How to set the church in order : a hand-book on church officers and organization

Front matter

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Foreword

“Of the making of many books there is no end.” It is fortunate for us that this is true, since our human lives are constantly in need of a vision. This very often must be along some specific line. Best of all, God makes ready through man’s heart and hand the needful message of inspiration and uplift.

Every edifice which is to endure must have foundation-stones uncrumbling. The qualities of every noble life have their base in the Divine Law. The placing of these basic rocks—that he who runs may read and may more easily understand the simple plans of the New Testament Church and a sufficient training of himself; that he may have no cause to be ashamed as he has builded a lively stone into the structure of the Church of the living God—is the purpose of the excellent chapters form¬ ing this book by Prof. Martin L. Pierce.

This volume was begotten of an enthusiastic desire to bring that efficient aid to thousands who feel keenly the importance of the great work to which they have been called and their own inability to perform the task; and, realizing something of the demands that are being made upon those who are to be leaders in Christian work, are ready to fit themselves for efficient service.

vi

FOREWORD

Few are better fitted to bring such a message than Professor Pierce. Out of the years of his rich experience as a teacher he has written these inspiring chapters, teeming as they do with the spirit of the efficient life. The author realizes full well that there are many faithful ones who lack only the knowledge of how to accomplish the great¬ est good and at the same time obtain the largest results. The book is an outflowing of his heart, in this respect, and sets forth in concrete form just such fundamental material as is necessary to the development of efficient men and women for service in the Church.

These are days of efficiency in the work of the Church. The demand for this is made on all sides, and no one need hope to be entrusted with responsi¬ bility unless he is fitted for it. The spirit is an indication of that hopeful optimism so prophetic of better things. Efficiency is that fitness for worthy tasks which grows out of consecrated preparation, and brings results—the effectual course that grips and holds.

That Church is best conserving its heaven-born mission which fits its several members as intelligent and effectual workmen in a world sadly in need of Christian service. Nor does it forget to nurture into efficient life its new-born babe. It has a vision of its place in the community’s life as a responsi¬ bility thereto and an unquenchable desire to fulfill all its obligations, realizing that to be a profitable servant it must give to the world an effectual service many-fold more than it gets out of it.

FOREWORD vii

This timely book in this busy age, dealing as it does with the fundamental phases of the Church’s work upon which successful endeavor depends, is well adapted to meet those needs in setting forth clearly Christ’s divinely planned institution and man’s part in its mission. In very concise and most readable form it brings to the individual the very inspiration and information he most needs to be an approved workman. The great end of life, after all, is not only to think, but to act. Not only to be learned, but to be good and noble. Accordingly, the crowning merit of a book must always be its practical usefulness, and as such may God speed this book on its mission of service.

W. T. Fisher.

Phillips Bible Institute, March, 1914,

Contents

i.

PREPARATORY WORK OF OUR LORD.

PAGE

II. The Church And The Holy Spirit

Introduction—Baptism of the Holy Spirit—What Was It—Baptism of the Holy Spirit—What Was It For—To Prepare Apostles—In Order to Teach All Nations—To Admit the Gentiles—Gifts of the Holy Spirit—When These Gifts Ended—Operation of the Holy Spirit—In Conversion—In Perfecting Christians—In Special Provi¬ dence—Witness of the Holy Spirit—The Holy Spirit’s Relation to the World. 17

III. The Church

New Testament Designations for the Church—When Established—Looking to the Future—Looking to the Past—Where Established—By Whom Established—The Apostles—As Guided by the Spirit—Its Foundation— Its Head—Its Designs—The Ordinances—Baptism—The Lord’s Supper—The Lord’s Day—Its Creed—Its Wor¬ ship—Its Unity—Its Blessings for All—Its Destiny.

lx

X

THE ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH.

Introduction—How to Start a Church—Ordination of Officers—Form of Ordination—Order of Ordination— How Select Officers—Term of Office—Church Discipline —Its Purpose—Method of Procedure—Why Often Neg¬ lected—Congregational Independence—Right to Co-oper¬ ate—Things to Remember.

