A Biblical view of the church

Front matter

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Book .

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Table Of Contents

Chapter Page

The Oneness of the Church -

Basic Principle — Scriptures Sufficient - - - -

Foreword

THE matter contained in this book was not prepared by appointment of any conference, convention, or other body of Christians ; hence it is not given as authoritative, only as Scriptural truth is authoritative. The author has not written as a special spokesman for any distinct body of people. Yet he is glad to say that there is a body of believers denominated the "Christians," or more generally, the "Christian Church," which holds substantially the views presented in this book. But this treatise is not given alone for this body of Christians, but for all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and desire to know and be in harmony with His thought in relation to His Church on the earth.

As will be seen, reference has a few times been made to denominations of Christians, sometimes referring to them by name; that the terms "sect" and "sectarianism" are used ; and that in this second edition reference is sometimes made to certain theological terms and tenets, which, in the judgment of the author, are not in harmony with the teach-

12 FOREWORD

ings of the Bible when properly interpreted. But the author wishes here to state that when such references are made it is not in any invidious sense, acrimonious spirit, or with any unrighteous motive. It is in the natural and legitimate meaning of the words that they are used; and then only that the truth may the more readily be seen and appreciated.

As a rule the author has spoken in positive terms, because his faith on those points is positive, founded upon his convictions of the teachings of God's Word — not on the traditions of men brought down from the dark ages.

The first edition of the "Biblical View of the Church" has been exhausted for some time, during which time there have been calls for it. It has been used as a text book in some of our schools. The President of one of our colleges writes me that he desires to so use it the coming year.

The first edition has been carefully revised, and enlarged by four additional chapters, giving a "Biblical View" of six points of Bible Truths (or doctrine) which are considered as fundamental in Christianity.

If the book presents any matters that to any one seems new or strange, or that the

FOREWORD 13

reader has never tested for himself by the Word of God, we commend the example of the Bereans, who were declared to be "More noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so." (Acts 17: 11.)

In most cases not only is the book, chapter and verse given where the quotation may be found, but the quotation itself is given. This because the Scripture contains, or refers to, the specific truth or fact under consideration ; and if only the place where it is found is given, the reader may not have a Bible at hand, or may not feel to have the time to hunt up the passage, and so is deprived of the full assurance and strength that the reading and study of the passage itself would give.

That God may bless the careful reading and study of this small volume to the strengthening of faith in the teachings of the Bible, solidifying Christian character, and helping in some degree in forwarding the cause of Christian and Church Unity, is the humble wish and sincere prayer of the author.

J. G. B.

Introduction

IT is not the purpose of this brief note to do more than introduce to its readers the well known author of the book, "A Biblical View of the Church." Rev. Josiah Goodman Bishop has lived too long among us, and wrought too well, to need an elaborate introduction to the people whom he asks to read the following pages. The Rev. Doctor has all his lifetime been a preacher of righteousness, and represents in his character and teaching that sturdy, rugged type of manhood and forcefulness of expression which has always characterized the man of faith. He was born into the world and called of God to preach the gospel of his grace, at a time when his adopted state (Iowa) was yet young, and the people called Christians but little known or understood, and greatly handicapped because of their smallness in numbers, compared with the then popular churches of the country. His first training was that of the itinerant preacher, riding horseback to his appointments, and in lieu of a holster carried saddlebags, which were always filled with books to read, study and

16 INTRODUCTION

circulate among the people. But though his early training was confined to the school of the pioneer, he later on attended the Christian Biblical Institute at Stanfordville, New York, and had the distinction of reciting to that noted teacher of modem times, the Rev. Austin Craig, D. D., president of the school, since which time, with his life-long habit of study, he has pursued his investigations until now, when in the dawning days of his immortality, he is especially fitted to speak on the subjects discussed in this book.

