"The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth." Eccl. 12:1010The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. (Ecclesiastes 12:10). The foregoing verse expresses my sincere desire in writing an introduction for the two letters that will follow. My purpose is to bring to your attention the basic teaching of God's Word on the subject of the church. Since the church is seen in the Scriptures in several different ways such as, "the body of Christ," "the house of God," "the bride, the Lamb's wife," etc., at first it will be necessary to limit myself somewhat to Peter's ministry that presents the church as a "spiritual house."
In Matt. 16:1616And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16), Peter (taught of the Father) confesses, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." The Lord replied, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church." 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). In his first Epistle, he teaches that the church is a "spiritual house" built up with lively (living) stones (1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)) with the purpose of offering up "spiritual sacrifices" as a "holy priesthood."
It is commonly understood that a solid foundation is necessary for the erection of a durable building. The wrong teaching that Christ is building His church upon Peter is one of the worst fabrications in the Christian profession. The claim simply cannot be true, although thousands accept it. However, numbers do not prove anything to be right. If they did, we would be found in some false religious belief vastly outnumbering our Christian faith.
The Greek words used in the historic passage of 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) are, "Thou art Peter (petros, masculine gender meaning a stone) and upon this rock (petra, feminine gender correctly rendered here as a rock) I will build My church." To force these two Greek words ("petros," "petra") of different genders into the same identical connotation is to ignore all the standard Greek lexicons. (From C.H. Brown's research) Liddell and Scott define "petros" as a stone and "petra" as a rock. Robinson (in his works) gives the same practical definition—"petra" being a rock or mass of live rock, whereas "petros" is a piece of rock, a stone. Edersheim says, "petros" is used in Greek for "stone" and "petra" always means "rock." Thus, you may well conclude that the foundation of the church is the truth as to the Person of Christ as the Son of the living God. The early church fathers Augustine and Chrysostrom rejected the teaching that Peter was the foundation. Paul's statements should settle the question forever. "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 3:1111For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)), and "that Rock was Christ." (1 Cor. 10:44And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4)).
According to the above positive evidence, Christ did not build His church upon Peter. He as mortal man would have been a defective foundation. He was only a stone.
There is also another claim to originality by those who insist that the church was "organized" during the Lord's personal ministry from materials that John the Baptist prepared. This cannot be true for obvious reasons.
1. If the church had been established at that time, it would have released the nation of Israel from the responsibility of accepting Jesus as their Messias or the Christ.
2. The foundation of the church was not yet laid. Christ's death, burial, resurrection in triumph over "the gates of hell," and entry into heaven as the glorified man must precede (as the foundation) the beginning of the church. The Holy Spirit could not be sent until Christ was received up into heaven. John 7:3939(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39).
We read that the Lord added to the church in Acts 2:4747Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47), which He did and does, but the true word for church is withheld until later in chapter 5:11 after the offer of the Lord's return and presence among His people (Israel) was made in Acts 3:1919Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19) Er 20. Neither did the gospel go out to the Gentiles (Acts 10) until Stephen had been stoned to death (Acts 7) and sent up as the messenger in fulfillment of Luke 19:1414But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. (Luke 19:14). "But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us."
The historical beginning of the church was effected by the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, however the doctrine of the mystery (secret) of the church was necessarily delayed until the opportune time in Paul's ministry from which the following verses are taken.
"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest." Rom. 16:25-2625Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: (Romans 16:25‑26).
"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church."
Now the mystery had been hidden in all former times; and in fact it needed to be; for to have put the Gentiles on the same footing as the Jews would have been to demolish Judaism such as God had Himself established it. In it He had carefully raised a wall of middle partition. The duty of the Jew was to respect this separation; he sinned if he did not strictly observe it. The mystery set it aside. The Old Testament prophets and Moses himself had indeed shown that the Gentiles should one day rejoice with the people: but the people remained a separate people. THAT THEY SHOULD NOW BE CO-HEIRS AND OF THE SAME BODY, ALL DISTINCTION BEING LOST, HAD INDEED BEEN ENTIRELY HID IN GOD. (From J.N.D. with one word and capitals added).
Paul delights to magnify his office of apostleship to the Gentiles and exults, "0 the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Rom. 11:3333O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33).
Please read Ephesians chapter 3 on the subject of the fellowship or administration of the mystery.
