col. 1:18 Paul
In this connection, in John 3:14 we says, "And he is the head of the body, the
have a most remarkable statement. The church:..." According to Eph. 5:30 christ-
Lord said, "And as Moses lifted up the ians are "members of his body." Each
serpent in the wilderness, even so must the individual christian is obligated to function
Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever for the benefit of the whole body, Eph.
believeth may in him have eternal life." In 4:16. The body is one and "hath many
this statement the Lord (1) made reference members," I Cor. 12:12.
to an Old Testament illustration, (2) The saved are "in Christ." To be in
showed clearly the application of that Christ is to be in his spiritual body. Thus,
illustration, and (3) set forth some definite the saved are in the body.
information about eternal life. With regard The Saved Are in the Church
to "eternal life" we have three specific As noted already, the body is the
Page 10

church, and the church is the body. If the Salvation is specifically located in him, and
saved are "in Christ," and if to be in Christ it is necessary—therefore— that one be in
is to be in his body, and if his body is the him in order to experience salvation. But,
church-then the saved are in the church. to be in him is to be in his spiritual body,
In connection with one's coming to be a which is the church of our Lord. The
part of the Lord's church the New Testa- saved, therefore, are in the church. The
ment in several instances uses the word saved—all the saved, and only the saved-
"added." In Acts 2:41 we have: "They (in the sense explained above)-are added
then that received his word were baptized: by the Lord to the church. There is no
and there were added unto them in that saved person outside the church. What it
day about three thousand souls." In Acts takes to save a person, it takes to put him
2:47 we have:'"And the Lord added to in the church. The church of our Lord is
them day by day those that were saved." the "family" of God, I Tim. 3:15. Those in
Literally, this verse should read: "And the the family are the family; those in the
Lord kept on adding to them the people church are the church. The saved are the
who were being saved." In Acts 5:14 the church, and the church is the saved.
record says, "...and believers were the more
added to the Lord, multitudes both of men
and women..." This verse also involves QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
continuous action. Acts 11:24 says, "...and
much people was added unto the Lord." 1. What five specific points are clearly involved
The word "added" is the translation of in E ph .5 :2 3 ?
the original word "prostithimi." "Pros" 2. In the present study we are concerned es-
means "to" and "tithimi" means "to set"; pecially about which of these points?
hence, the meaning is "to set to." The idea 3. What is the meaning of the name "Jesus"?
is that one thing is "set to" another, or 4. Saving men from sin would necessarily involve
that certain things are "set to" each other. what?
These verses make it clear that those 5. What are the three aspects of sin? How does
who are being saved (Acts 2:47) are added the Lord save from each?
to the church, and that all those who are 6. What is the significance of Jno. 3:14 with
being saved are added to the church, and regard to the location of salvation?
that only those who are being saved are 7. How is the Lord's church sometimes referred
added to the church. When the adding is to?
completed, the being saved is completed 8. What does the Lord do with the saved?
(Acts 2:47, ERV). There are no saved 9. How can it be said that the saved are in the
persons outside the Lord's church. church and that the saved are the church?
Those who are in the church constitute 10. What is the basic message of this study?
the saved; those who are saved constitute
the church. But, how can it be said that the
saved are in the body and that the saved
are the body? that the saved are in the
church and that the saved are the church?
Answer: in the same way that it can be said
that the members of a family are in the
family and that they are that family.

Conclusion
Jesus Christ is the Saviour of mankind.
 Page 11

all the people according to the law, he took

the blood of calves and goats, with water,
and scarlet wool, and hysop, and sprinkled
THE CHURCH IS THE both the book and all the people, saying,
This is the blood of the testament which
BLOOD PURCHASED God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he
sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle
and all the vessels of the ministry, and
ELVIS H. HUFFARD almost all things by the law are purged
with blood and without the shedding of
This study is very important and timely blood is no remission of sins."4
for several reasons. Theologians for the As the first covenant was sealed by the
past several years have been making efforts blood of animals the New Covenant was
to eliminate the blood of Christ from sealed by more precious blood, the blood
man's need of coming to God and some of Jesus. "But Christ being come an high
even look upon the blood as repulsive. priest of good things to come, by a greater
Many endeavor to separate the church and more perfect tabernacle, not made
from salvation saying that the church has with hands, that is to say, not of this
nothing to do with salvation. In their building; Neither by the blood of goats and
conversations they pit the church against calves, but by his own blood he entered
Christ. Within the church of Christ there into the holy place, having obtained eternal
are some who in one way or another will redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls
infer that the church is just another de- and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer
nomination. Such attitudes are not com- sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the
patible with the teachings of the Holy purifying of the flesh; How much more
Scriptures as this study will endeavor to shall the blood of Christ, who through the
prove. eternal Spirit offered himself without spot
to God, purge your conscience from dead
Blood In The Scheme of Redemption works to serve the living God? And for this
cause he is the mediator of the new
Since man sinned in the Garden of testament, that by means of death, for the
Eden, God has required the shedding of redemption of the transgressions that were
blood for the atonement for sin "By faith under the first testament, they which are
Abel offered unto God a more excellent called might receive the promise of eternal
sacrifice than Cain."1 "Faith cometh by inheritance. For where a testament is there
hearing,"2 therefore, God must have com- must also of necessity be the death of a
manded the animal sacrifice that contained testator."5
the necessary blood for Abel's sacrifice to Man sinned against God and God had to
be acceptable to God by faith. The first be and deserved to be satisfied. Man may
thing Noah did after he came out of the design better ways in his own thinking for
ark was offer a burnt-offering.3 The patri- reconciliation, but God chose to be satis-
archal age was marked by blood sacrifices fied by blood sacrifices and eventually the
by those desiring to please God. blood of Jesus.6 Our responsibility is not
The Old Covenant under Moses was to question this plan, but to accept it if we
dedicated by the blood of animals. "For want God to be satisfied with us.
when Moses had spoken every precept to
*Elvis H. Huffard, M.A. (Trinity Univ.); Dean of Students and Instructor in Bible, Freed-Hardeman
College; soon to be minister in Sheffield, Alabama; has served tow tours of mission active in
Africa (Nigeria and Sierra Leone).
Page 12

The Individual is Bought With a Price told to repent and be baptized for the
"What? know ye not that your body is remission of sins.14 These people were
the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in saved when they obtained remission of
you, which ye have of God, and ye are not sins. The action that washes away man's
your own? For ye are bought with a price: sins also gains him entrance into the body
therefore glorify God in your body, and in of Christ. No special deeds are expected,
your spirits, which are God's."7 Each child but the Lord puts him where he wants him.
of God has been purchased by the blood of In a religious world where denomina-
Christ. This was the theme of the new song tionalism is prevalent the question is asked,
sung by the heavenly worshippers as Christ Which church does the Lord add people to
opened the book as they sang, "Thou art day by day? There was only one at the
worthy to take the book and to open the time Luke testified that the Lord added to
seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast it day by day. There was just one when
redeemed us to God by thy blood out of Paul wrote to the Ephesians when he said,
every kindred, and tongue, and people, and "There is one body."15 People performed
nation."8 one action, the one baptism,16 to gain
When does this cleansing that frees man entrance into Christ17 and the church.
from sin take place? In reply to a similar That one church still lives today and the
question asked by the elders, "What are Lord's actions are the same.
these which are arrayed in white robes?"
this answer was given: "These are they The Church Purchased by the Blood
which came out of great tribulation, and
have washed their robes and made them Paul met the elders from Ephesus at
white in the blood of the lamb."9 There is Miletus. He made an address to them
a washing away of sins in the process of discussing many important things. Included
obtaining salvation. Saul of Tarsus was in the discussion was this thought: "Take
told, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise heed unto yourselves and to all the flock,
and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you
calling on the name of the Lord."10 In overseers, to feed the church of God,
baptism a person is buried with Christ into which the Holy Ghost hath made you
his death where his blood was shed, and overseers, to feed the church of God,
then he is raised to walk in newness of life. Which he hath purchased with his own
In baptism there is an obeying of the form blood.""1 It has already been pointed out
of the death, burial, and resurrection of that the saved were added to the church by
Jesus, and in doing this one is free from sin the Lord as they obeyed the Lord in
and he then becomes a servant of right- baptism for the remission of sins. The
eousness. 12 church is composed of those who have
In some of the scriptures already pre- been purchased by the blood of Christ and
sented, the idea is expressed that an indi- in this way the entire church is purchased
vidual is purchased by the blood of Christ by the blood of Christ.
unto God. Therefore he is not his own, but Other New Testament quotations that
he belongs to God. What then immediately indicate this are "Who hath delivered us
happens to the saved person? Luke gives from the power of darkness, and hath
the answer by saying, "And the Lord translated us into the kingdom of his dear
added to the church daily such as should Son in whom we have redemption through
be saved."13 By noticing the events pre- his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."19
viously mentioned the people in reply to John said that those that were purchased
the question, "What must we do?" were by the blood of Christ from all nations
 Page 13

were made into a kingdom.20 anyone says that the church has nothing to
The question is asked, What church did do with salvation. Just think of the crime
he purchase with his blood? The same against the precious blood of Christ when
church is involved as the one the Lord people try to apply the purchase price
added the saved to day by day. Any church toward churches that are not identified
not in existence at the Day of Pentecost with Christ in name, but are named after
when 3000 were added unto them 21 men, doctrine, and movement; churches
would not qualify as the blood purchased that do not obey his commands; churches
church. He purchased only one. That one that do not observe his teachings; and
was established on the Day of Pentecost churches that worship him according to
when the Spirit descended.22 It has Christ their own wills. It was a great crime on the
as the head or authority.23 As people are part of those that had a part in shedding
saved by the blood in obeying the gospel the blood of the innocent one on the cross,
the Lord adds them today to the same one and so it is today when anyone treats so
that he added them to on the Day of lightly his blood by disregarding that which
Pentecost. his blood purchased.
Implied in the many passages studied is
that Christians are purchased by Christ for
Implications service unto God. Here are some specific
statements: Minds are purged from dead
The blood of Christ which was shed in works to serve the living God. Glorify God
his death purchased the church. This makes in your body and in your spirit. By letting
it holy and sacred. He loved the church and the elders of Ephesus know the purchase
gave himself for it, and we are members of price of the church Paul expected them to
that body. When people despised or set at be inspired to do their part by feeding the
naught Moses' law they did without mercy flock. John encouraged the saints by let-
under two or three witnesses.24 Now look ting them know that the victorious ones
at the application. "Of how much sorer were able to endure because of the blood
punishment, suppose ye, shall he be of the lamb and because of the word of
thought worthy, who hath trodden under their testimony.
foot the Son of God, and hath counted the Further let it be suggested that the
blood of the covenant, wherewith he was purchased church was not purchased just
sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done to be as a social club, but it has business
despite unto the Spirit of grace?"25 The second to none-saving souls. Members of
church dedicated and sanctified by the the purchased body should realize that the
blood just as the covenant must be recog- Great Commission must be carried out that
nized and respected. We honor the blood others might know of the great benefits of
by so doing, and we dishonor the blood the blood. The borders must expand yet at
when we fail to appreciate the body of the same time purity must be maintained
Christ. within the church for it is Christ's desire to
It is easily seen that some count the present it a glorious church without spot or
blood unholy when they have little regard wrinkle. 2 6
for the church of the Lord and see it as just Each should ask himself this question:
another denomination of no importance in "Am I by my attitudes toward the Lord's
God's scheme of redemption. Such say by church and my actions in the Lord's
their lack of respect for the church that the church showing the proper respect toward
blood was wasted in purchasing the church. the precious blood of Christ?"
Little respect is shown for the blood when
Page 14

REFERENCES QUESTIONS FOR STUDY

1. What three reasons did the author give for
1. Heb. 11:4 14. Acts 2:37,38 saying that this lesson was very timely?
2. Romans 10:17 15. Eph.4 :4 2. Relate how blood sacrifices were used in
3. Gen. 8:20 16. Eph. 4:5 developing the scheme of redemption for man.
4. Heb. 9:19-22 17. Gal. 3:27 3. How does man today obtain the benefits of
5. Heb.9:11-16 18. Acts 20:28 the blood of Christ in salvation?
6. Tit. 2:14; I Pet. 1:19 19. Col. 1:13,14 4. What does the Lord do with the saved person?
7. I Cor. 6:19-20 20. Rev. 5:10 ASV 5. In what way is the church purchased with the
8. Rev. 5:9 21. Acts 2:41 blood of Christ?
9. Rev. 7:12,13 22. Mark 8:1, 6. How can we dishonor the blood of Christ
10. Acts 22:16 Acts 1:8,2:1-4 today?
11. Rom. 6:1-4 23. Eph. 1:22,23 7. Why is it that denominational churches would
12. Rom. 6:17-18 24. Heb. 10:28 not qualify to be the church purchased with the
13. Acts 2:47 25. Heb. 10:29 blood of Christ?
26. Eph. 5:25-27 8. Name some implications of the fact that the
Christian is not his own.

