03.04. Establishment of the Church
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH. That there was in the days of the apostles an institution called "church of God" (1 Corinthians 1:2), "church of the firstborn" (Hebrews 12:23), "kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:18-19), is not questioned by those who believe the Bible. In a general sense Jehovah has always ruled over all his creation. In a special sense the kingdom of Israel was his kingdom; but that is not the institution which Jesus bought with his blood, and over which he now rules. Jehovah gave to his Son the work of subduing man. Over those who are made subject to his authority by the power of the gospel he is to rule till he has put down all rebellion, all enemies (1 Corinthians 15:23). This reign of Christ began on the first Pentecost after his resurrection.
WHAT BAPTIST AUTHORITIES SAY.
"The day of Pentecost was the birthday of the church of Christ. What existed before in germ then sprang into full being" (Vedder, p. 14).
"Three thousand then received the apostles’ doctrine, were baptized, and the same day added to the number of disciples that already existed in Jerusalem. And here we contemplate the beginning of the establishment of Christ’s kingdom in the world; or, which is the same thing, the erection of the first Christian church" (Jones’ Church History, Vol. I., p. 67).
"This Christian assembly, as it was the first, so it is the mother church in the Christian dispensation" (Orchard, Vol. I., p. 7). "The first assembly, or church, founded by the apostles was that at Jerusalem" (Orchard, Vol. II., p. 31).
"The first church was formed in Jerusalem, and this soon became the mother of other churches in various countries. It has already been shown that the first church was organized in the city of Jerusalem, after the ascension of Jesus, and was composed entirely of believers" (J. B, Jeter in Baptist Principles Reset, pp. 21,27).
VARIOUS THEORIES.
Some people think it is not important to know when, the church was established. In this they are mistaken, for if one is incorrect as to the beginning of the church, he is likely to be wrong as to the conditions of salvation. Every Bible truth is important to those who love the Bible.
Methodists, Presbyterians, and other affusionists are not agreed as to when the church began. Some say it began with Adam; others, that it began with Abel; others, that it began with Abraham. Some Baptists teach that the church began when Christ ordained the apostles.
CHURCH AND KINGDOM.
KINGDOM IN PREPARATION.
Before the establishment of any government, or organization, there must be the work of teaching, agitation, and arousing in the people an interest in the principles of the institution to be established. The coming of Christ and establishing of his kingdom on earth was frequently spoken of by the prophets (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 2:44). The preaching of John the Baptist, and of Jesus and his apostles during the personal ministry of Jesus, served to further create in the people an interest in the coming kingdom. kingdom at hand. During the time of preparation the statement was often made that the kingdom would soon come. John preached: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt, 3:2). After his baptism and temptation, Jesus preached: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). When he ordained the twelve, he sent them out to preach: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 10:7). When he sent the seventy, he bade them preach: "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you" (Luke 10:9). This quotation from Luke shows that "at hand" means "is come nigh." The Greek word for "at hand" is engus, and is defined by Thayer "near." At the sending of the twelve, and the seventy, the kingdom was still in the future. WHEN SET UP? while some of the twelve lived. "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:18-19). As they were to receive the keys of the kingdom while on earth, the kingdom must have been established before their death. "Again, there are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:27). The kingdom has been established, or else some of these disciples are still living. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you ~the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). This proves conclusively that the kingdom was to be established while the followers of Christ were a "little flock." Because of this teaching the disciples naturally expected the kingdom. "And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear" (Luke 19:11). This expectancy that the kingdom of God would come while Christ was with the disciples was not confined to the twelve, but was shared by the entire body of disciples, as is apparent from the demonstration at his entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:8-10).
Joseph waiting for the kingdom Joseph was not only a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57), but a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin also. He with the others waited for the kingdom. "There came Joseph of Arimathea, a councillor of honorable estate, who also himself was looking for the kingdom of God" (Mark 15:43). Just before the ascension they were still waiting for the kingdom (Acts 1:6). come with power. "There are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power" (Mark 9:1). The power here referred to is the power conferred on the apostles by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without this power the kingdom of God could not come. After his resurrection, at the giving of the Great Commission, Jesus said to the apostles: "Tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:46-49). Just before his ascension he said: "But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you" (Acts 1:8). "And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parted asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4). Thus the power to enable the apostles to reveal the laws of the kingdom and to confirm this revelation with miracles came on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ. The kingdom was to come with power, or in power. That the power came on this day is clear to any one who will read the second chapter of Acts. This day is, therefore, the birthday of the church of Christ.
BEGINNING OF REMISSION IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem" (Luke 24:46-47). This passage teaches that after the resurrection of Christ repentance and remission of sins was first to be preached in his name, beginning from Jerusalem. Before preaching this, they were to wait for the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). On that day Peter preached: "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins" (Acts 2:38). This marks this day as the beginning of the church. Peter a few years later refers to this day as the beginning (Acts 11:15). last days. "And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it" (Isaiah 2:2). Let it be noted that Isaiah says that when Jehovah’s house is established, all nations shall flow into it. That the Lord’s house is the church is declared by Paul (1 Timothy 3:15). This prophecy could not be fulfilled during the reign of the law of Moses, for while the law was in force the Gentiles could not come in. And during the personal ministry of Jesus he forbade the apostles preaching to any but the Jews (Matthew 10:5-6). The law had to be taken away before a kingdom for all nations could be established. This law ended at the cross (Colossians 2:14). "For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace" (Ephesians 2:14-15). It is here plainly stated that this new man, or church, could not be created till after the law was abolished. Then all nations could flow into it. word from Jerusalem. Continuing the quotation from Isaiah: "And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us oi his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:3). Zion was a section of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6; 2 Samuel 5:10). There is no difference between "the law" spoken of in this passage and "the word of Jehovah." This prophecy, therefore, declares that the laws of this new kingdom would be first preached in Jerusalem. It could not have been fulfilled in the preaching of John, for he did not preach in Jerusalem; neither could it refer to the preaching of Christ during his personal ministry: but it does meet the requirements of the Great Commission, which was for all nations beginning from Jerusalem. It began to be executed when they received the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-47). This definitely shows when the law began to be published from Jerusalem, and leaves no doubt as to when the kingdom was set up. exaltation of Christ. "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a Son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the people, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13-14). The "Son of man" is Christ, and the "ancient of days" is Jehovah. Dominion was given to the Son of man when he came to the ancient of days in the clouds. This prophecy is in harmony with the parable which Jesus spoke to his disciples: "Because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return" (Luke 19:11-12). The two passages teach that Jesus was to go into a far country, and come to the ancient of days in a cloud, and receive a kingdom for himself. When did he go to the Father in the clouds? "And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). He received dominion, or a kingdom, after he ascended to the Father in the clouds. "Who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him" (1 Peter 3:22). "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him a name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth" (Php 2:8; Php 2:10). This passage teaches that his exaltation came after his death on the cross. Paul also declares that when God raised him from the dead he "made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:20-23). After he was raised from the dead he was made the head of the church. "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins" (Acts 5:30-31). After his resurrection he was exalted to the right hand of God to be a Prince and Savior.
TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION.
Second Coming of Christ.
Church and Kingdom.
How Long Will Christ Reign?
Authority in the Kingdom.
Growth of the Kingdom.
Evil Tendencies of Democracy in the Kingdom.
QUESTIONS.
Quote a passage showing the church exists.
How does God rule over all?
How does he specially rule Israel?
Over what does Christ rule?
How long will he rule? Quote passage.
When did he begin to rule?
When do some Baptists say the church was established?
Why important to know when the church was established?
Give some theories as to when the church began.
What does the word "church" mean?
What is a kingdom?
What form of government has the church?
What is a democratic rule?
Who rules the church?
Who makes the laws?
How many spiritual bodies?
Quote Matthew 16:18-19. Show church and kingdom are the same.
Where is the Lord’s table? Quote Luke 22:29-30.
Is the Lord’s table in the church? 1 Corinthians 10:21; 1 Corinthians 11:18; 1 Corinthians 11:34.
Does this prove there are two tables or one institution?
Prove the kingdom is in existence.
What comes before the establishment of a new government?
Why were the people interested in thunscriptural policy.e coming kingdom?
What does "at hand" mean? Give references.
Show kingdom was set up before all the apostles died. Quote passage.
Show kingdom was set up while Christ’s followers were a "little flock."
What proof disciples expected kingdom to "immediately appear?"
Show that disciples were waiting for kingdom. Quote passage.
Discuss coming of kingdom, power, and Spirit. Quote passages.
Remission of sins in name of Christ began to be preached, when? Proof?
What is meant by "last days?"
What is Jehovah’s house? Quote passage.
Show that Isaiah 2:2 could not be fulfilled under the law. Quote.
Where is Zion?
Show when "all nations" could come to house of God? Quote.
From what place did the "word" and "law" go forth? When?
What do Daniel 7:1-28; Daniel 13:1-64; Daniel 14:1-42 and Luke 19:11-12 teach? Quote passages.
When did Christ go to the Father in the clouds? Quote.
When was Jesus exalted? Quote.
What power given Jesus when he ’was exalted? Quote passage.
When did Jesus become "Prince and Savior?"
When was Jesus head of the church? Quote passage.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH (CONTINUED...)
Christ priest and king on his throne. "Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the temple of Jehovah; even he shall build the temple of Jehovah; and he shall bear the glory, and he shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both" (Zechariah 6:12-13). Christ was to be Priest and King on his throne. He was a Priest after the order of Melchizedek. To be a priest after the order of Melchizedek he must be priest and king at the same time (Hebrews 7:1). made priest after the law. "For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth the Son, perfected for evermore" (Hebrews 7:28). not a priest on earth. "Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law" (Hebrews 8:4). He did not, then, become priest till he ascended to heaven. As he is a priest upon the throne, he did not take the throne till he went to heaven. throne of david. "And Solomon sat upon the throne of David his father" (1 Kings 2:12). "Then Solomon sat on the throne of Jehovah as king instead of David his father" (1 Chronicles 29:23). In these passages the throne of David and the throne of Jehovah are the same. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever" (Isaiah 9:6-7). This promise that Christ was to sit on the throne of David was renewed in the New Testament: "The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:32-33). From these passages it is seen that Jehovah promised to give his Son the throne of David, and David’s throne is the Lord’s throne. Jehovah’s throne is in heaven. "Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven" (Psalms 11:4). "He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne" (Revelation 3:21). There is no difference between the throne of Christ, the throne of Jehovah, and the throne of David. It is spoken of as David’s throne because he occupied it. "Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption" (Acts 2:30-31). This passage declares that Jesus did not sit upon his throne till after his resurrection.
Jesus glorified. The mother of the sons of Zebedee made this request of Jesus: "Command that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy kingdom" (Matthew 20:21), James and John joined her in this request: "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy glory" (Mark 10:37). In reporting these matters the writers used "kingdom" and "glory" inter-changeably. If we can determine when Christ entered into his glory, we will learn when he entered into his kingdom. "But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:39). "Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory" (Luke 24:26). From these passages it is certain that he was not glorified before his death. To enter into his glory and to enter into his kingdom are the same. It must follow then that he was not in his kingdom till he ascended into glory. "He who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, received up in glory" (1 Timothy 3:16). The Spirit was to be given when Jesus was glorified (John 7:38-39). But the Spirit was given on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:1-4). Peter further confirms this: "Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear" (Acts 2:33), From this, it is seen that on this Pentecost he entered into his glory, his kingdom.
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST NECESSARY TO THE EXISTENCE OF THE church. Whatever is necessary to the existence of the church now has always been necessary to its existence. If one must believe in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ before he is eligible to membership in the church to-day, has not such faith always been necessary to membership in the church? But during the personal ministry of Christ no one could believe that Christ had died, been buried, and raised the third day, for the reason that such was not true. Had not Christ been raised, all the preaching of the apostles would have been in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). A body of people in Corinth was called the church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2). What did they believe, or did their faith have anything to do in preparing them for membership in the church? Paul declares that he preached to them the gospel; that the first thing he declared to them was "that Christ died for our sins according to scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he hath been raised on the third day" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Though some of them departed from the faith, they were all believers at the time they became members of the church, for Paul declared that they received what he delivered unto them (1 Corinthians 15:1); also, it is said, "Many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized" (Acts 18:8).
IF ESTABLISHED BEFORE CHRIST DIED—
It was under the limited commission (Matthew 10:7).
It was under the law of Moses, This is impossible, for Paul says the law had to be taken out of the way before they could be married to Christ (Romans 7:1-4). "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second" (Hebrews 10:9).
It was before the remission of sins. "For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh. Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:1-4).
It was not redeemed. "And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15).
It was before Christ became a priest. "If he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all" (Hebrews 8:4).
It was before Christ was made head (Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 1:22).
It was before they could preach Christ (Matthew 16:21).
It was before they were in the kingdom (Matthew 18:1-8).
It was before Christ sat on the throne (Acts 2:30-31).
SOME OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. In discussing this question we find that an opponent seldom makes a serious effort to overthrow the arguments presented in these lessons, but usually contents himself with offering objections, some of which we consider.
It is claimed that Jesus was king while on earth, and therefore had a kingdom. The passage relied on is John 18:37. If this statement that Jesus was a king proves that at that time he had a kingdom, it also proves that he had a kingdom when he was born, for he was born king (Matthew 2:2). This proves too much for our Baptist friends. It is frequently said of a child of wealthy parents that he is rich before he owns anything in his own right.