In F.C. Blount's letter, you will find two classic statements of serious import.
1. "WHEN OUR CHURCH RELATION IS SUCH THAT EVERY OTHER CHILD OF GOD DOES NOT SUSTAIN THAT SAME RELATION, WE ARE A SECT." (Capitals mine).
Anything less than this is man-made.
2. "IT IS ONLY WHEN WE CAN SAY THAT EVERY OTHER CHILD OF GOD BELONGS TO THE SAME CHURCH THAT WE DO, THAT WE ARE ON THE GROUND (foundation) OF THE CHURCH OF GOD." (The word, "foundation" and capitals mine).
refers to water baptism as the "door" to the church, but this cannot be. The baptizer would inadvertently in the case of one not real (not saved) introduce a lifeless member into the fellowship of the "body of Christ." He would add dead stones to the "spiritual house" composed only of living stones. This is unthinkable! Baptism is on the side of man's responsibility (in which he fails) but the baptizer introduces the subject into the "house of God" or the Christian profession. Of course immersion is the proper mode. To claim this passage as being water baptism is to ignore the total context of the frequent reference to "the Spirit of God," "the Holy Ghost," and "same Spirit," etc., in the previous verses. Paul's use of water baptism is found in chapter one of 1 Corinthians. This verse which comes much later in his discourse corresponds with "the Holy Ghost shed on us abundantly" in the beginning, (Titus 3:66Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (Titus 3:6)) and reaching out to others afar off later. Acts 2:3939For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:39). The subject of water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are uniformly and distinctly separated in all the Holy Scriptures.
During the preparation of this "introduction," an article by Dr. S.E. Anderson began in the May 15, 1980 issue of The Baptist Herald, Mayfield, Kentucky, on the subject of BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY. Not knowing Greek, I have purposely waited to obtain the judgment of a capable Greek scholar. This adds impetus to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 33Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3). The next three paragraphs are submitted, with my appreciation, from the research and pen of brother Paul L. Johnson of Denton, Texas.
Without going into detail as to the many errors found in this series of articles, I would make a few comments on his references to the Greek, which the author obviously understands very little.
His statements on the force of the Greek preposition EN is unfounded as he asserts that it means "in" in the sense of "place" or "location," calling it "locative" and not "instrumental." That the ordinary meaning of the preposition EN is "in" in our language, no one would deny, but this by no means allows that it always has that meaning, as anyone aquainted with Greek would admit. I give one obvious example where EN could not mean "in." In 1 Cor. 4:2121What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? (1 Corinthians 4:21) Paul says, "shall I come to you with a rod?" The word translated "with" is the Greek preposition, EN. What sense would, "shall I come to you in a rod" make? If EN is always "in" we would be forced to such an absurd translation, but if the preposition EN sometimes has the force of what accompanies and characterizes, as it surely does, then we can translate the verse with sense as it is found in the King James with the preposition EN translated "with." Again this instrumental character of the preposition is obvious in Luke 14:3131Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? (Luke 14:31) where we read of one king going to war against another that he would first sit down and consult whether he be able "with ten thousand" to meet one coming with twenty thousand. The word translated "with" is the Greek preposition EN. Would "in" make any sense if so used instead of "with"? When Paul speaks of coming EN a rod, is he speaking of a location? When it speaks of a king coming EN ten thousand, does this mean a place or location? The answer is obvious that in both cases the instrumental thought is the only correct one, hence the translation of EN must be "with" in some cases. Now apply this to 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) and we read, "For with one Spirit were we all baptized into one body." A perfectly legitimate translation in accord with Greek grammar and usage as found in the Scriptures themselves.
There are many other errors too numerous to take up so I confine myself to this example of the misunderstanding of the Greek. In fact his whole thesis is so blatantly wrong that one would have difficulty in knowing just where to begin in a rebuttal. He completely ignores such Scriptures as "Christ loved the church," which indicates to any unbiased mind that there is one church. He constantly projects many bodies and many churches in complete disregard to the plain teaching of Scripture that there is one church. The Lord said, "I will build My church." It is plain that this is singular, not plural. It would be monstrous to predicate of the local assembly in Ephesus that it was "the fullness of Him that filleth all in all," and yet the author does this very thing by saying the body in Ephesians is the local assembly. How could the assembly in Ephesus be this fullness and also the assembly in Colosse, then the assembly at Philippi and so throughout all the places where Christ is followed. Simply preposterous that such a distortion of the truth could have ever been conceived!