THE BODY OF CHRIST

REEDER OLDHAM

As the books of the New Testament are the figure. In two other letters he tells us
topically arranged the figure of "the body" what it is. "And He is the head of the
is introduced in Romans 12:4-8. First body, the church."1 Grammatically, "the
Corinthians was doubtlessly written before church" is set in apposition to "the body."
Romans, chronologically speaking. There The meaning is clear, the church is equiva-
seems to be no misunderstanding the fact lent to the body.
that Paul is alluding to the human body in As if to remove any doubt whatsoever,
these passages in Romans, First Corinthians Paul further states, "Now I rejoice in my
and others to be introduced later. Since we sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my
are dealing with a "figure", the first ques- part that which is lacking of the afflictions
tion we logically ask is, "What does it of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake,
mean?" He is obviously using the human which is the church. "2 Here he has plainly
form to refer to something else. stated that the body is the church.
In both the above passages the writer
The Body and the Church has said that the body is the. church. As if
this is not enough, he also says, "And he
There is only one infallibly safe rule to put all things in subjection under his feet,
follow in seeking the answer to the ques- and gave him to be head over all things to
tion of what the body is. This rule is the church, which is his body."3 This
always, What do the scriptures say? should settle it for all time. He has ex-
Paul introduces the concept of the pressed it both ways. The church is the
"body" and is the chief, if not sole user of body and the body is the church.
'Reeder Oldham, M.A. (Murray State Univ.), Registrar and appointee to become Dean of
Students, Freed-Hardeman College; Minister, Church of Christ, Palmersville, Tennessee; instructs
regularly in teacher-training programs on college lectureships and congregational training efforts.
 Page 15

Many times you have been asked the "If Weymouth's translation is correct,
question, "To what church do you be- and the context appears to require it, then
long?" How many times have you been the idea is that the church complements or
asked, "What body are you a member of?" makes complete him who fills the entire
Wonder why the latter question is not universe. This is perhaps the greatest tri-
asked? Could it be that most know that bute which could be paid to the church-
Paul also said, "There is one body."4 Since something which is so essential to Christ,
the body is the church, he is in effect that he could not be complete without it!
saying there is one church. While Arndt-Gingrich, The Expositor's
To try to escape the force of this, some Greek Testament, and other scholars, lean
tried to argue that the different denomi- toward the idea that the term for 'fulness'
nations are but different "members" of the should be regarded as passive, the Exposi-
one body. No thoughtful person could so tor's Greek Testament does concede that if
contend. This is as absurd as saying that the term is to be regarded as active the
the various members of the human body 'idea is that the church is that which makes
are "separate bodies." "They are many Christ himself complete. A head, however
members, but one body. "5 perfect in itself, if it is without members, is
The concept of the body is one of something incomplete. So Christ, who is
unity. The very meaning of the word the head of the church, requires the church
"denominationalism" suggests just the op- to make his completeness, just as the
posite, division. Just as denominator means church which is his body requires him as
division in arithmetic; denomination the head' to make a complete and living
means division in religion. The New Testa- thing.
ment teaches one body, one church. "We know, of course, from other pass-
ages of scripture that the Divine Presence
The Body and Christ fills the church7, but that does not mean
that the church also is not the complement
"In speaking of the church as the body of Christ. Any one who is familiar with the
of Christ, Paul says that this body is "the teaching of the New Testament knows that
fullness of him that filleth all in all,"6 that Christ does not do his work of redemption
is, the body (church) is in some sense the and sanctification personally, but rather
'fulness' of Christ. Bible students are not through the church.8 It is the purpose of
agreed as to whether the original term for the church to reveal Christ to the world,
'fulness' should be regarded as being active and to continue his work which he began
or passive. One of the meanings of 'ful- while he was himself on the earth. It is,
ness', according to Arndt-Gingrich, is 'that indeed, a truth worthy of great emphasis
which makes something full or complete, that the gospel and the work of the church
supplement, complement,' and they recog- are but extensions of the personal ministry
nize the possibility that in its figurative of Christ; for it is through these channels
sense the church, as the body, is the that the glorious work continues.9
complement of Christ, who is the head. "To speak of the body of Christ, is a
Weymouth renders the passage under con- wonderful figure; and the practical mean-
sideration in these words, 'God put all ing is that what the members of his body
things under his feet, and has appointed were to him during the days of his flesh, so
him universal and supreme head of the the church is to him now. How could
church, which is his body, the complete- Christ have shown men what God is like
ness of him who everywhere fills the while he was among them, except by
universe with himself.' means of his body and its various members
Page 16

and faculties? And how could he have gone these words, "And Crispus, the ruler of the
about doing good and proving his love to synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his
the uttermost, without his body? It is a house; and many of the Corinthians hear-
great and solemn thought that now, after ing, believed, and were baptized."14
the Lord has returned to his Father, the Actually, this is nothing unusual at all. In
church, as his body, has entrusted to it a every case of conversion in Acts, reference
work which, apart from it, he lacks the is made to baptism. Someone may be
means to accomplish. The church is his asking about Crispus. Paul tells us about
co-worker, and he has honored her by him. "I baptized none of you, save Crispus
sharing with her the task of achieving the and Gaius..."15 It may be that the Lord
work which he came to do."10 There is anticipated that someone would ask that
one Head. There is one Body. question. Well, he was baptized just like all
the others!
The Body and Baptism What are the implications of all this? It
has been noted that to have the proper
It has been well established by the relationship to Christ, the Head, one must
scriptures that for one to have connection be in the body. Be it further noted that
with Christ, the Head, one must be in the "Christ also is the head of the church,
church, His body. This being the case, the being himself the saviour of the body."16
question of how one becomes a member of Since He saves the body it naturally
the body becomes one of great importance. follows that to be saved one must be in the
Again, it is to the scriptures we must body. Since baptism is "into" the body it
appeal. And again the answer comes ringing is clearly indicated that baptism is essential
back loud and clear. "For in one Spirit to salvation.
were we all baptized into one body."11 This is but another way of expressing
Please note that Paul uses the plural what Jesus has already said, "He that
pronoun "we." This includes him and the believeth and is baptized shall be saved."17
Corinthians to whom he is writing. In fact Still another way of saying the same
he says "we all." This makes it all thing is, "They then that received his word
inclusive. were baptized; and there were added unto
Since Paul is himself involved, let's take them in that day about three thousand
a look at his baptism. Before that time he souls."18 "And the Lord added to the
led the persecution of the church. On the church daily such as should be saved' 19
way to Damascus the Lord appeared to When one is scripturally baptized his
him. In answer to the question, "What shall sins are forgiven and he is added to the
I do." the Lord said, "Arise, and go into church (body).
Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of Baptism here can not refer to Holy
all things which are appointed for thee to Spirit baptism as some would claim. At this
do."12 He entered into the city and was time Paul says there is "one baptism."20
told one thing, "and now why tarriest This one baptism is water baptism because
thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash Paul baptized some of these Corinthians.
away thy sins, calling on his name."13 This Paul could not baptize in the Holy Spirit.
is the baptism Paul refers to as "into one Only the Lord could do this. The phrase
body." It is also interesting to note that in "in one Spirit" means to do that thing
being baptized his sins were washed away. under the guidance of the Spirit, as the
The "we" not only includes Paul, it Spirit moves and directs. The meaning of
includes the Corinthians also. The baptism the verse then is, under the guidance of one
of at least some of them is referred to in Spirit we were all baptized into the one
 Page 17

body, the church. and when they hurt other members of the
There is one body. There is one baptism church, they are hurting themselves."27
into that one body.
FOOTNOTES
The Body and Its Members
1. Colossians 1:18 (All ASV unless otherwise
There is no such thing as a "Jewish indicated.)
church" and "Gentile church." Christ came 2. Colossians 1:24 3. Ephesians 1:22,23
to remove walls and make both one.21 4. Ephesians 4:4 5. I Corinthians 12:20
There are not to be "Greek churches", 6. Ephesians 1:23 7. Ephesians 3:16-19
"Slave churches", "Free churches", "Male 8. Ephesians 3:20, 21 9. I Timothy 3:14,15
churches", "Female churches", "Churches 10. Annual Lesson Commentary on Bible School
of the Circumcision", "Churches of the Lessons, 1963, Gospel Advocate Co., Nashville,
Uncircumcision", "Barbarian churches", Tenn.
"Scythian churches", but "Christ is all, and 11. I Corinthians 12:13 12. Acts 22:10
in all."22 This eliminates the idea of a 13. Acts 22:16 14. Acts 18:8
"National church", a racially or socially 15. I Corinthians 1:14 16. Ephesians 5:23
segregated church. They are all "fellow- 17. Mark 16:16 18. Acts 2:41
heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and 19. Acts 2:47 (KJV) 20. Ephesians 4:5
fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ 21. Ephesians 2:11-22 22. Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11
Jesus through the gospel."23 "For there is 23. Ephesians 3:6 24. Rom. 10:12,13
no distinction between Jew and Greek: for 25. Acts 10, 11 26. Rom. 12:4-6
the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich 27. Teachers Annual Lesson Commentary on
unto all that call upon him: for, whosoever Bible School Lessons, 1951, Gospel Advocate
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall Company, Nashville, Tenn.
be saved."24 The Lord had to intervene to
convince even the apostles of this.25 We
have been all to slow in recognizing the QUESTIONS
"oneness" of the church in the Twentieth
Century. 1. What New Testament writer introduces the
On the other hand, there is diversity in figure of the body? Where? Do any others use it?
the church. "For even as we have many 2. What is ;he body? Give scriptural proof.
members in one body, and all the members 3. Discuss the relationship of the head and the
have not the same office; so we, who are body, Christ and the church.
many, are one body in Christ, and severally 4. How does one have contact with the Head,
members one of another. And having gifts Christ? What act places one in this relationship?
differing..."26 5. How many arguments can you introduce for
"There is a fable which says the hand the necessity of baptism?
got tired of carrying food to the mouth, so 6. What is the relationship of members of the
decided to go on strike. The hand did very church to each other?
well for a while, enjoying the rest from his 7. How is the concept of denominationalism
work. But soon he became weak, trembling contrary to the figure of the body?
at every move. He discovered that in 8. What do the scriptures say about national or
carrying food to the mouth he ministered racial churches?
to his own strength and happiness. So the 9. Explain the biblical idea of diversity in unity.
members of the Lord's body, the church, 10. Illustrate how members differ.
depend upon each other so that when they
serve others they are serving themselves;
Page 18

1. The FIRST is his BIRTH—Isaiah

THE CHURCH OF chapter 7, verse 14.
CHRIST— THE 2. The SECOND is his DEATH—Isaiah
chapter 53, verses 7-12.
KINGDOM OF THE 3. The THIRD is his BURIAL—Isaiah
KING OF KINGS 53, verses 7-12.
4. The FOURTH is his RESURREC-
E. R. HARPER
TION—Isaiah chapter 53, verse 10; Psalms
I have been invited to discuss the 16:8-11. Read Acts chapter 2, verses 24-28
kingdom of Christ as it relates to the for confirmation.
church, and to prove the prophecies relat- 5. The FIFTH is his ASCENSION—
ing to the kingdom have been fulfilled. I Psalms 24, verses 7-9; Daniel chapter 7,
shall approach it in this article from two verses 13-14.
vantage points only. The first is the "Pro- 6. The SIXTH is his CORONATION or
phetic Time Table for Fulfillment." The his being crowned as King—Daniel chapter
second is the "Pinpointed Time of its 7, verse 14.
Beginning." These two are unanswerable. All these were seen by the prophets and
My entire defense of the prophets is based foretold. Did they COME TO PASS?
upon this statement found in Deuterono-
my chapter 18, verse 22 where God said to Their Fulfillment
Moses, "When a prophet speaketh in the
name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, Remember these were prophecies relat-
nor COME TO PASS, THAT is the thing ing to the coming of Christ centuries
which the Lord hath NOT spoken, but the before he came. Did they come to pass, is
prophet hath spoken it PRESUMPTUOUS- the question. Or were these prophets pre-
LY: thou shalt not be afraid of him." This, sumptuous prophets?
by the premillennialists, brands every pro-
phet of God as a presumptuous prophet. The Fulfillment
The prophets, according to the premillen-
nialists, had to postpone the kingdom Draw a cross on your paper if you wish
promises to the second coming of the to see this in all its premillennial destruc-
Lord. The prophets did not prophecy the tive force for it is the death-knell of them
"postponement theory." They prophesied all. On the left side place these prophecies
the kingdom WOULD BE SET UP. just given. Place them at a time distance
according to the years each prophet spoke.
The Time Table of Prophecy Then nearer the cross place the TIME
TABLE FULFILLMENT of these pro-
It is my purpose here to prove that the phecies that began their fulfillment from
prophets only saw Christ to be on earth his birth to the cross, with his resurrection
thirty and three (33) years and return to and ascension after the cross.
God. If I can establish this TIME TABLE 1. His BIRTH—Matthew chapter 1 and
for Christ on EARTH, every argument any Luke chapter 2.
premillennialist may try to put forth is 2. His DEATH—Matthew, Mark, Luke,
defeated. You will have to read your Bible and John, the crucifixion chapters.
for this. I have only space to sight the 3. His BURIAL—same chapters.
scriptures. 4. His RESURRECTION—same chap
*E:. R. Harper, Gospel preacher: Highland Church of Christ; Abilene, Texas; former speaker over inter-
national radio broadcast, "Herald of Truth;" currently works in promotion of this program; author of
many books.
 Page 19

ters, adding Acts chapter 2, verse 23-28 would NOT ascend back to God in this
showing the fulfillment of Psalms chapter allotted time, but that he would, instead,
16, verses 8-11. Also read Acts chapter 8, live on earth away from God's right hand
verses 28-35 to establish the fulfillment of and reign in his flesh on David's literal
Isaiah chapter 53 as having been fulfilled in earthly throne for a thousand years or
Christ during the first century of Christian- more. In fact, I have never heard them set
ity. the "time table" for his duration on earth
5. His ASCENSION-Acts chapter 1, on David's throne at his first coming. No
verses 9-11. prophet could prophesy that he "WOULD"
6. His CORONATION'S fulfillment- and then that he "WOULD NOT."
Acts chapter 2, verses 29-36 where he is
declared by Peter to be at that time at the Christ, The Branch, The King
right hand of God, having received the
kingdom promised by Nathan to David;
verse 30, where II Samuel chapter 7 is In this I pinpoint the exact time of Christ's
quoted as fulfilled. Here we have found reign. No living man, can refute it. It all
each prophetic pronouncement by the pro- hinges around one little word, the
phets actually fulfilled. "BRANCH."
Since all these were prophesied centuries In Isaiah chapter 11, verse 1, the pro-
BEFORE they were actually fulfilled in the phet identifies the one called the "rod out
life of Christ at his FIRST COMING, all we of the stem of Jesse," as the "BRANCH
now have to do is to find out HOW LONG that shall grow up out of his roots." In
IT TOOK FOR GOD TO FULFILL THEM. verse 10 this BRANCH is called the "root
This determines whether or not God sent of Jesse." He is the one called the "ensign
Christ to live for a thousand or more years of the people" and the one to whom we
on earth in his flesh on a literal throne, OR "Gentiles would seek." In Jeremiah chap-
if God only intended for him to remain on ter 23, and verse 5 we read, "Behold, the
earth a short time, die, be buried, resurrect- days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise
ed and return to him instead. This deter- unto David a righteous BRANCH, and a
mined, and premillennialism is doomed. KING shall reign and prosper." In verse 6
this BRANCH is called "THE LORD OUR
Time Equation RIGHTEOUSNESS." In Jeremiah chapter
33, verse 15 the prophet says, "In those
In Luke chapter 3, verse 23 it reads, days, and at that time, will I cause the
"And Jesus himself began to be about BRANCH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (here is
thirty years of age." This is at the baptism our Branch again) to grow up unto David
of Jesus. Since his crucifixion was about and he shall execute judgment and right-
the age of thirty and three, on the Pente- eousness in the land." Isaiah chapter 9,
cost following, then he only lived on earth verse 7, and Jeremiah chapter 23, verse 5
33 years. The prophets saw him in their both make this same statement regarding
visions "born and return to God." Since judgment and justice or righteousness. It
this only took thirty-three years to ac- must be the same BRANCH.
complish, it is axiomatic that they only
prophesied this "TIME EQUATION" for The Punch Line
him to remain on earth 33 years. There-
fore, it was impossible for the prophets to One may say, You haven't PIN-
prophecy that he would NOT die; would POINTED the TIME OF HIS REIGNING
NOT be buried; would NOT be resurrected; ON HIS THRONE. No, but here it comes!
Page 20

