In consistency with their practice of independency, Open Brethren have in recent years developed a doctrine to support the practice. As in Revelation 2 we have first the “deeds of the Nicolaitanes” mentioned in the address to Ephesus (vs. 6), followed by the “doctrine of the Nicolaitanes” in the address to Pergamos (vs. 15), so now Open Brethren are seeking to justify their independency of meetings by an appeal to Scripture.
In the Open Brethren magazine, “Light and Liberty,” published by Walterick of Fort Dodge, Iowa, we find under date of May 1944 on page 96 an article entitled, “Notes on Second Timothy” by W. E. Vine, M. A. In commenting on verse 20 of chapter 2, Mr. Vine says, “Some have interpreted the house as representing the world, others what is mistermed ‘the church on earth’ (an entirely unscriptural and misleading phrase — the church is never viewed as ‘on earth’; there are churches on earth)” (italics ours).
Now it would be charitable to charge Mr. Vine’s blunder to ignorance, but when one uses an “M.A.” he can hardly plead ignorance. If Mr. Vine is playing with words in saying that Scripture never speaks of “the church on earth,” he is technically correct. But neither does Scripture use the expression “the church in heaven.” Would Mr. Vine conclude with equal logic that the church will never be in heaven?
But can anyone who is familiar with the Acts and Paul’s epistles doubt that in Paul’s mind, at least, there was such a thing as “the church on earth”? Witness his confession in Galatians 1:1313For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (Galatians 1:13), “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God [not ‘churches’], and wasted it [not ‘them’].” That the persecution was not confined to any one locality is clear from Paul’s defense before Agrippa when he says, “And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities” (Acts 26:1111And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. (Acts 26:11)). (See also Philippians 3:66Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:6): “Concerning zeal, persecuting the church.”)
That the church in its universality is often alluded to in the New Testament is clear from the following Scriptures. Christ is said to be “head over all things to the church [not ‘churches’]” (Eph. 1:2222And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (Ephesians 1:22)). Compare also Ephesians 3:1010To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Ephesians 3:10), “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church [not ‘churches’] the manifold wisdom of God.” Is the church “on earth”? If not, where is it? See also Ephesians 5: “As the church is subject unto Christ” (vs. 24); “Christ also loved the church” (vs. 25); “cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church” (vs. 29); “I speak concerning Christ and the church” (vs. 32). “He is head of the body, the church” (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)); “His body’s sake, which is the church” (vs. 24).
Take the expression in 1 Corinthians 12:28, “God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers.” Now we know that apostles and teachers are gifts-at-large to the church — never local.
Must we not conclude, then, that only blind infatuation with an unscriptural position can ever lead one to defend the strange postulate that “the church is never viewed as ‘on earth’; there are churches on earth.” God’s Word recognizes emphatically two parallel truths: First, there is a divinely constituted entity upon the earth which is many times referred to in Scripture as “the church of God,” and second, there were numerous local groups referred to in Scripture as “the churches of God” (1 Cor. 11:16; 1 Thess. 2:14; 2 Thess. 1:4).
In the Word of God these two terms are used discriminatingly, and there is a special line of truth connected with each. To either deny them or reduce them to a common denominator is to parade our lack of confidence in the exactness of divine revelation. But to what length will not error go in wresting the Scriptures to defend an unscriptural position. May our gracious Lord keep us humble in spirit as we handle His Word, for has He not declared, “But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word” (Isa. 66:22For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isaiah 66:2))?