The permanent value of such a book as A Biblical View of the Church cannot well be over-rated or over-stated. All knowledge is good, desirable in itself, and desirable for the sake of the power and polish which it adds to character, but especially is knowledge necessary when it helps either to create or confirm our faith in the great truths of Christianity. We should know the truth, for the truth alone can make us free. The writer takes strong ground on all the phases of the church he discusses, and for this he is to be commended. One need not fear to take strong ground when dealing with the truth as revealed in The Book. God does not accept a blind faith. We should know what we believe and why we believe it. Doctor Bishop

INTRODUCTION 17

sets forth in clear, strong light what he believes, and why he believes it. He believes it because it is so written in The Book. God, who gave us our reason, appeals to our reason in all matters pertaining to His Kingdom, and He enjoins us to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us. Such an answer is impossible in the absence of real faith, and real faith is impossible without adequate knowledge. In this book will be found the reason for believing in the Church described by its builder and the source of knowledge from which such reason comes. All too much in these days is the church being discredited, supplanted, and criticised. The criticism on the church is wide-spread; it is in the books we study, in the papers we read, in the conversation of our friends, in the tone and utterance of the pulpit, in the very air we breathe, and is slowly, but surely, finding its way into the life and activities of the church itself ; and the author seeks to present the church in a light and with a character that would lift it above criticism. The contention of the writer is for a church that will stand the test of truth, and a membership born into it, of which, when men shall take knowledge they may know that it is the church that Jesus Christ is building upon The

18 INTRODUCTION

Rock. A study of the several chapters will convince the enquirer after truth of the careful investigativ.*.!, the close reasoning, the fairness of interpretation, the correct application, and the logical conclusions of the writer through all the lanes of thought through which he has traveled.

The reader will find no ambiguity of phrase; no wandering, meaningless sentences; no paragraph put in to fill up; no sky-rocket display of words; no attempt at eloquence of utterance, but lucid recital, glowing description, earnest thought, extensive research, and genial feeling throughout the entire work, and should this production be tested by severe standards of excellence it would not fall short of the required measurement.

J. F. Burnett.

Dayton, Ohio.

''Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou didst send me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou didst send me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."— John 17 : 20-24.

Chapter I. The Oneness Or Unity Of The Church

"Upon this rock I will build my church." — Matt. 16:18.

THAT is a remakable passage recorded in Matthew, sixteenth chapter, thirteenth to the eighteenth verses inclusive. It clearly implies that it does make some difference what a man believes. Christ would test His disciples as to their opinion concerning Himself, as to the soundness of their faith in the Messiah, the world's Redeemer. He begins by interrogating as to the opinions of the people in reference to Himself. Then He makes it personal, "But whom say ye that I am?" Peter answers promptly: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him. Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven."

Peter did not get the knowledge of this fact, that Jesus was the Son of the living God, from tradition or the reasonings of his own mind; he had received it by the revelation of God. This fact being settled, that the disciples have it correct, that their faith on this point is sound, Christ proceeds in His reply to Peter to state to them, and for others down through the ages, another fact, as follows: "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell (Hades) shall not prevail against it."

In reference to the term church and its meaning we may quote the following: Dr. Adam Clark says, "The term church, in Greek, ekklesia, occurs for the first time in this place." Dr. Barnes says, "The word church literally means called out, and often means an assembly or congregation. It is applied to Christians as being called out from the world." Dr. Lange says the term here rendered church means "belonging to the Lord." He further says, "The term church, from the English Bible, has long since become the full equivalent of the Greek ekklesia"

It is in the text quoted above that the term church is first found in the Bible ; from it also may be gained a clue to its meaning, the meaning that is generally accorded to it by English speaking people. In saying that this passage is the first instance in which the word "church" is used, let it not be understood as implying that the Lord had not a people in previous ages, indeed in every age ; but until this time they had been designated by different titles.

There are two important facts relative to the church of Jesus Christ, contained in the text quoted above, which we wish to briefly mention before proceeding to discuss the main point demanding present consideration. First, Christ said, "Upon this rock / will build my church." No matter what agencies or instrumentalities Christ may use in the building of His church down through the ages, He is the builder of His church. Second, the impregnability of His church. This is fixed. He said the powers of Hades shall not prevail against it. If it were possible for any satanic or earthly power to prevail against it, it certainly would have been destroyed centuries ago.