Turn now with me to Zechariah chapter 3, pinpoint the "Time" of the rule of this
verse 8 and we find the BRANCH INTRO- branch as king upon the prophetic throne
DUCED BY THE PROPHET. What is he to c)f David. Zechariah declared this Branch,
do Zechariah? In chapter 6, verses 12-13 is the seed of David would "sit and rule upon
the answer. In verse 12 we identify the H-I-S THRONE" at the same time he
BRANCH AGAIN as he says, "Behold the would "officiate as priest of God." He was
man whose name is the BRANCH." This is this priest during the first century of
our man! What of this BRANCH? "He shall Christianity. Therefore, he was "sitting and
build the temple of the Lord." "He shall ruling upon his throne" during the first
bear the glory." What else? "And he shall century of Christianity. Either this or the
SIT and RULE upon H-I-S THRONE." But prophet prophesied presumptuously.
WHEN is he to build the temple? When is
he to bear the glory7 When is he to SIT and A Great Argument
RULE on H-I-S THRONE? "And he shall
be a PRIEST UPON HIS THRONE." When The greatest argument, at least one of
was he God's priest? the greatest, is contained in that part of
verse 13 which reads, "And the COUNSEL
of peace shall be between them both."
His Priesthood That is between Christ and man, as the
result of his "kingship" and "priesthood."
We only have to turn to Hebrews This could not have been effected between
chapters 2 through 10 to identify the High Christ and the world just through his
Priest of God. I shall not labor this "kingship" nor just by his "priesthood,"
question, Was this High Priest of God in but between his "kingship and priest-
Hebrews chapter 2 through 10 this Branch, hood." God granted to him the joy of
this PRIEST of Zechariah, the one pro- "bringing peace between God and man, and
mised by the Prophets? The New Testa- between Christ and man, and peace to
ment is too complete in the identification mankind himself. Premillennialism does
of this one of Hebrews as the descendant not allow for this because the premillenni-
of David for he is connected with David in alists separate his "priesthood" from his
Hebrews chapter 7, verse 14 where the "kingship" by millenniums, his "priest-
Lord is said to be of the tribe of Judah to hood" ending, that his "kingship" might
whom Jacob transferred his blessing in begin. STUDY THIS THROUGH!
Genesis chapter 49, through whom came
David the king. Revelation chapter 5, verse The Time Equation Kills
5 identifies Christ as the one intended in
Genesis chapter 49, verses 8-11. Therefore, The first "time equation" lasted but
this Christ, God's high priest of Hebrews, is thirty-three (33) years and back to the
this branch, the descendant of the tribe of right hand of God went the Christ, Psalms
Judah, of the seed of Jesse, and of David. chapter 110, verse 1. Heaven's divine tele-
This Christ IS this promised BRANCH who scope cut off Christ's stay on earth to
was to be a priest while ruling upon HIS thirty-three (33) years. No time for an
THRONE, Zechariah chapter 6, verse 13. earthly reign on David's throne for a
Who would be so foolish as to deny this? thousand (1000) years.
The Second "time equation" began the
Pinpointing The Time moment Christ became God's high priest
for Zechariah chapter 6, verse 13 declares
We are now ready to identify and he was priest while "sitting and ruling upon
 Page 21

H-I-S throne.." Thus with these great events church age and the kingdom age." It is all a
fulfilled, his "kingship" and "priesthood" vicious type of infidelity; premillennialism
the counsel of peace was perfected and is an INSULT TO GOD. But here is the
man could enjoy peace with God. "death-knell" to all premillennialists.
Hebrews chapter 12, verse 28 says they had
Conclusion—The Prophecies Fulfilled received this unmovable kingdom for two
purposes. 1. That they, back then, by the
In closing, let me clinch the truth that grace of God should "serve God accept-
the prophecies of the Old Testament re- ably." 2. Do this "with reverence and godly
garding the "BRANCH—the Christ," were fear."
fulfilled completely. At the time of the Yet Billy Graham, Garner Ted Arm-
Hebrew letter these following prophecies strong, Richard Dehaan, Theodore Epps,
had been fulfilled: Oliver B. Green, and our "crowing giant"
1. They had the new covenant of of Hammond, Louisiana are denying they
Jeremiah 31, verses 31-34, Hebrews had the kingdom back then, or now yet
chapter 12, verse 24. telling our friends they can do today what
2. In chapter 12, verse 23 they had the the Hebrew Christians could not do back
"church", the "house of God" of II then, "serve God acceptably and with
Samuel chapter 7, verse 13 and Isaiah reverence and godly fear."
chapter 2, verses 2-3. The thing that breaks my heart in this
3. They also had the promised kingdom generation is we are letting them get by
of Daniel chapter 2, verse 44 and Daniel with it and not calling their hands. For
chapter 7, verse 14 and Psalms chapter; 89, three years I have, each Sunday, been
verses 34-37 for in Hebrews 12, verse 28 it answering these men over KRBC, a local
reads, "Wherefore we (back then) receiving radio station in Abilene. I have three years
a kingdom which cannot be moved." of my manuscripts and all the tapes.
Daniel said, "should stand forever," "not Brethren, let us come alive and bring the
be destroyed" and God in Psalms 89 swore church back to its "Divine Mission" and
upon his HOLINESS that he would not defeat these men of "World Tomorrow,"
"ALTER the thing GONE OUT OF MY "God's Golden Age," Billy Graham's
MOUTH" and THAT was the promised "Earthly Utopian Age of the Kingdom." A
kingdom to the SEED of David. watered down gospel refusing to expose
them before the world and our congrega-
The Church and Kingdom Relationship tions and I promise you we are raising up a
"religious breed" that will take us down
The CHURCH, the PEOPLE. The the drain to denominationalism. Let us not
KINGDOM the government over the be afraid of these men whose intellects
people. Both at the same time, place and have long since passed their sense of
people. Hence Christ could use them inter- judgment and help us save the remnant. We
changeably, Matthew chapter 16, verses should use the radios, TV outlets, and the
18-19. This correctly identifies and relates printed page to discuss pointedly the errors
the church with the kingdom. There can be that are destroying the world and the
no 1000 years between the two. The church. We "old preachers" did and still
church does not have to end that the do! May God help us to save the world and
kingdom begin. This destroys the "church the church from this liberal compromising
as an emergency substitute for God's pro- element that is praying to live long enough
phetic kingdom failures during what they to save the church from the harm we older
describe as an interim period between the men have caused it because of our love for,
Page 22

and defense of, the Lord's truth and his birth through the early years of childhood,
glorious church and kingdom. We are still one is in the original state of sonship. A
set for her defense! brief survey of Paul's statements on
sonship will show sin and unbelief as the
QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION factors which separate those who are
spiritual sons and daughters at birth from
1. Discuss some current trends in the church. the Father. This makes a new birth
2. Discuss the value of defending the truth in necessary to bring one into an obedient
public debate. What is the attitude of some relationship with the Father as an adopted
toward debating? Where are they likely to end? son.
3. In what sort of "dialogue" should we be Paul recalls for the Corinthian church
engaged? their earlier sinful state of separation from
4. From what two vantage points are prophecies God. They freely chose to accept God as
relat ing to the kingdom discerned? their Father becoming His obedient sons
5. Discuss the fi rst vantage point. and daughters and received the promises of
6. Discuss the second vantage po in t . God. Sonship involves one in a way of life
7. Discuss the significance of Deuteronomy patterned after the holiness of God (II
18:22. Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1). All of life has a
8. For how long a period did the prophets see new point of reference as one seeks to
Christ on earth? make his decisions upon the will of the
9. Discuss the f u l fi l l me n t of these prophecies. Father rather than upon the will of sinful
10. Discuss thoroughly the "time equation." self.
11. Discuss "the punch line." This clear distinction between those
12. Discuss the significance of the priesthood of who are spiritual sons redeemed by the
Christ, blood of Christ and those who are lost and
13. Discuss "pinp ointing the time." without God is further delineated in the
14. Discuss the "great argument." letter to the church at Ephesus. Paul
15. Discuss "the time equation kills." remembers a time when his correspondents
16. Discuss the church and the kingdom relation- were "sons of disobedience" living accord-
ship. ing to the passions of the flesh and
therefore were separated from Christ and
without God (Ephesians 2:2; 2:12). In
contrast to this condition, he refers to
them at the time of his letter as being
THE CHURCH IS THE reconciled unto God in one body through
the cross. Their spiritual condition changed
FAMILY OF GOD from one of hostility and estrangement to
one of salvation, giving them access in one
spirit to the Father. They are called mem-
W. JOE HACKER, JR. bers of the household of God (Ephesians
2:16-19). Again, it is the new spiritual
At one time all men are the offspring of relationship with God that gives life true
God (Acts 17:29). But, there is a time meaning and purpose, finding its expres-
when God makes a clear distinction sion in worship and service. (Ephesians
between those who are spiritual sons and 5:19-6:24).
those who are not. From the moment of Paul's own definitions of the terms used
*W. Joe Hacker, Jr., D.R.E. (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary); Chairman, Department of Bible;
Harding College, Searcy, Arkansas; director of a number of special events for Harding College.
 Page 23

to describe this new saved spiritual condi- spirits" to enter into a relationship with sin
tion indicate that those who are sons of once more. Paul appealed to them that
disobedience are lost and dissipate other they not allow their new freedom in Christ
lives (Ephesians 5:14-18). Those who are in to draw them back into the slavery of sin
the saved condition as members of the but to continue in their obedience to the
household of God are beloved children of truth, exercising their freedom in Christ as
God (Ephesians 5:1). He further describes children of God. The abuse of freedom, he
them as being in one body. His definition warns, would only result in a loss of their
of that body is found in the same epistle. It newly received spiritual inheritance. Life is
is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). In the for living after the spirit and in Christ, not
church, children of God grow to spiritual after the flesh and in the world (Galatians
maturity (Ephesians 4:1-15). As new men, 5:1-26).
they walk in love as "dear children" Obeying the gospel marks the line of
imitating their spiritual Father (Ephesians distinction between the lost and the saved
4:25-5:1). for Paul. Thus, the Galatians are reminded
Paul again clearly distinguishes between that glory and freedom are found in humbl-
those who are saved as sons of God and ing oneself before the cross of Christ.
those who are lost in the Galatian letter. There is no glory in circumcision or uncir-
The providence of God in bringing about cumcision but through becoming a new
the salvation of humanity is set forth in the creature. In this, a person receives his
presentation of the doctrine of adoption freedom and becomes a part of the Israel
into God's family. He argues that the Jew of God (Galatians 6:14-16).
and the Gentile both can receive salvation In addition to this brief survey of Paul's
because both can be accepted as elect sons statements, a similar study of the state-
of God. Divine election is on the basis of ments of Christ concerning the Fatherhood
the promises made to Abraham (Galatians of God will not only show the distinction
3:6-9). The law of Moses is presented as that is made between those who are spirit-
inadequate on this point (Galatians ual sons and those who are not but also
3:10-26). Therefore, both the Jew and the will show the importance of accepting the
Gentile become. the elect of God through authority of God as revealed in Christ.
justification by faith (Galatians 3:1-24). Jesus said, "as many as receive him, to
Justification by faith is granted both to the them gave he power to become sons of
Jew and the Gentile who can be made one God" (John 1:12). Jesus did not teach a
in Christ Jesus, making both sons of God form of universalism in this statement,
(Galatians 3:26). however. He states clearly that one must be
Sonship does not depend upon fleshly born not of blood, nor of the will of the
birth but upon being baptized into Christ. flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God
When one puts Christ on in the new birth, (John 1:13).
he becomes the spiritual offspring of The importance of accepting the will of
Abraham and a son and heir according to God in obedience is further indicated for
promise (Galatians 3:27-29). Paul calls God's children by the promise of eternal
them "the redeemed" who receive salva- life in a home prepared by the Father
tion by "adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:5). (John 14:1-4). Following the truth as
One of Paul's major concerns in this revealed in Christ Jesus is the way to that
epistle is that while they had at one time eternal dwelling. Earlier in His ministry,
seen this clear distinction between the Jesus had defined truth as being based
saved and the lost, they now were turning upon the changeless nature of God and
back to the "weak and beggarly elemental promised freedom from sin for all who
Page 24

know truth and abide in it (John 8:32-58). who built his life upon the shifting sands of
Now He connects love as an essential human wisdom, unsure of himself or of
ingredient with the truth, stating that a God's will. There are many in our genera-
child's loving response is obedience. A tion who are afraid to commit themselves
response of loving obedience in every facet to a positive statement of truth because of
of life is natural for a son with a Father full the fear that at some time or some place
of loving grace (John 14:21-31; 15:1-27) they may find someone who will offer an
The Fatherhood of God unites love with opinion on a passage of scripture which is
obedience. Any ethical or moral conclusion different. They also are afraid of commit-
drawn from Christianity where love is ment because they may have changed in
considered basic must also include obedien- their personal view of the scriptures
ce to the Father's will. It is strange how through the years. One may be open to
many in this generation want to build their learn new things, new truth, and still have
life upon a nebulous humanistic concept of as a foundation for his thinking the change-
love rather than upon a firm basis where less revealed will of the eternal Father.
the nature of God is love's definition. God's will can and should be taught, not
The authority of the Father over man is with the authority of a teacher, but of
also emphasized in the Sermon on the God. A teacher of God's word should be
Mount. Those who heard this sermon the most humble of all teachers (James
recognized its distinctiveness as coming 3:1). Arrogance on the part of a preacher
from one who had authority. Jesus did not or teacher is inconsistent with Paul's
teach with a tentative expression of truth famous dictum that one becomes the ex-
but rather with a positive statement having pression of truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
the authority of heaven (Matthew 5:29). Commitment to truth humbly, lovingly
The authority of God is an issue in the expressed with conviction should not be
mind of Christ as He states the importance forsaken because some men have expressed
of worshipping God through the giving of truth out of arrogance and pride
alms, praying, and fasting with an inward (Philippians 1:15).
communion between the worshipper and In addition to the vertical relationship
the object of his worship, the Father between sons and their father, there is also
(Matthew 6:1-16). the horizontal relationship with the family
It is also interesting to notice in discuss- of God between brethren. The vertical
ing the providential care of God over His relationship is seen in the prayer of Christ
children, Jesus offers two clear expressions that all may be one as He and the Father
of the necessity on the part of men to are one and that the sons of God may be in
obey the will of the Father. The first Him as He is in the Father (John 17:11).
expression is that an obedient son must The horizontal relationship is seen in the
learn he cannot serve two masters consecration of those who have been sanc-
(Matthew 6:24). The second is that the son tified in truth to the Word of truth. The
of God should establish all his priorities in result is a unity one with another which
life on the basis of citizenship in the expresses to the world a unified brother-
kingdom of heaven submitting to the right- hood not only with Christ the Son of God
eous will of the heavenly Father (Matthew but with all men who have in like manner
6:33). as sons been consecrated in truth (John
At the conclusion of the sermon obedi- 17:15-24).
ent children are likened unto a wise man The apostle Paul encouraged the church
that built his house upon a rock. The at Rome to remember that they were not
foolish individual in this sermon is the one to pass judgment on one another in dis-
 Page 25