VII. The Church And The World

God’s Eternal Purpose—Old Testament Proof of God’s Purpose—'New Testament Proof of God’s Pur¬ pose—The Purpose Accomplished—Completion of God’s

CONTENTS xi

Purpose—The Need of Our Day—A Missionary Church —A Comprehensive Plan—Native Church Co-operation —Our Foreign Neighbor—The Sinful—The Call for an Unspotted Church. 101

VIII. The Church And Society

Practical Religion—Righteousness—As Taught by Moses—As Taught by the Prophets—As Taught by Our Lord—Jesus Not a Socialist—Universal Peace—The Christian Home—Child Labor—Poverty—The Working¬ man—Temperance—An Endless Procession. 117

IX. The Church And The Preacher

The Office—The Call—The Qualifications—Spiritual —Educational—Social—Business—How the Preacher’s Time Should be Employed—The Preacher and the Church Officers—Compensation—Trials—Temptations— Rewards . 135

X. The Responsibility Of The Church For Religious Workers

A Lesson to be Learned—The Present Situation and Need—Present Difficulties—P resent Responsibility— Work to be Done in Local Congregation—The Social Meeting—The Church Institute—The Church School—

The Lay Preacher—What He is Doing—How Develop Him—Work to be Done Through Educational Insti¬ tutions—Church Schools and Colleges—The Atmosphere a Church School Owes Its Students—The Ministerial Student—Your Timothy. 151 xii

CONTENTS

XI. The Church And Evangelism

Introduction—Personal Evangelism—Individual Re¬ sponsibility—Philip the Introducer—Qualifications for Such Work—Allegiance—Sympathy—Its Power—Some Well-known Result s—Educational Evangelism—Why Neglected—The Process of This Evangelism—Education and Christian Character—Evangelism by Revival—Its Method—Its Abuse—The Need of the Hour. 165

XII. The Church Triumphant

The End Sought—The Conflict—Death—The Resur¬ rection of the Body—The Last Judgment—The Reward of the Righteous—Immortality—The Sunless City. 179

I.

PREPARATORY WORK OF OUR

LORD

OUTLINE—CHAPTER I.

1. The Three Dispensations.

2. Fullness of Time.

3. The Advent.

4. False Hope of the Jews.

5. The Law and the Gospel.

6. As God’s Son.

a. His Authority.

b. As a Teacher.

7 . His Attitude Towards Sin.

8. As Our Example.

9. The Death of Christ.

a. Prophetic Symbolism.

b. Its Purpose.

10 . As Mediator.

Preparatory Work of Our Lord.

1. The Three Dispensations

God has given to the world three different revelations. The first was the Patriarchal. It was given to all people during the early history of the race. Its priests were the elders in the family and tribe. The universality of sacrifice proves the uni¬ versality of this revelation. Even though it was debased by various forms of idolatrous worship, it still retains some of the marks of its divine origin. This religion is still in force in many places. It can only be displaced by the introduction of Chris¬ tianity. Second, God revealed himself through a special revelation to the Jewish nation. This revela^ tion was for them only. It can nowhere be found where they were ever instructed to give this revela¬ tion to the whole world. Much of the Patriarchal revelation was carried over, restated and embodied in the Jewish revelation. The law of the Jewish revelation was given on Mount Sinai, and continued in force until it was nailed to the cross. Its pur¬ pose was to prepare the world for a higher con¬ ception of God and to be a schoolmaster to lead the world to a fuller and higher revelation. Third, God revealed himself through his Son. This rev¬ elation was for all nations and for all time. The

Christian religion was a new religion. It differed fundamentally from all the religions of the world, including the two previous dispensations. This re¬ ligion demanded not sacrifice as did they, but faith in and obedience to its founder.

When Jesus was born in Beth¬ lehem, the nations of the earth were looking towards Judea for

2. Fullness of Time a spiritual deliverer. Each nation in its turn had tried to gratify its longings for a higher life, by resorting to what seemed to them to be most worth while. The Oriental kingdoms had resorted to luxury. They had reveled in wealth. Nations of people had, by the sacrifice of their lives, con¬ structed the walls of Nineveh and the hanging gardens of Babylon. With each new enterprise, restlessness and discontentment had been intensi¬ fied. With the coming of Greece, a new avenue was opened. For them, the supreme thing was social and intellectual culture. During this time the world’s greatest painters, greatest writers and great¬ est sculptors were produced. Contests of physical strength and endurance occupied the attention of the remotest tribes, but of no avail. Grecian culture crumbled to the earth, and the nation fell back into obscurity because its spiritual standards were base and low. The ambition of Rome was the conquest of the world. A universal empire was the dream of every Roman citizen. At last, when this had been all but realized, she found that it did not satisfy. Her citizens became corrupt; her highest offices were sold to the highest bidder. At such a

