My Dear Brother:
The question you put as to receiving is to me always a delicate one. The point is to conciliate sound discipline, and being wholly outside the camp, which is of increasing importance, and avoiding being a sect, which I should as anxiously do. Receiving all members of Christ’s body is not a sect clearly, and that is the principle on which I unite, but they must walk orderly and be under discipline, and not pretend to impose conditions on the church of God.
If therefore they came claiming as a condition liberty to go elsewhere, I could not allow it, because I know it is wrong, and the Church cannot allow what is wrong. If it was ignorance, and they came bona-fide in the spirit of unity, to that which is the symbol of unity, I should not reject them, because they had not in fact broken [with it], but I could not accept what made us part of the camp, nor any sort of claim to go to both, to be inside and outside. This is equally pretentious and dishonest...
But I receive a person who comes in simplicity, with a good conscience, for the sake of spiritual communion, though they may not yet see clearly ecclesiastically; but the assembly is bound to exercise discipline as to them, and know their walk and purity of heart in coming whenever they do. They cannot come in and out just as they please, because the conscience of the assembly is engaged in the matter, and its duty to God, and to Him at whose Table we are. Looseness in this is more fatal than ever now. If a person practically says I will come to take a place in the body of Christ when I like, and go into sects and evil when I like for convenience or pleasure, that is not a pure heart. It is making their own will the rule of God’s assembly, and subjecting the assembly to it, and that cannot be-is clearly wrong. May the Lord’s grace and gracious keeping be with you all.
Your affectionate brother in Christ.
1873
Letters of J. N. D. Vol. 2
Page 250
It is with the desire to strengthen and to exercise our souls in the truth of gathering to the Lord’s name as members of the body of Christ and in the unity of the Spirit, that this letter and these remarks are printed.
J. N. D’s name has been used to advocate looseness in receiving: this letter shows how careful he was. It is now printed for the truth it contains. We feel it is much needed at the present moment of the Church’s history, when the truth of being gathered to the Lord’s name is often slighted.
However, this outward manifestation did not continue; it has long since passed away. But the truth still remains, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.” Eph. 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4).
The assembly, the house of God (1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)), the responsible light on earth, has, in man’s hands, been ruined, and now it is compared in 2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20) to “a great house” where are all kinds of vessels, but in confusion. We are not told to leave the great house; that we cannot do: but we are told to “depart from iniquity.” That is, a separate path is pointed out for obedience of faith, where we can obey the word and seek to carry out His mind.
Deuteronomy 12:5-145But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: 6And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: 7And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee. 8Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. 9For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth you. 10But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; 11Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the Lord: 12And ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. 13Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: 14But in the place which the Lord shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. (Deuteronomy 12:5‑14) could be again observed. They gathered back to Israel’s center chosen at the first. That is the only thing left for us to do. It is not constructing or organizing some ecclesiastical position of our own. If the Holy Spirit gathers any, He will do so only in accordance with the principles laid down by Him in the Word of God. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.” This is recognized and acted on in endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace. Eph. 4:3-43Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:3‑4).
Another thing we get in the returned remnant, which was not needed before, was that the priests had to prove their title, and if they could not, they were set aside till they could. Ezra 2:62-6362These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. 63And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim. (Ezra 2:62‑63). So the worshiper must prove his title. Has he peace with God? If he is sealed with the Holy Ghost, he is a worshiper. John 4:23, 2423But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23‑24); Phil. 3:33For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3). He can enjoy “the communion of the blood of Christ;” he is a member of His body. (1 Cor. 10:16, 1716The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:16‑17).)
In 2 Tim. our path in this day of ruin is pointed out. It is only a feeble remnant at the best, but as a remnant it is getting back to Matt. 18:18-2018Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:18‑20). But this can only be claimed in the path of obedience to the word, “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ [the Lord] depart from iniquity.” 2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19). It is separation from every invention of man in divine things and a getting back to God’s word. The 20th verse tells of the confusion; the 21st verse tells us the remedy. “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work.” I need to leave much that is good because it is associated with evil.
Then comes, “Flee also youthful lusts.” God wants truth in the inward parts, and this should exercise our hearts to live “soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” To boast of a right scriptural position when worldliness and other lusts are allowed in our walk would be sorrowful indeed.
Then we are to follow, not people but “righteousness, faith, [love], peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Here we get the path and the company with whom to walk, practical righteousness, obedience to the Word, love to all the saints, ways characterized by peace, hearts sincerely exercised before the Lord to walk with Him.
The question, Who is to be received to the breaking of bread? is a serious one, and all who are gathered to the Lord’s name are responsible to find the answer. What a comfort it is to know the truth of the Lord’s presence with us. We can turn to Him for wisdom and grace and all we need. If we do so, He will meet our every difficulty. It is His presence that makes the action of the two or three binding on the whole assembly of God.
It is plain that all the gathered saints share the responsibility according to the word, “do not ye judge them that are within?” 1 Cor. 5:1212For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? (1 Corinthians 5:12). Opportunity must therefore be given to know the state of those who desire to break bread. Let us weigh this before the Lord. Does not the word “Lay hands suddenly on no man” (1 Tim. 5:2222Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22)), forbid haste in receiving? We must remember it is not our table but the Lord’s; we are only guests there. We cannot make rules and His Word and the sense of His presence can alone keep order and the cleanness that becomes His house.
Those to be received, therefore, must have their title clear, that is, they should have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and consequently be sealed with the Spirit. (Eph. 1;13.) A person received to the Lord’s table is received because the place belongs to him as one of the Lord’s people, a member of the body of Christ; and when received, he is subject to the discipline of the assembly of God.
Where souls are newly converted and have not been associated with systems of men, there is no difficulty. We receive them because they are the Lord’s. There may be little intelligence about their position, but they ought to have hearts exercised to please the Lord.
Some think it right to break bread with any company of saints that will allow them to do so, not considering the word “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” 1 Cor. 5:66Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6). If we have fellowship with evil, we are leavened by it. We are one with all with whom we break bread. If we allow such persons to break bread with us we are consequently made one with and are defiled by allowing them. (Numbers 19:1515And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean. (Numbers 19:15).)
We find in scripture three forms of evil that must be refused.
It is our duty to the Lord in the midst to refuse any who are associated with these things. They should “Cease to do evil” before being received.
It is unscriptural to receive any on their own testimony.
We must not allow fear of hurting souls to lead us out of the path of obedience. It is better to obey God than man. Some may feel hurt at not being received at once. This is because of the usage in men’s systems. Godly souls will learn the lesson better and sooner by seeing care exercised for the Lord’s glory.
We need willing, obedient, devoted hearts to Christ, and to the blessed Word of God. It is a day of difficulty. (2 Tim. 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1).) We must ever acknowledge how we have contributed to the confusion and humble ourselves about it. How much we grieve the Holy Spirit! Even yet nothing but His grace can keep us from turning away from the truth. It is always the tendency when iniquity abounds for the love of many to wax cold.
Beloved brethren, we need to remember God has not changed. His word is the same; His Spirit dwells in us and with us. The presence of Christ is promised. (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20).) Suppose all turn away from these blessings, what are you going to do? Satan’s great endeavor is to scatter the flock that Christ may be dishonored.
“Where two or three are gathered together unto My name, there am I in the midst of them.” (New Trans.)
Is it not better than crowds of saints without Him? Nothing can make up for the loss of His presence. We cannot have His presence without holiness and truth, for His name is holy and true. Rev. 3:77And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (Revelation 3:7). And God’s Spirit who gathers, is the “Holy Spirit” and the “Spirit of truth.”
May we seek companionship with the Lord, so that grace may be given us, and that we may be kept fresh in His love, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to claim all His own to Himself where He can have His full joy in us. May He be able to say to us, “Thou hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.” Rev. 3:88I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8).