THE FOUNDATION

Christ Himself — not Peter, the Pope, Luther, Wesley, Joe Smith, or any other man — is the rock. The fact just stated by Peter, which the Father had revealed to him, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," this fact — Christ, the Son of the living God — constituted then, constitutes now, the foundation rock, the central truth of Christianity. That this is Christ's meaning, in the text quoted, is made clear by. the following corroborating Scriptures: "So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord." (Eph. 2:19, 20.)

The main doctrine here, briefly stated, as we understand it, is this: the "apostles and prophets," that is, the teachings of the Old and the New Testaments, including the teachings of Jesus Christ and His own living personality as a Savior, as the great central truth, constitute the foundation of the church, represented under the figure of a "building," a "temple."

If there shoud still linger in the mind any question as to Christ being the "rock," "the chief corner stone," the foundation of His church, the apostle settles it, settles it with those who take the Scriptures as their guide (See 1 Corinthtians 3:11). "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." To rightly understand what constitutes the real foundation of the church will appear of more importance as we proceed in our survey.

ONENESS OF THE CHURCH

The unity or oneness of the church is clearly taught in the first text of the Bible in which the word church is mentioned, as in many passages that follow. "Upon this rock," said Christ, "/ will build my church." It is in the singular, not my churches. I am not unmindful of the fact that in the Scrip- .tures the word church is sometimes used in the plural sense. It is so used in such passages as these : "Went through Syria, .... confirming the churches ;" "All the churches of the Gentiles;" "So ordain I in all the churches ;" "The churches of Galatia ;" "The seven churches of Asia," and in some other passages. But the plural in these passages refers to different localities or places of one and the same church, and not to different factions or parts of the one church, such as might be represented by the different denominations of to-day.

The "seven churches of Asia" refers to the church in the seven different mentioned cities of Asia Minor — Ephesus, Smyrna, and others ; and not to so many different denominations or parts of the one church. Indeed, the denominations of to-day were not known in apostolic times, or the first ages of the church. They are the product of an apostasized church of later periods.

In the New Testament history of the early church there is no mention made of more than one church in any given city. We repeat, The New Testament makes no mention of more than one church in any city. Doubtless, as the number of Christians increased, there were different places of assemblage for worship in the same city; but so far as we can learn from the New Testament teachings, there was but one church in one city. This one church, no doubt, included all the Christians in that city. Why should it not be so now? Why?

The various figures used in the New Testament to represent the church contain the idea of its oneness. Note the following:

One Body, One Head. — The church is represented as the body of Christ, and Himself the head (as in Eph. 1:22, 23) : God "gave him [Christ] to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all." "As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office, so we, being many, are one body in Christ.'* (Rom. 12:4, 5.) In 1 Cor. 12:1-27 the apostle speaks at length of the church under this figure of the body. We quote the following : "For 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. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body'* [that is how we get in, by the spiritual baptism or the new birth] "whether we be Jews or Gentiles. . . . Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

The points in these scriptural statements which we wish especially to emphasize are: that the church, though composed of many individual Christians, constitutes but one Body; and that of this body Christ is the Head [not Peter, the Pope, Luther, nor any other man] ; not two or more heads to one body, or two or more bodies to one head.

One Vineyard. — The parable of the vineyard (John 15:1-5), "I am the vine; ye are the branches." Branches here do not mean anything analogous to the different denominations of to-day. Such an interpretation of our Lord's words here certainly is at variance with His meaning. As in the figure of the body the different members represent the individual Christians making up the body, the church, so in the parable of the vineyard, individual Christians are represented by the branches making up the vine.

One Flock, One Shepherd. — The sheepfold (John 10: 1-16), Christ the shepherd, Christians the flock. (See verse 16) : "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd." Not three nor three hundred, but ONE flock.

One Family. — In Ephesians 3 : 14, 15 the church is referred to under the figure of the family. "For this cause," says the apostle, "I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named." Some of the members on the other side of the river, other members on this side of the river, still but one family. Of this spiritual Christian family God is the Father; His children are brothers and sisters. What a pity they have not always lived and treated each other as brothers and sisters should.