The only time the church is referred to as "a" church is yet future when Christ will "present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle or any such thing." Eph. 5:2727That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27). This will be the aggregate of all believers taken out of the world for the name of Christ during this long special day of grace.
There were local churches in the beginning, each one being representative of the whole church. The seven churches of Asia give us a prophetical and historical outline of the church in testimony from start to finish. Seven denotes completeness. Discipline is a local responsibility. The believer can still keep His word and not deny His 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)) and follow according to 2 Tim. 2:2222Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22).
1. "Where"—the divine place
2. "two or three"—the divine testimony
3. "are gathered"—the divine power
4. "together" —the divine oneness
5. "in My name" —the divine authority
6. "there am I"—the divine presence
7. "in the midst of them"—the divine center."
With due respect to Dr. Anderson, it is necessary to declare that his effort to force 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) into local application only is unwarranted. His criticism that this one verse (or one word "By") has done major damage to Christians is unfounded. His reference to the very good time-honored King James Bible as being biased on immersion cannot be proven. His promotion of "Baptist Church doctrine" is very plain. That denomination originated during the Reformation about the year of 1792. Any claim to originality before that time is unauthentic. In the beginnings of our Christian faith mankind was classified as Jew, Gentile, and 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). There were no church divisions then. The Christian people were the church of God. Dr. Anderson's frequent reference to the church as a "vaporized, foggy, invisible universal phantom" is an absurdity!
I have been operating under the call of responsibility to God over fifty years, and as a member of the body of Christ no one has had any difficulty seeing me, nor I in seeing them. This is according to Acts 2:4242And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42). Verse 28 of 1 Cor. 12 shows that the apostle did not limit his thoughts to the Corinthian church because he was inspired to write, "God hath set some in the church, first apostles," etc., and none were there in Corinth.
We cannot say that we are the church in this locality, (Columbus, Kentucky) because so many of the members of the body of Christ are otherwise affiliated in man's organizations. We can say that we are only a remnant or part of the church in much weakness gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. No one piece of a jug dropped and broken on the sidewalk can say, "I am the jug."
We have no name outside our building because we do not believe in division among the Lord's people. In the broken condition of the church, we find it necessary to use expressions such as "going to meeting," "Bible meetings," "meeting room," and "gathering." These are terms associated with going forth "unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." Heb. 13:1313Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13).
Criticisms have been made:
1. "If you people have something so good why are you so small in numbers?" Two things keep us small (a.) the exercise of discipline (b.) the reproach linked with a remnant testimony. Man naturally desires a prominent, popular, prestigious position for present advantage which is not available.
2. "You people think you are better than others." This cannot be. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh." John 3:66That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6).
3. "You are a man-made church." We are not a sect, so we are not man-made.
4. "What you belong to is invisible." How can this be since you see me, and I see you? Is God's family invisible, too?
We have seen that Peter is not the foundation. Neither is John the Baptist and his work. He was the Baptist because of his baptismal work with the Jews. Mark wrote, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." No modern Baptist would say that. He would say, "He that believeth and is saved shall be baptized." So, Mark was not one. Paul informed, "Christ sent me not to baptize." John wrote, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).
The first and basic need of the sinner is "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21). "Except ye repent, ye shall... perish." Luke 13:33I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3) Er 5. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)) that you might receive as the end of your faith the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:99Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:9)). Remarkable John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24) is given below in two main translations with sincere prayer for your blessing.
"VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT HEARETH MY WORD, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT SENT ME, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION; BUT IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE." John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24). King James Translation.
There is no expectation that this paper will change the religious pattern of the community. The normal course will be a gradual drift toward ecumenism which will come under God's sorest judgment after the real are called home to heaven and the false left behind. 1 Thess. 4:1616For 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 4:16) Et 17. Matt. 25:1010And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10) Et 11. There is the prayerful concern that this may fall into the hands of exercised souls who will respond to the moral call, "Come out of her, my people." Rev. 18:44And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4).
It will help as you read the letters to know that Mrs. Geveden was my mother. Mr. Wright was the Baptist pastor at Burkley, Kentucky. Mr. Blount was the evangelist from Bloomington, Illinois, who labored intensively in this area in 1914 and other years.
Paul B. Geveden