The True Church (Assembly)

Matthew 16:16‑18  •  6 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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The Church was in the mind of God from eternity (Eph. 3:9-119And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3:9‑11)). It was announced by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matt. 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) as yet future; and redemption having been accomplished, and Christ the Lord, the head of the body seated on high, He formed it at Pentecost by the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2). There are four things to be especially noted in connection with this new divine organization. (1) The Head is in heaven, the source of all authority and nourishment for the Church. (Eph. 1:20-2320Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:20‑23); Col. 2:1919And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (Colossians 2:19).) (2) The Holy Spirit dwells in the assembly here below. (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 12: 4-1116Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 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 3:16‑17); Eph. 2:18-2218For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18‑22).) (3) The Church on earth is united to the glorified Head and the members thereof, each indwelt by the Spirit, (1 Cor. 6:1919What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)) united to one another, forming "one body" by the one "Spirit" (Rom. 12:4, 54For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:4‑5). 1 Cor. 12:12-1412For 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. 14For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑14). Eph. 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4); Col. 1:1818And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)), and (4) the word of God is the supreme rule of Church government by the Spirit, who is the power in the assembly and brings everything into subjection to Christ the, Head and works in each individual the owning of His Lordship.
The rock foundation of the assembly is "The Christ the Son of the living God." Compare Matt. 16:16-1816And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And 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 16:16‑18); Acts 9:2020And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 9:20); 1 Tim. 3:15-1615But 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. 16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:15‑16). As founded on redemption Christ established His Church from on high in divine perfection and will in His own good time "present it to Himself a glorious Church" (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)). But, in the meantime, it is in ruins outwardly through the direful efforts of Satan and the unfaithfulness of the Lord's servants.
From Gen. 3 to Rev. 20 Satan is revealed as the implacable foe of God and of man. Note Rev. 12:1717And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17). Deception, corruption and violence characterized his work in the world before the flood, and with the same weapons he assaulted and pursued the Church until it was scattered in ruins. See Acts of the Apostles. 2 Cor. 11; 2 Tim.
Note especially 2 Cor. 2:11; 11: 13-1511Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11). Divisions, contentions and heresies marked his operations until every vestige of the true corporate testimony was blotted out. Light having been extinguished and the hope of the Church, the Lord's coming, lost; "they all slumbered and slept" amidst the prevailing darkness. (Matt. 25:1-131Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1‑13).) The true Church in ruins, and the gloom of superstition and death having settled down upon the profession, the opportune time had arrived for the establishment of the false church with its human head, who aimed for supreme rule in the world, religious and political, and assumed authority over the conscience. But the subtlety of its design suggests more than merely human wisdom in the founder of this building, (James 3:13-1813Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:13‑18)) and in order that the deception might be effectual, he sought to accredit it by the use of the Scriptures. But Scripture reveals the real author of this scheme and condemns it. Besides, Scripture is the basis of the true faith (Rom. 10:1717So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)) and it cannot be destroyed.
In the course of time the Holy Spirit, through the word, opened the eyes of some of God's children. They broke away from this Anti-Church and preached the gospel which resulted in wide-spread blessing. Thus far this movement was of God, and had they followed on in the Spirit's guidance to assemble upon Scriptural ground instead of organizing so-called churches, there would have been—not Protestantism, but a united testimony against the system they opposed. As it was, however, they fell into the snare of organization with clericalism as the leading principle thereof and thus the Holy Spirit was systematically set aside. Numerous sects have since sprung into existence from this wrong beginning, all of which are without Scriptural authority. The Popish head of the earlier system and the Clerics of the later practically occupy the place the Holy Spirit should occupy in the assembly, and together they have almost blotted out any testimony to the true Church. Moreover, evil doctrines have permeated the Protestant societies, and they are powerless to deal with them. "The strong man" is not bound in these houses, but the word of God is, for the Holy Spirit has been practically silenced or ignored as the result of introducing innovations and worldly practices.
But what is the remedy for this state of thing? The answer is simple-separation of every member of Christ from the systems of men in order to "follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Obedience is the word. "Cease to do evil; learn to do well" is the order (Isa. 1:16-1716Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:16‑17)). The first step is obedience,—withdrawal from what is unscriptural, must be taken before the second step of assembling according to Scripture can be learned. Consider 2 Tim. 2, 3, 4. Heb. 13:5-175Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. 8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 10We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:5‑17): 2 Cor. 6:14-1814Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14‑18). Jer. 15:16-2116Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. 17I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. 18Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail? 19Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them. 20And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord. 21And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible. (Jeremiah 15:16‑21). And having separated we are to be assembled unto the name of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the ground of the "one body" as members of Christ. Here He is in the midst, and the sovereignty of the Spirit is practically owned in subjection to Scripture (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20); 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)).
"In Israel's history there have been two general revivals, one in the days of Hezekiah and the other in the reign of Josiah. And there have been just two general revivals in the history of the Church quite analogous to those in Israel. The first was in the days of Martin Luther when the individual truth of 'justification' was afresh proclaimed. The second was that of over one hundred years ago, when the truth of the Church as the body of Christ and its heavenly calling was recovered. We have no Scriptural warrant for a third revival.
"But what of the truth of the unity of the body of Christ? How far has the Church sought to maintain it? There has been one division after another, but still the truth remains, thank God, 'There is one body.'
" (W. P.)