THE importance of the subjects treated in the following pages need be our only apology for presenting to the reader this first volume of The Christian’s Library. Some of these valuable papers are now no longer in print, others are found in bulkier volumes out of the reach of many who we trust will welcome our effort to preserve to the present generation what has proved of inestimable blessing to multitudes who have trod the heavenward way before them.
The remarkable recovery of long-lost truths some sixty years ago proved to be a veritable revival to the Church of God. Amongst these may be enumerated, besides the principles and practice of the Church of God, the believer’s perfect standing in Christ through that one sacrifice whereby he has been perfected for ever (Heb. 10); his deliverance from the law of sin, through identification with Christ in His death and resurrection; his union with a glorified Christ by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven ; the abiding presence of the Comforter—to say nothing of the “blessed hope” of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His people, and the whole scope of prophetic truth as it concerns the distinctive portions of the Jews and all the nations of the world.
Many stop short at the knowledge of their own personal salvation. They seem to think that this is the great essential matter, and that all else is to be included under the vague term of non-essentials. But can any who truly love the Lord Jesus Christ treat with indifference any truth that concerns His glory, or that is dear to His heart? And what, we may ask, is dearer to Him on this earth than that of which we read that “Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it”? (Eph. 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)).
The Church is viewed in Scripture under three different figures.
First, ONE BODY composed of many members. Here the prominent thought is that of union. All these many members are livingly united by the Holy Ghost to Christ the glorified Head in heaven, and to one another.
Second, THE BRIDE. Here the great thought is affection. “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come.” As the Bride she loves and waits for her Lord as the Bridegroom of her heart, and Who will presently manifest her in glory as His royal Bride before the eyes of an assembled universe (Rev. 19, 21).
We would press these three thoughts—union with Christ; love for Christ; responsibility to Christ.
It is well to remember in reading the New Testament that the word “church,” which occurs so often in our authorized version, may invariably be rendered “assembly.” This is of importance, for our English word “church” is capable of so many different meanings.
One person talks about “going to church,” meaning the building where he worships; another speaks of putting his son “into the Church,” meaning to make him a clergyman, &c. &c. But if we bear in mind that the word ἐκκλησί (translated church) really means assembly, much light is thrown upon the subject.
We hear a great deal today about the teaching of the Church, but no one intelligent in what Scripture teaches about the Church would so speak.
The Church never teaches; it is God who teaches by His Word, and every soul of man is responsible to hear and obey Him. It is scarcely necessary to allude to the threadbare argument of those who seek to establish the authority of the Church in matters of doctrine, based upon the quotation from Matthew 18: 17— “Hear the Church.” To read the whole passage (vers. 15-20) is the best refutation of this mistaken application of a fragment of a sentence entirely taken out of its connection.
The Christian reader is urged to study the following pages Bible in hand, and to prayerfully refer to all the passages and texts quoted. He will then become acquainted with the teaching of the Word of God as to the principles of the Church. These principles always abide. But what of the practice? It may be urged that we are no longer in the days of the Acts. This is freely admitted. Our lot is cast in days that more resemble the second epistles of Timothy and John.
But however difficult the days may be, of this we may rest assured, that until the last moment of the Church’s history upon earth, there will be a path in which faith may tread to the glory of the Lord. No amount of difficulty should be plea sufficient for walking in a path of disobedience to the Word.
Many are speaking about the reunion of Christendom; Scripture speaks of its apostasy and judgment. We are persuaded that as the days grow darker, and the professing Church hurries on to its judgment, hearts that beat true to the Lord Jesus Christ will be drawn more closely together. While seeking to keep Christ’s word and not to deny His name (Rev. 3:88I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)), let us follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2), assured of this, that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Meanwhile it will be our privilege to gather to His name and to show His death “till He come.”