No doubt many of our young readers are often asked the question “What Church do you belong to?” and while some may be able to answer according to the varied names in Christendom, yet they are unable to give a scriptural reason for the same. So, amidst all this confusion today, which is the result of making certain doctrines centers of gathering, it well becomes us to know what the Word of God says on the subject.
The first distinct intimation of the church we find in scripture is Matthew 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18). Peter having confessed, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus having owned this as the revelation of the Father to him, He further said, “And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter [a stone]; and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Christ the Son of God, revealed of the Father, was the Rock, on which the church was to be built. Peter should be a stone in that then future building. That this is the clear meaning many other scriptures prove. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1111For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)). “Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner” (Eph. 2:2020And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)).
Is it not also quite clear that the church was then a future thing? “I will build My church” – Jesus did not say, “I have built,” or “I am building;” but “I will build.”
The next reference to the church is in Matt. 18:1717And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (Matthew 18:17). This also is evidently future; otherwise surely whilst the Lord was with His disciples, the case of an offending brother would have been laid before Himself “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
There are no other scriptures whatever that speak of the church until we come to the church’s birthday – Pentecost.
We may have to point out many types of the church, as the body and bride of Christ, in the Old Testament, but these could not be understood until it pleased God to reveal the joint body by the apostles and prophets of the New Testament (Eph. 3). No doubt my reader would like to ask many questions as we go through the scriptures on this deeply interesting subject: I will anticipate those questions.
What then is the meaning of the word (ekkleesia), which we translate church?
By carefully examining every place in Scripture where this word occurs, its plain meaning is ‘assembly.’ I will point out one or two instances in which it is even so translated, and cannot mean anything else. Turn to Acts 19:32,39,4132Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. (Acts 19:32)
39But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. (Acts 19:39)
41And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. (Acts 19:41). In each of these verses, the word translated ‘assembly’ is ekkleesia, and evidently means, a gathering of people together.
In Acts 19:3737For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. (Acts 19:37), “neither robbers of churches.” This word churches evidently means heathen temples, or buildings. Is it the same word? Oh no, this is quite another word altogether. There is no authority in scripture for calling a building a church. We should therefore never do so.
You said Pentecost was the church’s birthday. Is this clear in Scripture?
This is a point of such importance that nothing could be made more clear in scripture. The disciples were to remain in Jerusalem, until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:4949And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49); Acts 1:55For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)). It was on the day of Pentecost: “They were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind... and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2 gives a full account of the first day of the church of God. It was the first announcement of the gospel of the crucified and risen Christ ascended up to God’s right hand. And God used this day’s preaching in the conversion of three thousand souls. These were all added: “and they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common,” etc. What a wondrous new thing this was, the like of which had never taken place before. “And the Lord added to the church [or assembly] daily, such as should be saved.” All this was entirely of God. The Holy Spirit came down from heaven. The Lord added together. Thus this assembly on the very first day of its existence, was God’s assembly. It could not be thus baptized by the Holy Spirit until the Holy Spirit was given; and He could not be given until Jesus was glorified (John 7:3939(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39)). And Jesus could not as our Substitute and representative be glorified until He had glorified God on the cross; then the Father must straightway glorify Him, by raising Him not only from the dead but by receiving Him to glory. When all this was done, the church was built. We shall see shortly in the epistles, how the church is linked with the glory of God.
(To be continued.)