When we go back to the day of Pentecost we find in Acts 2, the beginning of the church of God on earth, as foretold by the Lord, Jesus in Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18). There were about 120 believers together in Jerusalem waiting for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who came down on that occasion and baptized them by one Spirit into one body. As others were saved the Lord added them to the church. "and they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2:47,1-347Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (Acts 2:1‑3). When the enemy first attempted to bring in evil, the Lord Himself dealt with it, and Ananias and Sapphira were smitten dead (Acts 5:5,105And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. (Acts 5:5)
10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. (Acts 5:10)). The Lord showed His mind about evil in the assembly in this, but now it is the responsibility of the assembly to put away evil from among themselves. (1 Cor. 5:1313But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:13)).
As those in other places were saved through believing the gospel, that oneness was carefully maintained (1 Cor. 12:1313For 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 12:13)), so that the Samaritans did not receive the Holy Spirit independently of the assembly at Jerusalem. Even though they had believed and been baptized, it was not until Peter and John came down from Jerusalem that they received the Holy Spirit. This same happy oneness was maintained in the bringing in of the Gentiles, for God ordered that they should hear the gospel through Peter, and then upon believing, the Spirit of God fell upon them. The assembly at Jerusalem, at Samaria, and then at Caesarea in the house of Cornelius, each became a local expression of the one body of Christ. The Church of God on earth is one, and each local assembly, if Scripturally gathered, becomes a local expression of it. The Spirit of God, who by indwelling believers, unites them to one another and to Christ the Head in glory, would (if God's order were maintained) lead them to give expression to this blessed truth in breaking bread as members of that one body.
Now we may be sure that the enemy will do all he can to spoil such a testimony. He will use any means he can to introduce evil, to use men who are leaders to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:29-3129For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:29‑31)), and to discourage those who seek to maintain God's order in His assembly. What a powerful testimony there was to the glory of Christ in the early part of the Acts, when they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and sought to honor the Lord Jesus Christ in their midst, and proclaim His worthiness, and His alone, to others. Could we imagine them thinking then, of any other Name for salvation, or as a gathering center, than the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Surely not!
Alas we know that in the history of the Church the enemy soon succeeded in bringing in error, and the assembly as a candlestick ceased to be the pillar and ground of the truth. Saved and unsaved met together for common worship, evil doctrines were allowed, and the teachings of men were accepted instead of the authority of God's precious Word. Christianity became (as the Lord had foretold) a great tree in the earth with the birds of the air (Satan's messengers) lodging in the branches of it. (Matt. 13:31,3231Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. (Matthew 13:31‑32)). Men as builders brought in "wood, hay, and stubble" (1 Cor. 3:12,1312Now 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. (1 Corinthians 3:12‑13)), and "vessels to dishonor" (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)), and it became a "great house." Godly men, used of God, sought to restore some of the truth that had been lost or given up, and some began religious systems with more truth than others, but not gathered according to the first principles of God's Word. We rejoice at the energy of such, but it is so important for us to realize that God's Word furnishes us with instructions for these days when the house of God has become a great house with vessels to honor and vessels to dishonor in it.
(2 Tim. 2:19-2219Nevertheless 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. 20But 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. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:19‑22)).
The Spirit of God therefore stirred up the hearts of some about 150 years ago to go back to the first principles of His Word, and to meet as members of the body of Christ "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We are not exhorted to keep the unity of the body, for this is formed by the Spirit of God and cannot be broken, but we are exhorted to keep the unity of the Spirit. If only two or three are gathered, not as members of a sect, but as members of the body of Christ, they can give expression to the truth of the one body. If truly gathered by the Spirit of God, the Lordship of Christ will be owned, that is His authority in their midst. Such a gathering would not be in independence of other companies who are gathered on the same ground, nor would it deny that discipline which is necessary that the holiness of God's house might be maintained. Then too, God's truth must be the ground of its existence, for God's assembly is to be 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)).
We can see then, as mentioned at the beginning of the paper, that each local assembly is but the local expression in any place, of the one body of Christ, but if moral or doctrinal evil is allowed unjudged, such a company would cease to be an expression of the assembly of God. It Is therefore responsible to judge and deal with evil, and such actions will be acknowledged by all those who seek to meet on Scriptural ground.
