MAY 1943
191
JUNE 27, 1943 WE BELIEVE IN THE CHURCH M atthew 16:16-18; E phesians 5 -. 23-27 B y J o h n F . M a c A r th u r Introduction The "Invisible church” is made up of that great bloodwashed throng, re deemed by the death of God’s Son as He conquered sin, death, and hell in the triumph of Calvary. It is that great body which Is being completed through the ages as one by one the Holy Spirit adds those who believe and accept Christ (Acts 5:14). The “invisible church” had its be ginning in the heart of God as re vealed in Acts 15:13-17. The “visible church” or the external church is composed of the various or ganizations called by d i f f e r e n t names or denominations, and is the instrument or means for organized ef fort in the name of Christ for the salvatipn of the lost. This church had its beginning in Acts 2:40-47. The “invisible church” is known only to God, while the “ visible church” is known to the world. For Those Who Have Topics I. CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH (Matt. 16:16-18). The church was founded upon Christ the Son of the living God, as expressed in Peter’s statement. Because of this verity, Christ said, “The gates of hell [Hades, or as correctly translated, the gates of death] •s h a 11 not prevail against it.” Christ, being the founder, is the head over all things to the church which is His body (Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:15, 16; 5:25-32; Col. 1:18, 24). i t CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH (Eph. 5:25). All the redeeming energies of ‘the Godhead were for the construction of the church. All of the sacrifice in eternity, on earth, and at the cross were for the building of that church. He - loved it and therefore He gave Himself for it. Christ purchased the church ,in the agony of Calvary as the hosts of hell loosed their venge ance and fury upon Him who was spotless. He was victorious over sin and death, and it is because He lives that we, too, shall live (Col. 2:14, 15; Rev. 1:5). III. THE P E RMA NENC Y OF THE CHURCH (Matt. 16:18). The church is not an institution of feebleness and weakness, but it is one of great strength. It is not to be vanquished; it is to be valorous and Victorious. Were it not for its divine preserva tion it could never have outlived the
first century of persecution. Sixty mil lion martyrs gave their lives to pre serve it. Its growth through the ages is phenomenal; it grew in three cen turies to nearly thirty million. Re gardless of persecution, t h e t r u e church is as eternal as Christ Himself, and as permanent as the throne of God, for it is founded on the “solid Rock.” IV. THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH (Acts 5:14); Only the church reveals God’s re demptive purpose to the world, God uses the church to witness (John 20: 21), preach (Mk. 16:15, 20; Rom. 16:25, 26; Eph. 3:8), teach (Matt. 28:18-20) and to complete the ministry begun by Christ (Col. 1:24, 27). The true church is the only hope, the last citadel for a doomed and dying world, for only the church has the message of redeeming grace, sal vation, and reconciliation. V. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH (Acts 2:46, 47). As the church grew, organization was necessary for increased efficiency. The great need of the present hour is the organized church of today empow ered with the Holy Spirit as was the early church. In spite of all the weaknesses and failings of the church, we humbly submit that it is still the institution that is making the deepest impres sion upon the lives of men and na tions. Its triumph is as assured as the triumph of Christ over death and sin and hell.
C n t s a b e g s s j “ ; _______ —i and Missionary S D l l u S C on ven tion s. 107 n u m b ers including many popular cho> ruses. A new book, ideal and inexpensive. Covers in two colors; reinforced manila bind* ing. 15c each; $ 12.50 a hundred.
Returnable sample copies will be furnished. FREE! (1) Catalog o f sound religious books, or (2) o f Sunday School papers and quarterlies. CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS- W . 1507 N. Third St. Harrisburg, Pa. Now is the Time to Prepare for r \ A I I Y # Hand Work # Colored ^ ■ • Memory Helps Paper • Pictures • - * # Scissors • p «1« " V a c a t i o n * s.\ay/,?Ut • Cut-outs • Chalk • Bible Stories • Silhouettes O I D I C • Special D I D L E Bibles for • Kindergarten Course • Primary Course • Send for Descriptiye F< Children S C H O O L Ider . BEREAN BOOK ROOMS The Church Supply House of the West 405 So. Hill St. Lo$ Angeles, Calif.
PLATE GLASS NAME-PLATES Silver Lettering Metal Frames
Excellent for office, pastor’s study, or resi dence. Minimum size (up to ten letters or marks)—$1.25. Add 5c for each letter or mark more than ten. Please print plainly. The Gospel Minister, Dept. 372-A, Westfield; Ind. COMPLETE PLAN forYour DYBS! Get Your Copy FREE
Mail Coupon TODAYand receive this Com plete Plan for awholly successful Daily Vacation Bible School. "Supe rio r" Summer School Series More thrilling, appealing and vital than ever. New material this summer. Use it as planned with every minute fully occupied, or make changes to fit your special needs. Four separate Department units: Beginners, Primary, Juniors and Intermediates. Teacher’s Manual and illustrated Pupils’ W ork Book— a 2-week unit for each department. Fascinating scriptural, economical. MAIL COUPON NOW l ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ I THE SCRIPTURE PRESS, Inc. Dept. KB53S 8 0 0 North C lark S tre e t, Chicago, Illinois Please sendme your FREE88-pageBook “A Complete Plan,” tellinghowtoorganizeandrunaVacationBibleSchoolincluding SampleLessons fromthe“SUPERIOR” Summer School Serifs.
This DVBS Plan is Proved!
* Grasp lifetime chance g to win boys and girls g this year. Limited vaca- g tions means m ore _ young hearts in which " to .plant fruitful seed ® from God’s word. THE SCRIPTURE PRESS, Inc. Z Dept. 8 0 0 NORTH CLARK ST. ■ CH ICAGO , ILLINOIS ■
Name __ Address _ City ____
«State«
Church & Denom ._
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker