The Church of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
The Church of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow THE CHURCH OF YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW
CARL L. ETTER
I appreciate the privilege of being present during another lecture week in Abilene Christian College. As a Student in the institution during the past four years I have enjoyed these lecture week programs more than words can tell. I congratulate myself very highly for having the honor of appearing on this program of. However, I feel my weakness very keenly. In fact I feel it so much that I thought seriously of not accepting Brother Sewell's invitation to come. I do not come as one having great hook learning nor as one having great experience. Neither do I pose as an original thinker. I only hope to restate a few things which will cause us all to realize more fully the importance of that Great Institution for which Jesus Christ gave his blood.
First: Let us see when and where the Church had its beginning on earth. Many volumes have been written and many debates have been held on the establishment of the Church. It is indeed an old and familiar topic, yet very timely. There are many theories in the religious world of to-day on this one point. Some would have us believe that the Church had its beginning in the Garden of Eden. Others tell us that it was at the call of .Abraham. While others contend that it must have been when the law was given at Mt. Sinai. And there are those who tell us that the Church had its beginning when John the Baptist came preaching in the Wilderness of Judea. Others say it was at the beginning of Christ's ministry while some affirm that its birth dates back to the Commission of the Twelve. Then there are others who think it was when the Seventy were sent forth. Others would have us believe that the Church was established on the Mount of Transfiguration, while some strongly contend that the Church has not yet been established and will not be established until Christ returns.
I shall try to show that the above theories are false and that the Church was established on the first Pentecost after the Resurrection of Christ. In doing so I shall refer to the Church by the term "Church" and also by the term "Kingdom" using them as synonymous terms. Christ when speaking to Peter in the coast of Caesarea-Philippi, says: "And I say 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. And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind up on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:18-19, in this statement Christ uses "Church" in one verse and "Kingdom" in the next, using them as synonymous terms. Surely we can do the same.
About 760 B. C. Isaiah made a prophecy concerning the Church in which he said "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the tops of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. .And many people shall go and say—Come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob: and he will teach of his ways and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Isaiah 2:2-4. The Apostle Paul in his first letter to his son, Timothy, says: "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: Put if I tarry long, that thou may est know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in he House of God, which is the Church of the Living God." 1 Timothy 3:14-15.
Paul says the house of God is the Church of the Living God. Thus when Isaiah spoke of the House of God he must have meant the Church of God. At the time Isaiah made this prophecy the Church had not yet been established but was to be established some
time in the future. In the second Chapter of the Revelation letter we read of the Seven Churches of Asia, which were Churches in actual existence. This was about 96 A. D. Then we conclude that the Church must have been established some time between 760 B. C. and 96 A. D., but the question still remains. "Just when and where did the Church have its beginning on earth?"
About fifty years after Isaiah made his prophecy, Micah made a similar prophecy in which he said: "But in the last days it shall come to pass that the Mountain of the House of the Lord shall be established in the to]) of the mountains, and it shall he exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. " Micah 4:1. This was written about 710 B. C. but in the year 67 A. D. the Apostle Paul writes the following language to the Hebrews: "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we mayserve God acceptable with reverence and Godly fear." Hebrews 12:28. In 710 B. C. the house of God was something of the future, while in 67 A.D.). the kingdom according to Paul, had been received and was in existence. Thus, we conclude that the Church must have had its beginning on earth some time between these two
dates. The Great Prophet Daniel was not entirely silent on the question of the Kingdom for we hear him say: "An d in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom." Daniel 2:44. This language was written about 603 B. C. In the days of Daniel the kingdom was not in existence but was something of the future.
While the Apostle Paul in the year 64 A. D. in writing to the Church at Colossae, speaks of folks being translated out of the power of darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son. Colossians 1:3.
