By Chester J. Padgett, Th.M. Associate Professor of Bible, Bible Institute of Los Angeles
Helps for Christian Endeavor and Other Young People's Groups
LINDA VISTA BAPTIST BIBLE !
COLLEGE AND SEMINARY
Oct. 5, 1952 WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
Liberal Arts
Theology
Christian Education
Acts 2:41-47 is founded upon the unshakable founda tion of the eternal Deity of the Son of God (Matt. 16:16). The church is not founded upon what it teaches about Christ, but about what Christ taught about Himself, and on what the Word of God teaches about Him. Christ, then, and His Word in the New Testament, are the believers’ only authority regarding the church which He Himself founded (Matt. 16:18). There can be no question concerning the fact of Christ’s Deity. His Deity is attested by the circumstances attending His birth. Every prophecy in the Old Testament regarding the first coming of Christ was fulfilled to the very letter. His virgin birth (Isa. 7:14); His place of nativity (Mic. 5 :2 ); the slaughter of infants connected with His Birth (Jer. 31:15); His journey into Egypt (Hos. 11:1). All these and scores of other de tails were all accurately fulfilled at His first coming. Remember that these prophecies were written from 1200 B.C. to 400 B.C., and you are impressed with the unique character of this wonderful Person, the Son of God. The amazing life of Christ confirms faith in Him as the eternal Son of God. No man ever did the things Christ did— He healed the sick, unstopped deaf ears, gave sight to blinded eyes, raised the dead, stilled the storm, fed thousands with meager provisions. All of these things were done by Him for the express purpose of working faith in the hearts of all who saw Him in action and in all who were to read the inspired record in after years (John 20:30,31). The transcendent teachings of Christ prove Him to be the Son of God. After nearly two thousand years it is still evident that Jesus Christ spoke the last word about God and His will for men. No religious teacher begins to measure up to the teaching of Christ in content
Matt. 16:13-19; The question which forms our topic is gaining in importance and interest with the passing of the years. Students of the Bible recognize the trends and tendencies on the part of the contempo rary church to unite. This tendency is seen in the mergers of church bodies and in the increasing interest in co-oper ation between the great denominations. All of this, of course, is simply the mov ing in the direction of the church of the last times, a huge super world-church, exercising absolute dominion over the souls and the bodies of men (Rev. 13- 18). Such efforts at organic union are based on a certain concept of the church for eign to the New Testament. The only organization recognized by the New Testament is that of the local fellowship of believers. The unity of the church ac cording to the New Testament is a spirit ual and doctrinal oneness, not an or ganic unity. The wisdom of our Lord and His apostles in the forming of the church as I a local fellowship of believers, gathered in the Name of the Lord and in His presence (Matt. 18:20), with a simple j form of organization (Acts 20:17-30; 14:21-23; 1 and 2 Tim., and Titus) is evident. Such a church would be free from ecclesiastical bondage and dictator ship. Church history teaches clearly the untold mischief accomplished by those whose views of the church differed from that of the New Testament. The Church Is a Spiritual Fellowship Based on the Person and Work of Christ Matt. 16:13-18 No organization has a right to the | New Testament title of Church which does not accept the basic truths of the Bible concerning the Person and work of j Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11). The church
APPROVED FOR VETERANS
SAN DIEGO 11
CALIFORNIA
CHURCH BULLET INS Large Assortment—Self Selection Lithographed—Special Days General Use Be Sure to Get Our Free Catalog and Samples ECCLESIASTICAL ART PRESS Department K Louisville 12, Ky.
The strongest, handiest fold ing table made. For banquet, church and school use. Write for descriptive folder. MITCHELL MFG. COMPANY 2748 S. 34th St., Milwaukee 7, Wis.
Baptistry Instantaneous Gas Water Heater 450 G.P.H.—20° RISE
Also furnishes Hot Water to Church Kitchen and Rest Room. Special Discount to Churches. Write for Folders. Heaters for Homes Also. LITTLE GIANT MFG. CO. 907 Seventh Dept. 68 Orange, Texas THE SCOFIELD BIBLE SOCIETY A society to provide free copies of the famous Scofield Reference Bible to those who are unable to buy a copy for themselves. Help us with your prayers and gifts to place a copy of this wonderful reference Bible into the hands of every needy soul. SCOFIELD BIBLE SOCIETY P.O. Box 648 Phoenix, Arizona
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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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