ACCORDING to the old Catholic principle, it was the church that made the Christian. There was no pardon of sin, no salvation for the soul, outside of her communion. No matter how genuine a man's faith and piety might be, if he did not belong to the holy Catholic church and enjoy the benefit of her sacraments, salvation was impossible. On the Protestant principle, Christians make the church. One result of the Reformation in the sixteenth century, and that which characterized,it, was the transfer of power from the church to the individual. The idea of the church as the sole dispenser of blessing was rejected; and every man was called upon to read the Bible for himself, examine for himself, believe for himself, as he must answer for himself. This was the new-born thought of the Reformation-individual blessing first, church formation afterward.
So far, the Reformers were right. But they forgot to look into scripture as to how it was formed. The true idea of the church of God as the body of Christ, livingly united to Him by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, was completely overlooked, though abundantly taught in the epistles. The Lord's own place and work in the assembly by the Holy Ghost being thus lost sight of, men began to unite and build churches, so called, after their own minds. A great variety of churches or religious societies speedily sprang up in many parts of Christendom; but each country carried out its own notion as to how the church should be formed and governed: some thought that church power should be vested in the hands of the civil magistrate; others thought that the church should retain that power within herself; and this difference of opinion resulted in the national and innumerable dissenting bodies which we see everywhere around us. Individual faith, as the grand saving principle for the soul, was insisted upon, thank the Lord; and men's souls were saved and God was thereby glorified; but that being secured, men might combine and make churches to suit their own mind. Great Sardis was the result; of which church the Lord says, "I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead." This is the condition of that which is known as Protestantism, after the days of the first Reformers. A great name to live -a high profession and appearance of Christianity, but no vital power.
Nothing is more manifest to the student of church history with his New Testament before him than these painful facts; and nothing seems to us more plainly or more largely taught in the epistles than the doctrine of the church. For example, we read in Eph. 4, "There is one body and one Spirit;" but according to Protestantism we should read, " There are many bodies and one spirit." There can only be one, however, of divine constitution. Again, we read, " Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit."
This plainly means the unity of the Spirit's forming -the Holy Ghost being the formative power of the church which is Christ's body. Christians are the units formed by the Holy Spirit into a perfect unity. This
we are to endeavor to " keep," to maintain, exhibit, carry out in practice; and not to think of some new organization for some new company of Christians, as has been the case ever since the Reformation. "For as the body is one, and bath many members, and all the members of that one body being many, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Cor. 12:12, 1312For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13).
After what has been given from Mr. Darby's first pamphlet on "The Nature and Unity of the Church," it will be unnecessary to say much on the subject under this heading. Besides, this truth, with that of the Holy Spirit identifying Himself with the believer and the church since the day of Pentecost, is closely interwoven with the whole of this "brief sketch." Still, a few passages from the word of God may be helpful to those who wish to do His will.
And first of all we would notice the one which touches the heart most deeply. " Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that 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." (Eph. 5) This revelation of a Savior's love ought to make us all feel the unspeakable importance of that which is called the church, and of meeting the whole mind of the blessed Lord towards it in our practical ways. It is the special object of His affections, of His care. It is redeemed at the cost of His blood, of His life, of Himself. And He will ere long present it to Himself a glorious church without the least thing unbecoming His glory, or that might offend the eye or grieve the heart of the heavenly Bridegroom. What a privilege to be a part of that "glorious church" then, and what a blessing to act as a member of the "one body" now!
Christ Himself is the first to announce the commencement of the church. " Upon this rock I will build my church." (Matt. 16) The building was not then begun. Christ recognized as the Son of the living God, was to form the foundation of this new work, and the declaration, that "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it," shows plainly that it was to be built on earth, not in heaven, and amidst the storms and persecutions which would assail it through the craft and power of the enemy.
The next thought we have of the church is its unity. According to the involuntary prophecy of Caiaphas, Jesus was to die for the Jewish nation; and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in ONE, the children of God that were scattered abroad. There were already children of God, but they were scattered-isolated; like stones prepared and ready for the building, but not joined together. By the death of Jesus the great work was accomplished, on which are based the future hopes of Israel, and the actual gathering of God's scattered children into one-the church which is the body of Christ. John 11:50-5250Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. (John 11:50‑52).
This took place, through the power of the Holy Ghost come down from heaven on the day of Pentecost. The fact of its existence is declared in Acts 2 " All that believed were together, and had all things in common.... And the number of them was about three thousand.... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." He thus added the saved remnant of Israel to the christian assembly. The union and unity of the saved ones were accomplished as a fact by the presence of the Holy Ghost come down from heaven. They formed one body upon earth, a visible body, owned of God, to which all whom He called to the knowledge of Jesus joined themselves.
We may next notice a remarkable development of this unity in connection with the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, a new instrument of the sovereign grace of God. (Acts 9) Saul never knew Christ personally after the flesh; now he sees Him for the first time in heavenly glory. This was a new revelation of the Son. Most blessed and gracious truth for the heart! though the Lord of glory He declares Himself to be Jesus. " And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest."
Nothing could possibly be plainer than this as to the union of the Lord in glory with the members of His body upon earth. The saints are Himself-His body. But who can speak of the innumerable blessings which flow to the believer, to the church, through this union? One with Christ! Marvelous, precious truth! One with Christ as the exalted Man in the glory; one with Him, in position, in privilege, in the Father's love, in endless glory. And what a great light is thrown by this truth on the details of salvation! What of pardon now? Faith answers, I am one with Christ; my sins are as far removed from me as from Him. What of justification? I am one with Christ; righteous as He is righteous. What of acceptance? I am accepted in the Beloved. What of eternal life? I am one with Christ; there is not a different life in the head from what there is in the hand. What of glory? One with Him in the same glory forever and forever.
But is there no danger of falling away from such a position? some will be ready to ask. There is constant danger of losing the just appreciation of it, and the enjoyment of it, but there is no danger of losing the thing itself. This union can never be broken. He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit. The Holy Spirit, who unites the believer on earth with Christ in heaven, can never fail. But there is much less failure with those who know this truth than with those who are in legal bondage and harassed with doubts and fears. The mind being at perfect rest, it enjoys Christ more, and cares less for the world and the things of time. Grace is our only power for walk, as Paul says to Timothy: " Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 2:11Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1).