Then the Church was established some time between 603 B. C. and 64 A. D. but the exact date of its establishment is yet to be proved. Again I open my Bible and read: "In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:1-2. John began his preaching in 26 A.D. Isaiah, Micah, Daniel and others bad prophesied of the coming kingdom. In the year 26 A.D. John boldly declared that the Kingdom was not only coming but that it was near at hand. It was approaching or drawing nigh. Just eight years late—34 A.D. Luke tells us of "A great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles." Acts 8:1. This confines our investigations to a much smaller field, or period of time. In 26 A.D. the Church was something of the future, while in 34 A. D. the Church was in actual existence and was being persecuted.
According to Matthew's Gospel in the year 27 A. D. Christ began to preach and to say, "Repent; for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17. The same author gives us even more light on the subject when he says "These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying, go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans, enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 10:5-7. This commission was given in the year 31 A. D. According to Luke's Gospel the Seventy were sent forth one year later in 32 A. D. under practically the same commission except they were to preach that "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Luke 10:8-9. It was during this same year that our Lord said "Upon this rock I wil l build my Church." Matthew 16:18. He did not mean to say that he would at that time build his Church, but that at some future date his Church would be built, for later we read of one Joseph of Arimathea "who was waiting for the kingdom of God." Luke 23:51.
Then according to these scriptures the Church was still something of the future in 32 A. D. but Luke tells us that one year later "The Lord was adding to the Church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:47. Thus we conclude that the Church was established some time between 32 and 33 A. D. But to be even more specific we turn over to Acts 1:6 and there we hear the Apostles asking Christ if he would at that time restore the Kingdom of Israel. This was in 33 A. D. only seven days before the day of Pentecost, upon which day Luke says the Lord was adding to the Church, the Kingdom must have been restored or bad its beginning on earth some time during those seven days.
Let us now turn back to some of the early prophecies of the Church and see if they give us any more light on the subject. Bro. E. G. Sewell in his discourse on the kingdom says that the prophecy in Isaiah 2 lays down three fundamental conditions relative to the establishment of the kingdom.
1. It is to be in the last days.
2. All nations are to flow unto it.
3. It is to have its beginning in Jerusalem.
Now let us take up each of the theories that were mentioned in the outset and see if any of them meet the conditions of Isaiah's prophecy. First, we know that the Church did not have its beginning in the Garden of Eden because if it had it would have been in existence in the days of Isaiah, and he, a Holy Alan of God, who spoke as he was moved by the Holy Spirit, would have been prophesying of something that was already in existence. This theory is absurd and does not need further investigation. The Church did not originate in the Garden of Eden but it was there that the family which was the first ordained institution of God, had its beginning. In like manner we know that the Church was not established at the call of Abraham for it would have been in existence in the days of the prophets and they would have been prophesying in vain. The Church did not have its beginning at the call of Abraham but it was there that the Church was given in promise. At the call of Abraham the Lord made him a two-fold promise. First: that he would make of him a great nation. Second: that in his seed should all of the families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3. They were to be blessed through Christ and his Church. For the same reason we know that the Church did not have its beginning at Mt. Sinai for this, too was before the prophets, The Church was not established at Sinai, but it was there that the second ordained institution of God had its beginning. It was at Mt. Sinai that the descendants of Abraham were made into a great nation and thus the first part of the Lord's promises to Abraham fulfilled. But we are told that the Church began at the preaching of John the Baptist. John came several hundred years after the prophets had prophesied. Thus the above argument cannot be applied here. Let us see if John meets the conditions of the prophecy. Isaiah had said that the Church was to come in the last days but there is no mention made of John's ministry being in the last days. Isaiah also said all nations were to flow unto it. But John came preaching rather to lost sheep of the House of Israel. Futhermore according to Isaiah the Church was to begin at Jerusalem but John came preaching in the wilderness of Judea. Thus we see that John did not meet the conditions of the prophecy and we are forced to conclude that the Church must have had its beginning at some other date. For the same reason we know the Church did not have its beginning with Christ's personal ministry. No mention is made of his ministry being in the last days. Furthermore he began his preaching in Galilee and came preaching not to all nations but rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. In like manner no mention is made of the Twelve or Seventy being sent forth in the last days. Neither of them began in Jerusalem and they were commissioned to preach only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Thus we must look to some other date for the establishment of the Church.