putes over opinion (Romans 14:1-13). His and fail to show love for his fellowman
appeal to brethren as children of God is whom he sees every day (I John 4:20).
that they pursue things which make for In discussing the church as the family of
peace and mutual upbuilding (Romans God, it is important to remember that God
14:19). To the divided Corinthian church, does make a clear distinction between
he warned them as brethren that jealousy those who are His spiritual offspring and
and strife are characteristics of those who those who are not. This distinction is clearly
behave like ordinary men following the made between those who have been born
passions of the flesh (I Corinthians 3:3). again as opposed to those who have not
Brethren are to rest their faith not in the yet rendered obedience to the command-
wisdom of men but in the power of God ments of God and therefore remain as
and through the wisdom of God find not described by Paul, "sons of disobedience."
only strength but unity (I Corinthians 2:5). However, when one becomes a child of
Concerning brethren who are overtaken God and submits to the authority of God
in sin, Paul appeals not only to the as his Father, there remains a responsibility
Corinthians but also to the Galatians that for such a one to imitate only the words of
such a one be restored in a spirit of God in truth but also the actions of God in
gentleness (Galatians 6:1). While those who love. Children of God express the truth in
sin are to be marked as sinful brethren, love through relationships before God with
children of God are still to do good to all humanity.
men, "especially those who are of the
household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).
In this horizontal relationship with
other men, the apostle Paul reminds the QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION
Ephesians that they are to be imitators of
God as beloved children. This imitation of 1. In what sense are all men the offspring of
God means that they will shun immorality God?
and impurity not associating themselves 2. In what sense are some not the offspring of
with darkness and error but rather seeking God?
relationships in life with those who have a 3. Discuss thoroughly Galatians 3:6-4:6.
reverence for Christ and who in every 4. What marks the line of distinction between the
manner of life give thanks through the lost and the saved?
Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father 5. Discuss the role of truth in this matter.
(Ephesians 5:1-20). 6. The Fatherhood of God unites love with what?
The manner of one's life as a child of Discuss thoroughly Galatians 5:6.
God living in the world before other 7. Discuss Matthew 7:24-27.
children of God and people of the world is 8. Teachers should teach with whose authority?
to be worthy of the gospel of Christ 9. What of the members of God's family who
(Philippians 1:27). Perhaps the most pre- become unfaithful?
cise statement concerning the importance 10. The manner of life of a child of God should
of developing a proper relationship with be worthy of what? Discuss thoroughly.
brethren and with those who share humani-
ty as individuals created in the image of
God is that made by the apostle John.
Each Christian should seek to develop a
proper relationship with others because
they are born of God. One cannot say that
he loves his Father whom he has not seen
Page 26

"The labor and the rest here spoken of are

primarily those which affect souls. That is,
the labor and the heavy burden which sin
imposes, and the rest which follows the
THE CHURCH IS forgiveness of that sin."1 He calls them to
take his yoke. This is a symbolic expres-
CALLED OUT sion, meaning "Submit to me and become
my disciple."2 Thus, Jesus calls men out of
DANNY F. COTTRELL the bondage of sin into His service.
Those who are called out are called
The purpose of this article is to discuss through the gospel. Paul says of God,
the church as that group of people called "Whereunto he called you through our
out of darkness into light by Jesus Christ gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our
through the gospel. The first section of this Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thess. 2:14) Paul
study will be a definition of terms. Then makes it clear that men are called through
die subject will be discussed in the body of the gospel. There is no evidence of the
the article under three headings. direct operation of the Holy Spirit separate
and apart from the word of God in the act
Definition of calling men to Christ. The gospel is
God's means of calling people to Jesus. The
The term church is from the Greek gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
word ekklesia. This word has two defini- (Rom. 1:16)
tions. It can be translated as (1) assembly
(Acts 19:32), or (2) church (I Cor. 1:2) Called Out Of What?
The Greek term comes from another
Greek word kaleo, which means "to call." If the church is the called out, from
In the New Testament it can mean the call what is it called? Peter tells us that the
of God. Thus, the ekklesia (church) means church is called out of darkness into light.
those who are the called out of God. (I "But ye are an elect race, a royal priest-
Cor. 1:2; 10:32; 11:22; 15:19; Gal. 1:13; I hood, a holy nation, a people for God's
Tim. 3:5,15) own possession, that ye may show forth
the excellencies of him who called you out
Called Out By Whom? of darkness into his marvellous light: who
in time past were no people, but now are
It has already been noted that the the people of God: who had not obtained
church consists of the people who are the mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (I
called out of God. These people are called Peter 2:9, 10) "But ye" means those who
out by Jesus Christ. "Come unto me, all ye are Christians in contradistinction to the
that labor and are heavy laden, and I will Jews who had rejected Christ. By obedi-
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and ence to the gospel, Christians had become
learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in an elect race, royal priesthood and holy
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your nation.
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden Christians are called out of darkness to
is light." (Mt. 11:28-30) walk in the light. "And this is the message
Jesus here calls those who labor under, which we have heard from him and an-
and are heavy laden by the burden of sin. nounce to you, that God is light, and in
* Danny Cottrell, M.A. (Harding College Graduate School of Religion) minister, West Memphis, Arkansas,
Church of Christ; in demand for gospel meetings.
 Page 27

him is no darkness at all. If we say that we the light, and (2) to be cleansed from sin. 6
have fellowship with him and walk in And Jesus says that His followers are
darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but called out (1) to receive rest, and (2) to
if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, accept His yoke, or to serve Him.7
we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us Conclusion
from all sin." (I John 1:5-7)
God is light. This is His essence, His In this article, we have attempted to
character. And God, as light, is diametrical- show that the church is the called out. The
ly opposed to darkness. If we walk in very term ekklesia means "called out".
darkness, we are not in fellowship with Ekklesia is the Greek word translated
God. But Christians have been called out of "church" in the New Testament.
darkness to walk in the light. And as long The church is called out by God
as we continue to walk in the light, the through Jesus Christ. This call is sent forth
blood of Jesus continues to cleanse us from through the gospel. (Mt. 11:28-30; II
sin. "Cleanseth" is from the Greek word Thess. 2:14; Rom. 1:16)
katharizei. It is a present tense verb as The church is called out of darkness
used here. This cleansing, then, is a con- into light, out of evil into God, out of sin
stant, continuing process. Notice, however, into salvation. (I Peter 2:9, 10; I John
that this cleansing is conditioned upon our 1:5-7; Eph. 5:8)
continuing to walk in the light.3 The church is called out for several
Because we have been called out of purposes: (1) to show forth His excellen-
darkness, we are to walk as children of cies; (2) to be the people of God; (3) to
light, children of God. "For ye were once obtain mercy; (4) to the obtaining of the
darkness, but are now light in the Lord: glory of our Lord Jesus Christ; (5) to walk
walk as children of light." (Eph. 5:8) "To in the light; (6) to be cleansed from sin; (7)
walk in the light means to conduct oneself to receive Jesus' rest; (8) to serve Him. (I
in holiness or freedom from sin."4 Peter 2:9, 10; II Thess. 2.14; I John 1:5-7;
Mt. 11:28-30)
Called Out For What?

FOOTNOTES
The church is made up of those who
have been called out of darkness by the 1. J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton, THE
gospel of Jesus Christ. For what purpose FOURFOLD GOSPEL (Cincinnati: Standard
have they been called out? Publishing Foundation, n.d.), p. 289.
Peter says that they have been called 2. ibid., p. 290
3. Guy N. Woods, A COMMENTARY ON THE
out for three reasons. (1) They are called
NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES OF PETER,
out to "show forth the excellencies of him JOHN AND JUDE (Nashville: Gospel Advocate
who called you out of darkness into his Company, 1959), pp. 215-218.
marvellous light." (2) Christians are also 4. J. W. Roberts, THE LETTERS OF JOHN
called out to be "the people of God." (3) (Austin: P. B. Sweet Co., Inc., 1968), p. 32
5. I Peter 2:9,10
They are called out to obtain mercy.5 6. I John 1:5-7;
Paul gives the purpose of the Christian's 7. Matthew 11:28-30
calling in II Thessalonians 2:14-"to the
obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus QUESTIONS
Christ."
John says that the church is called out 1. Discuss the origin and meaning of the Greek
for at least two purposes: (1) to walk in word ekklesia.
Page 28

2. By whom are those in the church called out? His authority. In their rejection of the
3. Through what are they called out? word of God, there is a disregard for God,
4. The church is called out of what? for Christ, for His church, and for what the
5. Discuss the relationship of God and light. church means to God and Christ.
Contrast this with darkness. The sufficiency of Christ is affirmed
6. Discuss the meaning of I John 1:7. throughout the Bible. He is God's only
7. For what is the church called out? List and begotten Son. (John 3:16) He is man's
discuss the eight purposes for which the church is only sacrifice for sins. (Eph. 5:2) Today,
called out. He is man's only High Priest. (Heb.
9:11-12) He is man's only Mediator. (I
Tim. 2:5) As the only begotten Son, Jesus
possessed the fulness of the Godhead. (Col.
2:9) By His presence in the world, Christ
manifested the very person of God. (I Tim.
THE CHURCH IS THE 3:16) Philip told Christ: "Show us the
Father." Jesus explained: "he that hath
seen me hath seen the Father." (John
FULNESS OF CHRIST 14:8-9) Christ possessed and demonstrated,
the fulness of God.
FOSTER L. RAMSEY, SR. Christ also possessed and demonstrated,
the fulness of the Holy Spirit. There was
It seems to be difficult for men to given to Christ the power of the Holy
understand the nature of the church, and Spirit without measure. (John,3:34) While
the importance of that organization. It also He was here, Christ was the Comforter of
seems to be difficult for men to accept the the disciples. In explaining to His followers
Biblical concept of the body of Christ, and the need of His going away, He promised
the relationship of Christ to His spiritual that the Father would send them another
body. In most instances this difficulty Comforter, the Holy Spirit. (John 14:16)
originates with man's desire to follow his When the Comforter came to the apostles,
own ideas rather than to walk by faith. (II He came with the promise of Christ that
Cor. 5:7) Even though Paul admonished He would guide them into all truth, that
the Ephesians, (and Christians today,) to He would bring to their remembrance all
"walk worthy of the vocation wherewith things that Christ had spoken to them, and
ye are called," many people are as the that He would reveal to them the truths
Israelites of the time of Jeremiah. The that they could not receive while Christ
Israelites were commanded by Jehovah to was with them. (John 14:26; 16:12-15)
"stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the How great are the qualifications of
old paths, where is the good way, and walk Christ to be all things to the church which
therein, and ye shall find rest for your is His body! (Eph. 1:22-23) Just before His
souls. But they said, We will not walk ascension, Christ declared that He had been
therein." (Jer. 6:16) There are those today, given all power in heaven and in earth.
in the church and out of the church, who (Matt. 28:18) This power and authority
reject all of God's commands, admonitions, included His being the Head of the church,
directives, and instructions, except those which was and is, His body. (Col. 1:18)
with which they agree. If they disagree This power is shared with no one else on
with what God has said, they rebel against the earth. Christ once reminded His
*Foster L. Ramsey, Sr., Minister Johnson Street Church of Christ, Greenville, Texas; for years has written
an outstanding church bulletin which is quoted very widely.
 Page 29

apostles that among the Gentiles the man adrift without law. Where there is no
princes exercised dominion and authority law there is anarchy and chaos. God gave
over people; then Jesus declared: "But it Israel the law through Moses; but grace and
shall not be so among you." (Matt. truth came through Christ. (John 1:17)
20:25-26) The ambition of many of those Hence, God gives His law today through
in the denominational world is to exercise His Son. Christ received from God those
authority, even to becoming the head of words that formed the gospel. (John
some denominational body. This ambition 14:24) By those words the Christian is to
is also seen in some men in the church of live and fulfil the law of Christ. (Gal.
our Lord who are as some of the apostles 6:1-2) When man comes face to face with
who asked: "Who is the greatest in the the fact that he will be judged by the
kingdom of heaven7" (Matt. 18:1) words of Jesus when He comes on the last
The church over which Christ rules and day, then that man will make a greater
reigns as Head and King is so minutely effort to live by the words of Christ. (John
described in the New Testament that there 12:48) Christians do not recognize anyone
is no need of being confused as to its other than Christ to be the lawgiver over
identity. The details of its organization are His church. The one to whom man submits
plainly set forth. Its work and its worship himself becomes his master; and the Christ-
are each one so specifically described that ian acknowledges Christ alone to be his
there is no need of any confusion as to the Master. By his obedience to Christ, man
nature of the church, and its identity. This honors the Savior, and makes Christ the
is the church that Christ promised to build. author of his salvation. (Heb. 5:8-9)
(Matt. 16:18) Through His inspired God has approved three institutions for
apostles, Christ kept that promise and the the benefit of man. He has approved civil
church was established on the day of government; He has set up the home; and
Pentecost immediately following His resur- He has given us the church through His
rection. He is the Builder of the church. Son. All three of these institutions are
At the same time, Christ also became essential to man's complete well-being. The
the Foundation of the church. Paul preach- church and the home are divine institutions
ed Christ as the Son of God. (Acts 9:20) In provided each one follows the demands
such preaching, Paul laid the foundation of and the requirements as set forth in the
the church. (I Cor. 3:10) When Christ Bible. "Except the Lord build the house,
promised "upon this rock I will build my they labor in vain that build it." (Psalms
church," He could not have referred to 127:1) The church and the home compli-
Peter, or to any other man; but only to ment each other. This is as God intended it
Himself. Paul plainly declared that there is to be. Both the church and the home are
no other foundation other than Christ. (I needed so that man can fulfil God's expec-
Cor. 3:11) Any church built upon any man tations of him. Each of these institutions is
is doomed to failure because it is built on complete and sufficient in its own field of
the wrong foundation. All the apostles and responsibility; and in each one of them
others who preached by inspiration, pro- Christ is to be honored as the Son of God.
claimed Christ as the Foundation, and as When the church honors Christ in this
the Chief Cornerstone. (Eph. 2:19-22) manner, then the church becomes the
In addition to these relationships, Christ functioning body of Christ here upon the
is the lawgiver to the church. Every earth, and is the fulness of Christ.
organization needs laws by which it is to Christ depends on the church to preach
maintain a well-ordered existence. Man can and teach the truth of the gospel because
rejoice in the truth that God has never cast the church is the pillar and ground of the
Page 30

truth. (I Tim. 3:15) In preaching the gospel the fact that Christ is all things to the
for the salvation of men, the church is church.
preforming the work that Christ intended The churches of the first century were
it to accomplish. Christ depends on the concerned with doing good on behalf of
church to preach the gospel to the entire those who had need. (Gal. 6:10) Again and
world. The early church accomplished this again, the various churches went to the aid
task in their generation. (Rom. 10:18) No of those who suffered because of needing
other organization was established by those things that were necessary to life.
Christ to do this work; the church was (Acts 11:27-30; I Cor. 16:1-2) In this way,
sufficient. As the early disciples preached the gospel's power was demonstrated to
the gospel, they preached the death, burial the world by those Christians who follow-
and the resurrection of Christ. (I Cor. ed the example of Christ. While the Master
15:1-4) The fulness of Christ was apparent was here, He went about doing good. Not
to the world as they heard the wonderful only was this an example to Christians of
testimony of those inspired men who had the first century, but also to those who live
been with Christ. today. Those outside the church saw the
Not only was Christ reflected to the fulness of Christ in the church as those
world by the preaching of the gospel by he Christians let their lights shine through
church; but Christ was seen in the lives of their good works. The darkness of ignor-
the disciples as they lived for Him. As ance and sin was dispelled, and men were
Christians and members of the body of moved to glorify God in obedience to the
Christ, they lived pure lives exemplifying gospel of Christ. (Matt. 5:16) In their work
the abhorrence of Divinity for sin and its for Christ, the early disciples showed the
tragic results. In their righteous lives, the church to be the fulness of Christ. Since
Christians manifested to the world the that time, Christians have continued to
harmony, the love, and the unity that follow the principle of doing good unto all
Christ intended to prevail in His church. men.
(Eph. 5:25-27) Members of the church in Christians today can be filled with the
the first century enjoyed the fellowship fulness of God as they come to know and
that was present in the family ties of the understand the love of God. (Eph.
spiritual body of Christ which was also the 3:17-19) Through this understanding,
family of God. (Acts 2:44-47) children of God will glorify the Father
The church provides a spiritual atmos- through Christ in the church as they
phere in which the presence of Christ is worship and work to accomplish the will of
manifested in its assemblies as that body God (Eph. 3:21)
meets to worship God. (Matt. 18:20; Acts
2:42) This is worship that is prescribed by
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
the gospel. The church demonstrates the
fulness of Christ only when it follows the 1. Where did God establish the good way in the
teachings of Christ in the work and wor- time of the Israelites?
ship of the church. Christians must worship 2. Name some of the ways in which man has
rebelled against God.
in the proper spirit and according to truth. 3. How many Persons in the Godhead? Name
(John 4:24) God does not permit man to them.
worship as man pleases but God prescribes 4. In what ways does Christ manifest the fulness
that worship which is acceptable to Him. of the Godhead?
The church follows this pattern and dem- 5. Name some of the relationships that Christ
sustains to the church.
onstrates its submission to God and Christ; 6. What three institutions are approved by the
and at the same time, shows to the world Father?
 Page 31

7. Which of these three institutions has a pattern mainstay of the truth,"5 "...and stay—the
in the Bible? prop and support of the Truth,"6 "...and
8. Through whom does Christ preach the gospel base of what is true,"7 "...and foundation
today? upon which the truth rests."8 With such
9. What do Christians manifest to the world? being true is it any wonder that God
10. What are the two general characteristics of commands His children to "contend
acceptable worship? earnestly for the faith which was once for
11. How do Christians glorify God in the church? all delivered to the saints."9
While our permissive society has greatly
contributed to our unconcern, lukewarm-
ness, mediocrity and general indifference
concerning the truth and our stand con-
cerning it, we feel there is still a more basic
reason than this. That is, so many do not
THE CHURCH IS THE understand the source and basis of religious
truth and further, they do not understand
PILLAR AND THE the church's role as defender and propaga-
tor of that truth. They view the church as
GROUND OF TRUTH an insipid step-child to other organizations
greatly in need of their help if the church is
ANDREW M. CONNALLY to survive. The "All-Sufficiency" of the
church has not entered their minds nor do
"The church is the pillar and the ground they live in view of this glorious concept!
of the truth," (I Timothy 3:14-15). This
passage along with countless others testifies Jesus Christ Our Completeness
to the obligation of the congregations of
God's people to maintain His Truth. It Jesus Christ is the fulness of an Omnipo-
demands the militancy of the church. It tent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God. He
authorizes its polemic power. Far too few is the "fulness of the Godhead," and the
Christians have even understood or accept- Christian's completeness. Paul affirms,
ed such a role for the church. The church "For in Him all the fulness of deity dwells
has a "war-like spirit," as far as error is in bodily form, and in Him you have been
concerned. She is "controversial in nature" made complete..."10 Hence, Jesus is "not a
when her enemies are faced. She wages partial revelation, but complete; not a
constant, incessant war with all the forces partial indwelling of God, but full. All the
of evil. power, wisdom and knowledge of God; all
This phrase "pillar and ground of the the love, mercy, tenderness of God; all of
truth" has been translated in various ways God's hatred of sin and wickedness; all the
over the years. Yet, always the idea of fulness of deity summed up in Him."11
strength, support and defense of God's Absolutely nothing is lacking in any way
truth shows forth. Let us notice a few such whatsoever! Christ is what God is.
translations: "the pillar and foundation of Jesus Christ is the channel through
the truth,"1 "...and support of the which all blessings flow. "Every spiritual
truth,"2 "...and buttress of the truth,"3 blessing" is found in Him (Ephesians 1:3)
"...and bulwark of the truth,"4 "...and The mysteries have been revealed, (Ephe-
*Andrew M. Connolly, Minister, Springtown, Texas Church of Christ; has served eight years as missionary
in Africa; plans to return soon to Africa; author of a number of books which are very valuable as study
guides for adult classes.
Page 32

sians 1:8-10). Jesus has the preeminence and "summed up all things" in Him, (Eph.
and glory in all things for He is their 1:10) and the church is the fulness of
creator, (Colossians 1:16-17). He existed Christ (Eph. 1:23), then, whatever God has
prior to them, (Colossians 1:16-17). He is provided in Christ is provided through the
their sustainer, (Colossians 1:17). In Him Church! Every single provision made by
are all the treasures of wisdom and know- God for the needs of man through Christ is
ledge hidden (Colossians 2:3). He then realized in the church!
becomes everything that the Christian The church contains all the "alive with
needs now and forever! Christ," (Eph. 2:1-10). The church is all
the body of the reconciled, (Eph. 2:11-18).
The Christian Complete in Christ All the reconciled are in Christ and in the
church. Therefore, all out of Christ are out
But more than this, in Christ the Christ- of the church and out of the reconciled
ian is made full! For "in Him you are made hence, they are lost! The church is the
complete." (Colossians 2:10). Absolutely temple of God, a habitation for God in the
nothing is lacking nor can anything be Spirit, (Eph. 2:19-22).
supplied by another! For "in Christ" we Therefore, "unto Him be glory in the
are a "new creation," (II Corinthians church and in Christ Jesus to all genera-
5:17). We were "dead," but now are we tions forever and ever. Amen," (Eph.
"alive in Him," (Ephesians 2:1-5). All of 3:21). The place of the church could be of
our sins have been forgiven, in Him, no greater importance in our lives. Its being
(Ephesians 1:7). In Him the Law has been in the eternal purpose of God stamps a lie
done away (Colossians 2:14; Ephesians to the pre-millennialists' theory of the
2:14). There is nothing to fear, either from church being a substitute or an after-
philosophy or death (Col. 2:8; 2:15). Jesus thought. The revealing of the mystery
has bound the strongman, (Matt. 12:29), forever answers the false claims of Mor-
and destroyed his work, (I John 3:8), and mons and all other modern revelationists.
brought to nought his power, (Hebrews There is nothing to be revealed nor is there
2:14-15; Rev. 1:18) a vacuum to be filled. All the good works
Therefore, the Christian stands "com- prepared by God for us to walk in, in
plete-full" in Christ. He has nothing to Christ, shows that Masonry or any club or
fear for no one or anything can add to his fraternal order has nothing to offer the
completeness in Christ. Nothing in heaven Christian, in order to make him full or
or on earth can touch him, neither angels, complete. The glory and honor belong to
principalities, powers, rulers or Satan him- God and Christ "in the church." Therefore,
self has anything to offer us! Christ is the church is sufficient to do everything
Lord!, The "fulness of God" and "in Him God wants done on this earth, as far as
we are made full"1. salvation is concerned.

The Church—The Fulness of Christ Jesus Christ—The Source

The church was in the eternal purpose Jesus Christ "came to seek and save the
of God, (Eph. 3:1-13). The church is the lost," (Luke 19:10). He became the source,
"fulness of Christ" as Christ is "the fulness the only source of "salvation," (Acts
of God." Hence "the church is the fulness 4:12), "truth," (John 14:6), "light and
of Him that filleth all in all" (Eph. life," (John 14:6). Jesus established His
1:22-23). Just as God has provided "every church to do this very thing, (Matt. 16:18).
spiritual blessing" in Christ, (Eph. 1:3), He died for this institution, (Acts 20:28).
 Page 33

He empowered the church by the Great 6. The Amplified New Testament.

Commission to search the earth for honest 7. The New Testament in Basic English
men who desire salvation, (Mark 16:15-16; 8. The New Testament in the Translation of
Matt. 28:18-20). The body of Christ, the Monsignor Ronald Knox
church was to make men complete, (Eph. 9. Jude 3.
1:22-23). Its mission is to save the souls of 10. Col. 2:9-10, New American Standard Bible
men (Luke 24:45-49). The only means of New Testament
doing this is by evangelism. But evangelism 11. The Scheme of Redemption, By Homer
is accomplished by word and deed! The Hailey
word of God and the deeds authorized by
Him become the avenue of salvation. The
word convicts and converts, (Acts 9:5-12). QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
The righteous acts of the saints turn men
to God, (Matt. 5:13-16). God is the source 1. What is the two-fold meaning of the expression
of all truth and the church becomes the "the pillar and ground of the truth?"
dispenser of truth among men, (I Tim. 2. What is the basic reason men have failed to
3:15). understand the militant, polemic character of the
Pearly Beloved, God is depending on church?
you! For we alone of all men have been 3. In what way was Jesus the completeness and
entrusted with the unsearchable riches of fulness of God?
Christ. No other group, church or institu- 4. Show how Christ is the answer to every human
tion has been so endowed. In a very real need.
sense we are the only hope the world has. 5. In what way is the Christian complete in
For without us, and the truth we defend Christ?
and proclaim- they Die! 6. How can the church make us complete?
Therefore, the church as the "pillar and 7. Describe the "All-sufficiency" of the church.
ground of the truth" is all-sufficient to do Of what does it consist?
all things necessary for the combating of all 8. What false doctrines are exposed by the
error in all generations throughout all time. "All-sufficiency" of the church?
She is empowered to save souls and bring 9. In what way does the mission of Christ and the
men to a completeness in Christ that mission of the church correspond?
cannot be done in any way whatsoever, 10. Why does God demand that every Christian
except through the church of the living become a "defense attorney"?
God!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. The New Testament: An American Translation

(Edgar J. Goodspeed)
2. The Berkeley Version of the New Testament
(Gerrit Verkuyl)
3. The New Testament in Modern Speech
(Richard Francis Weymouth)
4. The New Testament: A New Translation
(James Moffatt)
6. The Centenary Translation: The New Testa-
ment in Modern English (Helen Barrett Mont-
gomery)
Page 34

When John began preaching in the Judean

wilderness saying, "Repent ye; for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand," those
people who were familiar with Old Testa-
YOU CAN ment prophecies concerning the kingdom
flocked to hear him. Their reaction to his
message was described in the following
BE A MEMBER language: "Then went out unto him Jerusa-
lem, and all Judea, and all the region round
OF THE CHURCH about the Jordan; and they were baptized
of him in the river Jordan, confessing their
sins." (Matt. 3:5-6).
RUBEL SHELLY What is the explanation of John's phe-
nominal success? Why were so many
In prophesying of the establishment of people willing to "confess their sins,"
the church, Isaiah said, "And it shall come "bring forth fruit worthy of repentance,"
to pass in the latter days, that the and "be baptized in the river Jordan"? Part
mountain of Jehovah's house shall be of the answer lies in the fact that people
established on the top of the mountains, were seeking knowledge of and entrance
and shall be exalted above the hills; and all into the kingdom—the kingdom of which
nations shall flow unto it."(Isa. 2:2). The John was speaking. That this explanation is
last statement in this verse indicates two correct is evident from Christ's statement
very important things about membership in about the matter. "The law and the pro-
the church. First, citizenship in the phets were until John: from that time the
kingdom would be available to all races and gospel of the kingdom of God is preached,
nationalities. This would be in obvious and every man entereth violently into it."
contrast to the exclusively nationalistic (Luke 16:16). In other words, when men
religion of the Jews of the Old Testament heard definite word of the coming of the
period. Second, the statement implies that kingdom they became frantic with the
citizenship in the kingdom of God, which desire to enter it.
is the church (cf. Matt. 16:13-18; Col. This desire for entrance into the king-
1:13), would be greatly desired. The very dom is also a part of the explanation for
next verse in the second chapter of Isaiah Jesus Christ's tremendous popularity
reads: "And many people shall go and say, during his public ministry. His message was
Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain essentially the same as John's, "Repent ye;
of Jehovah, to the house of the God of for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and (Matt. 4:17). And while it must be granted
we will walk in his paths..." that most of his disciples were under the
false impression that the kingdom would
Entrance Desired be an earthly kingdom, the fact neverthe-
less remains that they wanted to know
All available information in the New more about it and wanted to be members
Testament points to the fact that by the of it.
time of John the Baptist men were eagerly When the kingdom was established on
desiring definite information concerning the first Pentecost following the resurrec-
the church or kingdom and how to enter it. tion of Christ, three thousand people
"Rubel Shelly, Graduate Study (Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville); Minister Getvwell Church of Christ;
Memphis, Tennessee; author of adult study guide on marriage and the christian home.
 Page 35