"One family we dwell in Him, One church above, beneath, Though now divided by the stream, The narrow stream of death; One army of the living God, At his command we bow.

Part of the host have crossed the flood. And part are crossing now."

Is the question asked, of whom is this Family-Church composed? The Bible answers : Those who have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Those who have been "regenerated," and "made new creatures in Christ Jesus." Those who have been "born of the Spirit;" for "as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God." Reversely, "If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his." No matter how broad the phylactery, how white the headgear, how blue the stocking, how straightcollared the coat, how long the creed, how popular the denomination, unless one has the Spirit of Christ he is none of His — is not a member of the household of faith, the one family, the one flock, the one body, the one church of Jesus Christ.

Christ's Prayer For. — Was it because the prophetic eye of Christ, looking forward through the centuries, and seeing His body again mangled, His church rent, torn, and divided off into so many denominational factions, that the burden on His spirit called out that inimitable prayer recorded in the seventeenth chapter of John? (Verses 21- 23). "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one, as thou. Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou didst send me."

UNITY OF THE CHURCH ENJOINED

As we have found, the various phrases, figures and symbols used by Christ and His apostles to represent the church convey the idea of its oneness, such as my kingdom, my church, one body, one vineyard, one family, one flock; all intensely emphasized by Christ's prayer that it might be so. Surely in all of these Scriptural references something more must be meant than a spiritual oneness, a fraternity of feeling, denominational comity, a federation of churches and denominations. All these, in the main, are good as far as they go; they point in the right direction; but they do not reach, at least they have not reached, the New Testament idea of Christ's church — an

Organic Unity. — Such terms as "body," "household," "vineyard," "flock," "family," "kingdom," mean something more than the invisible spirit; they mean an aggregation of parts into something visible, that the world may see, "and believe."

This view of the church — its organic unity — does not materialize it, does not exclude its spiritual element. A good illustration is the trolley car, run by electricity. The track is laid all complete. The car is on the track all completely furnished. But there it stands ; no go ; no use until an invisible, subtile, potential something which we call electricity is turned on, then there is seeming life, and usefulness. And so the body without the spirit is lifeless, dead ; and yet the bodily organism is necessary for the spirit in performing its office while in this world. Even so the organized church, without being made alive, and that life being fed and maintained by the word and the Spirit of God, would be no church of Jesus Christ. We believe most heartily in a spiritual religion — no other can meet the deep wants of the soul now, or prepare us for heaven after while ; but this religion, which we call Christianity, must have, speaking in general terms, the bodily organism, which is termed the church, through which to carry on its work of evangelism, bringing the world in obedience to Christ. And, with a very marked definiteness, the Bible teaches the organic unity of this church ; and with equal emphasis,

CONDEMNS THE DIVISION

of this church into denominational factions. Quite early in the history of the church at Corinth there was developed a disposition on the part of some to divide, or class off, in this case after favorite preachers. But these beginnings were strongly rebuked. "For," says the apostle, "ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk as men ? While one saith, I am of Paul and I of Apollos, are ye not carnal?" The apostle not only condemns the spirit of this early tendency to classing off into separate parties in the church, but resents the idea of themselves becoming the heads of these factions.

Farther on in the same epistle nearly a whole chapter (chapter 12) is given to a presentation of this subject of the oneness and unity of the church under the figure of the body with its many members, each one having its place and its function, each necessary to the completion of the whole: "As the body is one, having many members, so also is Christ." We have the climax of his argument in the 25th and 26th verses: "That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care one of another, and whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it, or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it."

NO SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR DIVISIONS

We are unable to find from the Scriptures any reference to, or apology for, a divided or sectarian church, such as is seen in the various distinctively organized bodies or denominations as they exist to-day. We might mention a few dozens of them by name, with some of the peculiarities of name, doctrine, dogma, government or custom that differentiate them one from another, and then search in vain to find one of them, with these distinguishing peculiarities, mentioned in the Scriptures.