Perhaps it was at the Mount of Transfiguration. But we know it was not there, because, it too, fails to meet the conditions of the prophecy but even after the crucifixion of our Lord we read of one Joseph of Arimathea Who was waiting for the Kingdom of Cod. Thus the question still remains "Just when and where was the Kingdom established?"
Just before Christ ascended into heaven he gave the apostles a great commission in which he said, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Matthew 28:19. In Luke's record of this same commission he says: "Thus it is written and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things and behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the City of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high: and they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. " Luke 24:46-52.
Isaiah had said the Church was to begin at Jerusalem in the last days and that all nations were to flow unto it. The Apostles are given a worldwide commission to preach to all nations and are told to begin at Jerusalem but was it in the last days?
I now turn to the First Chapter of Acts and there I read of the Apostles being assembled together with Christ at Jerusalem. And he commanded them that I read of the Apostles being assembled together with they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father. Acts 1:4. Here they wait for seven days. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it tilled all the house where they were sitting, and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." On this occasion about seventeen nationalities were present and every man heard them speak in his own language. "And they were all amazed, and were in doubt saying on to another, 'What meaneth this?' Others, mocking, said, 'These men are full of new wine ' But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said unto them. 'Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last day, saith God, I wil l pour out my spirit upon all flesh.' And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Then, at nine o'clock on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ the spirit was poured out. Peter says the last clays have come. The Church is fully established. Christ has ascended to heaven and is now reigning as King of his Kingdom. We have found where and when the Church was established.
Now, let us see what its purpose was. Joel had said that these who called on the name of the Lord in these last clays should be saved. Peter on the day of Pentecost tells them that the day of salvation has come. They are convinced by his message, fall down and say unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Isaiah had said in the last days that the law would go forth from Jerusalem. When the Pentecostians ask what they must do Peter gives the law. Acts 2:38.
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved." What was the purpose of the Church of yesterday—the Church that existed in the days of the Apostles? Its purpose was to save souls. It was through this soulsaving institution that "All families of the earth were to be blessed." Brethren what is the purpose of the Church of today? Has the old ship of Zion lost its saving power? Are not the fields white unto the harvest? Surely if there was ever a time when the world needed a soul-saving institution it is now. Let us be true disciples of Christ, resolve in our hearts today that we will make his Church what he would have it be.
Again, what was the message that the Church of yesterday had for the world? What was Peter's message on the day of Pentecost? He had been told to preach the Gospel. Was he ashamed to preach it? Did he choose a subject that would be popular with his audience? No. Ten thousand times no! His message was Christ and him crucified. What was Paul's message to the world? Was he ashamed of the Gospel? "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:15-16.
Again, "Moreover, Brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again, the third day according to the scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Was Paul ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? No, verily. His conscience would not permit him to preach any other Gospel. "Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel." 1 Corinthians 9:16. The Church of yesterday had one and only one message for the world, namely: the Gospel of Christ as the power of God to save.
