|
|
|||
|
|
BY DONALD R. WELBORN Our appeal for the answer to this title question will be to the "SUPREME COURT" of all spiritual matters- THE WORD OF GOD, particularly the New Testament. It should be kept in mind that the Bible (God's Word) is:
Therefore, it is sufficient to instruct us in "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (I Peter 1:3). In I Corinthians 1:1-2 we have a clear definition of a New Testament Church. The church of God at Corinth was all that were sanctified (set apart) in Christ Jesus and they were called saints (set apart ons). How simple, but in reality, how sublime. The Lord's people in Corinth were called the church (or assembly) of God at Corinth. They were sinners, saved by grace through faith, apart from works of their own. (See Ephesians 2:8-9) In verses 13-16, Paul, the writer, speaks to them of baptism. It is obvious that, after having responded to Paul's preaching Christ crucified and risen (see I Corinthians 15:3-4), they were baptized. This, however was not in Paul's name, but rather in the name of the Lord Jesus which was representative of the Lord's person and authority. It should be noted that the unity of the believers was upon the Lord's authority, mandated in verse 10. Their denominating themselves (naming themselves) into four (4) sects was not treated by Paul as providential arrangement. It was clearly reproved and labeled divisive and, in chapter 3, verses 3-4, was declared to be carnal. It is obvious to a person of even casual interest in these things that Christians are, in our day, divided over baptism and many other things, as well as the problem of denominating. The Word of God is clear to the heart that wants to be obedient to God that we, as Christians, should not divide the Lord's people. And, it is sufficiently stated in Holy Scripture that baptism is not sprinkling or pouring water on a repentant believer in Christ, but rather is immersing that person in water and raising them up again. This is true for at least three (3) reasons. One, etymology of the Greek word transliterated baptise. It came from bapto, which is consistently translated "dip" in the King James Version (KJV). Two, the historic evidence appeals to immersion because of the place at the Jordan River where John the baptizer was baptizing repentant converts. In John 3:23, we see he was using that part of the reiver because of much water being there. I, personally, was at the area of the Jordan River in the spring of 1974 and had occasion to understand the statement of John 3:23 even more clearly. If sprinkling or pouring had been intended, much water would not have been needed. Finally, the third reason is seen in Romans 6 as burial. Therefore, being true to our Lord's command to disciple all nations (reaching them with the gospel), the followers of our Lord then, promptly, baptized those evangelized. The longest period of time between the point of the salvation of a sinner and his baptism, of which we have record, was three (3) days. This was Saul of Tarsus in Acts 9 and he was blind all three days. The day he received his sight he was baptized. Therefore, coming back to our title question, we can see that a New Testament Church was a body of baptized believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. They met regularly for edification, exhortation and comfort (see I Corinthians 14:3), seeking, by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, to carry out all that our Lord had commanded (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:4-8). It is encouraging to observe that those who gladly received Peter's testimony and exhortation were baptized... and continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:37-42). The writer of this article has no intent of rewriting the New Testament. But, rather, has purposed, due to much exercise of heart and mind, to set forth a few thoughts that, hopefully, can be used not only to answer the title question of the writing, but to clear up some confusion existing today. God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33), but of peace as in all churches (assemblies) of the saints. Many of the Lord's people fail to see that the Lord has purposed that He would guide the local assembly through elders (plural) who, by the Holy Spirit, had been placed as overseers (see Acts 20:17-32). No one was elected to be the pastor (one-man ministry), but spiritually mature men (elders) would take the oversight and shepherd (pastor) the assembly of God, which our Lord purchased with His own blood. Spiritual gifts are given to all the Lord's people and there are a variety of gifts for the various needs of the multitude of members in the entire body of Christ (see Romans 12:6-8, I Corinthians 12:1-31 & Ephesians 4:11-12). Sadly, many of the saints of God are primarily "spectators" rather than being "performers" (utilizing their gifts for the mutual benefit of others). There are some believers in this area who are simply trying to carry out their Lord's commands in a scriptural way. They take no name that is not biblical and common to all saints. They are gathered unto the name of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 18:20; Colossians 3:17) and wish to live and work in fellowship with other fellow saints to the glory of God. "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell togther, in unity" - DRW |