In these last days it is important to see that, while fully owning the Lord's authority in the midst in each assembly, He has given us divine principles so that we may endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit, even in difficult cases. God knew beforehand about these last days, bringing the added joys of being able to meet together, but sometimes sorrows because of how a matter is spread with travel and communications as they are, but He has not left us without divine instruction. We need never fear He will fail us if we seek to act according to His Word, for "Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it." Eph. 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25). He is far more interested in maintaining what is for His glory and for the blessing of His people than we are, and we can count upon Him if we follow the light and wisdom of His Word. How much peace and joy we miss, individually and collectively, when we do not make His Word our guide. How often we find the apostle pleading that we "be of the same mind in the Lord." Phil. 4:22I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2), and that we "be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" 1 Cor. 1:1010Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10), and that we "may approve the things that are excellent." Phil. 1:1010That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; (Philippians 1:10). He did not mean by these exhortations that we just come to a human agreement, but that together we follow the precious Word of God as taught by the Spirit, for wisdom's ways are "ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Prov. 3:1717Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:17). While fully acknowledging the authority the Lord has placed in the assembly where He is in the midst, let us not forget the solemnity of using this authority, and acting in His Name. The very thought of it ought to humble us. knowing how easily we can miss His mind if we are not in true humility and dependence upon Him, having His Word as our guide. "The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way." Psa. 25:99The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Psalm 25:9). What a great responsibility it is to "bind on earth" what shall be "bound in heaven", and how ready and willing we should be to have the light and wisdom of God's Word before us, to teach us His way. We also need the "supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:1919For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (Philippians 1:19)), so that faithfulness and love may be combined, as grace and truth were perfectly seen in the Lord Jesus Christ in whose Name the action is taken, and in whose Name we are gathered. Undoubtedly such actions, carried out in His fear, will truly be for His glory, and at the same time they will, as the Scripture says, commend themselves "to every man's conscience in the sight of God." (2 Cor. 4:22But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)). We are living in days of selfwill and independence, and we need to be careful that we are not affected by the spirit of the age and forget our responsibility to the Lord and to one another. It is the same Lord in the midst in each local assembly and He is able to give oneness of mind in these matters. Let us seek to keep the truth in its proper balance so that, with His coming so near, "we may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless." 2 Peter 3:1414Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:14). The beloved apostle Paul mentioned on two occasions how he desired to use his God-given authority for edification and not for destruction, (2 Cor. 9:8,13:10). May we too ever have the Lord's glory and the blessing of His dear people before us! Now the Scripture shows us that a local assembly may need help in matters that come before it, and we find a beautiful example of this in 1 Cor. 7, for the Corinthians had written to the apostle Paul about certain questions (verse 1). He answered some of these questions very emphatically as the commandments of the Lord, while there were other matters on which he gave his advice (verses 12 and 25). No doubt this is a principle for us today, for a godly brother may point out some verse of Scripture as giving divine authority, while in another matter he may give godly counsel. Such help can be a real blessing to an assembly, and may be used of the Lord to clear up a difficulty.
Then again there may be a situation where an assembly may require the help of another assembly in a special problem. We find this principle in the case of which the Lord spoke in Matt. 18 which at first only involved two people. Then since those two could not settle it, one or two more were brought in, and if this failed it was told to the assembly who had power to bind or loose. This means that God's assembly has the authority to maintain truth and holiness among them. We notice however that the Lord in speaking of this authority says, "For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). It is in His Name that any action is to be taken, and it is also very clear from the case which the Lord had just described, that more than two or three were already involved in the matter. Surely this shows us that there are cases where the help of another assembly should be sought in order to settle the case. It is the New Testament counterpart of Deut. 17:8-138If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the Lord thy God shall choose; 9And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show thee the sentence of judgment: 10And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the Lord shall choose shall show thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee: 11According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall show thee, to the right hand, nor to the left. 12And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. 13And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously. (Deuteronomy 17:8‑13), and is in accordance with divine principles. In the Old Testament God's center was a city, Jerusalem, but now in Christianity we are gathered by the Spirit to a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Each local assembly, if Scripturally gathered, is only the local expression of the whole, and therefore any matter should be settled in accordance with the truth of "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph. 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3). If the case arises where another assembly is called in to help, then the action should be carried out in harmony with that assembly as members of the one body. How could the Spirit of God lead to a different decision in one gathering than another on the same matter? If acting in the unity of the Spirit He would guide in the matter for the glory of God.