What Message does the Church of today have for the world? Has God's way of saving people changed? Will the same old message that Peter and Paul preached save folks today? Does the modern preacher need a new message? Does the story of the Cross ever grow old? Oh, no. It is even sweeter every time it is told. Then let us resolve to lay aside Shakespeare and Browning and take "the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God." "The fathers of the restoration bequeathed to us their children a restored gospel, a restored Church, and a restored worship. In fact they restored to the world that gospel which was preached by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven, that worship so full of God's simplicity, and that Church so adequate for carrying on the work of God. Shall we he as true to the next generation as they were to this?" The Church of today is what it is as a result of the Church of yesterday. The Church of tomorrow will be what you and I, the Church of today make it. May the God of heaven help us to realize that the destiny of this generation and the destiny of those that are to come is in the hands of the Church of today. Our opportunities are great but our responsibilities are commensurate with our opportunities. Just at this place I would like to appeal to this most excellent student body. You should consider yourselves most fortunate to have the opportunity of attending this great institution. Not until you are gone from here can you fully appreciate what it means to be associated in this great work. Some clay you are going out from this institution to take your place in this world. What is that place going to be? Let me insist that while you are here that you fully equip yourself for efficient service in the kingdom of our Dear Lord. He needs your service. The world is crying for a gospel of love. There is enough talent in this great student body to evangelize the entire earth. I would that I could sound a note that would sink deep into the hearts of every boy and girl in this audience that would cause you to resolve to consecrate your young lives to the service of God, winning souls unto the kingdom of his Dear Son.
We have found that the Church that was established on the day of Pentecost was a soul-saving institution and that its message was the gospel of Christ as the power of God to save. Next, let us see what its attitude was toward this great soul-saving work. When Peter preached that model sermon on the day of Pentecost three thousand souls responded to his message and were saved. Wh y did he have such results? Was it because he had a greater talent than the average man? I hardly think so. Perhaps some one says it was because he was guided by the Holy Spirit. That probably had something to do with it. I am persuaded that he had a passion for the saving of souls. He had been schooled at the feet of that teacher of teachers who had said. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26.
Peter realized the value of the soul and was actuated by a spirit that made his message sink deep into the hearts of his hearers. I would today that I could fully appreciate the great value of the soul, so that I could tell the story of the Cross and of God's wonderful love in such a heart-felt manner as to reach the hard hearts of sinners and cause them to turn to Christ by the thousands.
Indeed Peter had great results. Three thousand had responded to his first sermon. Surely, it was high time for him to let his success be known to the world. But Peter did not advertise himself. He had been schooled at the feet of the meek and lowly Nazarene who had said: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:4.
Peter and his companions were not working for a name among men but were earnestly seeking to save souls. Thus, we find that in a short while "Many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of men was about five thousand." Acts 4:4. A little later we find that "The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the Faith." Acts 6:7. Why were they having such marvelous growth? Was it because they were heralding a popular message? Their message was everything but popular. Their leader had been crucified. Their cause had already suffered apparent defeat. Then how account for this season of success? It was merely because they had a passion for souls and were not ashamed to preach that gospel which has the power to save. Even though they were cast into prison and were persecuted even unto death, they never gave up. They had been commissioned to go and preach the gospel to all nations. And preach it they must. Thus, "The word of God grew and multiplied." Acts 12:24. And "So, mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." Acts 19:20.
Neither was this passion for the saving of souls confined only to these Apostles, who had been with Jesus during his personal ministry but it was characteristic of the great Apostle Paul for we hear him say: "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, by Kinsmen according to the flesh," Romans 9:1-3. Again he says, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge, for they, being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." Romans 10:1-3.
Brethren, the church of yesterday had a passion for souls. Do we the church of today, measure up to the standard? Paul's heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel was that they might be saved. What is your heart's desire and prayer to God-today? What is mine? Is it that the sectarian world may be led to a knowledge of the truth and thus be saved by submitting themselves to the righteousness of God? Is it that the heathens at home and abroad may hear and obey the gospel of the Christ? There are thousands of cities and hundreds of counties, yea, there are whole states in this great United States where the pure gospel of Christ has never gone. There are teeming millions of heathens in the dark lands of Africa, Indies, Japan and China, that have never heard the story of the cross. If I could word the prayer of my heart at this time it would be that we. the church of today, might catch a real vision of service and "Be about our Father's business" in order that the church of tomorrow may be as a city set on a hill, giving light to every tribe and tongue under the canopy of Cod's great heaven.