It is argued that some pressed into the kingdom (Luke 16:16), and that some were hindered from entering it (Matthew 23:13) during the personal ministry of Christ, and therefore the kingdom was then in existence. But those who thus argue seem ignorant of the fact that there was a time of preparation, and that into this preparatory state of the kingdom people might enter, and did enter.
In the establishment of any government there is, first, the time of preparation, in which the principles of the prospective government are debated and disseminated. The people are taught, an interest is stirred up in the new government sufficient to make them throw off the old and support the new. There is then a formal severance from the old, followed by a formal inauguration of the new. This was true in the establishment of the United States Government. The principles of political liberty and freedom were discussed, and the people learned by bitter experience of the intolerance of the English Government. As a result, they formally declared their independence in 1776. After they had gained their independence by the force of arms, they organized and adopted a permanent form of government. Independence was declared in 1776, the treaty of peace with Great Britain was signed in 1783, the States ratified the Constitution in 1787, and the Constitution went into effect in 1789. March 4, 1789, is the beginning of the present Constitutional Government of the United States. But before the establishment of the Government of the United States the people were pressing into it in its preparatory state, and it was suffering violence, and the Tories were doing all they could to keep the people from entering it. In the establishment of the kingdom of Christ, the principles of the proposed new government were disseminated, an interest was stirred up in the people, and then there was a formal doing away with the law of Moses, followed by a formal inauguration of the new government on the day of Pentecost. In rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, Cyrus delivered the vessels of the temple to Sheshbazzar, saying: "Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem" (Ezra 5:15). At that time even the foundation of the temple was not laid.
It as argued that Jesus gave a law of discipline for the church before his death, and that, therefore, the church existed at that time (Matthew 18:15-18). The arguments which have been presented prove conclusively that the church was not in existence at the time Jesus spoke this language, and it must follow that this language was used in teaching the disciples the law by which they were to be governed when the church was set up.
It is argued that the Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance, and that, as it was instituted during the personal ministry of Jesus, the church was then in existence. Those who thus argue also contend that baptism is a church ordinance, but baptism was practiced by John and Jesus before the church was established, according to their own theory. If baptism, which they call a church ordinance, could exist before the church began, why could not the Lord’s Supper also exist before the church began?
WILL BUILD CHURCH.
About eighteen months after Jesus ordained the apostles, he said: "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). "Will build" expresses future action. No theory that puts the establishment back of this date can possibly be correct. To escape the force of the language of Christ as used in this passage, some contend that the word translated "will build" means to enlarge or edify. The word has no such meaning in this passage, nor would any one so contend were it not that his position on the establishment of the church forced him into such false interpretation.
TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION AND DISCUSSION.
Church and Tabernacle.
Benefit of Christ’s Reign to the World.
Beginning of End of Christ’s Reign.
Relation of the King and His Subjects.
Blessings of Citizenship in Kingdom.
QUESTIONS.
What is the office of a priest?
What does a priest after the order of Melchizedek mean?
When was Christ made priest?
Why could he not be priest on earth? Quote passage.
Show he was priest and king at same time.
Show that the thrones of Jehovah, David, and Christ are the same. Quote.
Prove Christ was promised David’s throne. Quote passage.
Where is Jehovah’s throne? Quote passage.
Is Christ on the throne? Quote passage.
Prove Christ was resurrected to sit on the throne. Quote passage.
When was he seated on the throne?
What request did Zebedee’s wife make for her sons?
Name some of the sons of Zebedee.
Show that "kingdom" and "glory" are used interchangeably.
When was the Spirit given? Quote.
When did Christ enter into his glory? Quote passage.
When did he enter into his kingdom? Quote passages.
Is the resurrection of Christ necessary to the existence of the church?
Does our faith have to do with our membership in the church?
Did the Corinthians believe in the resurrection of Christ?
Can any one believe the gospel and not believe in Christ’s resurrection?
What was the "limited commission?"
When was the law of Moses abrogated? Quote passages.
Could the church have been established under the law of Moses? Why?
Were sins finally remitted under the law? Quote passages.
When was remission of sins in "name of Christ" first preached? Quote.
If the church was under the law, was it redeemed?
If church existed before Christ died, was he priest? Why?
When was Christ made head of the church? Quote passage.
Were disciples in kingdom during personal ministry of Christ? Quote.
Was Christ born king? Quote passage.
Why did he not have the kingdom at his birth?
How did people press into the kingdom before it was established?
How were people hindered from entering kingdom?
What is the process of developing and establishing a government?
How were vessels carried into temple before it was built?
What about the law of discipline for the church? Quote it.
Is the Lord’s Supper an ordinance of the Lord, or of the church?
Could they have the supper before the church was established?
What does "will build" mean?
When did Christ say: "I will build my church?" Quote passage.