entered it in one day! This is just one more confused with human denominations.
proof that these people were eager for the Therefore it should be obvious that the
arrival of the kingdom and desired to be church cannot be entered by humanly-
members of it. devised methods! For example, one can
become a member of a human organization
Present Attitudes Toward the Church or denomination by simply "joining" it.
But entering the church of Christ involves
All these evidences of eagerness for the radical changes in the heart and life of an
kingdom seem very inconsistent with individual.
present attitudes toward the church. It is Confusion over the identify and nature
not strange to hear religious leaders mini- of the church described in the New Testa-
mize the role of the church in God's plan ment and the denominations established by
for man's salvation. "Salvation and the men frequently causes persons to say, "I
church are entirely different matters," they believe that a person can be saved without
proclaim. They are quite fond of encourag- joining any denomination." Of course he
ing people, "Seek Christ and not the can, for nothing of human production can
church!" These statements are as false and save our souls! But no one can be saved
misleading as they can be! Christ cannot be without being a member of the church
separated from the church, for "he is the which is described in the New Testament!
head of the body, the church." (Col. 1:18). This church is not a denomination or sect,
The church is Christ's body (cf. Eph. but the single body of Christ and may be
1:11:23) and he is its Savior. (Eph. 5:23). entered by all who will meet the divinely
And while it is true that Christ alone is the appointed terms of entrance!
Savior of mankind, he saves only those Such radical changes are involved in
who are in his church! (cf. Eph. 1:7; II becoming a member of the Lord's church
Tim. 2:10). Christ, the church and salva- that the Savior likened it to being "born
tion are all vitally interrelated! anew." He said, "Except one be born
The church is an integral part of God's anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
plan for man's salvation from sin, for it is (John 3:3). In other words, just as we
only in the church that men can be became members of our human families
reconciled unto their God! (Eph. 2:16). by a fleshly birth, so we become members
Yes, men should desire to be members of of the family of God by experiencing a
the church because their souls are at stake! new, spiritual birth. None of us thinks in
No man can be saved apart from the one terms of having "joined" our earthly
church which Christ purchased with his families; therefore we should not speak of
blood! (cf. Acts 20:28). "joining" the church, the family of God.
One must be born into it! At such a time as
How Is the Church Entered? one is born anew, and therefore saved from
his sins, the Lord adds that person to the
Now we have come to the all-important church, (cf. Acts 2:47).
question: How may one enter the church?
What are the requirements for membership The New Birth
in the body of Christ? Can I know that I
have met all those requirements and that I Since the Lord made it clear that being
am a citizen of Christ's kingdom and of "born anew" was a necessary prerequisite
God's spiritual family? to membership in the church, let us ex-
The church is a divine institution and amine the nature of this spiritual rebirth
not a human production. It is not to be more closely. Jesus announced that a new
Page 36

birth would be necessary in order for one Word of God to convict and convert
to enter the kingdom when he told Nico- sinners. Notice three passages of scripture
demus, a ruler of the Jews, "Except one be which confirm the fact that the Holy Spirit
born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of begets Christians through the Word of God.
God." Nicodemus was puzzled by Jesus' "Having been begotten again, not of cor-
statement and asked, "How can a man be ruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through
bom when he is old? Can he enter a second the word of God, which liveth and abide-
time into his mother's womb, and be th." (I Pet. 1:23). "Of his own will he
born?" Jesus replied to these questions by brought us forth by the word of truth, that
saying, "Except one be born of water and we should be a kind of firstfruits of his
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the king- creatures." (James 1:18). And the apostle
dom of God." (John 3:3-5). Now notice Paul, speaking of his work of evangelism
exactly what was' said in this conversation: and conversion among the Corinthians,
(1) One must be born anew before he can said, "In Christ Jesus I begat you through
enter the kingdom: (2) This new birth is the gospel." (I Cor. 4:15).
not physical, but spiritual; and (3) This Notice how perfectly logical this expla-
spiritual birth involves two elements- nation is. Every birth involves a begettal
"water and the Spirit." What is the signifi- and a coming forth, and so it is with the
cance of "water" and "the Spirit" in this new birth which is necessary for entrance
connection? into the family of God. The Holy Spirit, by
Although some have vainly tried to means of the word of truth, begets. Then,
argue otherwise, the "water" involved in after a time, the actual coming forth takes
the new birth spoken of by Jesus to place when one who has heard and believed
Nicodemus refers to baptism. Some have the Word of God actually obeys that word
contended that the word "water" was used in being baptized! The second chapter of
in a figurative sense in this text, but why Acts gives us an illustration of this truth.
should anyone assume that? There is Peter and the other apostles spoke as they
nothing in the text to cause one to think were guided by the Holy Spirit. The
that it is figurative. Besides, what would multitude heard their message, many be-
the word "water" refer to if it were lieved it and 3000 were baptized! Those
figurative. It is much more reasonable to 3000 persons were thus born anew of
take the word at its face value. And if one water and the Spirit on that day. They
does that, to what could it possibly refer were saved! (Acts 2:38). They were also
other than baptism? Baptism is the only added to the church. (Acts 2:47).
act or duty related to the Christian religion When one allows himself to be instruct-
which in any way involves water. ed and led by the Holy Spirit through the
Word of God, he has been divinely begott-
The "Spirit" involved in the new birth is en! When he ultimately submits to the
undoubtedly the Holy Spirit, the third Lord's will and is immersed in water for
person in the Godhead. But what does the the remission of his sins, the birth process
Holy Spirit do in the process of salvation is completed and he is a child of God!
and entrance into the church? Does he call
one miraculously and give him a myster- Two Other Important Passages
ious sign of salvation and acceptance into
the kingdom? Not at all. The New Testa- Another verse which teaches the same
ment makes it very clear that the power of truth as John 3:3-5 is I Corinthians 12:13.
the Holy Spirit in conversion is exercised in "For in one Spirit were we all baptized
only one way. He acts only through the into one body, whether Jews or Greeks,
 Page 37

whether bond or free." Notice that Paul is God? It teaches men to put themselves
dealing with the matter of entrance "into under Christ's authority and leadership by
one body," which body is the church. He obeying his commands. And the specific
points out that it is "in one Spirit" that command to which he refers in verse 27 is
men are "baptized into one body." This the command to be baptized. And to thus
does not mean that men must receive the be baptized in obedience to Christ is to be
baptismal measure of the Holy Spirit in baptized into Christ and to become a son
order to enter the body, for not all of the of God!
Corinthian Christians had received such a
baptism. In fact, there is no evidence that Conclusion
any of them had been baptized in the Holy
Spirit! The baptism must therefore be Perhaps the best way to demonstrate
immersion in water, the only other type of exactly what is involved in becoming a
baptism associated with the New Testa- member of the Lord's church is to cite a
ment church. But what is the relationship clear example from the New Testament.
of the Holy Spirit to this immersion in The apostle Peter, along with the
water? Exactly the same as his relationship other apostles of our Lord, was given "the
to the new birth. He instructs and guides keys of the kingdom of heaven." The term
men, through the Word of God, so as to "keys of the kingdom" refers, not to literal
cause them to submit to immersion in keys, but to the authority to admit men
water. The account given in the book of into the kingdom. "I will give unto thee
Acts of the conversion of the people of the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
Corinth confirms this view. Acts 18:8 says: whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall
"And many of the Corinthians hearing be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou
believed, and were baptized." What did shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in
they hear and believe? The gospel as heaven." (Matt. 16:19; cf. 18:18). Have
preached by Paul, the gospel which he those keys been used? Have the doors of
received by inspiration from the Holy the kingdom been opened unto men? If so,
Spirit. And what did that gospel require of how may men pass through them?
men? That they be baptized into Christ for Peter and the other apostles first used
the remission of their sins. Thus the Holy the keys of the kingdom of heaven on the
Spirit led those who heard and believed first Pentecost following the resurrection
Paul's message to be baptized and, as a of Christ. They were in Jerusalem, accord-
result of their being baptized, these people ing to the instruction of the Lord, waiting
entered the body of Christ! for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon
Or, if we again think of the church as them. (Acts 1:8). On the day of Pentecost,
the family of God, listen to Paul explain as recorded in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came
how one enters that family. "For ye are all upon all the apostles in a baptismal mea-
the sons of God, through faith, in Christ sure and "they were all filled with the Holy
Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized Spirit." A sermon preached by Peter is
into Christ did put on Christ." (Gal. then recorded in the text of Acts 2, a
3:26-27). With regard to this passage, sermon in which he set forth Jesus as the
notice first that the word "faith" in verse Christ and convicted his hearers of their
26 is a noun. Thus it refers, not to the act sins—particularly the sin of crucifying the
of believing, but to that which is believed, Son of God. He concluded by saying, "Let
i.e., the gospel. But what is contained in all the house of Israel therefore know
that gospel? What does that gospel teach assuredly, that God hath made him both
one to do in order to enter the kingdom of Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye
 Page 38

crucified." (v. 36). Those who had believed 7. What is the "water" involved in the new birth?
his message "were pricked in their heart, 8. Discuss the meaning of I Corinthians 12:13.
and said unto Peter and the rest of the 9. According to Galatians 3:26-27, how may one
apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And enter the family of God?
Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be 10. If one obeys the commands given by Peter in
baptized every one of you in the name of Acts 2:38, what will be the result? (cf. Acts
Jesus Christ unto the remission of your 2:47).
sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit." (vs. 37-38). The apostles had
now used the keys of the kingdom! They
opened the doors of the kingdom and
bound, on earth and in heaven, the con-
ditions which men must meet for entrance
into it! And those who obeyed those
commands became, not members of a THE CHURCH IS THE
denomination, but members of the church.
Those same conditions are still bound BRIDE OF CHRIST
upon men and obedience to them will
provide the same blessing as it did on that
day. By virtue of your faith, repentance JAMES D. BALES
and baptism, you will be saved from your
past sins by the blood of Christ. Then, as a To walk carefully as the wise includes
saved person, you will immediately be subjecting ourselves "one to another in the
added to the church by the Lord Jesus fear of Christ." (Eph. 5:21) Although not
Christ! (cf. Acts 2:47). Yes, you can know all of our relationships in life are the same
that you are a member of the right church, relationship, in all of them we act as unto
Christ's church, by obeying these clear the Lord. Being a Christian does not
commands given in the gospel. destroy human relationships, but it does
transform them. The husband and wife, the
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR STUDY parents and children, the master and ser-
vant relationships do not cease to exist but
1. Discuss the significance of Isaiah 2:2 with in each of these we are to conduct our-
relation to our study. selves according to Christ's instructions. In
2. Why were John the Baptist and Jesus able to discussing the relationship of husband and
attract such a large following during their minis- wife, Paul likened it unto the relationship
tries? between Christ and His church. The dis-
3. Show that Christ and the church cannot be cussion is not just concerning husband and
separated in the plan of salvation. wife but also concerning Christ and the
4. Can one be saved without being a member of a church, for Paul said: "This mystery is
denomination? Without being a member of the great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of
church? (Explain the difference between a de- the Church." (Eph. 5:32)
nomination and the church.)
5. At what point does the Lord add one to his Christ Created the Bride
church? (cf. Acts 2:47).
6. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing God put Adam to sleep and created
about the new birth? (cf. John 3:3-5). Adam's bride from something taken from
*James D. Bales, Ph.D. (Univ. of California, Berkeley); Professor of Christian Doctrine; Harding College,
Searcy, Arkansas; author of many books.
 Page 39

the side of man. God and Christ created (Eph. 5:23-24) The church could not exist
the church through the death of Christ, for without the head. Christ became the head
we are not only told that He purchased the after His resurrection and exaltation. (Eph.
church with His own blood (Acts 20:28), 1:19-22)
but also that it was through the cross that Authority belongs to the head, there-
the abolition of the law was made possible fore Christ is the authority over the
and the church created. (Eph. 2:14-16) It church. Christ's will for the church was
was impossible to be bound to the law and revealed and confirmed through the
joined to Christ at the same time. "Where- apostles and prophets of the first century.
fore, my brethren, ye also were made dead (John 16:12-14; Eph. 1:20-23) Therefore,
to the law through the body of Christ; that the church must continue stedfastly in the
ye should be joined to another, (even) to apostles' doctrine and acknowledge that
him who was raised from the dead, that we God's commandments have been revealed
might bring forth fruit unto God...But now by God through the apostles and prophets.
we have been discharged from the law, (I Cor. 14:37; II Thess. 2:15; 3:12,14)
having died to that wherein we were held; There are those who argue for modern
so that we serve in newness of the spirit, revelations on the ground that as head of
and not in oldness of the letter." (Rom. the church Christ must do the thinking for
7:4,6) Paul had illustrated, with the marri- the church. Therefore, we are not to do
age relationship, that just as a woman much thinking ourselves but are to be
could not lawfully be joined to two hus- guided by Christ's thinking. It is true that
bands, just so we cannot be joined to we must be guided by the will of Christ,
Christ and the law at the same time. but the only way we can know the will of
Christ's death took away the middle wall Christ is through what God and Christ have
of partition, the law, and enabled men to revealed by means of the Spirit through
be dead to the law so that they could be inspired men. (I Cor. 2:10-13) The faith
joined to Christ. has once for all been delivered to the
This means that the church, the bride of saints, and we have neither revealers nor
Christ, could not have been created before confirmers today. (Jude 3; Heb. 2:3-4) As
the time of the cross, since the law was in the author is emphasizing in a book on
force during the personal ministry. (Matt. tongues, the only revelation we have of the
23:1-4; Eph. 2:14-16; Heb. 10:9) The law thoughts of Christ is the Bible, and we
had to be removed before the church could must use our minds to understand and
be created, and the law could not have obey the will of Christ which is recorded
been removed before the cross. (Col. therein.
2:14-17) As a matter of fact, the law was Having been espoused to Christ, the
removed by virtue of the cross but not at church is not free to follow its own will
the moment of the cross. Christ had not nor the will of man. We are bound by
only to die, but also to appear in heaven Christ's will, and should try to bring "every
itself as high priest with the offering for thought into captivity to the obedience of
sin. Then, having made purification for our Christ." (II Cor. 10:5)
sins, He sat down at the right hand of God Bride Can Be Deceived
as head over the church. (Heb. 1:3,13; Christ is the head of the universal body,
Eph. 1:19-23) and He is the head of each congregation.
Christ's Authority Over the Church The universal church is the bride of Christ,
"For the husband is the head of the but each local congregation may be said to
wife, as Christ also is the head of the be espoused to Christ. Certainly each con-
church...the church is subject to Christ." gregation is a part of the universal church.
Page 40

Although there will always be those who virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her
are faithful to Christ, a particular congrega- attire? yet my people have forgotten me
tion or individual can be deceived and led days without number." (Jer. 2:32) If we
away from Christ. To the church in remember whose we are we shall not forget
Corinth Paul wrote: "For I am jealous over who we are.
you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused
you to one husband, that I might present Christ's Love For the Church
you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I fear,
lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled "Husbands, love your wives, even as
Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be Christ also loved the church, and gave
corrupted from the simplicity and the himself up for it." (Eph. 5:25) To lay
purity that is toward Christ." (II Cor. hands on Christ's bride is to lay hands on
11:2-3). Christ; therefore, Saul's persecution of the
Paul has acted as Christ's friend in church was also persecution of Christ.
securing the church in Corinth as Christ's (Acts 9:4) To rend the body of Christ is to
bride. He is concerned not just that the hurt Christ. We would not want to have
church is in danger of moving away from been among those who wounded the
him, an apostle of Christ, but away from physical body of Christ with the nails and
Christ. Therefore, as the margin translates the spear. But do we not realize that it is
it, he had "a jealousy of God," that is, it worse to pierce the body of Christ; to
was not just a personal jealousy but a wound His spiritual body? Christ gave His
participation in the Divine jealousy. The physical body to create His spiritual body;
relationship between Christ and His church therefore, He placed greater value on the
is an exclusive one. So close is the relation- spiritual body than on the physical body.
ship that "we are members of his body," What great care we must exercise lest, on
and have become one with Christ. (Eph. the one hand we stand by while the bride
5:30-32) of Christ is seduced by the craftiness of the
The church must be on its guard not devil, or, on the other hand, lest we in
only against obvious temptations to depart haste and ill-judgment bring division into
from Christ, but also against those seduc- the body of Christ. Unless it is a sin not to
tive and crafty appeals which the devil divide, is it not a sin to divide? We have
makes. Those who study the Scriptures, reference, of course, to schisms in the body
and are alert to what is going on, will and not to the establishment of new
detect crafty appeals designed to destroy congregations. Of course, every criticism
our faithfulness to Christ. They will detect and suggestion which one makes concern-
these temptations and dangers which are ing error in teaching or in personal manner
unnoticed by those who have not con- of life is not an effort to divide the body of
tinued to study the Scriptures or who are Christ, but to use the Scriptures so that
unobservant as to what is taking place in they are profitable for us, here and now,
the world and in the church. Those who "for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
have this godly jealousy for Christ's bride for instruction which is in righteousness."
will at times be labeled as heresy hunters (II Tim. 3:16)
and prophets of doom by those who do
not have their eyes open. Our Relationship to One Another
Our determination should be that
neither through deception nor forgetful- Since we are members of Christ, since
ness shall we forsake the Lord. May it not we are His bride, we are members one of
be said of us as it was of Israel: "Can a another. We should rejoice in that which
 Page 41

magnifies His bride. There should be no Himself? Then come into Christ now. (Gal.
jealousy among members of His body. (I 3:26-27)
Cor. 3:1-9; 12:18-27) How our minds need
to meditate from time to time on the
church as the bride of Christ! How many
times would it keep us from saying and
doing some of the things we say and do! QUESTIONS
How we would strive to do that which
honors Christ, rather than dishonor Him. 1. How do Paul's instructions concerning Christ
and the church tie in with Eph. 5:21?
Christ is the Saviour of the Church 2. How do we know that Paul is not dealing just
with the relationship of husband and wife? (Eph.
Christ is not only the head but He is 5:32)
also the Saviour of the church, for He 3. What did the cross have to do with the
purchased the church with His own blood. creation of the church? (Acts 20:28; Eph. 2:14)
(Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:23) If we refuse to be 4. What is our condition if we try to be joined to
a part of the church we are refusing to be the law and to the gospel? (Rom. 7:1-4)
members of His body and are spurning the 5. Does Paul mean that law in no sense applies to
salvation which is implied in the fact that the Christian? Is the church under no authority?
He is the Saviour of the body. (Eph. 5:23-24)
6. Why have we been joined to Christ? (Rom.
Christ's Goal For His Church 7:4,6)
7. When did Christ become head of the church?
Why does Christ love the church, and (Eph. 1:19-23) Could the church have existed,
why did He give Himself up for it? "That could it have functioned, without the head?
he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by 8. How do you answer the argument that we
the washing of water with the word, that must have modern revelations in order to know
he might present the church to himself a the will of Christ, the head, for the church?
glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle 9. What is meant by "the simplicity and the
or any such thing; but that it should be purity that is toward Christ"?
holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:26-27) 10. What was God's complaint against Israel?
This cannot be achieved by our own merit, (Jer. 2:32) What lesson does this have for us?
for we sin. By faith, however, we are to 11. How does the fact that we are members of
walk in the light. This is to be our manner Christ's body influence our attitude toward one
of life, although from time to time we fall. another?
If we walk in the light, we are continually 12. What other relationship does Christ sustain to
cleansed by the blood of Christ. (I John the body? (Eph. 5:23)
1:5-2:2) 13. What does this reveal about the importance
The church, the bride, now belongs to of being in the body?
Christ, for we have been joined to Him; 14. What does the following mean: "having
and are "one flesh" with Him. (Rom. 7:4,6 cleansed it by the washing of water with the
Eph. 5:29-32) However, when He comes, Word?"
the church will be with Him forever. Do 15. How can we be a part of the church which is
you want to be a part of His bride which to be presented to Christ? (Rom. 6:2-5, 17,18;
will be then joined to Him in His presence Gal. 3:26-27; Eph. 5:23-24)
in a way in which it is not in His presence
now? Do you want to be in that glorious
church when He presents the church to
 Page 42

for something more than a reformation of

the apostate Roman Church. They reason-
ed that even a purified Roman Catholic
Church would still not be the church of
Christ, the church described in the New
Testament. The church described in the
New Testament did not have a human
hierarchy with archbishops, cardinals and
RESTORING THE NEW popes; rather it recognized Jesus Christ as
the only head of the church and had no
TESTAMENT CHURCH human organization beyond the local con-
gregation of believers. Neither did the
RUBEL SHELLY church of the New Testament teach or
practice such things as infant baptism, the
In the early 1800's various voices were veneration of "the saints," the worship of
being heard in American religious circles Mary or absolution from sins by an earthly
calling for "the restoration of New Testa- priesthood. Thus these men, at widely
ment Christianity." The men making the separated points in time and place, began
plea—among them James O'Kelly, a Metho- thinking of a movement toward the restor-
dist; Abner Jones and Elias Smith, Baptists; ation of New Testament Christianity. They
Barton W. Stone, a Presbyterian; and believed that they could bypass both Pro-
Alexander Campbell, a Presbyterian and testantism and Catholicism and go all the
later a Baptist-were convinced that the way back to the church established by
Reformation Movement which had been Christ's authority on the first Pentecost
begun by Martin Luther in the early following his resurrection from the dead.
sixteenth century had failed. The Reforma- Thus was begun what is known his-
tion Movement began as an attempt to torically as the Restoration Movement. The
protest against many of the corrupt doc- appeal of the movement is for men to
trines and practices of the Roman Catholic "Speak where the Bible speaks and be
Church. From the beginning it was a silent where the Bible is silent" It is
movement to "reform" the apostate fundamentally a plea for religious unity
Catholic Church, to purify and restructure based upon the Bible. It emphasizes the
it. Luther apparently had no intention of necessity of having scriptural authority, a
establishing another church, but as time "Thus saith the Lord," for all that is done
passed by the followers of Martin Luther in religion. It appeals to men to go back to
crystallized his theology and established the Bible and to abandon all human names,
the Lutheran Church. This was the beginn- creeds and practices in order to be one
ing of the founding of many other deno- body in Christ!
minations, parties and sects. Thus it turned
out that the Reformation actually com- It should immediately be pointed out
pounded the problems of religious division that the leaders of the Restoration Move-
and personal confusion over religion which ment did not advocate the establishment of
already existed. another denomination, but rather a return
to the church of Christ as described in the
Greatly distressed over the divided state New Testament. Thus it is that members of
of religious people and knowing that the the churches of Christ today do not con-
Lord had prayed for unity among his sider themselves members of a denomi-
disciples (cf. John 17:20-21), O'Kelley, nation that was started in the nineteenth
Stone, Campbell and others began pleading century by Alexander Campbell. We do not
 Page 43

seek to be members of any human denomi- to the men of that time. Theories of
nation, but simply members of the church mathematics and science are constantly
spoken of in the sacred scriptures! being revised and improved as man's know-
ledge and skill increase. Medical practice
Is The Plea For Restoration Valid? today is a far cry from what it was only ten
years ago, much less a century ago. Ency-
As we consider the plea of the Restora- clopedias, history books and text books for
tion Movement we are immediately faced courses taught in our public schools have
with the question: Is the restoration plea to be revised practically every year. Change
valid? Before we advocate the restoration is the rule in human knowledge and pur-
of New Testament Christianity, we must suits. Thus many have supposed that
decide whether or not God would want us change must also be the rule for the
to believe and practice the same things that Christian religion.
men believed and practiced in the first But change is not the rule in divine
century. knowledge and workings. Permanence, not
Did God intend for the New Testament change, is the distinguishing mark of the
to be considered a once-for-all revelation of work of God as opposed to the work of
his will to men? Did he intend for these men. Our God is not fickle and inconsis-
scriptures to be the standard in religion for tent. He is all-powerful and perfect; he
all time to come? Did he intend for the does not need to change or be changed!
church to continue to worship in every "Thou, O Jehovah, abidest for ever; thy
generation as it worshipped in the earliest throne is from generation to generation."
years of its existence? Did he intend to give (Lam. 5:19). And our Savior, Jesus Christ,
us a permanent pattern for the organiza- is represented as a changeless Christ! "Jesus
tion of the church in the New Testament? Christ is the same yesterday and today, yea
These questions are vital to our study and and for ever." (Heb. 13:8). Not only are
must be answered before we go further! these divine persons perfect in nature, but
There are many who believe that we so are their works! Of the revelation he
should be concerned only with the spirit of came to give unto mankind, Jesus said,
New Testament Christianity and not with a "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my
fixed pattern of doctrine, organization and words shall not pass away." (Luke 21:33).
work. These individuals insist that the From this it appears that the scriptures are
church must change from generation to held to be perfect and without need of
change or adaptation! That this conclusion
generation in order to adapt itself to
is correct is demonstrated in the fact that
changing conditions. On the other hand
the anathema of God is upon anyone who
there are those who feel that God gave, in
brings a different gospel than that one
the New Testament, a fixed pattern or
which was preached and written by in-
blueprint to which he expects his people to spired men of the first century. "If any
adhere until the end of time. I hasten to man preacheth unto you any gospel other
add that my study of the Word of God than that which ye received, let him be
convinces me that the second position—the anathema." (Gal. 1:9)
view that the New Testament is a fixed and
binding pattern for the people of God in From the very beginning of his ministry
every generation-is the correct one. among men Jesus claimed absolute author-
Now if the church were of mere human ity for himself and his teaching. "All
design and origin it would be expected that authority hath been given unto me in
it would have to be changed from genera- heaven and on earth," he declared. (Matt.
tion to generation in order to adapt itself 28:18). He rebuked the religious leaders
Page 44

who had become blind leaders of the blind, It thus follows that it will not be enough to
forgave sins and preached with unmistak- restore the ethical teachings of Jesus and
able authority. "The multitudes were the zeal of the early disciples. We must
astonished at his teaching: for he taught restore not only the "spirit" of New
them as one having authority, and not as Testament Christianity but also the plan of
their scribes." (Matt. 7:29). The Father salvation, the worship and the organization
vindicated Jesus' claims and authoritative of the church described in the New Testa-
manner when he spoke from heaven at the ment!
time of the Transfiguration and said, "This If the restoration principle is to work
is my beloved Son: hear ye him." (Mark we must be loyal to the teachings of Christ
9:7). and his apostles. Loyalty to the doctrine,
In order to leave an authentic record of work and worship of the church of the first
his teachings for the benefit of men who century will be necessary in order for the
would come after him, Jesus chose a restoration plea to be realized. Now just at
special group of men whom we know as this point let me emphasize something that
"the apostles." Christ taught them person- is of cardinal importance. Loyalty to the
ally and, beyond that, promised them that plea of restoration demands that we follow
the Holy Spirit would come upon them Christ and the apostles and does not
and guide them into all truth. (John 16:13) necessarily involve loyalty to the teachings
So great would their qualification be for of James O'Kelley, Barton W. Stone or
speaking and writing the truth of God Alexander Campbell. This must be clearly
authoritatively that Christ told them, understood. We are seeking to be members
"What things soever ye shall bind on earth of the church of Christ and do not feel
shall be bound in heaven; and what things compelled to follow any man or group of
soever ye shall loose on earth shall be men who lived after the time of Christ and
loosed in heaven." (Matt. 18:18) The his apostles. We are seeking to restore the
authority of the apostles was certainly first-century church by loyalty to the
recognized by the early church, for "they f i r s t - c e n t u r y gospel! Nothing more.
continued stedfastly in the apostles' teach- Nothing less. Therefore let us speak where
ing." (Acts 2:42) the Bible speaks and be silent where the
Do you see the significance of these Bible is silent. Let us have a "Thus saith
facts in demonstrating the validity of the the Lord" for all that we believe and do in
plea for the restoration of New Testament religion.
Christianity? The authoritative teachings of What will be the result of following this
Christ and his apostles are recorded in the principle? Men and women will be Christ-
New Testament. In fact, the New Testa- ians, members of the church of Christ.
ment comprises "the faith which was once They will be neither Catholics, Protestants
for all delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3). nor Jews-only Christians. They will not be
It is a fixed and final revelation of the will members of any sect or denomination but
of God. It must be our authority for members of the body of Christ.
everything we believe or practice in
religion. Restoring the Plan of Salvation
The restoration principle is a valid one!
God would have us to always recognize and One of the first and most important
submit to the authority of his Word. We areas of concern in restoring the church of
cannot add to that revelation or take from the New Testament is the plan of salvation.
it, but must be content to take it as it is What must a man do in order to be saved?
and follow it exactly! (cf. Rev. 22:18-19). The Roman Catholic Church developed a
 Page 45