If divisions in the church are in direct and positive violation of the teachings of the Scriptures, and they are, and if "sin is the transgression of the law" and "all unrighteousness is sin," as the Bible declares them to be (see 1 John 3 : 4 and 5 : 17) , then what a sin — or shall we tone it down and say, what an evil it must be, this dividing of the church into factions and sectarian bodies! No matter what excuse, or supposed reason, may be given for the division, the ''there should he no schism [division] in the body" answers them all.

The divisions in the church are in constant violation of our Lord's Prayer, "That they all may be one as we are one." From the time the first promises of a Savior were made to a sinful world until those promises were fulfilled and Christ sat down at the right hand of the Father, there is not heard one note of discord between the Father and the Son, but a perfect unity and agreement in all their purposes and work for man's redemption. Does such union exist in all the purposes, plans and work of the different denominations of Christians to-day? We all know there does not !

SECT BODY, SECT SPIRIT

The sectarian body engenders and perpetuates the sectarian spirit. There are

Christians who are otherwise intelligent, thoughtful, and good who try to justify the existence of the sect-body, while they yet deplore the sectarian spirit, not seeming to realize that the sect-spirit is the life of the sect-body, and the sect-body in turn propagates and perpetuates the sectarian spirit. Each, in large measure, depends upon and perpetuates the other. While the sect-body remains, there will be more or less of the sectarian spirit. If one is wrong, so is the other. What is needed for the Christian spirit is an unsectarian church-body in which the spirit may dwell as the life, prompting to Christian service.

EVILS OF DIVISION

Cause of Weakness. — Divisions in the church are a cause of weakness, of diversion and perversion of strength. How much time, thought, and strength have been and still are being given to what is called church work that is peculiar and essential only to the denominational church body? Time and strength thus given are largely diverted from the building up of the real Kingdom of our blessed Lord.

The Money Waste. — To build up and maintain the many needless sectarian bodies involves a great waste of our Lord's money, which He has entrusted to His people to hold and use as His stewards. It costs to maintain the machinery for organized Christian work. The expense incurred for machinery that is not really necessary for the Lord's work is unnecessary expense. Just think for a moment how many meeting houses (call them temples if you wish) there are, with all their equipments, and preachers to be supported, more than are really needed to accommodate the people of the community. Half a dozen churches, with services to be supported in each, in villages of about as many hundred inhabitants, are to be seen in many places. I know a village where at the crossing of two streets there is a church on each of the four corners; and in another town two costly churches are so closely located that the singing of either congregation sometimes disturbs the worshippers in the other. Just yesterday while passing through a small hamlet we noticed two good churches standing within one hundred feet of each other, either one of which would amply accommodate the community. These are only samples of what every one sees or knows to eixst in this country. All this in the name of Christianity? Rather is it not a travestyon Christianity? The time, strength, and money that are now used to erect, equip, and sustain more churches than are really needed in one ward, village, or community could be used where really needed in other wards or parts of the city, or other unprovided for communities. There are places where preachers are so plentiful that they are elbowing one another. There are other places, parts of our own country, where there are large and growing communities with either none, or an inadequate supply. The over-plus, which would amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars, would go far in supplying the religiously destitute in our own country, and in giving the gospel to those who now sit in the "regions and the shadow of death." How many hundreds of good ministers of the various denominations might be spared from the surplus churches and given to the cause of missions; with what alacrity the army of the Lord might be recruited and march forward in the conquest of the world for Christ; what joy on earth and joy in heaven ; what pseans of victory from souls redeemed; what glory and honor to God and the Lamb. Oh, the sin of all this waste!

Stumbling Blocks. — These worse than needless divisions in the church of Jesus Christ and the spirit of jealousy, envy, unholy rivalry, ostracism, and persecution which they have engendered, have been a shame and disgrace to the cause of Christ, breeders of scepticism and infidelity, thus putting stumbling blocks in the way of sinners that might be saved, and clubs into the hands of the enemies of the cause which they profess to represent.