3. The Advent time our Lord made his appearance among men.

“Hail! thou that art highly favored,” was the beginning of the salutation of the angel that appeared unto Mary, the mother of our Lord. It seems that she did not understand the significance of the angel’s words. She knew, however, that the message had come from God, and was satisfied to wait for the fulfill¬ ment of the announcement. Micah, in his prophecy, had foretold that Jesus was to be born in Bethle¬ hem. A call had gone out for a census for all of the Roman Empire. The Jews were to go to their native cities. For this census, Joseph and Mary came to the village of Bethlehem. Here, Jesus was bom. A manger was his cradle. The Wise Men from the East, following their star, came to this manger and presented their gifts. The shepherds, watching their flocks by night, heard the wonderful proclamation of the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.” Simeon and Anna were assured that their earnest longings had been satisfied when Jesus was presented at the Temple. Simeon rejoiced because his eyes had seen the salvation of God; and Anna “gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all that were looking for the redemption of Jerusa¬ lem.” Jesus grew up in Nazareth, being obedient unto his parents. At about thirty he began his pub¬ lic ministry. He went to the river Jordan and sub¬ mitted himself to baptism, at the hands of John, saying that it behooved him to fulfill all right¬ eousness. After this he went into the wilderness and there endured the threefold temptation. Here he was tempted in all points as we, yet without sin. The word “J ESUS ” means Saviour. The name “Christ” signifies anointed. The first was a proper name; the second identified our Lord with the Mes¬ siah who had been foretold by all of the prophets.

The prophets had set forth J^w$° clearly and distinctly all of the important facts concerning the advent of the promised Messiah. The place of his birth had been mentioned. The time of his coming had been made known by them. His mission and purpose had been definitely written down. All of these statements had been misinterpreted by the teachers and the leaders of the Jewish nation. They looked for one having a great reputation; but the record tells us that Jesus made himself of no repu¬ tation. They looked for a ruler and a master such as David had been to the nation; but our Saviour came in the form of a servant. They thought he would compel obedience from all of the nations, but the Son of God became obedient unto death. They thought he was to rule a universal kingdom; but the Son of man refused to be made king. They thought he was to have wealth and splendor; but for our sakes he became poor. They thought that all the world would recognize him; but the son of David came unto his own and his own received him not. These misrepresentations will account for the constant conflict which was carried on between our Lord and the rulers of the Jewish nation. The fact that he did fulfill Jewish prophecy accounts for the fact that the common people heard him gladly.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

5. The Law and the Gospel

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:2, 3). The law was a school¬ master to lead us to Christ. The law made man fear God and tremble before Him for his own disobedience. The gospel revealed God’s love to the world. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The gospel sets forth God’s lovingkindness and his mercy. On the night when the Hebrews went out of Egypt, they celebrated their first Passover. The paschal lamb was slain and the blood sprinkled on the door-posts. As a result, the angel of death passed over their houses and visited only those of the Egyptians. Fifty days later the law was given. At that time three thousand were slain for disobe¬ dience. Paul calls Christ our Passover because he was sacrificed for us. Fifty days after this sacri¬ fice the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and those waiting with them. On this day, three thousand accepted the mercies that this sacrifice had provided for them. The law was for one nation and one people. The gospel was for the nations of the earth. The law taught hatred of one’s enemies. The gospel teaches us to love those who despite fully use us. The law says, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth;” but the gospel tells us, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy/’ The law knew little of immortality and the future life. By means of the gospel, immortality has been brought to light.

The testimony which Christ 6. As God s Son g ave the w orld he gave not

of himself, but of God. “For God sent not his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.” Jesus, as the Son of man, means sympathizer and a friend of mankind. Jesus, as a Son of God, means a Saviour and a Redeemer for mankind. This fact is the fundamental proof of the Christian religion. Jesus, as the Son of God, is the center of all revelation, to which all other facts concerning our Lord are related. When performing his miracles, he made it clear that the works which he did were done by the Father working through him. When men doubted his claim, he appealed to his works for vindication. None but the Son of God could command the waves to be still; could open the eyes of the young man born blind; could raise the dead to life and could make white the flesh of those suffering from leprosy. John, in his first Epistle, says: “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God.” As a Son of God, he is to be worshiped and hon¬ ored. This worship is expected and required by his Father.