system of salvation through meritorious remission of our sins and be added to the
works which repulsed Martin Luther and church? (Acts 2:38,47). If not, why not?
other men of the Reformation Movement. We have a "Thus saith the Lord" for the
So, in the course of their work toward plan of salvation and can know that we are
reforming that church, Luther and others safe in following it. To change this plan in
like him reacted to the Catholic doctrine of any way—to either add to or take from
salvation by man's good works by creating it-is not acceptable to God and will cause
the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. one to be accursed! (Gal. 1:8-9).
But, following the principle of "speaking
where the Bible speaks," we are willing to Restoring the Worship
forego deciding between these two doc-
trines until we have seen what the Bible Another area of concern in this regard is
says about salvation. the type of worship God desires from his
The Bible teaches that salvation is re- children. Based upon the conviction—a
ceived when man believes the gospel and conviction established from the scrip-
acts in obedience to the gospel's com- tures—that the New Testament reveals a
mands. "For in Christ Jesus neither circum- fixed pattern which Christians must follow
cision availeth anything, nor uncircum- in every age until the end of the world, let
cision; but faith working through love." us look for the pattern of acceptable
(Gal. 5:6). The Bible says that neither faith worship which is given in the New Testa-
alone nor works alone can save. Thus both ment. First, it should be pointed out that
the Protestant and Catholic doctrines of God still expects and demands the public
salvation are false. Surely this helps you see worship of men. It is not enough to
why the restoration of New Testament reverence God in one's heart privately.
Christianity is so important! There must be the actual offering of public
Christ and his apostles taught that in worship, worship rendered in assembly
order to be saved a man must hear the with other Christians. "Not forsaking our
gospel of Christ and believe that he is the own assembling together, as the custom of
only begotten Son of God. Jesus said, some is, but exhorting one another..."
"Except ye believe that I am he, ye shall (Heb. 10:25). Second, whereas we may
die in your sins." (John 8:24) On the basis worship God at any hour and any place,
of such a faith in Jesus Christ, one must Sunday is ? day of special significance to
then make the decision to turn away from Christians with regard to the offering of
his sins, to repent. "Except ye repent, ye worship. Sunday is the day on which Christ
shall all likewise perish," said Jesus. (Luke rose from the dead, on which the church
13:5) He must then confess his faith in was established and on which the early
Jesus before men. (cf. Matt. 10:32; Rom. Christians regularly met. (cf. Acts 20:7; I
10:10). Finally, in order to receive the Cor. 16:2). But of what does acceptable
remission of sins, one must be immersed in worship consist?
water. "He that believeth and is baptized Christ taught that men must worship
shall be saved." (Mark 16:16). When one their Heavenly Father "in truth." (John
thus hears the gospel, believes it, repents of 4:24). And by his own definition, "(God's)
his sins, confesses Christ with his mouth word is truth." (John 17:17). Thus is
and is baptized, he has done the things that emphasized again the principle that we
Christ and the apostles taught men to do in must do only such things as are authorized
the first century in order to be saved. If we by the scriptures in our service to God. The
do the same things they did, will the result mere fact that a worshipper desires to do a
not be the same? Will we not receive the certain thing in the course of his worship
Page 46

does not mean that it would be right for gational organization we have no right to
him to do so. Does he have scriptural go! We have no authority for setting one
authority for that act? A study of the New man over the bishops of six churches and
Testament reveals that early Christians calling him an archbishop. It would be
engaged in five acts of worship by the wrong to elect a human being and desig-
authority of Jesus: (1) They taught the nate him the visible head of the church!'
Word of God (Acts 20:7), (2) they offered The New Testament pattern allows for no
prayers (Acts 2:42), (3) they sang songs of organization beyond the local congregation
praise and mutual edification (Eph. 5:19), of believers. Therefore we cannot have an
(4) they gave of their money (I Cor. 16:2) earthly headquarters with a body of men
and (5) they partook of the Lord's Supper. making decisions for churches all over the
(Acts 20:7). nation or world. Each church is autono-
Since these are the only items of wor- mous or self-governing. Therefore churches
ship for which the New Testament provides of Christ have no conventions, annual
authority we would be presumptuous meetings to determine "church policy" or
people if we were to add such things as official publications.
incense, animal sacrifices or mechanical Any number of self-governing congrega-
instruments of music to our worship. The tions may work together to perform
apostate Roman Church added mechanical spiritual services in the realm of evange-
music, incense, candles and holy altars to lism, edification or benevolence if they
the simple pattern of worship which is desire to do so. But no church can force
given in the New Testament. Protestant another church to do anything which the
reformers did away with many of these latter congregation does not consider ex-
additions, but kept some-including pedient or wise.
mechanical instruments. We need to go all
the way back to the New Testament and Conclusion
abandon all unauthorized practices in our
worship and follow the pattern given from The restoration plea calls for the recog-
heaven! nition of the New Testament as the sole
creed or "guidebook" for the church.
Restoring the Organization Those people who accept it as a valid plea
believe that progress can be made by going
Another matter for consideration in this backward, i.e., that the only answer to the
study is the organization of the church. In present divided state of religious people is
the New Testament each congregation of found in calling upon all men to go back to
believers was organized in the following the Bible, to give up the divisive and
fashion: Each church recognized Jesus unscriptual names, dogmas and practices
Christ as the reigning head over the church which have confused minds and voided
and as the only lawgiver. Then there were sincere efforts at doing the will of God and
bishops or elders selected from among the follow the Bible alone!
membership of the church who served as Nobody will be unsafe if he simply
overseers and who were charged with pro- takes the New Testament and follows its
tecting the church against heresy and di- directions in every detail. Is it unsafe to
gression from the truth. (Acts 20:28; cf. I obey the Lord's commands that call for
Tim. 3:1-7). Serving under these bishops you to repent and be baptized? Is it
were deacons, teachers and evangelists. (I jeopardizing your soul to simply be a
Tim. 3:13; II Tim. 4:5). Christian and to cease wearing divisive
Beyond this simple pattern of congre- human labels? Can you possibly be wrong
 Page 47

in accepting the New Testament pattern of 6. What was the great mistake of the Reformers
organization for the church' And what with regard to the plan of salvation?
nobler work could you hope to accomplish 7. What is the plan of salvation taught in the New
in the service of God than that which he Testament?
has commissioned the church to perform? 8. Describe the pattern of worship given in the
Paul and other New Testament writers New Testament?
warned that a "falling away" would come, 9. Describe the pattern of church organization
that men would turn away from the truth given in the New Testament.
and pervert the simplicity that is in Christ. 10. How can progress be made by going back-
That apostasy did indeed come. In fact, it ward in religion?
likely was a greater apostasy than Paul even
feared it might be! Out of the apostasy
came Catholicism and Protestantism. But
men are now asking, in ever-increasing
numbers, "Why can't we go back to the
way the church was before all these
changes were made? Why can't we just take
the New Testament and follow it as our
guide to heaven?" Indeed, why not?
There is a church in the twentieth
century which is organized just as the
church was organized in the first century.
There is a church today with the same
creed and name as the church had in the
first century. There is a church today
which is making a determined effort to
follow the fixed pattern which the Lord
revealed to us in the New Testament. Why
not become a member of that church by
following the plan of salvation which
Christ and his apostles taught men to
follow?

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR STUDY

1. Distinguish between the Reformation Move-

ment and the Restoration Movement. When did
each begin? Who led each? What was the goal of
each?
2. What is the fundamental appeal of the Restora-
tion Movement?
3. Did Alexander Campbell found a new church?
What was his goal?
4. Show that God intends for the New Testament
to be a fixed pattern for believers in all ages.
5. What will be the result of following the
restoration principle?
Page 48

Feature Article for this Quarter

BINDING BY IMPLICATION
ROBERT CAMP

This article is not designed to be a makes them, may and probably does,
response to any one else's article though it imply other statements. God has given a set
may result in that coincidentally. It is my of statements which forms the explicit
intention, rather, to set forth some basic statements of the Bible. The explicit state-
principles which are extremely important ments in turn imply statements. We can
in the matter of interpretation. then make a comprehensive statement
Everything that is ever said is said either about what God says in the Bible. God says
EXPLICITLY or IMPLICITLY or both everything which He says explicitly in the
ways. The Bible contains what God has Bible, and additionally He says everything
said to us and it is composed of things which is implied in what He says explicitly.
which are said EXPLICITLY and IM- Since this principle is used constantly in
PLICITLY and some things which are said the field of mathematics and is so evidently
in both of these ways. set forth there, we will use another ex-
If a person has ever studied even high ample from that field. Let us suppose that
school mathematics, he has come into I tell you that a certain figure, which we
contact with the subject of Geometry. This will call figure S, has the following proper-
is probably the most familiar use of this ties.
principle to the average person, so we will 1. It is a square.
use this for the example that we note. In 2. One of its sides is 3 inches in length.
Geometry we are asked to prove certain It is very important that we realize that
things, and we have certain things which in saying these two things, I have also said
we are "given". Some statements are told that the perimeter of figure S is 12 inches.
us, and we are asked to use these state- To be sure many people may not be aware
ments and the process of logic to show that that I have said this latter truth since I said
certain other things are true. it implicitly in the first two statements, but
The statements which are "given" are whether they are aware or not, I SAID IT.
the EXPLICIT statements. It is our task Understanding the first statements is
then to show that, IMPLICIT in these given really a matter of LANGUAGE. The pri-
statements, are the truths we wish to mary word in that statement to be defined
prove. Strictly speaking, it is not the is the word "square." Very likely, all of the
process of logical reasoning which proves readers of this article know, without having
our point but the initial statements them- to be told, that the definition of "a
selves. Our process is designed only to square" is "a four-sided figure with all four
show that the "concluded" statements are sides and all four angles equal." The
actually implied in the "given" statements. primary word to be defined in the second
Any set of statements, no matter who statement is "perimeter," and this is the
*Robert Camp, Graduate Study (Emory Univ.): Minister, Northeast Church of Christ; Atlanta, Georgia;
is in great demand to deliver special lectures (with film strips) on the "theory of evolution "; successful
business man.
distance around the figure or more human efforts of reading and other per-
precisely the sum of the lengths of all its ception to become aware.
sides. When I have perceived the meaning Again, let me state as clearly and em-
of the two given statements by learning the phatically as possible that I am not sug-
definition of the terms, in short, by under- gesting that we are bound by MY inference
standing the LANGUAGE in which the or any one else's for that matter, but we
statements are made, then by LOGIC I are most assuredly bound by God's im-
determine something that these statements plication!
imply.
A Good Example
The initial Mistake
There are probably many examples of
It is often heard that the Bible teaches obligations created through implications
by inference. It would probably be much but a very good one is contained in Christ's
clearer if we used the word implication. In discussion with the Sadducees in Matt. 22.
general, an inference is what I would draw Here Christ says that the Sadducees erred,
if I perceived something which you im- not knowing the scriptures. He then quotes
plied. Let us say that we have a commun- the scripture from Exodus 3:6. Now it may
icator and a communicant. Now the com- be that these Sadducees had never read this
municator would imply and the communi- scripture, but surely some of them had at
cant (the one who received the communi- one time or another. The fact is that Jesus
cation) would infer it. It is not so much the is saying that they didn't know the scrip-
precise use of these terms that is needful as tures, not because they were unacquainted
the realization that the implication is the with the text itself, the explicit statement
action of the communicator not the com- made by God "I am the God of Abraham,
municant. and the God of Isaac, and the God of
Now, to the application here, it is very Jacob?" but because they did not appreci-
important to realize that what God implied ate the implication contained here which is
in His word is His implication. It was that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob actually
implied there nearly two thousand years existed somewhere at the time the state-
ago. I may have inferred it only today, but ment was made. Otherwise, God said He
I did not create that truth today. God was the God of some one who did not
revealed his will and men read it today exist.
They come to understand it by HUMAN It is important to note that Christ said
PERCEPTION but it is not the product of they were in ERROR because of their
human perception. It existed in perfection failure to appreciate this which was IM-
long before it was perceived by you and PLIED by God in His word.
my. We come to appreciate things which
are implied in the word of God by A Terrible Alternative
HUMAN REASON but this human reason
does not produce it. It merely allows us to I invite the individual who contends
be aware of it. that we are not bound by that which is
It is strange that someone would argue bound implicitly to consider the alterna-
that we are not bound by what is implied tive. In the first place it seems probable
because we must employ our reasoning to that this alternative has never been looked
discover it, for certainly it is obvious that squarely in the eye. This is equivalent to
we are bound by what is stated explicitly saying that I am not bound by any general
or directly though we must employ our statement in the Bible. For example, in
Acts 17:30, we read, "but now com- An Arbitrary Decision
mandeth all men everywhere to repent,' I have heard of people who say, "We
speaking of God's commandment. Now I will not treat anything as bound which is
must apply logic to understand that since bound by implication." My first reaction is
all men everywhere must repent and I am to ask, "How dare you9". If God has
one man somewhere, then I must repent. chosen to bind on us this way, then what
To be sure, this is so simple that we right do we have to reject such obligations?
probably do not realize that we have done A person might just as well say, "We will
it but we have reached a conclusion and not treat anything as binding on people
inferred the necessity of repentance from that is named by a word beginning with the
these facts. letter B." That seems an incredible amount
Actually, for me to be bound by direct of audacity.
command, I must find a command in the Summation
Bible which is given directly to ME! I God has spoken His word. His word
cannot find one given to someone in the contains explicit statements. These state-
same circumstances as I am and call that a ments in turn imply things. God has said in
direct command to me. It may well be a explicit statements mat certain things are
direct command to him but not to me. I bound on us. He has said in implicit
would have to infer that since he must do statements that things are bound.
it, I live under the same law that he does, Now if a person can find in the word of
God is no respecter of person, then I must God AN EXPLICIT STATEMENT to the
also do it. I cannot simply find a command effect that we should disregard all implied
given to men in general such as Acts 17:30 obligations I will do so upon God's authori-
and say this is a direct command to me for ty. Obviously it would be sublimely ridicu-
I must reason from the general, all men, to lous for one to suggest that the Bible
the particular, myself and this is an infer- IMPLIES that we should disregard implica-
ence. tions.
If you are one who feels that God has The reason I am bound by God's word
not bound things by implication, I invite is not that I read it but that HE wrote it.
you to make a list of all the things which The reason I am bound by those things
he has bound upon me, Robert S. Camp, implicit in His word is NOT that I inferred
directly. it BUT that HE implied it.

GETWELL CHURCH OF CHRIST Second Class Postage Paid

1511 Getwell Road at Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis, Tennessee 38111