The subject worked out for this month is— The Church (Assembly), the House and the Body.
We may add one or two remarks to explain why passages which have been indicated by some of the Class do not appear in the result. The expressions “kingdom of heaven,” “kingdom of God,” are not synonymous with Church: the “field” (Matthew 13) is not the church, but (see verse 38) the world: the blessings of individual believers are not necessarily the blessings of the church, though the church is composed of those individuals upon whom the blessings have been conferred.
It will be seen that the second part of the result is not so complete as the first: to search out the passages where the subjects are treated of, though not directly named, is perhaps more a matter for individual study through the whole of the New Testament, and to present fully it would occupy more than our whole Magazine.
The following, as a preliminary arrangement, suggested itself as the papers were being read; a better and more detailed one will be no doubt made, individually by our readers.
The Church.
Ephesians 1:32—And gave Him to be head over all things to the church.
Ephesians 3;10—That now......might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.
Ephesians 3:23—As Christ is the head of the church.
Ephesians 3:24—As the church is subject unto Christ.
Ephesians 3:25—Even as Christ also loved the church.
Ephesians 3:26—That He might present it to Himself a glorious church.
Ephesians 3:29—And cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.
Ephesians 3:32—But I speak concerning Christ and the church.
The Body.
Romans 12: 5—We being many are one body in Christ.
The House.
Passages in which the above expressions are linked.
1 Timothy 3 is—The house of God, which is the church of the living God.
Passages speaking of Believers as the Dwelling-place of God.
Passages showing the manner in which separate Assemblies are spoken of.
Romans 16;10 —The servant of the church which is at Cenchrea.
Acts 16: 5—The church that is in their house.
Acts 16: 23—Gaius mine host, and of the whole church.
N.B. —Many of the expressions in this section are repeated often in the epistles, in connection with Assemblies other than those noted above.
Passages speaking of the internal arrangement, character, discipline, &c., of the Church.
1 Corinthians 16:59—The churches of Asia salute you.
2 Corinthians 8:59—Who was also chosen of the churches. Also v. 18, 23-24.
DIVISION 2.
Privilege and responsibility ... Whose soever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them, and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. John 20:2323Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:23).
Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 1 Corinthians 5:53.
Early happiness and testimony ... And all that believed were together, and had all things common. Acts 2:4444And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (Acts 2:44).
And they continued in the apostle’s doctrine...... Praising God, and having favor with the people. Acts 2:42-4742And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:42‑47)
Exhortation Ephesians 4