Correspondence: Church; Elect; Rev. 7:14; Matt. 12:30, Luke 1:23, and Mark 9:40

From: Correspondence

From: Young Christian: Volume 12, 1922

• 3 min. read • grade level: 5

Ques. Does the word "church" always mean the same people? N. I. F.

Ans. The word "church" means "assembly." It has two distinct aspects. The one is called the "house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (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 other is "the church which is His body," the fullness of Him who filleth all in all. The first is put into man's responsibility, so failure and corruption have come into it. (1 Cor. 3:10-17¹⁰According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. ¹¹For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; ¹³Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. ¹⁴If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. ¹⁶Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? ¹⁷If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:10‑17); Eph. 4:5⁵One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (Ephesians 4:5); 1 Peter 4:17¹⁷For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17), and many other passages.)

The second depends on God, and is built by the Holy Spirit, so none but saved ones are in it. Such verses as Math. 16:18; 1 Cor. 12:12, 13¹²For 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. ¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13); Rom. 12:4, 5⁴For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: ⁵So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:4‑5); Eph. 4:4; 5:25⁴There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)
²⁵Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25), apply to it. All who are saved shall be caught up to lie forever with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:15-16¹⁵For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑16).) All who are only professors, without the new life, shall be left behind, forever lost.

Ques. What does "Elect" mean? Who are "the Elect" in Scripture? A. F. K.

Ans. "Elect" means "chosen." In Isa. 42:1¹Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (Isaiah 42:1) and Math. 12:18 the Lord Himself is the chosen one of God, God's Beloved Son. In Math. 24:31, it is the elect nation of Israel, chosen out of the nations to be a peculiar treasure unto Jehovah above all people. (Exo. 19:5⁵Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: (Exodus 19:5).)

In 1 Tim. 5:21²¹I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. (1 Timothy 5:21) we have the elect angels also. There we have the "elect" of the present time, those who compose the Church. (Eph. 1:4⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4); Col. 3:12¹²Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:12); 2 Thess. 2:13¹³But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (2 Thessalonians 2:13); Titus 1:1¹Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (Titus 1:1); 1 Peter 1:2²Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2).) This is the Treasure and the Pearl of Math. 13:44, 45. Election is the choosing of the persons; predestination is to the place or position of relationship they are to fill.

Ques.. What is the difference between those in Rev. 7:14¹⁴And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14), and of those converted in this present period? E. G.

Ans. They and we are both saved through the death and blood-shedding of our Lord Jesus. They are saved through believing the gospel of the Kingdom. (Psa. 2:12¹²Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:12).) We are saved through believing the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24²⁴But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24).). We are saved, and shall reign with Christ in heavenly glory. They are saved, and will be some of God's people on earth; they are saved Gentiles. The Church, though composed of Jews and Gentiles; are now neither Jew nor Gentile, but Church of God. (1 Cor. 10:32³²Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (1 Corinthians 10:32).) These faithful Gentiles have won a place as servants of God in His temple on earth, and their blessings are on earth.

The Church, and all the saints who pass through death from first to last, will reign with Christ, the Lord, in heavenly glory.

Ques. Math. 12:30, and Luke 11:23²³He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. (Luke 11:23), and Mark 9:40⁴⁰For he that is not against us is on our part. (Mark 9:40). To what does each refer? E. G.

Ans. Read the context, and you will see that Math. 12:30 and Luke 11:23²³He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. (Luke 11:23) both refer to those who were saying of Him, It is by Beelzebub, the prince of devils, that Jesus cast out devils. The Lord traces this to the deep malice of their wicked hearts.

In Mark 9:40⁴⁰For he that is not against us is on our part. (Mark 9:40) John said, "We saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbade him. because he followeth not us." The disciples were jealous of their own importance, but Jesus said, "Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My name, that can lightly speak evil of Me. For he that is not against us is on our part." There is he opposition in true service for Christ, and each one who serves Him will be rewarded. (Verse 41.)

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