a. His Authority. As the Son of God, all authority was committed into his hands. In Matthew we read: “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine; for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes/’ The fundamental difference set forth in this passage is signified by the word “authority.” The scribes and Pharisees sat in the seat of Moses. While teaching, they were continually turning to the law and to the prophets for proof concerning their teachings. Jesus, when teaching, would preface his remarks with “I say unto you.” He referred to no man, to no position, to no authority, to substantiate his teachings. The authority of Jesus was the authority of testimony. He spoke the things which he knew. His knowl¬ edge and intuition covered the entire field of moral and religious teaching. At every point Jesus op¬ posed the method of the scribes. With him there was no hesitation; there was no doubt. Geikie says: “No wonder that when He had finished his address the multitude were astonished at his teach¬ ings. They had been accustomed to the tame and slavish servility of the rabbis, with their dread of varying a word from precedent and authority; their cobwebbery of endless sophistries and verbal tri¬ fling ; their laborious definitions on the infinitely little and their unconscious oversight of all that could affect the heart.” The highest recommenda¬ tion for a preacher or Bible-school teacher is that he has a “thus saith the Lord” for his public in¬ struction.

b. As a Teacher. Having come with this au¬ thority, it is only natural that teaching would be the characteristic work of Jesus. He had no church to preach in nor pulpit to preach from. He did not go about the country holding revival meetings, as do our evangelists. He differed from the ancient teachers in that he identified himself with no school or system of philosophy. The following passages indicate this clearly: “Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogues.” “Jesus said to the mul¬ titudes, ... I sat daily with you teaching from the temple.” “On the sabbath day, he entered into the synagogue and taught.” If we examine all of the passages which refer to the teaching and preaching of our Lord, we shall find that he did it wherever and whenever an opportunity was presented. Often he delivered his most valued discourses to a single listener. This was true in the case of Nicodemus and the woman at the well. All of his teaching was done orally and in a manner that would be called conversational. His theme was always the coming Kingdom. His parables illustrated its growth and value. In performing his miracles, he taught the multitude that the Son of man had power to for¬ give sins. During his conversation with Nicodemus, he set forth some of the most important facts of the new birth. It is only as we look upon him as the great Teacher that we are able to comprehend most fully the work which he did while among men.

In all of our Lord’s teachings we see this attitude clearly set forth. The Jews, at the time of

7. His Attitude Towards Sin

Christ, were amazed because he associated with publicans and sinners. At that time there were but two ways of looking at sin. One was a severe way. When sin had been committed, the greatest amount of punishment possible was to be inflicted upon the offending party. The second way was that of false liberalism. This way said: “Eat, drink and be merry, for to-morrow we may die/’ It looked upon this life as being the beginning and end of man’s career. Christ introduced a new and third way of viewing guilt. It differed from both of these. His standard of right was higher than the law in that it went back to the intents of the heart. He taught that righteousness is the path to greatest happiness. Christ’s solicitude for the sinful was based upon personal affection. He loved the woman at the well, and he loved sin-sick Mary. Christ went into the home of Zacchaeus because Zacchaeus. needed him. He tells us definitely that he came to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus raised men from their sins by showing to them his own holy life and not by abusing them for their own shortcomings. This is a most worthy example for us. He has told us: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, shall draw all men unto me.’’ Mul¬ titudes of sin-sick people are about us. They need our sympathy and love. Let us manifest towards them the same attitude that was manifested to¬ wards the sinful, by our Lord.

In all other things, as well, Christ is to be our example. The difficulty with so many of us is

8. As Our Example that we take each other for our examples, in Chris¬ tian living, instead of taking Christ. He has been given unto us as our perfect model. “Be ye there¬ fore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Eph. 5:1, 2). We are here enjoined to be followers of God, as dear chil¬ dren. Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, requests that they follow him even as he was a follower of Christ. When riding on a railway train, it is im¬ possible for us to know how rapidly we are travel¬ ing so long as we look at the other passengers in the car. We must look out of the window and note how rapidly we are passing through villages, fields and forests. So long as we measure ourselves by ourselves, we do not know how far short we come from the standards which God has set up for us. We must take God’s word and study the life of his Son, and then be constrained to live like him. At this very point the ethical religions of the world fall down. They have nothing but a man to point to as an example. At this same point the moralist comes short. He would become righteous by elim¬ inating each day imperfections from his life. His whole attention is centered on self. This hinders and stops spiritual growth. God would have us forget self and reach out towards the example we have in Christ, in order that we might fulfill our highest spiritual possibilities.

a . Prophetic Symbolism.