There is a definite case in Scripture which is full of interest in this connection. In Acts 15 there were some from the assembly at Jerusalem who came down to Antioch teaching that the Gentiles should be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. The assembly at Antioch could have settled this matter with the Lord in the midst, but they desired "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace", and so there were some from their gathering who went up to Jerusalem to settle it in harmony with the assembly there. They knew that if they sought the Lord's mind together (for He is in the midst of His gathered saints) He would give the right decision that would be for the glory of God and for the good of His people, and above all, in accordance with His Word. How wonderfully the Lord came in, and that happy unity of the Spirit was maintained in the decision that was made. Needless to say, if it is a question of the Person or work of Christ, and the holiness of God's house, it could not be called "the unity of the Spirit" to settle it in any other way but to faithfully defend the truth of God.
We now come to another principle in the Word as to a leprous house as found in Lev. 14:33-5333And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 34When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession; 35And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house: 36Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house: 37And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall; 38Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days: 39And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house; 40Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city: 41And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place: 42And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house. 43And if the plague come again, and break out in the house, after that he hath taken away the stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and after it is plaistered; 44Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean. 45And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the mortar of the house; and he shall carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place. 46Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even. 47And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes. 48And if the priest shall come in, and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plaistered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. 49And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: 50And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water: 51And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times: 52And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet: 53But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean. (Leviticus 14:33‑53). It is the provision the Lord made for His people Israel so that a house, where the owner suspected leprosy was working, could be preserved through God's gracious provision for cleansing, instead of being torn down. It would of course have to be torn down if the leprosy continued to work after the necessary steps had been taken. We are, however, speaking here of the application of these principles to the assembly and one feels there is helpful instruction for us here. We notice that the Lord in His governmental ways allowed the leprosy in the house, and it is a very solemn evidence of our low state when there is not spiritual power to deal with evil in the local assembly. However there was an exercise about this sad situation, and the godly Israelite came to the priest and expressed his concern about the matter. He said, "It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house." (verse 35). He was the owner of the house so it was his exercise, his concern. In applying this to the assembly we can easily see how godly ones in an assembly where they fear there is some unjudged evil, feel the necessity of the Lord's Name being cleared and the evil removed. In their exercise they appeal to another assembly, for we are gathered on the ground of the one body, (the same principle as in Deut. 17:8,98If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the Lord thy God shall choose; 9And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show thee the sentence of judgment: (Deuteronomy 17:8‑9) only a more serious matter) and desire to have the matter cleared up. The assembly that is called in, for it is the call from the assembly in question that gives them Scriptural authority to go in, feels the gravity of the situation in much exercise before the Lord, and closes the "house" for investigation. The evil, when established, is dealt with in a faithful and godly way, and after deep searchings of heart in the Lord's presence the house is cleansed and opened again to continue as God's assembly.
If on the other hand there is no exercise in an assembly as to known evil being allowed, and no call for help to have the Lord's Name cleared such a company could not be owned as an assembly of God. Of course great patience is needed, with much godly remonstrance, and space given to repent (Rev. 2:2121And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (Revelation 2:21)) before such an action should be taken.
Surely it is a blessed privilege to be gathered to the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ in these last days when the Lord is about to come, but we need to remember that there were as many porters (door keepers) as there were of those who praised the Lord in the temple. (1 Chron. 23:55Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the Lord with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith. (1 Chronicles 23:5)). If the enemy is allowed to come in, the enjoyment of the Lord, of His presence, and praise to Him will be hindered. May we walk in humility and self judgment before Him, not following man's wisdom, nor peace at the expense of truth and holiness, but rather the wisdom of God as found in His Word. This is only learned as we are willing to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ", in communion and dependence on the Lord.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16,1716All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17).
"Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth can ne'er afford."
G.H.H.
Courtesy of BibleTruthPublishers.com. Most likely this text has not been proofread. Any suggestions for spelling or punctuation corrections would be warmly received. Please email them to: BTPmail@bibletruthpublishers.com.