It was at Pentecost that both the “Body of Christ” and the “House of God” began. The one hundred and twenty disciples were, by one Spirit, baptized into one body, and thus united to Christ, the Head, on high. At the same moment they became the habitation of God through the Holy Spirit taking up His abode in them. He is here now dwelling in each individual believer, and in the assembly as a whole, and will be till the Lord comes and gathers up all His saints to be with Him in glory. Precious privilege! Would that all God’s people knew and enjoyed it.
It was the testimony of those already saved and sealed by the Spirit that now reaches others, and the giving of the Holy Spirit to all who believe, adds them to the body already formed.
To the disciples is committed their reception into the house of God, baptism being the rite used to indicate their reception into the assembly on earth. Men are the builders. This is seen in 1 Corinthians 3:1010According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (1 Corinthians 3:10). “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”
The foundation is one, there is no other. It is Jesus Christ, yet on this foundation may be built a mixture of materials, which will not stand the test of fire that is to try it. Here men are the builders (verse 12), and it is a fact that cannot be denied, that whatever in Scripture was committed into man’s hands was soon corrupted. So it has been in the assembly also. There is no fear that God will fail to carry out His purpose to give His Son a body and a bride to share His place in glory, but we have to own the ruin man has brought into the assembly on earth.
In Acts 8, Simon, the sorcerer, was brought in, yet Peter and John declare that he is still a slave to sin.
In Acts 20:29, 3029For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29‑30), Paul warns the elders of what is sure to come: there were grievous wolves to enter in among them, not sparing the flock, and these were surely not children of God. In verse 30, “of your own selves,” and here we find they were children of God, but not walking according to the truth that there is one body, for they speak perverse things to gather disciples around themselves. They do not walk in the unity of the Spirit, else they would gather the disciples around the Lord as members of His body.
In 1 Corinthians 3:14, 15, 1714If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:14‑15)
17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:17), there are three samples of builders. One is building in accord with the great Architect’s plan, and he is rewarded. One is a saved man, but his building is not approved. One is a wicked man, he and his work are destroyed, yet it is all under the name of Christ. The wicked man is responsible for his work, and what is done is recognized by God, though not approved of. The unsaved that have the name of Christ upon them (Gal 3:2727For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27)) will not be judged as Jews or Gentiles, but as the professing assembly of God (1 Cor. 10:3232Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (1 Corinthians 10:32)). Israel brought out of Egypt forms an illustration of the professing assembly (1 Cor. 10:1-121Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:1‑12)). False apostles are seen in 2 Corinthians 11:13-1513For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13‑15). Some made the Apostle weep in Philippians 3:18, 1918(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:18‑19).
With all this manifestation of departure from the truth, we must see for our comfort and blessing that God’s purposes and counsels cannot change. Ephesians gives us their unfoldings, and we look on to see the assembly in glory as the body and bride of Christ, and as the dwelling place of God.
One can see how the broken and scattered state of the assembly hinders the blessing of God’s people, but the Holy Spirit has not departed. He is here to bless and to guide and to help all the Lord’s people who look to the Lord for it, that they might be taught of Him.
The Lord in His Word views all believers as members of His body, united to Himself, the glorified Man, their living Head in heaven. The Holy Spirit has united them to Him and to each other. From Pentecost till the Lord comes (1 Thess. 4), it is ever true, that here on earth, there is one body (Eph. 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)). Faith will take up what God says to walk according to it, looking on all believers as members of that one body. They believe the gospel of their salvation, they were sealed with the Spirit, and thus added to it. It is now their privilege to walk in the unity which the Spirit has formed, and to gather together unto the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, where His presence can be enjoyed, even if only two or three (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). To encourage us, the Lord has given us the smallest possible number to form an assembly. 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1716The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:16‑17), tells us it is the basis of our central act of worship, redeemed by the blood, and united by the Spirit. The cup is the communion of the blood of Christ, and the one bread (loaf) is the communion of the body of Christ.
It is the provision the Lord made; obedience to it sets aside all divisions and gives us the divine ground of gathering. The Holy Spirit will not gather the members, except to Christ. He is the only center that God can own. This is the original ground as given in the Word of God. Efforts of men to make a union that will embrace all Christians, are futile; the only way is to own the union that God has made. He could say to some, “Thou hast kept My Word, and has not denied My Name.”
The assembly is the pearl of great price for which the Merchantman sold all He had and bought it (Matt. 13:45, 4645Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45‑46)). Christ also loved the assembly and gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:25-2725Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25‑27)). There we find His love for it so great that it led Him to die. “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.” There is His present service toward it, gathering out and fitting it for Himself, that He might present it to Himself a glorious assembly, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Will it not please our Lord, therefore, if we are found in the current of His thoughts, counting dear to us what is dear to Him?
In Ephesians 4:8-168Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:8‑16), we find that same love making provision by giving gifts unto men, and that is ministry. It comes from Christ in glory, as the Head, caring for the members, and leading them to care for each other. It is given “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Verses 15, 16 describe the healthy action of the members holding the Head.
As the dwelling place of God the Spirit on the earth, we are “builded together,” “and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (of the New Testament) Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.” This looks on to the blessed result in glory. Fitly framed together shows the divine workmanship. “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Here the household of God is builded together as His dwelling place, and looked at in its normal condition, taking no account of the scattered condition, and our faith is to take it in as our privilege now, that He dwells with us, as well as in us (John 14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)), going on with His faithful service to all true believers wherever they will give heed to His ways and teachings of the Scriptures. Since the Holy Spirit has come, it should be easily understood that we cannot pray for Him to come, He, dwelling in us, helps us in prayer. If we grieve or quench the Spirit, He does not leave us, but we deprive ourselves of the comfort of His services. To grieve the Holy Spirit is in our walk and ways generally. To quench the Spirit is more in the assembly, or with each other, as it is followed by “Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thess. 5:19-2119Quench not the Spirit. 20Despise not prophesyings. 21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:19‑21)). Both hearer and speaker are exhorted in this way.
1 Timothy 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15), Paul wrote, “but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” We cannot get the assembly together now as it once was when this was written to Timothy, but the same truth applies to the two or three that are gathered to His name, not claiming that they are the assembly of God, but caring to see that the Lord’s honor is cared for, both in the doctrines they hold, and in their walk. Holiness becomes God’s house forever. Evil persistently allowed destroys the claim of any to be on the ground of God’s assembly.
Where the will is subdued, and the ear is open to hear of Christ, and to keep His Word, the Holy Spirit delights to minister to such, whatever part of the great profession of Christianity they may be in, still God carries on His work.