The tragedy of Calvary is the tragedy of tragedies. We learn

9. The Death of Christ from the word of God that it dates back into the councils of eternity. He was a Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world. This tragedy was foretold by all of the prophets. In Isaiah the climax is reached. A violent death is here vividly described. He is said to have been slain for our transgressions and to have been bruised for our iniquities. Each year, when the high priests went into the Holy of Holies, they offered a sacrifice for the sins of the people. These sins were not blotted out, but rolled back to the time of this great sacri¬ fice. All of the animals that were ever sacrificed simply typified the sacrifice of the Son of God. On the day of his crucifixion, rocks were rent asunder. The dead came forth from the graves. For three hours the sun refused to shine. At the Lord’s table we find a perpetual memorial of this event. The Master said: “This is my body, broken for you.” “This is my blood of the new testament, shed for the remission of sins.” Paul, in his preaching, put this great tragedy in the foreground of every ser¬ mon. Pie said that he was determined to know nothing, when preaching to men, except Christ and him crucified. In the preparation for the life that is yet to come, we are enjoined to wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.

b. Its Purpose. The crucifixion of Jesus was not a murder. It was the vicarious sacrifice of the Son of God for the redemption of a sin-cursed world. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.” “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot/’ “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” It is a fundamental law of life that the greatest blessing which can come to humanity is the voluntary sacri¬ fice of those who are innocent. The mother suffers for the child. The patriot is ready to die for his country. The martyr willingly goes to the stake for the sake of the great truth he has proclaimed to the world. The crucifixion was no injustice to Jesus. It was for the joy that was set before him that he endured the cross. He despised the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. This vicarious sacrifice always calls out the best that there is in man. The son never gets away from the influence of a mother’s love. The nation never forgets its great patriots. The equality of humanity and the brotherhood of man are the doc¬ trines of the cross. The awfulness of sin is in¬ tensified as we understand more clearly the signifi¬ cance of the tragedy of the cross.

Christ has ascended to the right hand of the Father, and there to-day makes intercession for us. “There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ.” Jesus says: “Whatsoever you shall ask the Father, in my name, that will he do.” In the Hebrew letter we are told that we have a High Priest who hath passed into the

10. As Mediator heavens. We are assured that Christ is touched with the feelings of our infirmities because he has been tempted in all points like as we. As High Priest, he makes daily intercession to the Father in our behalf. We have no right, as Christians, to approach God in any other way than in the name of our Saviour. A mediator must sustain a proper relationship to both parties. It is said of Jesus that he is both the Son of God and the Son of man. This mediatorship is daily illustrated in our court¬ rooms. The attorney is the mediator for his client before the judge or the jury. The attorney speaks in his behalf and he pleads his case. It is the will of the Father and the desire of the Son that this mediatorship should become universal. Man alone interferes with this realization. Christ, standing outside of the city of Jerusalem, said: “O Jeru¬ salem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how oft would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” This vividly sets forth the attitude of Christ, and likewise the present attitude of a great part of the world. In the plan of redemption there is a threefold work. God prepared the plan. He gave his Son to the world. Christ came to reveal the perpetual love of the Father. When men under¬ stand this mediatorial work of Christ they will no longer accuse God of refusing to accept them. God and Christ have done their part. It only re¬ mains for man to accept the plan and to render obedience.

Questions for Review.

1. Name the three dispensations.

2. For whom was each given?

3. For how long was each given?

4. What do you understand by the fullness of time?

5. Name five things that mark the advent of our Lord.

6. Why did the Jews have a false hope?

7. Why are many of them still looking for the Messiah?

8. Contrast the law and the gospel.

9. How did Jesus prove himself to be God's Son ?

10. What is the extent of his authority?

11. Why is Jesus called the “Great Teacher"?

12. Characterize his attitude towards sin.

13. What is the advantage of having him for our example?

14. What was accomplished by the death of Christ ?

15. How does it change our attitude towards our own death?

16. As Mediator, what does he do for us?

II.

THE CHURCH AND THE HOLY

SPIRIT

OUTLINE—CHAPTER II.